For the sheep and goats that I am getting I will need protection beyond mere fencing. The predators are coyotes, roaming "pet" dog packs and mountain lions, so I've decided on LGD's rather than donkeys or llamas, which I feel would not be a sufficient deterrent to mountain lions or a pack of animals.

I like what I read and hear about Anatolian Shepherds, and my questions are these:

Does anyone have Anatolian Shepherds, and what are your opinions regarding these dogs vs. other LGD's?

Also, assuming the sheep/goat herd is unused to having a dog around, and given my inexperience, what age dog would be the most practical?

And finally, can anyone recommend a good book about training LGD's?

I've read that in order for a guardian dog to bond well with the flock it requires minimal contact with humans. I've also read and heard information to the contrary. I confess I would have a terrible time ignoring a beautiful intelligent animal just so that it would sleep with the sheep rather than me. I would vastly prefer a dog that was part of the family, so to speak. (And that would sleep with the sheep, of course). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-- Leslie A. (lesliea@home.com), July 02, 2001

Answers

Leslie we have Great Pyr, which are both pets and livetock guards. We have never lost a lamb and know of only 1 chicken taken by a coyote, this despite being told we could not raise sheep on this mountain! Our predators here include coyote, bears, mountain lions (although I've never seen one they are reported within a couple of miles), and supposedly wolves (I'm skeptical?). Our barn and pastures are very near our house, so the dogs are always close. My male, who was raised on the farm won't leave the side of newborns (much to their mothers dismay), our female, raised in Chicago sleeps under the house but is at the barn first sound of trouble.

Both our dogs are very lovable and extremely loyal. They also serve our needs entirely. I don't want a dog I have to beat to sleep with the sheep!!!!

Good luck. Kim

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), July 02, 2001.

OurGoatBarn-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

This is a great "opinionated" group I belong to. Most of the folks use guardians with their sheep and goats. A few have pups for sale now and then, and a breeder also of the beautiful Anatolians is on their. There really isn't alot of training to be done. It is ingrained in them. You do have to steer your pups in the right direction, since you will not have their mom their to teach them. I am not of the opinion that they should have minimal human contact either. I do wish I would have not let my gal friends around quite so much in the beginning, since my Morgan has no aggression at all with women. Stay away from rescue. Only purchase dogs or pups that are working. If the litter is raised in the garage away from the goats, don't purchase them either. Don't purchase an 8 week old pup, you want them older, bonded to the goats. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 02, 2001.