While most of us will never experience such losses as this, those of us who raise goats or sheep know that predators can be quite a problem. It appears that neighbor’s dogs are the most common problem. Stray dogs, coyotes, wild cats and wolves can also be problems depending on where you live.

Good fences and locking animals up in barns at night can help, but do not always fix the problem or are not practical in some situations. Neighbor dogs can be the worst as they are not usually frightened away by strange noises like a radio left playing in the barn or animals warning bells or lights. Some will even come by in the middle of the day to poke around at the livestock and many people simply won’t believe that their dog would kill livestock. If you shoot the dog you have just made an enemy out of your neighbor. Thus many people are finding guardian animals to be the best solution to the predator problem

There are many benefits to having a guardian animal.

The Guardian Dog

Dogs are by far the most popular guardian animals. To get a good one, first of all only consider one of a breed that is bred specifically for livestock guarding. The most common breed is the Great Pyrenees. Other breeds of dogs used for guarding livestock include Komondor, Maremma, Shar Planinetz, Anatolian Shepherd or Akbash, and Tibetan Mastiff.

Pups require proper raising to make good livestock guardian dogs. You must start to keep the pup with livestock when he is young (around 7 weeks). Goats and sheep will often butt a pup, so it is best to keep him in a small pen with lambs or kids. Lots of supervision is needed at this point to help the stock and pup to bond together. Do not allow the pup to play with the livestock. The average dog will begin to work around 6-9 months. You will want to avoid petting or playing with the pup as much as possible as you want the pup to bond with the stock and not with humans. Always start with one pup. If you like you can add another when that one is grown. As with any type of guardian animal, the guardian dog has no guarantee it will turn out to be a good one. The following possible problems should also be considered before a purchase is made.

Talk with dog breeders and owners to learn more about raising a pup and which breed may be best suited for you.

The time and trouble of raising a pup can be more than worth it, in keeping your livestock safe.

The Guardian Donkey

To begin with donkeys hate dogs. This makes them useful as guardian animals. Donkeys will chase, bite and stomp any strange dog they see. Dogs and coyotes are mostly too afraid of them to get very close. Donkeys also have the added advantage over dogs in that they can get all of their food off the pasture where they are guarding sheep or goats. They will also be kept penned with the stock so they won’t go wandering off to a neighbor’s property. A strand of barbwire at level with the donkey’s chest keeps the donkeys out of the feeding area where the livestock are fed grain. Donkeys do not need grain and can founder if allowed to have too much. Also donkeys can become greedy and chase the other animals away from the feed. All the donkey should need is a little hay in winter. Normally only a jenny (female) or gelding (castrated male) is used for a guardian donkey (jacks are usually too mean). It is best to have only one donkey so it will bond with the stock. Again you also will want to keep in mind the possible problems with a guardian donkey.

If possible buy one that has already been with livestock.

The llama is also a good guardian animal and will chase off dogs and coyotes. Like the donkey, llamas eat the same thing as the sheep or goats they are guarding and do not require special feed. The llama eats grain right along with the stock so no creep is required. Llamas are very gentle animals and easy to fence. Any number of llamas may be used, but one will bond with the stock better. A female or gelding (castrated male) is best, as a male will sometimes ride the ewes. Most people do shear their llamas once a year in the spring. Hand clippers are often used, as the llamas are afraid of electric clippers.

Possible problems or disadvantages to guardian llamas can include:

No matter what kind of livestock guardian animal you may choose, a time of introduction is required. Sheep and goats do not readily accept a strange animal into the herd. Be patient they will learn to trust their guardian if she is a good one. Which type of guardian you choose will probably be a matter of personal preference (which one do you like the best?). That is okay though, as animals always work out best if you really enjoy them.