[madison]

I've actually grown up with Labs... we've had three now. They are great dogs... our first was AWESOME but had hip displaisia (sp) and was riddled with tumors by 12 years old My parents both have labs currently and they are both huge beasts! Each weighs close to 90 lbs... they are too big for me, lol.

I had a friend with a RR, that's why I was asking. The damn thing FARTED so much, however, it was hard to stand having him around!!! OHMYGOD! It was awful!

I've had friends with great Aussies and dumber-than-dirt Aussies.... kinda hit or miss there.

Mutts are good.... I might do that. I do like the idea of saving someone vs. buying a puppy mill dog or an expensive purebred. I don't know....
keep talking!

[I_Like_Plants]

I'm very much in favor of a mutt or one of those Indian dogs. With the most favor towards one of those Indian dogs. All modern purebred dogs are freaks, as the risk of political incorrectness here, they're as suited to living in the real world and coping and being helpful as another "purebred" group, the British Royals.

[oowolf]

If you want an animal to alert you to the presence of intruders of any species try the guinea fowl.
http://www.indianchimneyfarm.com/articl ... rticleID=6

[oowolf]

by the way k_s, that's the way I feel(look) most of the time

[I_Like_Plants]

Just make sure that "18% protein chicken feed" you feed them isn't made with Mad Cow parts.

[dinopello]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Shannymara', 'E')nglish Mastiffs are bred to be guard dogs, and have a very sweet disposition. Plus their large size intimidates many people. Of course, they eat a lot of food.

[The_Toecutter]

If a dog attacks you and about has a grip on your hand, shove your fist as far down the dog's throat as possible until it is choking, and then kick the shit out of it. Worked with a German Shepard with minimal injury, will probably work with most other large breeds.

I'm more of a reptile person myself, but they generally won't meet your guidelines.

[k_semler]

I hope for your sake I never find you on my land. You will not even be alive long enough to wish you hadn't been there. You fuck with my dog, you fuck with Mr. Colt AR15. Hmm, how does that 1/2 magazine of BT/FMJ feel? Pretty good huh?

[The_Toecutter]

AR-15s might be nice, but they have nothing on a .50 BMG. I wouldn't even need to be within viewing distance of you or your dog.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('k_semler', 'I') hope for your sake I never find you on my land. You will not even be alive long enough to wish you hadn't been there. You fuck with my dog, you fuck with Mr. Colt AR15. Hmm, how does that 1/2 magazine of BT/FMJ feel? Pretty good huh?

[I_Like_Plants]

I knew a sign painter who worked at the San Diego Wild Animal Park when that was open, and his boss told him he, or someone working with lions, was playing around with a lion and things got rough, and he did the last thing the lion expected, shoved his arm further IN. That stopped the roughness, I'm willing to bet it's a good trick to know, if you think of it while getting chewed on.

[rattleshirt]

My folks are looking for livestock guard dog. I know people on here have different kinds. Would anyone care to tell their experiences and make suggestions?

[Sixstrings]

It's an extreme solution, but from what I've read the ultimate livestock guard dog is the South African boerboel. They are a branch off the mastiff line, and were bred by Africaaners to fight off lions.

As a breed, they are utterly fearless.

But yeah, a maremma would be easier to come by and safer choice all around.

[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

I've heard that turkeys make awesome guards. I've been bitten by a collie and a doberman (both working in guard dog capacity) and I'd prefer the collie, but they are high maintenance.

I've seen a german shepard bite through a steel belted radial tire when he was pissed off cause the guard didn't take him for a ride (his name was dirty Harry, no kidding).

I've also seen blue heelers used as dual purpose herders and guard dogs. But I think all around my fave (for guarding purposes and easy handling) would be the Belgium Sheppard.

Make sure they get one from a good trainer. Find out what companies use them and ask for references (don't ask a kennel they will of course give you references from their friends and best customers). Make sure they know that guard dogs aren't pets. This is the number one reason handlers get bitten. (see comment about Dirty Harry above)

[skyemoor]

It all depends on what you are protecting and what you are protecting them from.

Many guard dogs were bred to ward off (and kill) wolves and are not always suited to guarding against coyotes or people.

Coyotes play tricks on some guard dogs

Maremmas will mark off their territory (not necessarily along your property lines) and make their rounds, 'sounding' their presence.
They are effective in many situations, though I personally know people with Maremmas that are fooled by coyote packs that split up and draw away the dog while the other group goes in for the kill.

Anatolian Shepherds work in pairs; one will go investigate something suspicious, while the other stays with the flock/herd.

Komondors and Kuvasz are fierce guard dogs, but are also high protective when friends come by who they are not intimately familiar with. Both require socialization if interaction with others is desirable, especially the Kuvasz.

The training and raising of guard dogs who stay with the flock is unique; normally, they are put in with the flock/herd and become one of them, with little to no human interaction.

I would be extremely hesitant to acquire a guard dog whose parents are not also guard dogs, as genetic drift can introduce undesirable traits (or remove desirable ones). Make sure the breeder specifically breeds for guarding, and contact EACH of the owners of the pups from the last litter (and one 2-3 years ago, which shows their maturing traits) to find out what their results have been. And talk to at least one neighbor of the breeder to find out what they think the results have been or how the dogs interact with the livestock of others.

We chose an English Shepherd, which is the only herding dog I know of that can be trained to stay with the flock without harassing them. We primarily do this around lambing time.

[rattleshirt]

Does anyone have personal experience with livestock guard dogs?
Maremmas, Anatolians, Pyrennees, etc.?

[smallpoxgirl]

I have a friend that has a pair of Pyrenees. They do a very admirable job. She lives in an area of Montana with lots of predators. Everybody else I know in Montana with chickens is constantly working to keep down losses from skunks and other predators. She doesn't even have to lock her chickens up at night. The Pyrenees keep the skunks away. Amazing. They also guard a half dozen goats which share the same enclosure.

[duke]

Up here we have chickens. We also have coyotes and Candaian wolves, just tracked a mountain lion in the snow 250 yards from the chickens.

We have four German Shepherds. They are contained within a 25 acre portion of the ranch via a shock fence. It works very well. After many years the dogs have never crossed it and nothing ever really comes across from the outside world either. Sometimes a racoon will. That can play out several differant ways...net result dead racoon.

The chickens also have a shock fence running along the top of the corral fence which is covered in chicken wire (perfect grounding system).

All i can say is guard dog trainers say the German Shepherd is the best return by the pound of our money spent for personal protection and flock shepherding. I trained them not to attack birds which walk...but to attack birds which fly.

Regardless it is just our experiance and everyone has their own.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('duke', 'I') trained them not to attack birds which walk...but to
attack birds which fly.