Cooler temperatures are here, and we have gotten some rain lately across the state. Heavy rain has occurred at times around the San Angelo area, with over 5.5 inches falling at the Center on one day! We got 20 inches of rain from October 1st to November 15th at the Center. We hope this will continue through the winter and into the spring next year to help recharge the aquifer and provide an abundance of forage for the livestock.
We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas for all of us at the AgriLife Center. Our Christmas wish this year is to bring Goliath back home to the ranch in Ozona. We lost him back in October when illegal aliens or drug smugglers damaged our GPS tracking system. We lost track of Goliath’s location shortly afterward. We ordered a new tracking system, which finally arrived before Thanksgiving. The system is back up, but we have not been able to locate Goliath.
Goliath with his sheep in Ozona. AgriLife picture courtesy of Costanzo, 2021.
Goliath is a 5-year-old “Texas mix” (Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd x Akbash). If you live near Taylor Box Rd in Ozona and have livestock, please check your pastures for him. He could be up to 10 miles away from the ranch at this point. Goliath is long-haired with cream coloring. He is friendly and should come when called. He prefers sheep but will guard goats as well. He is wearing a large orange collar with a black GPS tracker. He is ID chipped, also. If you have seen or caught him, please contact me at the AgriLife Center in San Angelo immediately at 325-657-7311 or at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu.
AgriLife Livestock Guardian Dog Program: Update and Events
The Texas LGD Association will host a field day in Lampasas, TX, on Saturday, January 18th, at the Lampasas County Livestock Showbarn. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Several different workshops, a breeder panel, vendors, and an association meeting will be held. A ranch tour is also being planned for the event. Check out the Texas LGD Association Facebook pages for more information.
Our next LGD webinar will be held on February 26th at 2 p.m. Tamara Taylor from Turkmen Kangal Dogs, Patteran Akbash, and Dairy Goats will present a webinar on the Kangal breed. Ms. Taylor has been involved with LGDs for over 35 years and has provided Akbash and Kangal dogs for several USDA/APHIS research projects in the Western States. Check our website and social media pages for more information.
LGD Christmas Story
With the holiday season upon us, I thought it might be appropriate to write a story this month honoring the spirit of the livestock guardian dog. I have seen the courage and bravery of these fearless dogs firsthand and know that if needed, they will give their lives to protect our livestock from a threat. Here’s to all the LGDs past and present LGDs that keep our livestock safe all year.
The Christmas Guardian
Gus and Duke guard their herd in a snow-filled pasture on a ranch. The AgriLife picture is courtesy of ChatGPT and Costanzo, 2024.
Snow blanketed the wide-open pastures of the Harris family ranch, nestled in a quiet valley. The sheep huddled together for warmth, their breath steaming in the crisp winter air. At the pasture’s edge, a small puppy with oversized paws and fluffy white fur stood watch, his eyes gleaming with determination. His name was Gus, a Great Pyrenees pup barely six months old, full of heart but still learning the ways of the ranch.
Gus wasn’t alone in his training. His mentor, Duke, a seasoned Great Pyrenees with a grizzled muzzle and a wise gaze, had been the ranch’s guardian for over a decade. Duke was patient, showing Gus how to patrol the perimeter and bark just right to scare off threats. But a few weeks before Christmas, Duke had injured his leg while chasing off a mountain lion. The vet ordered complete rest, so Duke stayed by the barn, unable to help.
“You’re the guardian now, Gus,” Duke had rumbled one evening as they lay together near the barn. “Keep those sheep safe. I know you can do it.” Gus had puffed up with pride, determined to make Duke proud.
On Christmas Eve, the ranch was buzzing with preparation. Mrs. Harris was baking pies in the cozy farmhouse, and Mr. Harris was finishing last-minute chores in the barn. The ranch’s livelihood depended on a successful holiday season—local families always bought their Christmas lamb from the Harris Ranch.
As night fell, a snowstorm rolled in. The wind howled, shaking the barn doors. Gus trotted around the pasture, sniffing the icy air. Something wasn’t right. His ears perked, and he let out a low growl. He could sense danger.
The storm grew fiercer, and visibility dropped to almost nothing. Gus heard the faint sound of hoofbeats growing louder. A shadow moved along the fence line—it was a pack of hungry and bold coyotes. Gus barked sharply, and his little frame puffed up as he sprinted toward the threat.
Duke heard the commotion from the barn and tried to stand, but his injured leg gave out. He let out a deep, frustrated bark, calling encouragement to Gus. “You can do it, pup! Hold your ground!”
Gus stood firm, his barks sharp and commanding, echoing through the storm. The coyotes paused, startled by the unexpected confidence of the small guardian. Gus darted along the fence, nipping and barking, making himself appear larger and more threatening than he was. But the coyotes weren’t giving up easily.
Just then, Mr. Harris appeared, lantern in hand. “What’s going on out here?” he shouted, spotting Gus facing off against the coyotes. “Good boy, Gus!” He raised his shotgun and fired a warning shot into the air. The coyotes scattered into the woods.
Mr. Harris knelt down and hugged Gus, who wagged his tail furiously. “You saved the herd, boy,” he said, his voice thick with gratitude. “Duke trained you well.”
Duke released a soft, proud bark inside the barn as he watched from his resting spot. Gus trotted over to him, tail wagging, and Duke gave him a gentle lick on the nose. “You did it, kid. You’re a true guardian now.”
When the storm cleared on Christmas morning, the ranch was peaceful once more. The sheep were safe, and Gus sat proudly at the top of the hill, his fur glowing in the sunlight. Mr. Harris poured an extra helping of gravy on Gus’s breakfast, a Christmas feast fit for a hero.
That night, as the Harris family gathered around the tree, Gus and Duke lay side by side by the fireplace, the older dog resting his chin on Gus’s head. Gus may have been just a puppy, but on that snowy Christmas Eve, with Duke’s faith in him, he proved that even the smallest guardian could save the day.
Bonding Project Update
Dasher and Lady in Ozona at their new home. AgriLife photo courtesy of Costanzo, 2024
Round Six Dogs
All the pups were delivered to producers last month. This round of pups was tested for socialization levels, and all received a hot wire in the bonding pens. The pups were bonded as a single or pair as in past rounds. In addition, the Santa’s Reindeer pups received continuous invisible fence training after being released from the bonding pens. After being released from their pens, the “L” girls received semi-regular invisible fence training. We separated the pups into groups of two by treatment for this round. Each cooperating producer received a well-socialized pup and a less-socialized pup. Pups are in Ozona (Dasher and Lady), Mc Camey (Comet and Lulu), and San Angelo (Blitzen and Lilly).
In closing
If you enjoyed this monthly LGD blog, please remember to subscribe to it with this link: The Guardian Way | Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo. 
If you have feedback on this article or would like to suggest topics for future articles, webinars, or workshops, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.
If you are looking for information on LGDs, make sure to check out our website. It contains factsheets, research from around the world on LGDs, and case studies we have conducted.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Livestock Guardian Dog Program is a cooperative effort by Texas A&M AgriLife and the Texas Sheep and Goat Predator Management Board. Follow us on our social media sites and share them with your friends and family!
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Remember to check out the Texas LGD Association online! You can follow the organization on Facebook or YouTube at @TexasLGDAssociation or visit its website.
