As predicted in the Farmer’s Almanac, February did not disappoint with chilly weather. Below-average cold temperatures prevailed in many parts of the state last month. Hopefully, everyone took preventative measures ahead of time to keep their pipes from freezing. Freeze Miser devices attached to a faucet and a water trough valve. AgriLife photos courtesy of Costanzo and www.freezemiser.com 2025      One new product we tried out at my place, called the Freeze Miser, worked extremely well at keeping the lines from freezing. I have also gotten pictures… Read More →

According to long-range forecasts, chilly weather will persist through the end of February. Ensure you provide plenty of dry bedding and fresh water for your LGDs. Dogs need fresh water like your livestock, even during cold weather. The dog’s double coat can easily keep them warm in dry, freezing conditions. If their coats become soaked from heavy rain and the weather is incredibly windy and below freezing, dry them thoroughly before allowing them to return to work!  AgriLife Livestock Guardian Dog Program: Update and Events Our upcoming LGD… Read More →

Winter has arrived! As I sit in my office writing this blog, it’s currently 33 degrees outside with a wind chill of only 24 degrees. Ensure your LGDs have plenty of dry bedding and a place to get out of the wind. Hypothermia is a possibility if LGDs are drenched from rain and the temperature drops below freezing with strong winds. You may need to bring the dogs into the barn and dry them thoroughly before allowing them to return to work. A livestock blower with heat will… Read More →

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… Read More →

The weather is getting cooler, and fall is upon us. Now is the time to ensure your LGDs are in proper body condition. If they have lost their condition from the summer heat, add more fat and protein to their diet. Changing feeds or adding extra calories through supplements can help increase your dog’s BCS in time for spring lambing and kidding. Your LGD should have a body condition score of 4.5 to 5 by the spring season.  AgriLife Livestock Guardian Dog Program: Update and Events Please mark… Read More →

Roaming is one of the most significant issues with LGDs, but there is very little published literature on this topic. Many research articles are available on the dogs’ movements about livestock or their general movements in a pasture, but not on roaming. Roaming is the random travel of LGDs outside their pasture boundaries away from livestock. The reason for their trip may be predators, but often, the dogs travel in a straight line as if they are headed to a particular location over many miles. The reason for… Read More →

Summer heat and high humidity can be a severe problem for LGDs, especially the long-haired breeds. Heat exhaustion (hyperthermia) and heat stroke can occur rapidly in LGDs and can even lead to death. I recently lost my lead male LGD Brutus to heat stroke on a not overly hot or humid day. Brutus was a 7 ½-year-old male Maremma x Akbash x Great Pyrenees. He had suffered heat exhaustion last summer. After that incident, we watched the heat index daily for any spikes. We also ensured he was… Read More →

The summer heat and some moisture across the state have increased the number of flies in many locations. It is important to watch your LGDs for signs of a fly strike. We see it very often in short-haired LGD breeds, but it can also occur in long-haired LGDs. We use three products on our dogs that are susceptible to fly strikes. All three products from Farnam are commonly found in feed and farm stores. We use Swat ointment and a long-acting fly spray as preventative measures for dogs…. Read More →

This blog has often emphasized the importance of tick control, particularly for controlling Ehrlichiosis, a bacterial disease, spreading farther north of I-10 every year. While we use regular flea/tick control products, it’s crucial to note that not all products control all ticks for the same length. I urge you to read all the product inserts and do your due diligence to inform yourself of what a product does and does not control for a specified period. We tragically lost Johnny from round two of the bonding project in… Read More →

A friend recently shared a thought-provoking Facebook post with me, which I found deeply resonating with the spirit of LGDs. I shared it on our Facebook page in May, and I thought it would be fitting to include it in this month’s blog, as it beautifully captures the essence of these remarkable animals. “An LGD Never Retires” – author unknown. At some point in time, the young LGD becomes the old LGD. He can’t run as fast anymore, if at all. His claws have been worn smooth, and… Read More →