Home & Work

The boys and I were busy packing boxes to move to a new house in town at the end of August.  We sold our place outside of Grape Creek and moved to a smaller home in San Angelo.  This is going to be a big adjustment for the three of us and our two dogs.  My registered border collie, Booker, and my Pyrenees Maremma cross, Brutus, have never lived in town.   It is important to make changes with your LGDs slowly over time.  Things like adding or deleting livestock that the dog is accustomed to may cause behavior problems.

We were busy at the AgriLife Center last month.  Our maintenance crew and I installed water lines to all the bonding pens, so I do not have to haul water out to the stock and pups every other day.  That is a huge time saver for me.  We also removed our old kennel, poured a concrete slab for the new one, and started fabricating the new kennel structure.  The project should be done by the middle of September.  We also held the annual Sheep & Goat Field Day virtually this year, which included a presentation of the LGD program.  Check the Facebook page for more information regarding the LGD Field Day on September 25^th in Fredericksburg.

Internal Parasites – Gastrointestinal

This is the second part of a multi-part series on canine gastrointestinal parasites. The most common type of internal parasites that an owner of LGDs will encounter are worms.  There are five main types of worms that your LGD may encounter: roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms and flukes.  Last month we covered hookworms and this month we will focus on whipworms in LGDs.

Whipworm

The whipworm parasite is generally transmitted to dogs when they ingest infested food or water.  Although whipworms can be contracted from other infected animals as well.  Adult whipworms in dogs are typically found in the colon and cecum which is a part of the large intestine.  They attach themselves firmly to the intestinal wall.  Eggs are passed in the feces and become infective in about 4 to 8 weeks.  Under ideal conditions, whipworm eggs can remain dormant in the environment for several years in moist climates.  Once infective eggs are ingested by the host, the larvae hatch and develop in the small intestine and then move to the cecum and colon, where the adults mature in about 11 weeks and will remain there for up to 16 months.  No signs are seen in light infections, but as the number of worms increases the cecum and colon can become inflamed, which can cause diarrhea and weight loss in the dog.  Fresh blood might be seen in the feces in heavy infections and anemia may also result.

Since whipworm eggs take a month to become infective, whipworms can be controlled with good sanitation in a kennel situation.  Prompt removal and proper disposal of feces is critical in confined areas.  Whipworms are susceptible to drying; therefore, keeping the dog in an environment that is clean and dry reduces the risk of infection considerably.  A variety of medications—including some monthly drugs that prevent infections with other parasites like heartworms—are available for treating whipworm infections.  Your veterinarian will choose one that is appropriate for your LGD and its environment.

Sources: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/digestive-disorders-of-dogs/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-dogs?query=canine%20internal%20parasites#v3202812, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-small-animals/whipworms-in-small-animals?query=canine%20whipworms, https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_trichuriasis

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

We will be starting our second round of the Bonding Project Trial this month.  We have added a new phase to the project, and we will have a total of eight dogs involved this time from two different breeders in Texas.  We will be bonding two of the dogs within close proximity to our Center and the others will be bonded in a pen at the furthest end of our pastures, over 1 mile away. The goal of this project is to see if there is a difference in roaming behavior later in life of dogs bonded to animals nearer to human activity than dogs bonded further away.

Bo n Luke, “The Duke Boys”

The Duke Boys that are being trained for a cooperating producer are coming along well.  They will be leaving once the new set of puppies arrive for the Bonding Project.  The Legends of Country Music are also doing well and will be moving to our research ranch in Menard at the end of September.  They will 8 months old by that time and ready to start working under the supervision of our two adult dogs with the sheep there.  Willie will be returned to his breeder as his right front leg is still causing him to limp and move around slowly.  He will have a small place to guard and receive the daily care he needs.  I will miss his friendly and happy personality.

The Stooges are all still doing well at the cooperating producers ranch.  The hot wire treatment during bonding has worked very well for those dogs.  According to the producer they are always with stock and have not left the herd at all.  GPS data for over 60 days shows that he is correct about that.

The Superheroes are also doing well, but Thor and Hulk routinely leave their pastures to guard other stock.  Thor also visits his old friends, the Stooges, once in a while.  In their defense, the fencing at that ranch is old and holes develop regularly which does not help keep the dogs and stock where they are supposed to be.  However, it does show a difference in the bonding project criteria since these dogs did not have hot wire in their pens when they were reared and bonded at the Center.

LGD Breed Spotlight – Karakachan

The Karakachan dog is likely a breed you have not heard much about as they are rare in the United States.  Native to Bulgaria, it is difficult to trace their exact

Karakachan Breed Standard

origin as they are an ancient breed.  It is widely believed that they originated from Central Asian herding dogs.  They derive their name from a native group of shepherding people called the Karakachani, who lived in Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania.  These nomadic people put great emphasis on animal breeding, as well as preserving, the Karakachan dog.

The dog breed’s prime purpose has always been to guard livestock on mountains.  They are known for their courage when confronted with such threatening predators, like bears and wolves, and will not hesitate to defend their flock.  Due to their sheer size, as well as their inherent loyalty and territorial behavior, the Karakachan has also been used for many years as a patrol dog.

The Karakachan is a remarkably large and impressive dog, reaching heights of 25-30 inches, weighing between 88-135lbs.  They are double coated and always have a thick, full undercoat, but their straight topcoat is variable among the breed and may be short or long.  When long, it should reach lengths of over 4 inches.  Their coat color will be white with brown, or white with black, or white with both black and brown.  Large, well defined colored spots are preferred on the dogs.  Most dogs have black noses, but red noses are seen in red or brown dogs.

The Karakachan is dedicated to its role and is hardy, diligent, and hard-working. They are always alert, patrolling and guarding their flock.  They will bark to warn off predators.  They are less likely to roam than other LGD breeds and will move their stock to safe areas if they perceive a threat.  Any perceived threat to their herd will be met with aggression. They are a breed that will bond closely with their stock and will quickly become very protective of them.  They need extensive socialization when young to encourage them to be tolerant of strangers within their area, as they will instinctively be very wary of any newcomer.

They were developed throughout the years for high levels of stamina and the ability to patrol a flock all day and jump to their defense when needed.  While they are known to be an intelligent breed, the Karakachan survived by itself for a long time out on the remote Bulgarian mountains and can thus be strong-willed when it comes to training.  They require a confident and experienced handler who will not allow them to get their own way.  This is particularly important due to their strength and potential for aggression when they feel threatened.  Positive reinforcement works best when training the Karakachan.

Sources: Dohner, Janet Vorwald. Farm Dogs: A Comprehensive Breed Guide to 93 Guardians, Herders, Terriers, and Other Canine Working Partners. Storey Publishing, 2016,  https://www.dogzone.com/breeds/karakachan/ , http://www.karakachanusa.org/

Breeder Profile  

This month’s LGD breeder who is using LGDs in his operation is Michael Annuziato from South Plains, Texas .  He owns and operates the A Bar Z Ranch.

Q: Describe your operation/ranch.

1. How many LGDs do you currently own?
2. Explain your LGD program.

A:  We have a small breeding operation of sheep, goats, alpacas, chickens, ducks, turkeys, quarter horses and cattle.  We have six adult LGDs and four pups that

Customers with two of Mic’s Maremmas.

are 5 months old. There are currently dogs with different animals and at different locations, usually in pastures of two to three dogs guarding.

Q: What got you started in breeding LGDs?

A: We had two old Maremmas that were extremely good guardians that died on our property.  We had a difficult time replacing them. I was working for a neighbor taking care of his sheep when he suggested that I breed and raise some for him and sell the rest.

Q:How long have you bred LGDs?

A: I have been breeding and selling livestock guardian dogs for seven years now.

Q: Do you prefer a specific breed of LGD?

A: Yes, I prefer Maremmas.   They are originally from Italy.  They seem to stay with livestock better than other breeds I have used.

Q:What breed of LGD do you raise?

A: I raise purebred Maremmas. I feel purebreds do better than mixing breeds to form composites.  You do not always end up with the best of the breeds in pups when you mix them together.  There is not enough scientific information available on purebred LGDs, let alone mixed breeds of dogs to know what traits are likely to show up in a specific breeding cross.

Q: Do you have an LGD mentor?

A: My mentors have all moved on, but they were there to help me start 15 years ago.  I’m always available to my customers to answer questions and provide advice on the dogs.  Its important to have a mentor to talk to when you are just starting out with the dogs.  You breeder is a great choice since they know their specific line of LGDs.

Q: What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting to breed LGDs?

A: The special thing I did in the beginning was to research the breed and find out all I could about them.  I would highly recommend that people that are looking into getting livestock guardian dogs do as much research as possible on the dogs.  They should look for a breeder that raises the breed of dog that they are wanting.  They want to make sure that the breeder bonds the dogs to the same type of livestock that the producer has at his ranch

Two of Mic’s female Maremmas.

Q: What is the number one thing you would recommend to a new LGD user?

A: I would highly recommend that people that are looking into getting livestock guardian dogs do as much research as possible on the dogs.  They should look for a breeder that raises the breed of dog that they are wanting.  They want to make sure that the breeder bonds the dogs to the same type of livestock that the producer has at his ranch.

Q: What is the number one thing you recommend to a new LGD user?

A: Do research on the LGDs.  Interact with other LGD owners, find a right-hand man that will be very loyal and help you.

Q: What is your favorite LGD or LGD story and why?

A:  The Maremma is my favorite, very loyal, and passionate about their job. They tend to stay with the stock, bonding and protecting them. They are not an overly aggressive LGD. They have a large deep bark that warns the enemy to stay away. They can be, and I recommend it that they be, socialized with family.  This also helps when you must take them to the vet for shots etc.  They are highly intelligent! They are very loving and gentle with our children and grandchildren.

LGD Timely Tips

Every Tuesday check out our Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguardog for Tuesday’s LGD Tip of the Week!

• Dogs heavily infested with brown dog ticks often require blood transfusions to recover. Routine use of tick control keeps the situation from getting out of paw
• Hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne disease that can cause weight loss, fever, lethargy, and muscle pain. Transmission of Hepatozoonosis occurs by ingestion of an infected tick and not by a tick bite.
• You may not always spot a tapeworm in pet’s feces after treatment, but this does not mean the pet was not infected. The treatment targets the tegument or covering of the worm, which may cause it to be digested by the animal instead.

Sources: Bayer Animal Health Companion Vector Borne Diseases Calendar 2019

To provide feedback on this article or request topics for future articles, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAMUlivestockguarddog/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7YbP6bNDV7___6H8mifBA

Home & Work

My boys are finally registered for their college courses after more than two months of delays due to Covid-19 closures and will be starting classes at the end of the month.  That was quite an ordeal to go through with limited personal interaction due to the lockdown.  Hopefully no one has been too inconvenienced trying to contact personnel at the San Angelo AgriLife Center; we are back working at 50% capacity at our location until further notice.

We are gearing up for the next phase of the puppy bonding project in early fall.  We are currently looking for puppies to place into our second trial.  Check our Facebook page for the name the puppy contest.

We were happy to have Dr. John Tomecek join us for the July webinar on the LGDs and wildlife.  Dr. Tomecek is an Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist and was based out of the San Angelo Center a few years ago, but is now based out of Thrall, Texas.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uExmgKerf8A&t=25s

We are now hosting monthly LGD webinars. Each event will be sponsored, and prizes provided by the sponsors may be given away to lucky participants.  Each webinar will be on a different topic related to livestock guardian dogs.  Check out our Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguarddog for more details and to register for the events.  Don’t forget to follow our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7YbP6bNDV7___6H8mifBA

Internal Parasites – Gastrointestinal

This is the second part of a multi-part series on canine gastrointestinal parasites. The most common type of internal parasites that an owner of LGDs will encounter are worms.  There are five main types of worms that your LGD may encounter: roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms and flukes.  Last month we covered round worms and this month we will focus on hookworms in LGDs.

There are several types of hookworms that can cause disease in dogs.  Ancylostoma braziliense infects dogs and is distributed from Florida to North Carolina and along the Gulf Coast in the United States.  Uncinaria stenocephala is the principal canine hookworm in cooler regions.  It is the primary canine hookworm in the northern fringe of the United States, but it is found with frequency across the country.

Hookworms (Wikipedia)

Hookworm eggs are first passed in a dog’s feces 15 to 20 days after they are infected.  They hatch in 1 to 3 days when deposited on warm, moist soil.  Transmission of the worms may result when larvae are ingested or in the case of A. caninum, from the colostrum or milk of infected female dogs.  Infections with Ancylostoma species can also result from larval invasion through the skin.  Once the skin is penetrated in young pups the worm’s larvae migrate through the blood to the dog’s lungs.  The worms are then coughed up and swallowed to mature in the dog’s small intestine.  However, in dogs more than 3 months old the larvae may remain in the body tissues in a state of arrested development.  These larvae are activated after removal of adult worms from the intestine or during pregnancy.  They will then accumulate in the small intestine or mammary glands of the female dog.

A hookworm infection will often cause anemia in young puppies and it may be fatal.  The anemia is the result of the bloodsucking and the bleeding internal wounds that occur when these hookworms change their internal feeding sites in the small intestine.  This movement of the worms leaves open wounds in the dog’s intestines.  An outward sign of infection to look for is pale linings of the dog’s nostrils, lips and ears.  Surviving puppies develop some immunity and show less severe signs.  Malnourished and weakened animals may continue to grow poorly and suffer from long-term anemia.  Mature dogs may harbor a few worms without showing signs.  These dogs are often the direct or indirect source of infection for puppies.  Watch for diarrhea with dark, tarry feces as this is a sign of severe infections in dogs.  Anemia, loss of appetite, weight loss and weakness develop in long term cases of the disease.

Hookworm Life Cycle

There are several drugs and drug combinations that are approved for treatment of hookworm infections in dogs.  In addition, many heartworm medications also control certain species of hookworms.  Hookworms cannot be seen with the naked eyes.  A diagnosis can often be made from the identification of hookworm eggs upon microscopic examination of fresh feces from infected dogs.  Your veterinarian can recommend the best treatment for your LGDs if you suspect a hookworm infection.

Sources: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/digestive-disorders-of-dogs/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-dogs?query=canine%20internal%20parasites#v3202812, https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_ancylostomiasis

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

Waylon & Johnny with ewes

The Legends of Country Music are now over 6 months old and are all doing well.  Waylon’s injuries are all healed up at this point and he is very happy to have rejoined Johnny.  Willie had an issue with a front leg.  For some reason the growth plate in his knee has fused together already.  This in turn caused him to limp which irritated the should and wrist joints.  Our veterinarian is not sure why this occurred, as it was only the one growth plate.  Willie was prescribed limited movement for three weeks along with an anti-inflammatory medication and a pain medication.  He is doing much better now and recently rejoined his brothers.  If the problem should return, he will have to be removed from the program as our veterinarian feels he will not be able to effectively carry out his duties on large acreage.  We will keep you updated on Willie if the problem reoccurs.

Hulk, Goliath and Thor with ewes

The Superhero’s are all doing well still and getting big!  I almost didn’t recognize them the last time I saw them.  Thor has wandered twice recently to visit his old friends the Stooges at a cooperating producers ranch.  We are trying out a new satellite GPS tracker on the dogs from Optimus Tracking.  The trackers are working great and we are getting regular updates on their positions.

These new satellite trackers use 4 AAA batteries and are waterproof.  They don’t require cellular service which is a big plus for our ranch location.  The company claims that the unit’s batteries should last 6 months so it will be interesting to find out in a real-world application.  We will keep you posted how they are working.

LGD Breed Spotlight – Sarplaninac

Sarplaninac Breed of LGD

The Sarplaninac (pronounced shar-pla-nee-natz) is from the mountain region of southeastern Yugoslavia (now Serbia), Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania.  This breed was formerly named the Illyrian Shepherd Dog when first recognized in 1939.  The name was changed in 1957 to Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog Sharplanina, after the Sharplanina mountain range where the breed is most common.  The Sarplaninac is still widely used in its homeland to protect flocks against predators.  Until 1970, Sarplaninac’s could not be legally exported from Yugoslavia.  Since then, growing numbers of American ranchers have been successfully using Sarplaninac’s for predator control.  They prefer more human contact than other breeds which make them slightly less suitable for range operations.

The Sarplaninac is a formidable adversary of predatory animals.  This breed has a typical livestock guarding temperament: highly intelligent and independent; devoted to family members and wary of strangers.  It is calm and steady but fearless and quick to react to perceived threats.  The Sarplaninac is a medium-sized dog who looks bigger than they are because of their heavy bone and thick coats.  The length of the dog’s body is slightly longer than its height and the head is in proportion to the size of the body.  The Sarplaninac’s ears are drop and V-shaped.

The Sarplaninac is a double-coated breed with a long, straight, rough-textured outer coat and a shorter, much finer and thicker undercoat.  The coat on the head, ears, and front side of the legs is short.  The hair on the neck, buttocks, tail and the back side of the legs is longer.  This variation in coat length results in a ruff at the neck, and frill on the buttocks and backs of the legs.

The dog’s height at maturity is 24 inches or more for males and 22½ inches or more for females.  Mature males in good working condition weigh between 77 and 99 pounds. While mature females weigh between 66 and 88 pounds.  Despite being slightly smaller than many other livestock guarding breeds, the Sarplaninac is characterized by extraordinary strength.  Dogs in North America tend to be slightly larger than their European counterparts.  Our producer of the month, Independence Wool, uses these dogs on their livestock operation.  Check out what they have to say towards the end of this month’s edition of The Guardian Way!

Sources: Dohner, Janet Vorwald. Farm Dogs: A Comprehensive Breed Guide to 93 Guardians, Herders, Terriers, and Other Canine Working Partners. Storey Publishing, 2016,  https://www.ukcdogs.com/sarplaninac

Texas LGD Association

 In the fall of 2019 several LGD breeders where contacted by the AgriLife Center in San Angelo in the hopes of establishing an association to support the use of livestock guardian dogs in Texas.  The group of local breeders has met several times and have officially formed the Texas Livestock Guardian Dog Association.  The goal of the organization is to support, promote and advance the sustainable use of effective livestock guardian dogs by farmers and ranchers.  The group of 16 founding members represents a variety of LGD breeders, ranchers and people interested in promoting LGD use in Texas.  Bylaws for the association have been created and a temporary board of directors has been selected.  The organization is officially recognized by the State of Texas and is in the process of filing a 501c3 nonprofit request with the IRS.

The TLGDA has a Facebook page that can be found @TexasLGDAssociation.  One of the main goals is to create a website for breeders to advertise LGDs for sale and to promote the use of the dogs to ranchers.  The group will be making a presentation at the AgriLife LGD Field Day in Fredericksburg on September 25.  The association is open to anyone that is interested in raising, using or promoting the use of LGDs.  Please contact me via email at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu with any questions or how to join the Texas Livestock Guardian Dog Association.

Breeder Profile  

This month’s LGD ranchers that is effectively using LGDs in their operation are Dawn and Paul Brown of Independence Wool.

Q: Describe your operation/ranch.

1. What type of livestock do you have?
2. How many head of stock do your dog’s guard?
3. How many acres do your dog’s guard?

Wool processed into yarn at Independence Wool Mill

A:  We are a small sheep and goat ranch located outside of Independence, Texas, between Brenham and College Station. Our home, ranch, and wool mill sit on 80 acres in an area of low rolling hills, live oaks, scattered brush and native prairie grasses.  Our range, combined with usual plentiful rainfall, allow for a denser stocking rate which currently consists of 120 Angora goats and fine wool sheep (Rambouillet and Merino).  We primarily produce wool and mohair as a source of fiber for the mill, although we purchase raw fiber from other Texas producers as well.  We create Texas grown and processed yarn and textiles for the artisan hand-craft market.  Our region mostly consists of cattle and horse ranches, and, as it is relatively close to large urban communities, we have mostly part-time weekend-only neighbors.  Very little predator control is undertaken in our county, and our biggest issues really surround a hefty coyote population and prevalent town dogs or feral dogs.  We do have bobcat, great horned owls, caracara and turkey vultures, but thankfully very few feral hogs.  We do have venomous snakes, but mostly copperheads, occasional coral snakes and water moccasins.

Q: How long have you used LGDs?

Sarplaninac on duty at Independence Wool

A: We have had LGDs now for almost 10 years. However, Paul has been a dog person since youth, training, competing, and hunting with Labrador retrievers.  Growing up, I was always surrounded by dogs and, as a youth, I participated in conformation dog shows with 13-inch beagles.  Sporting and hound dogs are very different than the LGD, but you certainly learn a lot about drive, instinct and training from those breeds. With my beagles, they were easily trained and groomed for the show ring, but after you cleaned them all up, if you happened to walk them on the leash past a certain smell, they would drop and roll in it every time!

Q: How many dogs do you use?

A:  We usually have four dogs- two with the wethers/bucks, and two with the does/ewes and their kids/lambs. We have two GP females, and one Sarplaninac male.  This June we lost our six-year-old Sarplaninac female to Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.  We are fortunate that all the dogs got along very well, three were spayed females, and one is an intact male.  The groups of two dogs always shared a fence line with each other, could easily switch partners, and all four worked together in the same pasture if need be.  Our two female GPs are litter mates and came to our ranch at 10 weeks of age.  They came from working parents and were raised with our goats. Raising sibling females is

LGD on duty at Independence Wool

controversial in the LGD world, but it worked great for us.  They are matched in energy, independence, guarding style, stock bonding, and lack food/resource aggression… most of all, no fighting between themselves or the other two dogs.  They are now 9 years old, and still work together.  We were told via the online LGD forums that we “just got lucky” … perhaps… but I believe there is a missing “link” to this issue.  Our Sarplaninac’s were imported from Canada, from Grazerie Ranch, Louise Liebenberg.  We were looking for a steadfast, loyal guardian with a harder edge in dealing with the coyote load in Texas.  Our male dog was 3 years old when imported, and the female was 11 weeks of age.  These two dogs shared the same sire, so they were not to be a breeding pair.  We spayed the female and left the adult male intact.  These dogs are not common in North America, and we thought a litter sired by him could be possible one day down the road.

Q: Do you prefer a specific breed of LGD?

A: I wouldn’t say one breed is preferred over the other, but what we needed were dogs that could be trusted to guard and be companionable as well.  As a small ranch and producer, our stock is handled or managed daily in a manner more intensively than a large thousand-plus acre operation.  We spend a lot of time around the livestock and dogs, so we sought breeds and breeders that bonded well to their shepherd and flock/herd.  I would say our GPs are fairly typical. They bark and posture at threats, move goats off the fence line when they sense danger, putting themselves between the goats and whatever has caused the alarm.  They tend to stay in amongst the sheep and goats. They are less aloof than the Sarplaninac and enjoy a great deal more head petting. Overall, the Sars are a harder dog.  They are “guardy” and can be a whole lot of dog for one to handle. It is a primitive breed, very old, if not one of the oldest LGD breeds.  Having said that, our older male dog, Shadow, is friendly, polite with strangers, incredibly stable and calm, but always on the watch. He was raised in Canada with sheep and seems to prefer their company.  Our female Sars that we lost in June was always a handful. She was the most vigilant and reactive of the dogs and would go right through or shimmy under a fence to get at a threat.  She was always on the higher-energy side.  She required a yoke when in the pasture most all her life. We stopped her as an adolescent from pulling Angora goats around by the tail and dealt with her food aggression.  She went on to never hassle or injure stock. She was the best at coming to you when her name was called, and she never picked fights with the other dogs- after she grew out of continuously ankle-biting them as a puppy.  It wasn’t always sunshine and roses with her, but she was a good dog and we learned a great deal.  Both breeds of our dogs have a denser coat that requires extra care. The Sars have a correct working coat, and thankfully due to our milder winters produce less of a downy undercoat.  We do have to manage for spear grass in our area, and feel it is best to clip the belly and leg hair for the dogs.  We also clip the hair under their ears in the summer as it seems to help them stay cool and have fewer ear ailments.

Q: Do you have an LGD mentor?

A: Someone I have enjoyed following over the years is Louise Liebenberg of Predator Friendly Ranching Blog, High Prairie, Alberta.  We imported our two Sarplaninac’s from her in 2014. While her range is vastly different than ours, I felt that her methods were generally based on the idea that by making management decisions that set your dog’s up for success, many problems can be avoided and therefore the rancher, dogs, wildlife and livestock all benefit.  This goes for just about everything, deciding how the dogs are fed to reduce the chances of food aggression, what fencing type and height to decrease roaming, GPS and identifying collars for location if dogs wander, socialization and basic obedience training to promote a safe “good citizen” guardian at the ranch or if in contact with the public.  Louise also implements nighttime corralling with her stock and dogs, and that is something that works well for us, too.  Our sheep and goats, along with the dogs, come back to shelter in the evenings. This paddock is enclosed behind a gate overnight.  In the morning, chores are finished, and everyone is turned back out to their pastures.

Q: What’s the one thing you wish you knew before starting to use LGDs?

A:  I would have to say when doing research regarding LGDs and their management, be wary of individuals that offer knowledge or advice in absolutes.  Language such as “must always”, “don’t ever”, and “must not” when dealing with working dogs doesn’t agree with me.  The varied range conditions, operations sizes, type of stock guarded, and breed characteristics, make it hard for a “one size fits all” absolute approach.  Starting down that path early into LGDs can set you up for disappointment and discourage you from finding what really works for your ranch.

Q: What is the biggest thing you recommend to a new LGD user?

A: Consider treating the dogs like the valuable asset to your ranch that they really are.  Treat them well and set them up for success. Give

LGD Gate Sign

them fewer obstacles to an already tough job.  Provide them good food, clean water, quality vet care, correct fences.  Give them a way to get back to you if they get lost chasing a predator- microchip, GPS collar, collar with tags.  Depending on your area- let your neighbors know what to expect from your dogs, educate them about the dog’s job and value to livestock and wildlife. Reinforce the dog’s good behavior, have positive energy, smile and be kind. If you feel like throwing things, screaming, and punching a wall, and that can happen with LGDs, try not to scream and throw things at them.  If something goes wrong, take a step back, see if you had a role in the outcome before claiming the dog failed. No one is perfect, no dog is perfect, but a good LGD is worth all the effort.

Q: What is your favorite LGD or LGD story and why?

A:  Paul’s favorite story: Angora goats, and goats in general, can easily get themselves into predicaments.  One evening in early fall, one of our yearling bucks in full fleece found himself stuck in bramble vines and unable to get free.  When the herd headed off to the barn before dark, he was left behind and struggling to get free.  One thing that is handy when nighttime corralling our animals, is that you notice when all the dogs are not back at the barn at dusk, sometimes that is easier than counting all the goats.  And on this night, one of the GPs didn’t return with her goats.  Paul went out to search for her and found the buck in the brambles with the dog standing by.  Good dog.

Dawn’s favorite story: My story has to do with an unexpected visitor in the barn.  When we first started raising Angora goats in 2010, my job had taken us from Texas to Northeast Arkansas.  I was practicing rural women’s health out in the foothills of the Ozarks, near the Missouri border.  In addition to the goats, we also raised black Angus seedstock via AI.  One afternoon during a torrential rainstorm, I was working in the office area of the barn and had the dogs inside with me. Our goats were like indoor cats and never liked to be wet, so they were bedded down undercover during the storm.  The rain was so heavy on the metal roof that I didn’t hear anyone approaching barn, but when the door opened and a hooded raincoat clad man entered with the liquid nitrogen for the cryo tank- the dogs were up and barking angrily- I call it the vicious “police dog” bark. He backed out fast!

LGD Timely Tips

Every Tuesday check out our Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguardog for Tuesday’s LGD Tip of the Week!

• Ticks don’t engorge within 24 hours. If you see an engorged tick it means it has been there for longer. The feeding period can range
  

  Engorged Brown Dog Tick & normal Brown Dog Tick

  from several days to more than a week.

• The brown dog tick is the perfect vector for several dangerous pathogens including Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli.
• Heartworm microfilariae can be transmitted to unborn puppies via the placenta. So,
  

  Heart Worm Microfilariae

  puppies may be born with microfilariae in their circulatory system!

To provide feedback on this article or request topics for future articles, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.

Bill Costanzo
Research Specialist II, Livestock Guardian Dogs

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAMUlivestockguarddog/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7YbP6bNDV7___6H8mifBA

This is a new section to The Guardian Way in which I will give you a brief update on things happening for me at home and work.  In May, my twin boys graduated from high school in Grape Creek.  Although it was not your traditional ceremony, which I’m sure most were not this year, the boys were excited and happy to finally put that chapter of their lives behind them.  It was sad for me, being a former teacher who  saw so many traditional graduations of my past students,  to miss out on that tradition with my own sons. Grape Creek High School did a great job with the video they presented.  It was also a nice touch for them to send home a flash drive with professional pictures of the student’s individual ceremonies and parent and graduate pictures.

We are supposed to all be back to work at the center by August 1 baring anything else halting working from the office from the Covid-19 pandemic.  Hopefully our travel ban will be lifted too, and I will be able to start visiting producers again.  I learn something each time I have a producer visit.  I also completed the process of developing my first LGD factsheet, How to Select an LGD Puppy.  The factsheet can be found on our website at  https://sanangelo.tamu.edu/research/lgd/.

Internal Parasites – Gastrointestinal

Roundworms

This is the first part of a multi-part series on canine gastrointestinal parasites. The most common type of internal parasites that an owner of  LGDs will encounter are worms.  There are five main types of worms that your dog may encounter: roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms and flukes.

 The large roundworms known as ascarids are common in dogs, especially in puppies. The most important species is Toxocara canis because infections are common.  Fatal infections may occasionally be seen in young pups. Toxascaris leonina is typically much less common and is generally seen in older dogs.

Adult dogs often have some resistance to infection.  However, during whelping of a litter, the immunity of the female dog to infection is partially suppressed.  Often the inactive larvae become active, crossing the placenta to the pups and sequestering in the mammary tissue.  When the puppies nurse they are transmitted in the colostrum and milk.  Due to immune system suppression at the time of whelping, active infections may occur in the pregnant dog, with large numbers of eggs passed in the feces.

In puppies, round worm infection usually occurs by transfer into the developing fetus through the placenta.  The worms can be found in the intestines of the puppies as early as 1 week after birth.  Pups may also be infected while nursing.  If pups less than 3 months old eat the eggs that have been in the environment for at least 4 weeks, the eggs will hatch, releasing larvae that penetrate the intestinal wall. The larvae migrate through the liver, reach the lungs via the bloodstream, are coughed up, swallowed, and mature to egg-producing adults in the small intestine.  Many larvae will be carried by the bloodstream to other parts of the dog’s body and remain in the tissues of the dog for years in an inactive form.

Puppies often show no signs of infection.  The first indication of infection in young animals is lack of growth and loss of condition.  Infected

Potbellied puppy with round worms.

dogs may have a dull coat and often appear “potbellied.”  Worms may be vomited out and are often passed in the feces.  In the early stages, migrating larvae may cause pneumonia, which can be associated with coughing.  Diarrhea with mucus may also be evident.  Infection in dogs is diagnosed by detection of the roundworm eggs in feces using a microscope.

There are several compounds available for treating roundworm infections in dogs.  Transmission of infection from mother to newborn can be greatly reduced by a program of antiparasitic drugs given during pregnancy and after the birth of a litter.  Pups should be treated as early as possible.  Ideally, treatment should be given 2 weeks after birth and repeated at 2- to 3‑week intervals to 2 months of age, then monthly to 6 months of age.  We use a liquid wormer that is given orally for the pups at the AgriLife Center.  Nursing dogs should be treated on the same schedule as their pups.

 Source: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/digestive-disorders-of-dogs/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-dogs?query=canine%20internal%20parasites

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

Johnny & Willie cooling off.

Waylon has finally rejoined the other two pups and is healing up well from his injuries in early May.  He required several stitches and three vet visits before we were able to get his infection under control from one of the wounds.  For more information on this incident you can check out the video at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QB2nRHALLE

All three of the Legends of Country Music are doing well in the bonding project and are staying close to their Dorper ewes.  We recently introduced some rams in with the ewes and are observing how the pups are interacting with the breeding process. We will be keeping this set of pups for protecting some of our own livestock at our research ranch in Menard.  They will stay at the Center until 8 months of age before being released with a couple of older dogs to guard our Dorper sheep in Menard.

The Superhero’s and Stooges are all still doing well.  We will continue to track the six pups with GPS trackers until they are 18 months old and take note if they are staying together or wandering to other locations.  We will be bonding our next set of six pups in September.

Maggie and Marley, the Kangal pups that were donated to the program back in the late winter, have started wandering for some reason.

Maggie & Marley with yokes.

After several attempts to contain them at the Sonora Station, we decided to bring them back to San Angelo for monitoring and retraining.  They have been placed in our bonding pens with electric fence to prevent climbing and digging out.  We will keep you posted on how the girls are progressing.  We are not sure what made them start wandering other than adolescence.   They have been great dogs up to early June when they started to dig and/or climb out of their pasture and leave their goats unguarded.  They had been raised with sheep and goats by the breeder and we bonded them to our goats before releasing them.  Hopefully we will be able to retrain them and place them back to work in Sonora or one of our other ranches soon.

LGD Breed Spotlight –

Estrela Mountain Dog – Breed Standard

Although uncommon in the United States, the Estrela Mountain Dog is popular in other countries.  The dog got its named for the Estrela Mountains in Portugal and is believed to be the oldest breed in the region.  The breed has several distinctive characteristics including rose ears that are folded backwards against the head, a black mask and a hook on the end of its tail.  They are a faithful flock guardian, protecting against predators and thieves.  They are distrustful of strangers but typically docile towards their masters.

The earliest of the Estrela ancestors were herd-guarding dogs in the Serra da Estrela, in what is now Portugal, and are one of the oldest breeds in that region.

Shepherds have chosen to breed the dogs that had the characteristics necessary to survive in their mountain environment.  They want dogs fit to do their job: large-sized, strong, having endurance, agile, deep-chested, able to tolerate a marginal diet, a proper set of  legs, a powerful mouth, a tuft of hair around its neck, an easy, jog-like gait and a warm coat.  The Estrela’s have a watchful, mistrustful, yet loyal temperament.  The dogs are expected to move from their spot of guarding to bring the stragglers back, and then assume a leadership position at the head of the flock.  They are accomplished climbers and jumpers, so good fences are a must with this breed.

The dogs come with long or short haircoats.  During the 1950s, the long-haired variety was popular at shows, but show dogs represented only a small portion of the Estrela population in Portugal, and still do. Many of the working dogs are short-haired.  The hair coat ranges in colors from light fawn to dark mahogany to wolf gray with or without brindle markings.  Fawn colored dogs are most popular in the longer haired variety while brindle is common in the shorthaired dogs.  Short haired dogs are rarely seen outside of Portugal.  The dog’s range in weight from 80-115 pounds and range in height from 23-30 inches.  They have a broad skull, long head and tight lips with oval eyes that are dark amber.

Sources: https://www.estrelamountaindogassociation.com/the-breed-standard, Dohner, Janet Vorwald. Farm Dogs: A Comprehensive Breed Guide to 93 Guardians, Herders, Terriers, and Other Canine Working Partners. Storey Publishing, 2016.

Breeder Profile  

Connie Wilson with Kate Malone and her new puppy.

This month’s LGD breeder and rancher that is effectively using LGDs in their operation is Connie Wilson of WW Livestock Guard Dogs.

Q: Describe your operation/ranch.

1. How many LGDs do you currently use?
2. Explain your LGD program.

A:  I live on a small 23-acre place with my best friend Jimmie Willenberg on a major road between San Marcos and Luling. I raise sheep, goats, and Livestock Guard Dogs. I started raising Livestock Guard Dogs to protect my animals. I currently have around 50 dogs –from puppies, to breeding males and females, to dogs that are ready to work.

Jimmie Willenberg and I got together around 2002. He has around 400 acres near Red Rock, Texas. He first tried wool sheep on his place.  We raised pups out of Bobby Joe and Pearl and put them on his place to protect the sheep. They were successful in controlling the coyote problem. But after the first couple of years of trying to the pay shearers and sell wool, he decided to stock his place with goats.

Jimmy Willenberg feeding some of his LGDs

We had too many goats for my small place, so we started buying goats to stock his place.  Our Livestock Guard Dogs started multiplying and we had enough to put on his place and sell a couple.  After a few years, the goats just got too much to handle.  Jimmie had previously had a cattle pre-conditioning operation on his place.  The fences were not meant to hold goats.  So, Jimmie decided to try Dorper Sheep. This was truly an answer to prayers.  He has about 1,350 head and eight or nine dogs on his place.

I start feeding the puppies a few days after their eyes are open.  I feed them powdered goats’ milk and Purina One for large dog puppy feed. I will feed them twice a day until they are about ten weeks old, if they are still here.  We deworm at four weeks or sooner if they look like they need it.  Puppies and dogs’ gums will turn a grey or ash color if they need deworming.  If you notice it, do it very carefully over a few days because they are already weakened condition.

We give them their first puppy shots at six weeks.  Then again, every six weeks for a year if they are still here.  We have had trouble with Parvovirus in the past.  We do all we can to keep our pups and lactating females, vaccinated and in a clean dry area.  We don’t sell pups until they are at least eight weeks old. They run with the sheep and goats with their mothers and the other dogs.  We still catch the pups and feed them separately twice a day.

We raise these pups for our use and sell extra pups. All these pups and dogs have a job. We pen males up when we have enough puppies. If we don’t sell puppies, we will keep them and use them on our own places.

Q: What got you started in breeding LGDs?

A: It all started with two terribly flea-bitten puppies, a male and female we purchased from some folks that had Pyrenees dogs years ago. I wasn’t even sure they would make it. They were wild puppies and had never been handled. But after several baths, lots of time, and lots of love, they grew to be a beautiful pair of dogs. They were called Pearl and Bobby Joe. We named them after dear friends, that were pillars in our rodeo community.

Q: How long have you bred LGDs?

A:  Since about 2002.

Q: What breed of LGDs do you raise?

A: My place, where we raise the pups, is small. I have it broke up in several different pastures. We have sheep and goats, so these dogs are exposed to both. We raise some Pyrenees, Anatolian/Pyrenees cross, and Armenian Gampr dogs. We started crossing Anatolian/Pyrenees dogs to try to get a shorter haired dog because of the heat here in Texas. The Armenian Gampr dog is a livestock dog that originated in Armenia. They are a little more aggressive than the Pyrenees, but they have a loving protective attitude toward their family and their stock. We have a registered pair and have some pups.

These dogs all work. This is through nothing I do other than give them the opportunity to do what the good Lord created them to do, protect His sheep.

Q: Do you have an LGD mentor?

A: Yes, we had known about Great Pyrenees dogs because Bob Buchholz and his brother, Dave. They had been putting Great Pyrenees with goats on their property and leased places since the seventies, maybe longer. They had grown up in goat production and I had known them since I was in 4H or longer.

I truly think my Daddy loved these two boys more than my two sisters and I. Daddy, R. B. Wilson, built a home, barn, and arena on his place near Driftwood, Texas around 1985. My sisters and I had all married and moved away from home. Bob and Dave would go to Daddy’s and practice team roping. Daddy treasured the time he spent with the “Buchholz Boys” at his roping arena. He would tell stories and just laugh! They were both great young men that enjoyed their horses and roping. They were also hard workers that always had goats and dogs for their protection.

It was only natural, when I got Bobby Joe and Pearl, the first person I would call for advice was Bob Buchholz. As you well know, if you live anywhere in the goat or dog community, he is your go-to person! He and his brother Dave’s experience spans from their teens to now. They don’t just know it, they live it! Big difference!

Q: What’s the one thing you wish you knew before starting to breed LGDs?

A:  It is important they are exposed to all elements: heat, cold, rain, dry, goats, sheep, lambs, kids, horses, trucks, trailers and people. Our goal is to raise a dog that will be comfortable in any situation on anyone’s place.  We have just started teaching them to tie. Mainly, from coaching from Bill Costanzo and John Walker from Texas A&M AgriLife. We don’t lead them, as most of the time they just follow us. However, these dogs do have to be able to be handled and given shots or taken to a vet when necessary.

Q: What is the number one thing you recommend to a new LGD user?

A: Puppies will play with lambs and kid goats. Every morning when I feed my sheep the ewes will pen and maybe a few of the babies will not. I have noticed if I try to run and the head the lambs, the puppies will chase them, too. If I calmly walk and push them toward the gate the pups just follow my lead. If a pup gets rough or chases a lamb, I am there to correct them immediately. I will tell them ‘no’ or tap them with a stick if necessary.

If you have a pup that gets rough with sheep, a lamb, or a kid goat just pen them up in the pen when you feed the sheep or goats. The ewes or nannies will teach a pup more than you can. If the sheep and goats are being too rough on the puppy, step in and save the day. Pick up the pup and love him. He will know you as a safe place and he has learned to keep an eye on those mean mamas.

Q: What is your favorite LGD or LGD story and why?

A:  It is one that works. My experience is different people look for different things. Some want aggressive dogs; some want a dog their kid can play with. All want a dog that protects their animals.

The research and seminars provided by the AgriLife Livestock Guardian Dog Program have been extremely beneficial. It has given us a platform to discuss problems, meet and visit with other dog breeders and ranchers, and to improve our management programs. The tracking systems and studies done show that these dogs are where they need to be, when they need to be. We have received the same feedback from ranchers watching these dogs daily. Thank you to the AgriLife Livestock Guardian Dog Program for putting like-minded people together with good working dogs to maintain predator control.

LGD Timely Tips

Every Tuesday check out our Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguardog for Tuesday’s LGD Tip of the Week!

• Use dog-proof raccoon traps at your feeding stations to eliminate feed waste. Make sure to have one of the tools to make them easier to set!
  

  Raccoon trap with tool.

• Use some sort of lock to keep raccoons from getting inside your dog feeder.
  

  Improved self feeder with lock and hooks.

• Place your dog’s feeding station at a watering location for your stock so the dog doesn’t have to leave them to eat. If you have large pastures, you may want to place a dog feeder at every water location.

To provide feedback on this article or request topics for future articles, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.

Bill Costanzo
Research Specialist II, Livestock Guardian Dogs

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAMUlivestockguarddog/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7YbP6bNDV7___6H8mifBA

LGD Webinar

On May 1 we held our first LGD Webinar with over 90 people actively watching during the events scheduled time. We discussed several things regarding the LGD program at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service Center, from inception to the current time, including the puppy bonding program. We reviewed our initial results of the set of six pups that we bonded last fall. We also reviewed GPS tracker information and had a panel of three local producers. I would like to thank our producers, Grant and Misty Giles, Kristal Spenrath and Shirley Pfeiffer Kilgore, for taking time out of their schedules to provide information on their experiences with GPS trackers and invisible fencing.

If you missed the webinar or wanted to review it again the event is posted online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0wWcNXaEA . While you are there, go ahead and subscribe to our channel and check out our other videos. We are hoping to host additional webinars in the future. If you have any topics that you would like us to focus on, please send an email with your topic to bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu.

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

Goliath with a smile!

The Superheroes are all doing well still. Recently I went out to help process lambs and all three of the dogs approached us and were happy to see everyone. Thor and Hulk spent most of the day sleeping under a tree in the working pen while Goliath kept an eye on what we were doing to his lambs.

The Legends of Country music have been released into the large pasture now and have GPS trackers on them. Waylon encountered another large dog and suffered some wounds that required stitches. Based on the size and location of Waylon’s injuries our vet believed it was an adult dog. After reviewing our GPS tracking data, we believe it was one of our adult female LGDs, but with GPS drift and the trackers updating once every 15 minutes we may never know for sure. The pups and our adult female had shared the fence line for a couple weeks before the event occurred. In addition, the female dog has never been aggressive towards humans or our other LGDs at the Center. Waylon is an aggressive pup and

Waylon in blue and Feathers in yellow on 5-8-20 with time locations.

may have challenged her which could have caused the confrontation to occur between them. We encourage producers to use GPS trackers on their LGDs so that if something like this occurs with a neighbor’s dog or livestock, they are hopefully able to show that their LGD was or was not the cause of the injuries. If we discover any other information about Waylon’s injuries, we will keep our followers updated.

Willie also got to see the vet this month for an injured paw. Somehow, he managed to completely pull out a toenail on a back foot which quickly got infected. After some antibiotics and time in the kennel he recovered from the infection. He is back out with Johnny protecting their ewe lambs.

The Stooges are still doing well at their cooperating producer’s ranch in Crockett county. He is happy with their progress and is looking for some more dogs to add to his operation.

Breed Spotlight – Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiff Breed Standard

The Tibetan Mastiff is a large working dog from the Himalayas. Tracing the breeds history back to antiquity, it acted as the guardian and companion of the Tibetan villagers and nomads. Accounts by travelers to the region, dating back to the late 1200s, describe a large dog with natural strength and physical and mental impressiveness, which is evident in the Tibetan Mastiff today. Even its deep bark has been described as a unique and highly treasured feature of the breed. The Tibetan Mastiff may be the forefather of all large mountain and mastiff breeds.

The dogs are large, sound, well-boned, muscled, and powerfully built while still very agile. The impressive head provides a noble and dignified look, enhanced by a mane around the head and neck. The head is balanced by a curled tail carried over the back. The Tibetan Mastiff is still widely used in its traditional role as a natural guardian of families and flocks. They are highly intelligent, strong-willed, independent, aloof and protective when necessary. They can be patient and tolerant; but may be wary of strangers to their territory.

The Tibetan Mastiff keeps its double coat all year, with little shedding until spring/summer. They often have a ruff or mane around the neck and a shawl down the spine. The outer coat is harsh in texture, thick, stands off the body, and ranges from fairly short to moderately long. The undercoat is dense and woolly in cold climates and becomes sparse in warm weather. Shedding normally lasts about eight weeks and requires regular brushing during shedding. Tibetan Mastiffs retain the longer guard hairs until fall when the undercoat again begins to grow.

The coat ranges in colors from black to chocolate brown and slate gray, all with or without tan markings, as well as, various shades of gold. The shades of gold and the tan markings may range from cream to dark red/gold. Pigmentation on lips, nose and eye rims is black, except on a few colors where it is a darker gray-black. These dogs are very slow to mature taking between three to five years. The dogs can range from 75 to 160 pounds. They stand between 24-30 inches in height.

Sources: https://www.ukcdogs.com/tibetan-mastiff, https://www.tibetanmastiff.org/tm-as-livestock-guardian.html , Dohner, Janet Vorwald. Farm Dogs: A Comprehensive Breed Guide to 93 Guardians, Herders, Terriers, and Other Canine Working Partners. Storey Publishing, 2016.

External Parasites – Mange

This is the final part of a four-part series on external parasites that can infect livestock guardian dogs. This month I will be discussing Mange in LGDs. Mange is caused by microscopic mites that invade the skin of healthy animals. These mites cause irritation of the skin, resulting in itching, hair loss, and inflammation. Most types of mange are highly contagious. There are several types of mange that affect dogs, including canine scabies (sarcoptic mange), ear mites (otodectic mange), walking dandruff (cheyletiellosis), canine demodicosis and trombiculosis. Sarcoptic Mange and Canine Demodicosis are the two most common types that dogs can acquire.

Sarcoptic Mange Mite

Sarcoptic mange, often called Canine Scabies is a highly contagious parasite found on dogs worldwide. The entire life cycle (17 to 21 days) of these mites is spent on the infested dog. Females burrow tunnels in the skin to lay eggs. Mange is easily spread between animals by contact. The incubation period varies from 10 days to 8 weeks, depending on how severely the dog is infested, part of the body affected, number of mites transmitted, and the individual dog’s health and hygiene.

Not all dogs have signs when they are infested with sarcoptic mange mites. Usually, the animal will have intense itching that comes on suddenly. Initially, infested skin will erupt with small, solid bumps. Because the dog scratches or bites itself to relieve the itch, these bumps and the surrounding skin are often damaged, causing thick, crusted sores. Secondary yeast or bacterial infections can develop in the damaged skin. Usually, the sores appear first on the abdomen, chest, ears, elbows, and legs. If the mange is not diagnosed and treated, the sores can spread over the entire body. Dogs with long term, recurring mange develop oily dandruff, severe thickening of the skin with wrinkling and crust build-up, and oozing, weeping sores. Dogs affected this severely can become emaciated and may even die. Mange is very highly contagious and can spread easily between animals of different species. Treatment should include all dogs and it may be necessary to clip the hair. The crusts and dirt should be removed by soaking with a medicated shampoo, and an anti-mite dip applied.

The mites that cause canine demodicosis live in small numbers in the hair follicles of all dogs. However, for reasons not clearly understood, some dogs have large numbers of Demodex canis mites, resulting in inflammation and hair loss. There is evidence of hereditary predisposition for this condition in some dogs. Since it may be inherited, dogs with demodicosis should not be bred. There are two forms of canine demodicosis: generalized and localized. Localized demodicosis is usually seen in dogs less than one year old. Affected dogs will have one to five small, isolated areas that are usually hairless, red, and scaly. Itching is mild or absent. A few cases of localized demodicosis progress to the generalized form, though most cases resolve without treatment.

Canine Demodicosis

The generalized form of demodicosis can occur in young dogs or in adults and occurs when the dogs immune system is unable to fend off the mites. Affected dogs have severe disease with widespread inflammation of the skin. Generalized demodicosis can cause hair loss, reddened and swollen skin, increased pigmentation (darkening of the skin), raised lumps that look like acne, and scabs. Secondary bacterial infections are common. Many dogs with generalized demodicosis also have inflamed foot pads. Other signs can include enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, fever, and pus-filled inflammation of the deeper layers of skin.   Laboratory analysis of deep skin scrapings is usually used to confirm a diagnosis of demodicosis.

Cases of localized demodicosis often resolve without treatment. Generalized demodicosis is a serious disease that requires medical treatment. Medicated shampoos and dips are often used to treat demodicosis. Owners of dogs with demodicosis should understand that treatment of generalized demodicosis can take several months.

Source: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/skin-disorders-of-dogs/mite-infestation-mange,-acariasis,-scabies-in-dogs, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/mange/mange-in-dogs-and-cats?query=mange

Breeder Profile  

This month’s LGD breeder and rancher that is effectively using LGDs in their operation is Chad Raines of Key Farms.

Q: Describe your operation/ranch.

1. How many LGDs do you currently use?
2. Explain your LGD program.

A: I run approximately 3,000 dorper ewes. All my sheep are run on cropland. I plant my crops for the sheep to eat. Most is on dryland but about 1/3 of my land is irrigated. However, 2/3 of my sheep are on irrigated land. I am always having to rotate my sheep to different farms to chase grazing; thus, it is important that all my dogs are social and can be moved.

I currently have 16 adult LGDs. Six of these dogs are fixed. I also have 10 dogs ranging from 8-months to 1-year-old s. Of which most are for sale. Nine of these dogs are fixed. I currently have 23 puppies on the ground. They range to one week old up to 4 months of age. I like to have my adult LGD’s to train the younger puppies. I leave the puppies with their parents until around 3 months of age or longer depending on the number of sheep and/or the number of total puppies that I have on all my farms. If there are not very many puppies, I take two puppies at a time to other farms and let the adult LGDs at those farms train them. It is very common for me to go to each farm and see young puppies out in the middle of the sheep. I think that it creates a very natural and extremely strong bond with my sheep. I have had a lot of success with my dogs.

Q: What got you started in breeding LGDs?

A: I got started breeding my LGD’s because I really like my alpha male. He had all the qualities that I looked for in my LGD. It all started when I witnessed him take a 1-day old lamb that had been left behind back out to the herd. At that point, I knew that he was special. Plus, he just had the respect from the other LGD’s without having to show them that he was the alpha. He is just different. It’s like with people, there are those that are natural leaders. I am also picky about which females that I breed.

Q: How long have you bred LGDs?

A: I have been breeding LGDs for about 5 years now.

Q: What breed of LGDs do you raise?

A: All my LGDs are Akbash except two. Those are Anatolians. My female Anatolian is one of my best females. What I like about my Akbash is the fact they are short-haired. In my cropland setting, we do not have any trees. The only shade available are the ones we build. Plus, I like that they don’t get burrs in their coats.

Q: Do you have an LGD mentor?

A: No.

Q: What’s the one thing you wish you knew before starting to breed LGDs?

A: Socialization. I socialize all of my dogs. I don’t think it’s wrong petting my LGDs. I also think it’s important to praise your dogs. Let them know that they are doing a good job guarding your stock. I don’t make them pets but they all know and love me. But their first love are my sheep. I never question that they are truly bonded with the sheep.

Q: What is the number one thing you recommend to a new LGD user?

A: Something that I would recommend to a new LGD producer is to think about your situation and what type of LGD would fit your operation best. I have a lot of people call me about puppies but that’s not always what they need. Puppies cannot immediately guard the stock. I sell a lot of adult dogs. They are much more expensive than a puppy, but they go in and immediately start to guard the stock. Just think about the number of losses that are being lost to predators and the price of the adult dog isn’t so bad.

Q: What is your favorite LGD or LGD story and why?

A: Overall, I think that I enjoy raising LGD’s as much, if not more than, sheep. Just don’t overthink things with your dogs. They are extremely intelligent and just want to do their job. I just try not to get in their way.

LGD Timely Tips

Every Tuesday check out our Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguardog for Tuesday’s LGD Tip of the Week!

• Never purchase an LGD that is mixed with a non-LGD breed to guard your stock.
• If you are using a new LGD breeder, ask if they guarantee their dogs and what’s include in that guarantee.
• Having an older dog guide a new puppy during its first year on the job is helpful during the training process.

To provide feedback on this article or request topics for future articles, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.

Bill Costanzo
Research Specialist II, Livestock Guardian Dogs

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAMUlivestockguarddog/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7YbP6bNDV7___6H8mifBA

How to Select an LGD Puppy – Part 2

This is the final part of a two-part series on selection of a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) puppy. Hopefully after reading this article producers will be able to make a more informed decision on selecting an LGD puppy. I would again like to thank all the LGD breeders in our local area, AgriLife Staff and other university staff across the nation for providing input into this valuable project for livestock producers.

Look for a pup with a calm temperament that is interested in you but not overly aggressive, fearful, shy, or clingy. The pup that runs up to you first or insists on being “in your face” is not the best choice for a livestock guardian dog. Full time LGDs used on large ranch operations should be more independent-minded problem solvers who are not dependent on human companionship. Pups that walk off by themselves after meeting you are often good choices. Look for calm, thoughtful pups and those that do not accept new things or loud noises. Pups should be alert and exhibit guardian behaviors such as barking at new things or noises. Avoid pups that chase balls, growl, bite, or struggle when you handle them. Correct human socialization before 14 weeks of age will help pups form a positive relationship with humans.

Male or female? LGD research has shown that both sexes guard equally well, especially if they are spayed/neutered. If you plan on keeping more than one LGD, neutering/spaying will make it easier for you to place dogs together to work. In addition, intact bitches may be distracted from their duties when in heat or raising a litter. Intact males are usually slower to mature, distracted by female dogs in heat, and more likely to be aggressive to other dogs when they are grown.

The age of the puppy you purchase is very important. Pups need to stay with their mother and siblings until at least 8 weeks of age. By weaning (7-9 weeks of age) pups learn to play and interact with parents and siblings which develops proper bite inhibition. If your pup is receiving good livestock experience with the breeder and you are a first-time owner, consider extending this time through an arrangement with your breeder. In general, the bonding process should be started by 8 weeks of age or the dog will not properly bond to your livestock and may have issues later staying with your livestock.

Roaming is one of the biggest problem’s owners of LGD face with their dogs. A well trained LGD respects fences. It’s important that LGDs stay with their stock in the pasture that the owner places them in. Roaming is one of the leading causes of LGDs being replaced. Almost half of the LGDs purchased are lost within 6 years. The main cause of LGDs being lost is roaming. Make sure to ask your breeder if the puppies have ever gotten out of their pen. Do their adult dogs leave their charges on a regular basis and, if so, how far do they usually travel? Look for signs such as yokes or drag lines on the adult dogs. These are a good indicator that the adult dogs are roaming. A dog properly bonded to the type of livestock they are guarding will help decrease roaming behavior in most LGDs.

There are several important questions to ask your breeder before purchasing a puppy from them.

i. Do you offer a guarantee? If so, what does it cover?
ii. Do you offer guidance to new owners?
iii. Do you have both parents and/or siblings to see?
iv. Which pups do you feel would be the best fit in my operation?
v. Why do you feel these puppies would be good with livestock?
vi. What makes the working parents good livestock guardian dogs? LGDs mature slowly and may not be reliable until they are an adult. A young female may still be developing her guarding skills and buying pups from an unproven female may lead to problems guarding stock.
vii. What type of livestock are the puppies raised with and from what age?
viii. Have the puppies been able to escape their pen?
ix. Is the pup purebred? If not, is it crossed with any non LGD breeds? Do not buy a pup crossed with a non-LGD breed!
x. Why did you cross those breeds of LGDs?
xi. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your dogs?
xii. Have you seen any health defects in your older dogs?
xiii. Can you provide a reference to someone else that has recently purchased their dogs?

I hope the topics discussed in this and last months’ issues of the Guardian Way on how to select an LGD puppy will give you a better understanding of what to look for in your next livestock guardian dog candidate for your operation. As always, feel free to contact us at the AgriLife Center in San Angelo with any questions regarding your LGDs or check us out on Facebook and YouTube.

LGD Puppy Bonding Project
The Legends of Country Music pups are all doing well and have been moved out of their 60×60 ft pens into the 1-acre fields. Johnny is still

Johnny tethered.

the heaviest, but Waylon is catching up every day. Willie is still the slim and trim pup of the bunch. They have developed an extremely strong bond to their Dorper ewes, and I am anxious to see how they do once they are released from the bonding pens. The pups are almost five months old now. They are being leash trained, tethered and getting truck rides each week. I spend approximately five minutes socializing each pup at least three times a week. This process includes gently rolling them over, handling each of their feet, checking their mouth with my finger, rubbing their bodies and sometimes brushing their coats if they have burrs in it. Socialization at this point in their lives is important to create a social bond to humans so that they can be easily caught when they are placed at our research ranch.

The Superheroes and the Stooges are all doing well still in Ozona. The Superheroes are still easily caught in the field and very friendly. The cooperating producer is pleased with the all the Stooges and has decided to purchase the group to continue protecting his livestock. We plan to bond another set of six pups in late summer. If you are interested in being a part of the next phase of this research project please contact me via email at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu.

Breed Spotlight – Kuvasz

Kuvasz Breed Standard

The Kuvasz is a very ancient breed. Its ancestors are believed to have been brought to Hungary as long ago as the 13th century and were prized by the nobility. The breed is still found in its home country. Their historical and present day uses are as hunting dogs, flock guards and guard-companions. They are often described as a one-family dog and are an excellent farm and family protection dog. They require strong socialization, control and good fencing. Kuvasz generally work away from the flock observing potential threats. They are quick to respond to any disturbances in their flocks.

The Kuvasz is a large, sturdy, well-balanced working dog that often appears lean compared to other LGD breeds. A lustrous, pure white coat is the preferred color. However, ivory is sometimes found as well. They are well muscled, but not overly developed for their frame. They move freely on strong legs and are light-footed and agile. The dog’s hindquarters are particularly well developed. Their height ranges 28 to 30 inches in males and 26 to 28 inches for females. Weight ranges are 90 to 115 pounds for males and 70 to 90 pounds in females.

The Kuvasz has a keen intelligence with courage and a strong curiosity. Like other LGDs they are sensitive to both praise and reprimand. They are a one-family dog that is devoted, gentle, patient, and ready to protect family members. They are polite to strangers that are noted as acceptable. They have the untiring ability to work and cover rough terrain.

Kuvasz are a double coated breed of livestock guardian dog. The outer guard coat is medium coarse in texture and ranges from being quite wavy to straight. The undercoat is fine, thick and wooly. Regardless of coat type, there is a definite distribution pattern over the body. A short, smooth hair coat covers the head, muzzle, ears, paws, the front of the legs up to the elbows and the hind legs below the thighs. A medium-length coat covers the body and sides of the thighs. The coat grows to be four-to-six-inches-long on the back of the thighs and on the entire tail. There is a neck mane that extends downward and covers the chest. The dogs should not develop cords in their coats like the Komondor breed.

It is normal for the Kuvasz to shed most of their long coat during hot weather. Depending on the climate, the growth of a full, luxuriant coat is seasonal. Slate gray or black pigmentation are the preferred colors of the heavily pigmented skin especially around the face so that the dog does not develop a sun burn.

Sources: http://kuvaszinfo.com/wordpress1/standards/ , https://www.ukcdogs.com/kuvasz
Dohner, Janet Vorwald. Farm Dogs: A Comprehensive Breed Guide to 93 Guardians, Herders, Terriers, and Other Canine Working Partners. Storey Publishing, 2016.

External Parasites – Lice
This is the third part of a four-part series on external parasites. For those that actively read my blog, I have extended the section on external parasite to include one additional section in June on mange. It’s advised to treat your LGDs for external parasites year-round. This month we will be discussing lice in livestock guardian dogs.

Lice are small, flightless insects that live in the hair of dogs. There are two basic types of lice which infest dogs, biting lice or chewing lice. They feed mostly on skin debris and the secretions of their hosts. Blood-sucking lice are skin parasites of mammals only. Typically, lice are species specific and do not readily transfer from one animal species to another.

Female lice glue their eggs, called nits, to the hairs of the host near the skin. Nits are pale, translucent, and almost oval. Once the nits hatch, the lice undergo nymphal stages before reaching adulthood. The immature nymphs look very much like adult lice, only smaller. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks for most lice to go from nit to reproductively capable adult, although this period varies with the species.

Dogs can be infested with three species of lice, a bloodsucking louse, a biting louse which can serve as an intermediate host for tapeworms, and a biting louse that feeds on blood. Dogs in poor health can become heavily infested with lice. The first signs that your dog may have lice include scratching, biting and rubbing of infested areas. A dog with lice often has a rough, dry hair coat. If the lice are abundant, the dog’s hair might also be matted in some areas. Sucking lice cause small wounds that can become infected. Most of the time the diagnosis of lice is made by seeing lice or eggs on the infested pet. If you can catch your LGD, parting the dog’s hair will often reveal if it has lice or not. Chewing lice are active and can be seen moving through the hair while sucking lice usually move more slowly. They are often found with their mouthparts embedded in the skin.

Dogs are usually treated with spot-on products, shampoos, collars, sprays, or dusts that kill lice. Your veterinarian can recommend an appropriate control product for your pet and provide directions for its use. Lice dropped or pulled from the host die in a few days, but eggs may continue to hatch over 2 to 3 weeks. Lice control treatments should be repeated 7 to 10 days after the first treatment to catch any remaining parasites that may have hatched. Careful inspection of your dog’s coat should be continued daily for at least 2 weeks after you see the last louse. In severe louse infestations, the dog may damage its skin by scratching. Bacterial infections and scratch wounds are common. If these conditions are present, your veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic or other medication.

Source: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/skin-disorders-of-dogs/lice-of-dogs , https://www.merckvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/lice/lice-in-dogs-and-cats

Breeder Profile
This month’s LGD breeder and rancher that is effectively using LGDs in their operation is Randy Wood of the Rocking Chair Ranch.

Q: Describe your operation/ranch.
a. How many LGDs do you currently use?
b. Explain your LGD program.

A: The Rocking Chair Ranch is in northeastern Schleicher county. We run Hereford cattle and Spanish goats. We have 10,000 acres we run 1,200 goats on, and I am working 11 dogs currently.

Q: What got you started in breeding LGDs?

A: Fifteen years ago, eagles started to kill 300 to 400 kids a year. I started with Pyrenees because that’s all I knew about. I got three 7-month-old females. I just turned them out and hoped for the best. I kept calling the lady I got them from and would tell her what they were doing. Her advice was always the same, leave them alone. The next kidding season, the dogs really helped with the eagles. I didn’t intend to start breeding but a very big male Pyrenees showed up one day. He was a very aggressive dog. We named him Kujo and he produced a lot of puppies over the years. He’s always done a great job guarding goats. My first Akbash (Teal) came through an adoption from the Houston SPCA. That’s a long story. When Teal made it here at 7 months old, he went right to work and has never stopped. He is a neutered male and no dog I ever owned has ever worked as hard as him. He has 180 nannies and is on a very remote pasture but always brings in the most kids.

Q: How long have you bred LGDs?

A: A little over 12 years now.

Q: What breed of LGDs do you raise?

A: I am using Akbash dogs currently. I like the short coat and temperament of the dogs.

Q: Do you have an LGD mentor?

A: No, but I read as much as I can about the dogs.

Q: What’s the one thing you wish you knew before starting to breed LGDs?

A: In the beginning I wish I would have known to socialize my puppies more. I had a lot of dogs I couldn’t touch for years. Watching Bill’s work at the AgriLife Center has me working even harder on our pups. It’s so nice to go pet them and play with them and watch them go straight back to work.

Q: What is the number one thing you recommend to a new LGD user?

A: I learn from the dogs every day. And I listen and read all I can. Not everything out there will work for every operation. I don’t know one breeder that has the time to help. Dogs are very time consuming in the beginning. Like anything else you will get what you put in them. Good genetics from reputable breeders are the first thing you must find.

Q: What is your favorite LGD and why?

A: My favorite dog must be Teal for his intense work ethic. But old Mama dog, a 10-year-old Pyrenees cross, is there also. Her patience training young dogs is amazing. She raised lots of pups and never spent a night away from her goats. She is training Sammie, a sister to the Superheroes, right now.

LGD Timely Tips
Every Tuesday check out our Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguardog for Tuesday’s LGD Tip of the Week!

• Make sure to shear your long haired LGDs bellies, chest and inner legs before summer. Burrs and seed heads can be very problematic for

Spear grass seeds

long-haired LGDs, particularly spear grass or Texas Winter Grass.

• Cordless clippers work the well for shearing your dogs and are generally quieter than corded clippers.

• Use a helper to hold your LGD and a muzzle when shearing just in case they decide to snap at you. You may also want to use an OTC canine calming agent for your dog during shearing.

To provide feedback on this article or request topics for future articles, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.

Bill Costanzo
Research Specialist II, Livestock Guardian Dogs

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAMUlivestockguarddog/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7YbP6bNDV7___6H8mifBA

How to Select an LGD Puppy – Part 1

This is the first part of a two-part series on selection of a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) puppy. I frequently get questions from producers new to LGDs about how they should select a puppy. Many of them have purchased yearling or older dogs for their first LGD and now want to train their own LGD. I would like to thank all the LGD breeders in our local area, AgriLife Staff and other university staff across the nation for providing input into this valuable project for livestock producers.

An effective LGD is the result of properly rearing a puppy with certain inherent genetic traits. Each farm and ranch should attempt to find the right kind of genetics for their situation. Keep in mind that LGDs behaviors are still greatly influenced by how they are treated during the first year to 18 months of their life. In contrast, physical traits such as hair coat, color, mature size, etc. are preset by genetics.

It’s important to buy LGDs with the genetic predisposition to fit your needs. A knowledgeable breeder will know the parents of the pups being offered and how they worked in the field, as well as their individual personalities and behaviors. Observation over time is generally more reliable than puppy aptitude testing, but a few simple tests and observations can be helpful if you have the hands-on opportunity. It is recommended that you observe the puppies in person before committing to the purchase, yet in some circumstances this is not possible. In this situation, quiz the breeder about traits listed below and request pictures/video of the pups if possible.

A good healthy puppy is critical to the success of your LGD program. Healthy pups are a combination of good genetics and good management. A healthy pup will be the proper weight, with a smooth coat and free of parasites. Be sure to not confuse a potbelly with good health as this may be a sign of improper feeding and/or internal parasites. While these things can be resolved, it will cost you time and money. If a pup you are looking to purchase has more than three defects listed below, you may want to reconsider your choice. Things such as having working parents, being bonded with stock from birth and good health are more important than hair coat length in most areas.

a. Important things to check:
i. Check to see if the eyes are clean and clear, ears are clean, dark pigmented nose, straight forward feet, bright pink gums, straight teeth alignment and a proper gripping bite.
ii. The pup should look wide at the hocks with angulation in the legs and feet pointing forward. This will help to ensure the pup will be able to move correctly as an adult.
iii. What type of hair coat do the parents have? Longer haired dogs in Texas require more maintenance to keep them actively guarding your livestock.
iv. Ectropion eyes (saggy eyelids) are not recommended in LGDs. Check the parents’ eyes. Dogs with saggy eyelids may easily get seeds and  other debris caught in their eyelids.
v. How big will the pup grow up to be? Look at parents and siblings. This is a good indicator of the mature size of your pup. Look at feet size; big feet = big dogs. If you have larger predators such as lions or wolves, a bigger dog may be able to better defend against those predators. However, larger dogs require more feed to maintain the size which costs more money. Remember that unusually large pups may suffer from orthopedic problems as adults. It’s always good to check out the parents or siblings from previous litters to determine the adult size of the pups.
vi. Avoid sick, lame or unusually lethargic pups.
vii. Incorrect markings for its breed type may indicate the pup is crossbred with a non LGD. Check out the breed standards online to make sure and ask to see both parents.
viii. Dark pigment on the pup’s lips, nose, and eyelids are preferred. Unpigmented areas can lead to repeated sunburns and could result in early onset cancers.
ix. Ask if the pup is current on vaccinations and a parasite control program.
1. The breeder should provide a list of the products used and dates given.
x. Vet checked – Optional
1. Parents OFA certified (hips)
2. Veterinarian Certified Health Check

A lack of prey drive is critical in an LGD. Prey drive is the instinctive inclination of a carnivore to find, pursue and capture prey. In LGDs, this instinctive drive has been bred against for thousands of years. LGDs have been bred to guard and protect livestock instead. An LGD pup that stalks, chases or bites livestock should be avoided; however, these traits may or may not be exhibited in younger pups. Older pups and yearling dogs should not be exhibiting these behaviors. To test a pup’s prey drive, throw a small object past them. Dogs with low prey drive will often just watch a thrown object go by or investigate it once, but not again. LGDs are not retrievers and should not chase or bring back the object.

Example of submissive behavior: Johnny reaching to lick the face of a lamb.

LGDs must show a submissive reaction to stock. If you can quietly watch the pups interact with stock, look for a pup that may be curious but is somewhat cautious. Avoiding eye contact with livestock is an excellent indicator of a good instinct. Some LGDs have this instinct naturally and others need to be trained by livestock and/or owners. Livestock guardian dogs need to tolerate pokes and prods by livestock, so you should avoid a pup with a low sensitivity to pain. Avoid pups that bark, jump, or bite stock – even if they are accidentally stepped on. Pups with this behavior can inadvertently injure livestock or cause them to fear the other guardian dogs. Older pups should be submissive and calm around stock. Look for behaviors such as walking up to stock, dropping to the ground or rolling over, lowering the head and tail, licking at the mouths of stock, and choosing to sleep next to stock – even through a fence.

The May edition of the Guardian Way will feature the second half of this article on LGD puppy selection.

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

Thor & Goliath with ewes.

The Superheroes are all doing well at our research ranch in Ozona. Hulk and Goliath have found out what porcupines are. Goliath had quills in his nose once and Hulk in his back. Hulk is trying to find his place on the ranch he has been traveling back and forth between our Rambouillet’s and our Angoras. The lead dog Duchess has been doing a great job training the pups to be good LGDs.

The Stooges are all doing well at the cooperating producers ranch as well. They have split up into two groups on their own. Larry has his own group of sheep while Moe and Curly are together with a group of sheep. The dogs are staying with their livestock and the producer is happy with their progress.

The Legends of Country Music.

We have a new group of three pups that are being bonded to groups of Dorper ewes. These pups will be going to our research ranch in Menard after finishing the bonding phase to help our other dogs already at that location. These three pups are the “Legends of Country Music”. Their names are Waylon, Willie and Johnny (L to R in picture). All three pups were donated to the program by a local producer in Lamesa in early March. They are bonding quickly with their stock and already challenging threats to their ewe lambs. The pups are a mix of Great Pyrenees, Akbash and Anatolian Shepard.

Breed Spotlight – Kangal
The Kangal dog is an ancient flock-guarding breed. They look very similar to the Anatolian Shepard but are generally larger in size. The breed is named for the Kangal District of Sivas Province in Central Turkey where it probably originated. Although the breed has long been associated with the family of the Aga of Kangal, most dogs are bred by villagers who take great pride in the dogs’ ability to guard their flocks of sheep and goats from such traditional predators as the wolf, bear, and jackal. The relative isolation of the Sivas-Kangal region has kept the Kangal Dog free of crossbreeding and has resulted in a natural breed of remarkable uniformity in appearance, disposition, and behavior. Despite its regional origin, many Turks consider the Kangal Dog as their national dog. Turkish government and academic institutions operate breeding kennels where Kangal Dogs are bred, and pedigrees are carefully maintained. The Kangal Dog has even appeared on a Turkish postage stamp.

Kangal dog with goats.

Kangal’s mature slowly even compared to other LGD breeds. The Kangal dog is a large and powerful breed, whose size and proportions have developed naturally as a result of its continued use in Turkey as a guardian against predators. The tail is typically curled. The Kangal dog has a double coat that is moderately short and quite dense. The Kangal dog has a black mask and black velvety ears that contrast with a whole-body color which may range from light dun to gray.

The typical Kangal dog is first and foremost a stock guardian dog and possesses a temperament typical of such dogs-alert, quite territorial, dog aggressive and defensive of the domestic animals to which it has bonded. The Kangal dog has the strength, speed, and courage to intercept and confront threats to the flocks of sheep and goats that it guards. Kangal dogs prefer to intimidate predators but will take a physical stand and even attack if necessary. Kangal dogs have an instinctive wariness of strange dogs but are not typically belligerent toward people. In Turkey they are expected to be gentle with children and tolerant of neighbors.

The Kangal Dog has a short weatherproof coat, neither wavy nor fluffy. In cold weather, the coat is very dense, nearly uniform in length. In warm weather, much of the undercoat is shed, leaving a short, flatter outer coat. The outer coat is harsh, and the undercoat is very soft, dense, and sometimes gray in color. The hair on the tail is never plumed or feathered. The dark hair on the face, head, and ears is quite short.

Color is an important characteristic of the Kangal dog. The true Kangal dog color is always solid and ranges from a light dun or pale, dull gold to a steel gray, depending on the amount of black or gray in the outer guard hairs and in the soft, cashmere-like undercoat. This basic color is set off by a black mask which may completely cover the muzzle and even extend over the top of the head. Their ears are always black. The tip of the tail is usually black and a black spot in the middle of the tail is often present.

Their height at maturity is generally 30 to 32 inches for males and 28 to 30 inches for females. A male Kangal dog in good condition should weigh between 110 – 145 pounds. While a female should weigh between 90 – 120 pounds. We are excited to have two of these dogs donated to our program from a Texas producer to evaluate their effectiveness as a LGDs.

Sources: https://www.kangaldogamerica.com/breed-history-and-standard , https://www.ukcdogs.com/kangal-dog
Dohner, Janet Vorwald. Farm Dogs: A Comprehensive Breed Guide to 93 Guardians, Herders, Terriers, and Other Canine Working Partners. Storey Publishing, 2016.

External Parasites – Fleas

Cat Flea vs Dog Flea

This is the second part of a three-part series on external parasites. It’s advised to treat your LGDs for external parasites year-round. Not only are fleas a nuisance to LGDs, they can spread diseases between host animals and humans. In North America, only a few species of flea’s commonly infest LGDs. Two common species of fleas found on LGDs are the cat flea and the dog flea. However, most of the fleas found on dogs are, cat fleas.

Life cycle of cat & dog fleas.

Cat fleas begin reproduction about 1 or 2 days after a blood meal from a host. Female fleas lay eggs as they feed and move about on the surface of the skin. A single female flea can produce up to 50 eggs per day and about 2,000 in her lifetime. The eggs are pearly white, oval, and tiny. They readily fall from the fur and drop onto the soil, where they hatch in 1 to 6 days. Newly hatched flea larvae are mobile and free-living, feeding on organic debris found in their environment and on adult flea droppings. Flea larvae avoid direct light and actively move deep into or under organic debris (grass, branches, leaves, or soil). Cat fleas in any stage of the life cycle cannot survive cold temperatures. They will die if the environmental temperature falls below 37°F for several days. Depending on temperature and humidity, the entire life cycle of the flea can be completed in as little as 12 to 14 days or last up to 350 days. However, under most conditions, fleas complete their life cycle in 3 to 8 weeks.

Flea control measures have changed dramatically in recent years. Flea control previously required repeated application of insecticides on the animal and the premises. Recently, new insecticides and insect growth regulators have been developed that provide residual control and require fewer applications. Insect growth regulators prevent fleas from reproducing by stopping multiple stages of the life cycle. Flea treatments include topically applied liquids, oral and injected medications and fogger sprays.

The goals of flea control are elimination of fleas on dog(s), elimination of existing populations in the environment, and prevention of later infestations of the dog. The first step is to eliminate the existing fleas on the dog. When treating a dog with a product applied to the skin externally, it can take up to 36 hours until the medication has spread sufficiently or reached sufficient concentrations to eliminate all existing fleas. If a more rapid rate of kill is needed, a flea spray or one of the new fast-acting oral products may be desirable. Eliminating fleas in your LGDs environment will be difficult since most dogs are on large properties with livestock year-round. Prevention of infestations is possible with continued application of flea control products.

Many dog owners mistakenly think that flea products either kill all newly acquired fleas within seconds to minutes or completely repel them. Many products do no repel fleas, and long-acting products do not kill most fleas within minutes. Often fleas may live for 6 to 24 hours before being killed. Scrutiny of treated dogs in an infested environment occasionally results in a few flea sightings on dogs for up to 8 weeks and occasionally longer until the infestation is eliminated. You should discuss flea control products with your veterinarian and select one that works well for your dog and the environment in which it lives.

Source: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/skin-disorders-of-dogs/fleas-of-dogs?query=canine%20fleas
http://www.cvbd.org/en/flea-borne-diseases/about-fleas/development-cycle/

Breeder Profile
This month’s LGD breeder and rancher that is effectively using LGDs in their operation is Tamara Taylor of Turkmen Kangal Dogs and Patteran Dairy Goats.

Q: Describe your operation/ranch.
a. How many LGDs do you currently use?
b. Explain your LGD program.

A: My husband and I currently have livestock on only one of our three properties, which makes oversight much easier – for livestock and dogs. We have a small operation with less than a dozen mother cows, about 40 head of hair sheep, and the same of dairy goats. Of course, we have the mandatory flock of free-range hens. The dogs here (Akbash and Kangal Dogs) are exposed to all of these and have cleared coyotes and bobcats, as well as the unwelcome skunks from our acreage.

Q: What got you started in breeding LGDs?

A: In 1980 we lived on a much smaller property. Marauding dogs were doing as much damage to our poultry, domestic rabbits, calves, and even horses as the coyotes were. Our veterinarian told us to look at Turkish dogs, but she specified not Anatolians. At that time Kangal Dogs were a breed known to only a few outside of Turkey. We acquired a registered Akbash Dog and then by 1985 a Turkish friend returned from Turkey with a gift for us – a Kangal Dog, “the famous dog of Turkey” — to go with the Akbash Dog. Within a couple of years, we had several additional imported Kangal Dogs hand-picked for us from villages in the then rather isolated Sivas-Kangal region.

We took on the second breed with the idea of finding out if “lumpers” or “splitters” were correct about Turkish dogs – were they are just one breed (Anatolian Shepherd) or were they different regional breeds like our dairy goats (original from Switzerland but of four distinct breeds) and the neighbors cattle (Galloways vs. Angus, both from the UK).

Q: How long have you bred LGDs?

A: Over time as we have used Kangal Dogs, we have found them to be (typically) quieter, more into “watchful waiting” before they charge an intruder. Unlike the breeds known for “posturing,” barking, and threatening, the Kangal Dog typically stands and watches. Once the decision to go after an intruder is made, the dog is in 150%. To go along with this more “mastiff,” slower to excite disposition, the breed tends to be heavier boned and shorter muzzled than Akbash Dogs, but not as heavy as many Great Pyrenees. Crossbreeding in livestock guarding dogs has muddied the lines so that dogs often have “generic” traits, tending to be more “middle of the road” in behaviors and even appearances. Thus, it can be deceptive trying to decide what a certain breed does when your experience is with crossed dogs. Visual breed ID of most LGDs is simply not possible or accurate.

Q: What breed of LGDs do you raise?

A: Over the years we have used Akbash Dogs along with the Kangal Dogs. In 2013 through 2016, we worked with Dr. Danny Kinka and Dr. Julie Young, who were in the process of importing, getting started, and then studying the effectiveness of three LGD breeds against large predators in the northwest. Grizzly bears and wolves were not deterred by many of the generic white livestock guard dogs found commonly throughout the western states. Karakachans from Bulgaria, Cao do Gado Transmontanos from Portugal, and Kangal Dogs from Turkey were dogs that came to our ranch and were started (and evaluated) with sheep while waiting (up to 10 and 12 months) for cooperating ranchers in MT, WA, OR and UT to take them.

It was an interesting project, and the first that ever used purebred Kangal Dogs in any research project to our knowledge. As a result of that project, we aren’t getting rid of the Kangal Dogs. In fact, an additional 12 from our ranch were added to 20 imports for the program as more dogs were needed on western ranches.

While the project did not come up with recommendations of one breed over another, we did get stories back about a pair of our dogs becoming a deadly pair for predators and absolute coyote killers on their summer range much to the pride of their Chilean herder; however, when that pair (a then 2-year-old neutered male and female) were moved back to the ranch with the sheep for winter, one of their first acts was to attack and lethally maim an older “big white” guard dog. It wasn’t “Aunt Susie’s Golden,” but it was the same ignorance of a working Kangal Dog’s psychology that nearly cost that pair their life at the hands of an angry ranch manager who had never seen the Kangal Dogs before. They were relocated to another ranch, and their Chilean herder-partner was probably disappointed that next summer to find his partners gone.

Kangal Dogs tend to be “homebodies” if they are not allowed to wander as young dogs; they have a short, dense, no-maintenance coat and are bite-inhibited toward livestock and people. If bred to have adequate angulation in the hindquarters, ACL or stifle issues can be avoided. They are powerful and athletic – not as inclined to clear fences at a single bound like some breeds (climbing or digging is still possible!). Develop to be a breed in Turkish villages surrounded by people, other dogs, and livestock all winter means that Akbash and Kangal Dogs would not survive long if they threatened or bit people or livestock in their native land. That culling has taken place before they arrived here! (That said, all young dogs need monitoring particularly with young /vulnerable livestock; a playful young dog may need to be pastured with older muttons or bucks for a while.)

Q: Do you have an LGD mentor?

A: We have learned that being mentored starts with your first dogs from experienced breeders, people who can help you anticipate behaviors, particularly with purebred dogs who have been bred for certain behaviors as well as conformation (and health) traits. Mentoring in the sense of learning more about dogs, their behavior, the relationship between livestock, dogs, predators is an ongoing process. Sharing experiences and information means sometimes we don’t have to make all the mistakes ourselves!

Q: What’s the one thing you wish you knew before starting to breed LGDs?

A: Unfortunately, there has been a lot of confusion about Turkish dogs and specifically Kangal Dogs outside of Turkey. In Turkey, as the rural population decreases and the number of sheep flocks decline (and imports of lamb, a mainstay in the Turkish diet, increase), there has been a rise in crossing dogs once used for livestock protection for Western style dogfighting. Historically livestock protection dogs in many countries bordering and part of the former USSR were “sparred” with each other and even with bears and wolves to help owners evaluate the courage of their dogs. With Turkish purebred native breeds, the Kangal Dog and the Akbash Dog, forbidden to be exported, a variety of crosses and so-called “breeds” are being exported to unwitting buyers.

We were fortunate to have gotten dogs from people who wanted to see them and us succeed. We quickly learned that puppy secure fences are the ONLY way to start pups, just as we were advised. We accepted the fact that Kangal Dogs need separate places to eat and that they will protect their feed from (a reasonable number of) sheep or goats or other dogs! Mentors (in the form of Dr. Jeff Green and Roger Woodruff’s 1990 USDA leaflet) taught us that bonding with livestock took place best in small areas and then continued where young dogs could be monitored.

Q: What is the number one thing you recommend to a new LGD user?

A: Picking the breeder you buy from is as important as selecting the dog or the breed of dog. A good breeder will try to prevent you from getting the wrong dog – some breeds by nature wander, others will act aggressively to people, still others tend to be stray dog friendly, some tend to have stifle/ACL issues, others have coats that mat rather than shed out naturally.

LGD Timely Tips
Every Tuesday check out our Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguardog for Tuesday’s LGD Tip of the Week!

• Never purchase an LGD that is mixed with a non-LGD breed to guard your stock.

AgriLife ID Collar for LGDs.

• Purchase collars with brass ID tags in case your LGD roams off your property and is found by someone.
• Having an older dog guide a new puppy during its first year on the job is helpful during the training process.

To provide feedback on this article or request topics for future articles, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.

Bill Costanzo
Research Specialist II, Livestock Guardian Dogs

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAMUlivestockguarddog/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7YbP6bNDV7___6H8mifBA

Proper Diets for LGDs

Don’t be penny wise and a pound foolish when it comes to feeding your LGD!  Proper nutrition for you LGDs is extremely important if you want them to consistently perform at their optimum level while protecting your herd.  We recommend that you feed your LGD a high-quality dog food with animal protein as the first ingredient with a high protein and fat content.  This type of kibble will provide your LGD a balanced diet to meet their daily requirements throughout the year.

According to Dr. Chelsy McGivney DVM, for Nestle Purina Pet Care, working dogs have unique nutritional needs compared to the average companion animal.  “The increased activity due to the nature of their jobs expends a lot of energy, and these calories must be replaced through their diet.  Offering working livestock guardian dogs, a diet high in protein and fat ensures that we are meeting these dogs’ energy needs, while at the same time offering an optimal amount of protein to ensure maintenance of lean muscle mass.  Optimal nutrition allows these working dogs to endure longer stretches of activity to be able to keep their livestock charges safe.”

Dog food is measured in cups which are 8 ounces.  Dog food bags should have a chart on them with the daily recommended amount of kibble to be fed.  It’s important that you check, not only the ingredients, but the caloric content of the feed.  Bags of feed may have the same ingredients and protein/fat contents, but how its processed makes the difference in whether all the nutrients are available to be digested by the dog.  Based on daily caloric requirements, the Merck Veterinary Manual recommends that a 100-pound neutered working dog needs about 2,000 calories per day.  This equates to about 5 cups of feed per day.  This follows my own experience that the average LGD needs at least 5-6 cups (2 ½ – 3 pounds) of feed per day to maintain their current body condition.  If your dog is more active, such as during lambing/kidding season, or trying to stay warm during winter weather their metabolism will increase which will require more calories to be consumed.  If you are using a self-feeder, its extremely important to estimate the amount of feed intake your dog will need before you return to refill the feeder.  It’s a good idea to place a game camera on your dogs feeder so that you can track how often the dog is eating, along with the amount lost to varmints.  You don’t want your dog running out of feed at a critical time during the year.

On most extensively managed ranches, it is not possible to keep LGD from consuming placentas and dead lambs or kids.  Consumption of these items is considered a positive benefit by many ranchers because it removes these food items that attract other predators and carrion feeders.  Nonetheless, do not make you LGD solely rely on these other sources of food.  You must ensure that they have reliable access to a source of food provided by you in the form of dry kibble.  If your LGDs have to find their own food supply, it leads to wandering dogs that aren’t guarding their livestock and often results in problematic behavior along with a poor body condition of your LGD.

It’s important to check you dogs body condition score, or BCS,  on a regular basis.  There is a great canine body condition score sheet at https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Body-Condition-System-Poster-2016-EN-FINAL.pdf that you can download and use to monitor your dog’s score.  Ideally you want your LGD to always be a 5 BCS.  Once it dips to a 4 or lower you will need to increase the feed intake and provide supplemental protein sources to return you dog to a health body condition.

Checking your dog’s body condition is done by feeling its ribs and down its spine.  If those areas feel like the area on top of your knuckles with your hand facing palm down, then your dog should be a 4-5 body condition score.  If the dog’s ribs feel like your knuckles when you close your hand to make a fist, then your dog is under condition and needs more feed.

Sources: https://www.successjustclicks.com/fit-fido-or-fat-fido/  and https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-small-animals/nutritional-requirements-and-related-diseases-of-small-animals?query=canine%20nutrient%20requirements

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

Superheroes loaded in the trailer

All the pups have left the AgriLife Center in San Angelo and are out protecting herds of livestock.  The Superheroes went to one of our research ranches near Ozona and they are “learning the ropes” guarding our Rambouillet sheep with one of our best LGDs, Duchess.  Duchess is a 4-year-old female Akbash cross that never roams and does a great job protecting our herd.  They are still being monitored once or twice a week at the ranch.  The dogs are a welcome addition to that ranch as we have been down a couple of guardian dogs at that location due to health issues.  Two of our dogs at that ranch had Ehrlichiosis and were brought back to the AgriLife Center in San Angelo for several weeks to medicate them daily with doxycycline.  After finishing their medication, they headed back out with the Superheroes to get back to work.

Larry and Moe with stock

The Stooges left the AgriLife Center in mid-February for a cooperating ranch to guard Dorper ewes and lambs.  The producer has never used LGDs on his operation and is excited to see if they can help control predation.  The pups were bonded to 15 of the producer’s sheep at the AgriLife Center for two weeks before being transported to his ranch.  Once at the ranch, the dogs were introduced to the entire herd in a small trap for a couple days before being released into a large pasture.  The producer will check on the dogs several times a week and provide regular feedback to us on their progress.  We will be providing advice to the producer on the dogs for the duration of the project, as well as making periodic visits to check on the dogs.

Breed Spotlight – Komondor

Komondor are descended from Tibetan dogs, that were brought to Hungary by nomadic Magyars, and the Aftscharka dog, which the Hungarians found on southern steppes in Russia.  They are confident and tough enough to run off wolves and other predators. The dreadlocks give the dog a cool look, but they aren’t for show. They provide protection from extreme cold weather and sharp-toothed predators. Their coat requires considerable care which is why most owners of working Komondors keep their cords clipped to about 4 to 6 inches in length.  There muzzles feet and ear canals must be clipped short on a regular basis to avoid health conditions. The cords also let the dogs blend in with the sheep, giving them the element of surprise.

Komondor Breed Standard

The Komondor is a large, muscular dog with plenty of bone and substance.  Komondors tend to be aggressive to other dogs and strangers that are not members of its flock.  They tend not to wander from their stock but can be excellent fence climbers.

Based on a 1982 study published in the Journal of Range Management using nine Komondors, the researchers found that the dogs tended to observe their area rather than patrol it.  They also found that they are extremely territorial and react quickly to any perceived threat.  Some of the dogs became more aggressive towards threats over the length of the trial.  The Komondors used in the trial also had a low inclination to chase sheep, but the researchers recommended that early socialization with several different humans and different sheep would minimize behavioral problems in adult dogs.  The researchers also reported that: “In 79 of the 153 coyote-sheep interactions which we observed, the sheep either stayed with or ran to the dog and, in 75 of the 79, the dogs stood between the sheep and the coyote or chased the coyote away.  The dog ran to the sheep and repelled the coyote in five additional instances.  Sheep were never attacked while with a dog.”

Height for male dogs ranges from 27½ – 31½ inches and 25½ – 27½ inches for females.  Weight for males ranges from approximately 100 to 130 pounds and females range from 88 to 110 pounds.  The skin around the eyes and on the muzzle is a dark gray to protect them from the sun.  The Komondors coat color is white to ivory.  A small amount of cream or buff shading is sometimes seen in puppies, but fades with maturity.  The long, dense ivory hair coat is double layered, with a coarse outer coat and finer undercoat.  The coat naturally tends to cord or matt as the dog ages since this dog does not shed its coat.  Length of coat corresponds to age and the puppy coat is relatively soft, but it shows a tendency to fall into cord-like curls at about 6-8 months of age.  A grown dog is entirely covered with a heavy coat of these tassel-like cords, which form naturally.   This dog breed would not be recommended for use in wet or very warm climates such as, West and East Texas, due to its long, thick hair coat length unless the producer plans to shear them regularly.  Due to their thick coat, a wet dog can take 2-3 days to fully dry out which can cause hot spots, skin infections and mildew can occur in wetter climates.  Areas with high flea and tick populations can cause bare spots in the coat from the dog scratching out the cords.

Sources:

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/komondor/

https://www.ukcdogs.com/komondor

https://komondorclubofamerica.org/about-the-komondor/

McGrew, Blakesley, “How Komondor Dogs Reduce Sheep Losses to Coyotes”, Journal of Range Management, 1982, November (Pages 693-696)

External Parasites – Ticks

This is the first part of a three-part series on external parasites.  It’s advised to treat your LGDs for external parasites year-round.  Not only are fleas and ticks a nuisance to LGDs, they can spread diseases between host animals and humans. Ticks commonly transmit disease agents such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

Ticks are usually between 1/8”- 3/16” long and attach securely to their hosts.  They can also spread  both additional ticks and microorganisms to different geographical habitats via traveling animals.  There are two types of ticks to be concerned with in the U.S., soft ticks and hard ticks.  Soft ticks have a leathery appearance, use a nest and feed for shorter periods before they drop off the animal.  Hard ticks have a hard-ornate outer shell and feed for longer periods than soft ticks.  The most important species of hard ticks in North America as parasites of LGDs are the Black-legged Deer tick, American Dog tick, Brown Dog tick and the Lone Star tick.

Life stages of a tick

Ticks are blood feeders and most active stages require blood as a nutritive source.  All ticks have four stages of development, the egg and the three active stages: the larva, the nymph  and the adult.  Due to the mechanical processes and salivary secretions associated with blood feeding, the tick-host parasitic interaction is complex.  Salivary secretions from the ticks contain a variety of substances that work against the animal’s natural immune system and allows the tick to continue feeding on its host until its fully engorged.  In most species, each active stage seeks a host, feeds, and drops off to develop in the natural environment (three-host life cycle).  A contact between ticks and hosts is regulated by at least five conditions.  They consist of seasonal and daily effects like day length, temperature, humidity, biological processes within the tick, the biological processes within the host and interactions between the two organisms.

Ticks can spread a variety of diseases such as Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Borreliosis (Lyme Disease), Rickettsioses (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), Hepatozoonosis, Hemoplasmas, Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Tick Paralysis.  A mentioned in the January issue of the Guardian Way, two of our LGDs recently were diagnosed with Ehrlichiosis and had to be treated twice a day with Doxycycline for three weeks.  Since these dogs were diagnosed at different stages of the disease their condition was drastically different.  Ehrlichiosis can be fatal, but luckily, we caught it in time with both dogs.  Our male LGD, Max, had been infected for quite some time.  He was extremely thin, weak and had severe diarrhea.  Duchess our female, was diagnosed at the early stages of the disease and was still in good condition.  Both dogs have recovered and are back out guarding livestock.  According to our veterinarian Ehrlichiosis is very prevalent south of Interstate 10 and can be found in pockets north to Highway 87.  A simple blood test can be used to see if your dog is infected.  For more information about tick borne diseases check out this website http://www.cvbd.org/en/tick-borne-diseases/. Prevention and quick removal of ticks will help minimize the transmission of these diseases to you LGDs.

Tick Removal

The recommended method to remove attached ticks from your LGDs is to use fine-tipped tweezers, special tick tweezers or shield your fingers with a paper towel or rubber gloves to protect yourself.  Grasp the tick as close to the dog’s skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure.  Do not twist or jerk the tick; this may cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin.  If this happens, remove the mouth parts with tweezers.  Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick because its fluids (saliva, body fluids, gut contents) may contain infectious organisms.  After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash your hands with soap and water.

As with most things, prevention is the best method when dealing with ticks.  There are several different types of parasiticides available on the market to control ticks on your LGDs.  We do not recommend that you use cattle, sheep or goat parasiticide products on your LGD without talking to your veterinarian.  Some livestock products can be deadly to your LGDs.  Depending on your situation you may want to use a chewable tablet, collar, spray, dust, shampoo or a spot-on treatment.  We use a long acting chewable tablet on all the dogs at the AgriLife Center that controls fleas and ticks.  If you are using a topical product look for one with a with an IGR (insect growth regulator).  An IGR helps ensure that all phases of a parasite’s life cycle will be affected by the active ingredient in the parasiticide you use.  Again, its best to consult your veterinarian for a product they recommend for you specific area.

Source:

https://www.cvbd.org/en/tick-borne-diseases/about-ticks/

https://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/dog-ticks.html

 Breeder Profile  

This month’s LGD breeder and rancher that is effectively using LGDs in their operation is Dayn Pullen of the Noelke Wilhelm Ranch in Menard, Texas.

Q: Describe your operation/ranch.

1. How many LGDs do you currently use?
2. Explain your LGD program.

A: We run DNA verified Spanish goats, along with registered savannas.  We have a total of 450 head, as of now.  We also run cattle on the ranch.  We move and rotate all the stock when necessary and utilize planted fields when we get the rain. We have about 1,800 acres total and use eight guard dogs. We use this many due to the amount of brush and rough terrain we have.  We use six to nine working dogs on the Noelke Wilhelm Ranch NWR at any given time.  We also have six breeding dogs, that are older retired dogs we have used on our ranch.  We continue to use each of these on the ranch when needed.  The litters we raise are put with goats at 8 weeks of age, and work until 6 months of age.  We give all three puppy shots, and a rabies shot, before we sell them at 6 months old.  We wait this long to sell because it assures the dogs are big enough physically, and mature enough mentally, to do the job they will be asked to do.

Q: What got you started in breeding LGDs?

A: We started using LGDs to stay in the goat business.  We are surrounded by coyotes and hogs, so LGD protection is the only thing keeping our goat operation alive, literally.  As far as breeding them goes, we bred the dogs we had, for our own replacements.  I needed something to do with the excess dogs, so we started selling them to people we knew.

Q: How long have you bred LGDs?

A: I have been breeding LGDs for 6 years.

Q: What breed of LGDs do you raise?

A: We raise and use pure Great Pyrenees, pure Anatolian Shepherd, and we cross them for some 50%ers. We are considering retiring the Anatolian Shepard pair as they are getting old.  We may start raising pure Akbash and crossing them with the Great Pyrenees as well.

Q: Do you have an LGD mentor?

A: No. I just knew we had to have LGDs to stay in business.  I called Connie Dittmar and was able to purchase four female, and two male Great Pyrenees dogs.  I prayed hard about how and what to do with them.  When I felt like I had the right approach in mind, I went with that.

Q: What’s the one thing you wish you knew before starting to breed LGDs?

A: Nothing honestly.  The whole process has been a blessing.  Not just for our livestock, and their success, but for the chance to spread the word about LGDs.  Being able to supply good dogs to ranchers that are in the same position we were in when we bought our first dogs, is a good feeling.

Q: What is the number one thing you recommend to a new LGD user?

A: There are two things that I feel are the most important.  First, people who buy LGDs, need to seek out a reputable breeder, that has proven dogs.  After that, ACCLIMATION!  Acclimating the right way, and for the proper amount of time is essential.  Getting the dogs AND the livestock they are going to guard, to securely bond is vital to the success of the dogs, and your operation.

LGD Timely Tips

Dangle Stick

Every Tuesday check out our Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguardog for Tuesday’s LGD Tip of the Week!

Yoke

• A dangle stick is a good deterrent for an LGD puppy that chases stock when you aren’t around. Make sure to use a swivel at each end so the device does not get tangled up.
• An inexpensive air horn works well to discourage misbehavior from pups if you can catch them in the act.  Always correct any misbehavior in your LGD immediately.
• A yoke is a good way to deter an LGD from digging under fences if you don’t have hot wire. PVC pipe or rigid tubing works well.  Just make sure it’s not too heavy and they can still eat and lay down!

To provide feedback on this article or request topics for future articles, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.

Bill Costanzo
Research Specialist II, Livestock Guardian Dogs

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAMUlivestockguarddog/