Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo

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

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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/

Feeding Systems for LGDs:

One of the most common questions that producers with LGDs have is about is feeding their dog/s.  Most owners choose to use self-feeders for convenience.  There are several options available in a range of prices with and without automation.  Using a self-feeder will keep you from being locked into a specific time to feed the dogs.  It also means there is always free choice food available to the dogs, so they’re never away from the herd looking for food.  They seem to stay quite healthy choosing when and how much to eat without our interference.

We have found that a self-feeder that holds 25-50 pounds works well.  You’ll need one with a capacity that will hold enough to feed your dog/s for as long as possible without spoiling or becoming infested with insects. Daily consumption, heat, humidity, and insect activity in your area are the major issues affecting the amount of food you can effectively store in the feeder and still provide quality dog food.  Relatively cheap human-safe insect pest strips are available that can be safely used to keep them away.  Placing the legs of the feeder in containers of thin oil will also keep crawling pests away. We made some improvements to our self-feeders such as extra rivets, handles, locks and hooks to secure them to our feeding stations.  I also use fender washers so that it’s harder for the handles and hooks to pull out from the thin metal as seen in the pictures.     

A self-feeder alone may not be the complete answer.  You need to allow your dog’s access to the feeder while denying access to the sheep/goats.  The method is quite simple: surround the feeder with a sturdy fence, cut a hole in the fence too high and too small for a lamb/goat to jump through, but placed just right for your dog.  However, scavengers, such as raccoons, skunks, and various birds, will be attracted to self-feeding stations and careful consideration should be taken to limit their ability to access the feeder.  In a game camera study done at the Martin Ranch in 2017, hogs used the feeding station 58% of the time, LGD 20% of the time and raccoons 14% of the time.  By changing our feeding station design we have been able to decrease feed costs along with repair costs to our feeders.

I have included a picture of the feeding station we use with a gate, along with three other ideas that producers in our area use.  If they keep livestock out, they are a good design!

You can also place hog panels, cattle panels and/or utility panels around the feeder and cut a hole in the panel about 30-32 inches off the ground with the hole being 12-14 inches square or round depending on the dog’s size.  Some producers have found that a horizontally placed, rectangular hole works better.  You can also use a small gate or something else if the dogs can get in and the sheep or goats can’t, it will work.  Make sure any sharp edges or points are smoothed off to protect the dogs when they go through because it can be a tight fit for them.  Pictured is a simple wood jump panel made from 2×6 boards and bolts we use on some feeding stations at the AgriLife Center.  The spacing can be changed to fit your dogs size.  Make sure to keep the opening high enough and small enough so that livestock can’t enter the feeder.

To teach the dogs to use a feeding station, place them in the enclosure, show them the food and then lock them in.  They can almost always figure out how to get back out. You need to check though-  just in case they can’t. You may have to do this a few times before they figure out the system.  Make sure to check your feeding station on a regular basis.  You should have enough feed in the feeder to supply your dogs with enough kibble until you can return.  Its best to have more than needed just in case you can’t make it back to check in time!  You may also want to place a game camera on your feeding station to monitor whats eating your dog food besides your LGD.

 LGD Puppy Bonding Project

The pups are all still doing well.  The Stooges continue to stay in their pasture and have not left yet.  They have not crossed a gate opening yet either.  The bond between the dogs seems to be changing. Moe is separating from Larry and going with Curly now, but he is still the leader of the three.  The Stooges seem to have formed a stronger bond to their Angora and Meat goat charges than their sheep pen mates for some reason.  They are also getting more aggressive to threats each week.

Thor developed a heat rash around his neck from the tracker collar and had a puncture wound to a front paw a few weeks ago.  Both issues required medication from the vet’s office.  Luckily for me, but unfortunately for Thor they happened at the same time, so an extra visit wasn’t required.  Both injuries have healed up well and he is doing fine.  Goliath continues to stay with the stock while Thor and Hulk like to go on adventures to other pastures at the Center.  They return on their own to their charges most of the time after an hour or two.  Twice I had to return them to their pasture when they roamed too far. They seemed lost when I found them each time.  There hasn’t been a pattern develop so I’m not sure if they are chasing varmints/predators or wandering out of curiosity.

Breed Spotlight – Maremma

  Larry, Moe & Curly, three of the pups in the current bonding project at the AgriLife Center in San Angelo, are purebred Maremma.  I thought it would be helpful to everyone out there that is following the pups progress to have some background information on this breed also.

The Pastore Maremmano Abruzzese, or Maremma Sheepdog, originated in Italy where it has been used for many centuries as a flock guardian for sheep and goats in the plains and mountains.  It was first imported into the United States for this purpose in the early 1970’s.  The Maremma Sheepdog is derived from the ancient shepherd dogs used in the Maremma and Abruzzes regions of Italy.  At one time the dogs from these two regions were considered two different breeds, but since about 1860 they have been crossed to the point that they are now recognized as one breed.  Maremma is an American version of the Italian name “Maremmano-Abruzzese”.  It is pronounced: ‘Mare’ as it is pronounced for a female horse, and ‘Emma’ as it is pronounced for a girl’s name.

The Maremma Sheepdog is a big, strongly built dog.  They are heavily built, and slightly longer than tall in proportion.  Their head is large, flat and conical in shape, resembling a bear.  The chest is deep and well rounded. The ribs are long and well sprung with a level topline. The loin is long and very broad with little tuck up.  The dog’s range in weight from 77 to 100 pounds for males and 66 to 88 pounds for females.  The Maremmas are very protective of their charges and human masters.  They will not allow anyone that they feel is a threat to harm either of them.  I can speak to this with experience as I have a LGD that is half Maremma.  He will put himself between anyone in my family and a new person.  He will push you until you move away.  He is also protective of our livestock with new people or predators.

Their coat is somewhat long, harsh, straight, and held close to the body.  A slight wave is sometimes seen. The hair forms a collar around the neck, and limited fringing on the back of the thighs. The hair is short on the face, ears and front of the legs.   Body hair may be up to three inches in length. The undercoat is seasonal and sheds twice a year.  They can tolerate extremely cold temperatures.  Their skin is tight and thick, with black pigmentation of the mucous membranes, as well as, the third eyelids and toe pads.  Their color is generally solid white. However, shades of pale ivory, orange or lemon are tolerated but not to extremes.  https://www.ukcdogs.com/maremma-sheepdog and http://www.maremmaclub.com/maremma-faq.html

Health Checks

A good LGD can cost approximately $1,700 its first year and takes a lot of time to train properly.  If you expect your LGD to properly protect your livestock, you need to make sure they are always healthy.  Performing regular health checks on your LGDs will protect your investment in the dog and your lamb/kid crop.  Having a well socialized and catchable dog makes this process much easier.

You should visually see you dog at least 3-4 times a week.  The visual check should be close enough to see if the dog is limping or injured in any other way.  A weekly hands-on check is important to catch any injuries before they get serious.  Make sure to check your dog’s eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, paws/pads and coat/skin for any injuries.  Monthly health checks should include the weekly items in addition to checking their nails for overgrowth, body condition scoring and administration of flea and tick medication.  Semiannual health checks should include the pervious items, as well as, administration of vaccines and dewormers.  You may also need to shear your LGDs legs, belly, tail and chest.  Completely shearing your LGDs body should be used with caution, as they can get a sunburn or lack the ability to regulate their body temperature.

Breeder Profile  

In this new section of the Guardian Way, I will be spot lighting a LGD breeder that is effectively using LGDs in their operation.  This month’s LGD breeder and rancher is Kristal Spenrath of Goldthwaite, Texas.

Q: Describe your operation/ranch.

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

A: Together with my husband, Glenn, we raise fine wool sheep, Angora goats and beef cattle.  The mohair and wool we raise goes into our Krazy Goat Socks.  We have several pastures that we rotate the livestock through in order to best use the forage we have available.

We have 10 dogs right now.  My dogs are divided up between the goats and sheep mostly.  I have two Kangal Dogs with the cows in order to keep the buzzards away.  We have been using Invisible Fence Brand fencing for 5 years now and this has been a life saver for us.  Keeping the dogs on our property and safe from accidents has been well worth the expense.  We can use the Invisible Fence to keep dogs in specific pastures with specific groups of animals.  The way we use the Invisible Fence also allows us to safely snare our perimeter fence lines to control predators.  This past year we snared 14 coyotes and 30 hogs.  We use mostly neutered dogs because they are easier to manage.  We use a few intact dogs that are a part of our purebred, registered breeding program.

However we have some Kangal Dogs also.

Q: Do you have an LGD mentor?

A: I would have to say that Tamara Taylor of Era, Texas has been a very important LGD mentor for me.  She has been using LGDs since 1985 and she has been using purebred dogs the entire time.  She is a great advocate for the Akbash Dogs and Kangal Dogs.  She has a great understanding about genetics, bloodlines, physical conformation and what it takes to be a successful and ethical breeder.  My Dad, James Stotts, is also a great source of information as well.  Even though we both use Akbash Dogs, he utilizes his dogs in a little bit different way and I enjoy hearing his perspective.

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

A: The one thing that I wish I had known before I started breeding LGDs would have to be a better understanding of how physical conformation effects the health and longevity of the breed.  Large breed dogs tend to have joint issues, but I think it’s due in part to breeders not having a good understanding of how conformation effects longevity.   Conformation is heritable.  Straight hind legs, bad elbows and an undershot bite are all passed on to the offspring.  A dog with a blown ACL is in just as much pain as a dog with Hip Dysplasia.  Dogs with back legs that are too straight or dogs with elbows that turn out too far cannot run as fast or as far as a dog with good conformation.  A proper overbite is essential to good health and a long life and few breeders know this information.

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

A: The number one thing that I recommend to people wanting to use LGDs for the first time is to study the various breeds of dogs available.  Pick the one breed that you believe will fit your situation best and has the behavioral characteristics that you want to work with.  A dog’s behavioral characteristics are what we live and work with daily.  Understanding and working with one set of behavioral characteristics is easier than trying to work with multiple behavioral characteristics that come with crossbreeding.  An Akbash Dog will always act like an Akbash Dog.

LGD Timely Tips

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

• Make sure to check your dog for hot spots or a rash on its neck if it wears a collar. They can develop within just a few days. The smelly wet rash seen here on Thor, occurred in less than three days from a collar.  The area needs to be carefully cleaned and shaved with a close bladed.  It’s also important to apply an antimicrobial spray to it daily until it completely heals.  An anti-itch medication should also be applied once the area dries out.
• If your LGD is limping and you don’t see an obvious injury to the leg, check its paw for thorns and/or the pad for a puncture. Infections from thorns can spread rapidly and cause lameness.  If the area is swollen and warm, the dog probably has an infection and will need antibiotics to recover.

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/

How LGDs Interact with Predators

Many producers complain that all their LGD does is bark from early evening through the night and into the early morning.  Why do LGDs bark all the time?

As reviewed last month in the article “Do LGDs Need to be Aggressive?”, LGDs use three different methods that have been bred into them for 1000’s of years to control predation.  According to research by Dr. Van Bommel of the Australian National University, LGDs control predators in three ways: territorial exclusion, disruption and confrontation.   In research done by Texas A&M University in 2017, it was determined that LGDs travel an average of 7 miles per day over a territory that averages 600 acres (see chart for distance and active times). Territories are areas that are actively defended and are scent marked with feces and urine by the dogs on a regular basis to establish/maintain their boundaries.  These scent marks let predators know that another animal is claiming that area.  Predators in the dog’s territory are aggressively chased and physically confronted by  them.  Territorial exclusion has been suggested as the major way that LGDs protect livestock, but recent studies from Australia suggest that disruption of predatory behavior is more important.

So why do LGDs bark at night? They are letting predators know that the area is their territory.  By barking and using aggressive posturing the dogs are disrupting the predator’s behavior patterns.  In the Australian study, LGDs camped amongst the sheep at night and when disturbed, the sheep reacted by flocking together.  The dogs barked aggressively and circled the perimeter of the flock.  One Maremma left the flock a short distance and challenged the source of the disturbance.  The shepherding behavior and aggressive vocalizations of the guardian dogs, combined with the flocking behavior of sheep, may circumvent the attacks but may not prevent predators from routinely foraging near the sheep.  This is why you may still see predators near your livestock.  It really depends on our LGDs behavior pattern as to how close they will allow predators to their charges.  However, if you are not losing any stock to predation, your LGDs are doing their jobs.

The third way LGDs interact with predators is direct confrontation.  However, it can happen as seen in the picture.  Predators such as coyotes, do not want to have a direct confrontation with a larger canine.  Direct confrontations consume a large amount of energy for predators.  Attacking a larger canine equates to dominance in canine species, which is why attacks on LGDs are rarely considered unless the coyotes are extremely driven by hunger or some other reason.  (Picture courtesy of Tamara Taylor)

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

The pups are all doing great.  The Superheroes were neutered on December 17 and are back guarding their livestock.  The Stooges are becoming more protective of their charges every week.  Moe and Larry often confront the “threats” (usually ASU cows or Texas A&M goats in the next pasture) while Curly will stay with the stock.  These three have still not left their pasture for any reason and will not even go through an open gate.

Two of the Superheroes (Hulk & Thor) have left their pasture several times since they have been out of their bonding pens.  Once, they were following some of their goats that had gotten through a hole in the fence so I can’t really fault them for that.  The rest of the times they have been on adventures to check out perceived “threats” in other pastures.  We will see if this continues in the coming weeks.  I was alerted to them leaving each time by our GPS tracker system.

I have set up geofences around each pasture that the pups are in and, if they leave, it will send me an email with the dog’s tracker number.  A geofence is basically a line that is electronically drawn around each pasture on Digital Matters website of our location.  Each pasture has a separate geofence around it.  You can adjust the geofence perimeter anytime you want.  After you set the trackers, that you want to get an alert from inside each geofence, the system will send you an alert if the tracker leaves that area.  Alerts can also be used to let you know an animal entered a location you don’t want them in.

Breed Spotlight – Anatolian Shepard

The Anatolian Shepard is originally from Turkey and can weigh as much as 150lbs.  The dogs are from the central region of Anatolia which is a high plateau of endless plains and rolling hills. Summers are dry and brutally hot, and the winters are snowy, with sub-zero temperatures. Anatolian’s descend from some of the oldest known domestic-canine bloodlines, probably from the large hunting dogs existing in Mesopotamia.  The breed came to the United States just before World War II when the Department of Agriculture imported a breeding pair for a top-secret sheep dog project to guard part of the nation’s food supply.

Profusely muscled but nimble afoot, Anatolian’s are more than a match for the predators and harsh terrain of their homeland. Anatolian’s are smart, devoted, responsive, and adaptable.  They will protect their flock, children and smaller dogs with intensity.  They are a large, upstanding, powerfully built livestock guarding dog that is capable of great speed.

The head is broad and strong, and the double coat is dense in cooler climates.  It is capable of enduring extremes of heat and cold with a hair coat of 1 to 4 inches in length.  The breed is naturally independent, very intelligent and tractable. In manner, they are proud and confident. They are loyal and affectionate to their owners, but are wary of strangers when mature.  They have a powerful neck and well-muscled body that is never fat with strong feet and short nails.

The dogs come in a variety of colors from red fawn to brindle, to blue fawn with a mask, from black to pinto.  However, the tan body with black mask are typical of the breed as shown in the picture.  Their ears are triangular in shape and rounded as the bottom.  Dogs imported from Turkey usually have their ears cropped closely so that they are not damaged in a fight with a predator.  The Anatolian is overall a healthy and hardy breed.  Hip dysplasia is not common in Anatolian’s, nor is bloat however they can be sensitive to anesthesia.  (https://www.ukcdogs.com/anatolian-shepherd and https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/anatolian-shepherd-dog/)

Feeding Methods: Pros & Cons

Hand feeding or self-feeding your LGDs, which is better?  Each method has its pros and cons for the dogs and the producers.

Hand feeding LGDs works well for producers that have the time to feed their dogs this way.  Hand feeding allows you to monitor feed consumption, easily perform health checks, and allows producers to regularly socialize their dogs.  On the other hand, this feeding method is time consuming.  The rancher or a ranch hand must go to each pasture at least every other day to feed the dogs.  You must also train the dogs to come to a specific location each time to get their feed.  Some producers use a whistle or horn to alert their dogs that its time to eat.  Hand feeding is even harder to maintain if you have multiple dogs in multiple locations.

Self-feeding your LGDs is a popular choice for many producers with large ranches.  Self-feeding allows your LGD to eat when they are hungry.  Also, when compared to hand feeding, it is less time consuming if you have multiple dogs and locations.  Most self-feeders hold 25-50 pounds of feed which is a benefit for producers with multiple dogs.  This amount of feed will usually last about a week in most situations.  However, self-feeders are more expensive to purchase than a hand feeding dish and generally require an enclosure of some sort to keep out livestock, hopefully.   Also, with self-feeders, producers do not get a chance to regularly socialize their dogs.  Cooperators report that well socialized dogs are easier to manage and less likely to travel.

Self-feeders come in a range of prices with and without automation.  Each type of feeder has its pros and cons, as well.  I will be discussing these systems next month.  If you are thinking about self-feeding your LGDs, we recommend that you place your self-feeders near water troughs or bedding areas.  This always keeps the dogs with your livestock so that there is a lower chance of predation.

LGD Timely Tips

This month I decided to only provide one tip and it’s on dog health.  One of our dogs, Max,  had lost a lot of weight at the end of the summer.  Max has been a great guardian of his Angoras at the Read Ranch in Ozona.  He never roams and is always with his charges.  His biggest fault is that he will not climb into a feeding station.  He will only dig under them to get in. We had tried several different things to maintain an appropriate level of nutrition for Max.  However, the goats always figured out how to get into his feeding station because Max was constantly digging a hole to get in which also allowed the goats to get into his feeding station!

In late September I performed a health check and found Max to be extremely thin. He was brought back to the Center in San Angelo for some rest and to put on some weight.  When he got here his stool was very loose, so I administered Forti Flora, a probiotic powder from Purina, to him in his wet feed for a month.  It solved that problem and increased his appetite, but he still wasn’t gaining weight.  Next, I dewormed him since we were unsure when the last time that had been done.  Max was wormed twice three weeks apart, but still nothing drastically changed in his weight.  Then I tried a higher quality of feed.  I thought that since he was so thin, he may need a better feed to gain weight faster. Again, that only slightly improved his weight and appearance.  I decided that Max needed to go to the vets as I was out of ideas.  After a simple blood test, our veterinarian determined that Max had a tick borne rickettsial disease called Ehrlichiosis, which is similar to Anaplasmosis in cattle.  The disease is commonly spread by the Brown Dog Tick which is found throughout the United States.

Ehrlichiosis occurs throughout the year and can affect several body systems.  Dogs can be infected with several strains of this disease and it is prevalent in the lower half of the United States.  It attacks most dogs at about 5 years of age.  Symptoms include: Lethargy, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, fever, head tilt, ocular pain, anemia, respiratory distress and spontaneous bleeding.  From initial infection to presentation can be in excess of 2 months.

Once your vet determines Ehrlichiosis is the problem, they will most likely provide you with Doxycycline to administer to your dog for 3-4 weeks.  Its important to follow the vets recommended dosage and instructions to remove this disease.  Ehrlichiosis can hide and lay dormant in the bone marrow of your dog even after treatment.  It’s important to get your dog retested in 9 months after the initial infection to make sure that they test negative for the disease.  The best way to treat this disease is to prevent infection by controlling the infestation of ticks on your dog.  Proper and diligent use of flea and tick products all year long will keep you LGD happy, healthy and guarding your livestock.  (http://tickspotters.org/rhipicephalus-sanguineus-brown-dog-tick) (Blackwell’s Five Minute Veterinary Consult Canine & Feline 6^th Ed., ISBN 9781118881309)

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/

Previous Publications and Case Studies

Do LGDs need to be aggressive?

If producers feel like they need to find more aggressive dogs they first should determine if they have predators that normal LGDs can’t control.  From our experience and discussion with Texas ranchers using LGDs, this is not a problem.  On the other hand, issues that are problems with many LGDs, such as roaming, being too fearful of humans, and rough behavior with livestock could be made worse by selecting more aggressive LGDs.  While it is important for an LGD to protect their stock, a high level of aggression is not necessarily an important characteristic to have in LGDs.  Moreover, aggressive dogs tend to be overly protective of food, water and what they perceive to be their immediate territory.  This can lead to ranch personnel, delivery drivers, repairmen and guests being bit if they are working in the dog’s immediate territory.  In addition, more aggressive dogs biting people may lead to a lawsuit from an injured individual.

Producers often think that a more aggressive LGD will keep predators away.  However, research by Dr. Linda Van Bommel of the Australian National University – Canberra, shows that LGDs do not need to be overly aggressive to keep predators at bay.  According to Dr. Bommel’s research, LGDs control predators in three ways: territorial exclusion, disruption and confrontation.  Territories are areas that are actively defended and are scent marked with feces and urine by the dogs.  Intruders are aggressively chased and physically confronted.  Territorial exclusion has been suggested as the major way that LGDs protect livestock, but recent studies from Australia suggest that disruption is more important.  LGDs disrupt predator behavior by barking and using aggressive posturing.  In the Australian study LGDs and wild dogs had GPS tracking collars and wild dogs routinely entered the LGD territory.  These authors described how Maremmas camped amongst the sheep at night in large single flocks, and when disturbed, sheep reacted by flocking together.  Maremmas barked aggressively and circled the perimeter of the rotating flock, and a single Maremma left the flock a short distance and challenged the source of the disturbance.  The shepherding behavior and aggressive vocalizations of guardian dogs, combined with the flocking behavior of sheep, might circumvent attacks on sheep but did not prevent nor discourage wild dogs from routinely foraging in close proximity to sheep[i].  Rarely is there a direct confrontation between the dog and the predator.  In the study above, the only documented direct confrontation resulted in the wild dogs killing the LGD.  Most predators in Texas are smaller than a guardian dog.  The predator understands that this type of situation will result in a losing battle for them.  I do understand that LGDs may catch coyotes and kill them.  However, based on our experience and discussion with long time users of LGDs, this is a rare occurrence when you consider the amount of time an LGDs spend with their charges.

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

The Maremma pups were neutered last month and the Akbash cross pups will be neutered this month.  The Maremma pups (“Stooges”) have been released since October 28  into a 100-acre pasture and they have not left the enclosure to date.  We are monitoring their movements daily via real time GPS trackers from Digital Matters.  The pups are traveling the entire field with their charges.  So far Larry and Moe tend to stay together while Curly ventures out on his own regularly.  They often show up at one of the bonding pens in the mornings when I go out for their daily check and treat.

All pups have also been micro-chipped now that they are older and moving out into larger pastures.  They will receive their permanent collars and an ID tag once they are full grown.  The Akbash pups (“Superheroes”) were released on December 3.  These pups are doing great and growing rapidly.  The dogs along with all the stock from their bonding pens are also wearing GPS trackers.  We are tracking the dog’s movement in conjunction with the livestock to see how each set has bonded to the livestock.

LGD Identification: Why it’s important

All dogs at the AgriLife Center have three forms of identification on them.  We purchase collars that come with a free engraved brass identification tag attached to them.  We also use a cattle tag that is imprinted with our name and phone number.  These provide easy visual identification of our dogs since several of our neighbors also have LGDs. We also microchip all our dogs in case they ever leave our research ranches and are taken to a local veterinarian or animal shelter.  These locations can then read the microchip and contact us regarding our dogs.  None of these items are expensive.  Our collars cost $10 each, the cattle tags are $1.40 each, and the microchips are $40 each.  In total, identification for our dog’s costs $51.40, which is small when compared to the average first year cost of $1,750 for an LGD.  I also have several pictures of each of our adult dogs on file.  Each picture shows a different view of the dog and any special markings.  I have them in case a dog shows up at a location that does not have a microchip scanner.  I can send those pictures to that person to confirm if the dog is ours or not.  Proper identification of ownership is a cheap and easy way to make sure that your LGD is always returned to you if they decide to roam to someplace other than your ranch.

Breed Spotlight – Akbash

Akbash are a white livestock guardian dog breed native to western Turkey.  Akbash are the Turkish counterpart of the other white guardian breeds found around Europe. However, only Akbash possess the unique combination of Mastiff and gazehound characteristics.  Akbash are a long-legged, lean, muscular dog of imposing size and strength, great courage, and stamina, with an alert, regal bearing. Akbash have a long tail, usually carried in a curl over the back. The Akbash possess a unique mixture of characteristics from the Mastiff and gazehound breeds. The gazehound influence gives the breed long legs, a deep chest, arched loin,  tucked up flank, speed, and agility.  While the Mastiffs contributions can be seen in the breeds height, weight, broader head, and overall impression of power. Their temperament is calm, quiet, independent and capable of responding to changing circumstances without human direction.

They are loyal and gentle with their own family but remain aloof and suspicious toward strangers. They are also watchful of other dog’s and may react aggressively to intruding dogs. Akbash have a double coat consisting of longer, coarse, outer hairs and dense undercoat of soft, fine hair. Thickness of the undercoat varies significantly with the climate and exposure of the dog to weather. Akbash have two different lengths of body hair and puppies from the same litter can vary in type.  The short- coated Akbash (right picture) has body hair that is short to medium in length and lies flat giving a sleek, racy appearance to the dog. The long-coated Akbash (left picture) has body hair that is distinctly longer than on the short-coated dog. The hair is often slightly wavy but is never curled or matted. The long-coated Akbash with full undercoat appears heavier than the medium-coated dog.

Males range in height from 30 to 34 inches and females from 28 to 32 inches. Weight should be in proportion to the height, giving a well-muscled, lean appearance without being too light or too heavy. The average weight for a male Akbash in good condition is 120 pounds and for a female, 90 pounds. (Source: https://www.ukcdogs.com/akbash)

LGD Timely Tips:

• Cold weather is here and it’s important that you increase the quality and quantity of feed that is supplied to your LGD. During the colder months your dogs need a higher protein and fat content in their feed to maintain their fat deposits.  Fat reserves help maintain the bodies heat level by acting as insulation and a reserve for calories when needed.  Make sure that you are providing enough quality feed to maintain a BCS of 5 for you LGDs.
• Most bags of dog kibble have a chart recommending the daily amount to be fed. This is usually listed in cups.  A cup is 8 ounces or ½ lb.  Most LGDs will need at least 4-6 cups/32-48 ounces/2-3lbs of feed per day to maintain their body condition in the winter.  A typical 40lb bag of dog food will last one dog approximately 10 -13 days depending on the weather.
• If you have an LGD with a longer coat, try brushing them during the cooler months. This will keep their coat fluffy which traps air in the hair fibers that acts as insulation to the cold temperatures. The warmer your dog is in the winter, the less it will need to eat to stay warm thus saving money on your feed bill.

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/

Previous Publications and Case Studies

[i] Allen, L. R., N. Stewart-Moore, D. Byrne, and B. L. Allen. 2017. Guardian dogs protect sheep by guarding sheep, not by establishing territories and excluding predators. Animal Production Science 57(6):1118-1127.

Why LGDs harm livestock

Fall has arrived and winter is coming soon! This typically means breeding season for many sheep and goat producers.  Make sure that you keep an eye on your dogs if this is their first breeding season.  Breeding rams or billies introduced to a flock/herd of females may be perceived as a threat by LGDs.  They may try to keep their females away from the males or attack the bucks.  By keeping a watchful eye on your young dogs, you can discourage this behavior and keep your breeding rates up.  Check out more timely tips at the end of this blog.

LGD Field Day – Munday

The fall LGD Field Day in Knox County on October 25 was a great event for sheep and goat producers.  I want to thank Jerry Coplen, the Knox County AgriLife Extension Agent, for all his help with the event and providing producers with a view of his operation.  Lunch was sponsored by Central Texas Farm Credit.  I want to thank the local county Extension agents for helping cater the event.  The food was delicious and helped warm everyone up on a cold day.  Producers viewed a variety of presentations on topics including GPS Tracking, Dog Health, LGD Feeding Systems, Legal Issues with LGDs, Wildlife Services, a producer panel and a ranch visit.  I want to thank Nestle Purina, AgriLife Research and Crazy Goat Socks for donating door prizes.  If you missed the event, we are considering on another field day for the spring.  Watch the AgriLife LGD Facebook page @TAMUlivestockguarddog for more information on that event.

I would like to thank the sponsors below for your generous support of the field day in Munday:

Gold Sponsors

Capital Farm Credit – Munday                                    Central Texas Farm Credit – Haskell

Haskell Feeds – Haskell                                                Haskell Veterinary Clinic – Haskell

Jim Cowsert Real Estate Appraisals—Munday         Nestle Purina—St. Louis

Noelke/Wilhelm Ranch—Menard                               P&W Service Center—Munday

Sheep & Goat Predator Management Board—San Angelo

Silver Sponsors

Air-Ag Inc.—Knox City                                                  Citizens Bank—Knox City

Knox County Farm Bureau— Munday                       Quality Implement—Munday

LGD Puppy Bonding Project

The puppy bonding project is going well.  The Maremma pups are 19 weeks old and the Akbash pups are now 16 weeks.  The Maremma pups have gone out into a 100-acre pasture for their final bonding phase which will last until they are yearlings.  This next phase for these pups will help us determine if the electric fencing in their bonding pens was a lasting deterrent to digging out of their pasture.  We will also be able to track how the siblings have bonded with the stock and their interaction with each other when they are allowed more space to roam.  On the left is a picture of the pups traveling over a 24-hour period. We will be tracking the movements of the livestock also in the next few weeks.

The Maremma pups will also be getting neutered soon.  It’s important to spay or neuter your dog’s so that they don’t wander to find a mate and leave your stock unguarded.  In addition, females rearing pups have a reduced ability to guard your stock and while caring for her offspring.

Breed Spotlight – Great Pyrenees

I often get questions about what breed of LGD is best.  Based on research there are more differences within a breed than there is across the breeds.  There are over 30 breeds worldwide and I will cover as many as possible over the next couple of years.  This month’s LGD breed, the Great Pyrenees, is one of the most common found in the United States and is commonly crossed with other LGD breeds in Texas. My first LGD was ½ Great Pyrenees and ½ Akbash.

A breed standard picture from the American Kennel Club is on the right.  Great Pyrenees are a long-haired breed with a double coat.  They are generally a solid white livestock guardian dog originally from the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain.  They may have shades of gray, tan or badger in their coats.  Remains of Great Pyrenees have been found in fossil records dating back to the Bronze Age (1800-1000 BC).  Their coat is thick which helps shed water in the winter and insulate it from the cold; however, it presents challenges for warm climates such as Texas. According to the American Kennel Club, they tend to be strong willed, independent, patient, protective and loyal to their charges.  Females start out at 85lbs and higher, while males will be 100lbs or more in weight.  They stand 25-32 inches at their withers.  A 27 inch tall dog will weigh about 100lbs.   (Source: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/great-pyrenees/)

Health and Wellness

If you have a dog that has lost condition and is still not gaining weight you may want to try a probiotic.  I have used a product from Purina’s Pro Plan line called FortiFlora several times.  I have found it to work well if the dog has gone off feed for some reason.  FortiFlora is a canine probiotic supplement that comes in a small packet that you sprinkle over the dog’s food.  It contains a safe strain of beneficial bacteria that promotes and restores intestinal micro-flora so that the intestines can absorb nutrients from the feed again.  We are currently using it on Max, one of our dogs that had lost weight this past summer.  After a few days of using the product, Max already seems to be feeling better, has increased his feed intake and his weight is increasing.  If you feel that your dog’s appetite could be improved, contact your veterinarian and ask him/her about FortiFlora.

LGD Timely Tips:

• Regular checks of your LGDs body condition score are important. Your dog should ideally be a score of five at all times.  By now your LGD should have put on the weight that it lost over the summer months.  If your dog has not increased its condition score, consider taking them to your veterinarian for a checkup.
• Make sure your LGD is gaining weight for the colder months ahead and that its coat is clean. A coat that is free of mats and burrs will shed water better and provide more insulation.
• Hunting season is here. Remind hunters again, that LGDs are not pets and that they should be treated as a working dog.  Socializing with the dogs or feeding the dogs treats keeps them coming back to their blinds.  You may want to remove dogs from pastures that hunters will be in to stop a problem before it starts.

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/

Previous Publications and Case Studies

Update: October 4, 2019

October tends to be a slow month for most LGDs.  But it may be the best month to do a little “housekeeping” and get ready for some challenging months to come.  Check out our timely tips at the end of this blog.

On September 17 Scott Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agent in Brown County, held a workshop on predator control in Brownwood.  He had over 60 people attend the event and had a great set of guest speakers.  I presented on “Improving the Effectiveness of Livestock Guardian Dogs” which covered a variety of information from selecting a LGD to proper bonding techniques and feeding strategies.  The crowd was very receptive and asked many questions during and after the presentation.  I would highly recommend attending the next workshop that Scott puts on.

The six puppies in the bonding project are all doing well and growing rapidly.   The Maremma pups are now 15 weeks old and the Akbash cross pups are 11 weeks old.  They all have different individual personalities, but similarities exist based on the breeding and rearing environment of the breeder we sourced the dogs from.  In general, the Maremma pups are a little more timid, while the Akbash cross pups are a little more adventurous.  This could be “nature” or “nurture.” The Akbash pups received more human contact while they were with their mother than the Maremma puppies did.   It will be interesting to see which set of pups end up bonding more to livestock when they are mature.  All the pups are leading well on a leash and just lay down when tethered now.  Thor and Hulk really enjoy riding in the truck.

As you can see in the picture below of “Moe,” it’s a tough life guarding some of our stock.  He had just woken up and is yawning in the picture.  After this picture he went back to sleep!

If your dog’s look to be in poor condition, don’t hesitate to confine them to a smaller area for some rest and improve the dog’s diet.  If you can easily feel the dog’s ribs, vertebrate or hip bones, your LGD needs to gain weight and rest.  Provide them with plenty of high-quality food until they reach approximately a 5 canine body condition score.  You may need to isolate them in a pen away from other dogs with some livestock to allow them to recuperate.  It may take 4-6 weeks for the dogs to gain enough weight back to return to full strength.

We are holding a Fall Livestock Guardian Dog Field Day in Knox County in the city of Munday on October 25.  The city of Munday is a little over 2 hours North of San Angelo.  To register for the event contact Jerry Coplen at the Knox County AgriLife Extension Office at 940-459-2651.  Cost is $25 or $40 per couple if registered by October 18. Topics will include GPS Tracking, Dog Health and Parasites, LGD Feeding Systems, Legal Issues with LGDs, Wildlife Services, a producer panel and a ranch visit.  Dog breeders and exhibits will also be on site at the Munday Event Center the day of the event.  We hope to see you there!

LGD Timely Tips:

• In the fall, a LGD’s appetite should return to full strength and they will start to regain weight lost in the summer from warding off predator and beating the heat. Be sure they have access to the right dog food for their lifestyle, age, and condition.
• Breeding season may bring about new animals to the flock. Be mindful of LGDs when you introduce breeding rams and billies to the ewe flock or doe herd.  Some LGDs will see them as a threat.
• Hunting season is just around the corner. Now is the time to talk with your deer hunters about your LGDs, especially if you have any new hunters or new LGDs.  A simple conversation about how to deal with potential conflict might be the difference between a simple solution and a major problem.  Remind hunters that LGDs are not pets and that they should be treated as a working dog.

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/

Previous Publications and Case Studies

Texas A&M AgriLife Research currently has 22 livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) to protect sheep and goats at  four separate locations.  The amounts of LGDs at each site vary based on predation, stocking levels, terrain and research projects.  These LGDs are located in Crockett, Menard, Sutton and Tom Green counties.  Six of these LGDs are puppies that are part of a bonding project located at the AgriLife Research and Extension Center in San Angelo.

The six puppies are split into four one-acre bonding pens.  Two of the bonding pens in one pasture have hot wire, approximately 6 inches above the ground around the perimeter of the woven wire enclosure.  The other two bonding pens are in a separate pasture and do not have any hot wire around the woven wire perimeter.  Each pen also has four to six livestock in each pen.  The livestock are comprised of wool sheep, hair sheep, Angora goats and meat goats.  The puppies have a covered feeding station that they can use to get away from the stock if needed.  Each pen contains a water trough, stock feeder and shelter for the dogs and livestock.  The pups are socialized with humans 4-5 days a week for at least 10 minutes per puppy.  The pups are also tethered for a short time, walked on a leash and driven in a truck  three to four days a week.

The pups were randomly selected to be in each pen.  The pups are split with two puppies together in two pens and a single puppy in each of the other two pens.  This demonstration project will demonstrate how sibling behavior affects how well the puppies bond to the livestock as they mature.  We are also demonstrating if the effect of hot wire in the bonding pen will keep the pups from roaming once they are mature and placed on our research ranches.

Two sets of three puppies were purchased from two different LGD breeders out of the same litter from each breeder.  The puppies were all born and raised until the time they were picked up with sheep and/or goats.  They are all males and they were between 7-8 weeks of age when they were picked up from the breeders.  One set of pups are pure Maremma (Larry, Moe and Curly) and the other set of puppies are Akbash X Great Pyrenees X Anatolian crosses (Goliath, Hulk and Thor).  More updates on the puppies and the progress they are making each month will be provided here, as well as in weekly updates on our Facebook page.

Bill Costanzo
Research Specialist II, Livestock Guardian Dogs

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

Previous Publications and Case Studies

Welcome to “The Guardian Way” blog page.

This page will be updated monthly with information about livestock guardian dogs, and it will also provide regular updates on the livestock guardian dog program at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in San Angelo TX.  You will be able to sign up for automatic updates via email which will be sent to your inbox every time the blog is updated.

This page is authored by Bill Costanzo, Livestock Guardian Dog Research Specialist at the AgriLife Center.  Bill has been using LGDs for over nine years and he joined the AgriLife team in January of 2019.  His position is a project in coordination with the Texas Sheep & Goat Predator Management Board and TAMU AgriLife Research.

You may contact Bill at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.
You can also follow the LGD Program on Facebook @TAMUlivestockguarddog.

View previous LGD publications and case studies