by Brent Roeder MSU Extension Associate Sheep Specialist

there are no old and bold or careless guard dogs. A lambing, shearing, or during weaning in the fall, single guard dog is no match for a wolf or a grizzly leave your dog at home or in the vehicle. bear. Over the years, LGDs have learned to stay Some LGDs will wander from their flock while BIGSTOCK.COM close to the sheep and other dogs for back-up. If the running off predators, trying to guard the neighbors situation heats up, predators should expect the fast, flock or looking for food or a mate. This can lead to fearless herders to join the fray, and at some point loss including from death in traffic, being picked the shepherd will add his presence to the situation. up by a stranger who assumes the pet is lost, or by This layered combination of LGD, agile Border upsetting neighbors. To prevent wandering, the Collies or other herder breeds, and human presence WOW, THAT'S A BIG DOG! LGD should be bonded with the flock or herd they is almost always enough to send a large predator are supposed to protect, have ample and quality down the road. food and be spayed or neutered. It is good practice If you’ve been around a sheep operation in Montana characteristics, though all are large and imposing Unfortunately, not all human and guard dog to notify neighbors before using LGDs. If your LGD lately, it’s likely you’ve seen plenty of dogs. Imagine with excellent hearing and surprising speed and confrontations end well. Joggers, mountain bikers, leaves the ranch, do not award with affection or this scenario. Walking down a country road, you agility. If you are thinking of purchasing a LGD, hunters and recreationists with dogs have all had food. Kenneling for a short period can be effective encounter a flock of sheep. Your eye is drawn first to use a reputable breeder who understands your unpleasant experiences with LGDs. Few people in punishment. As wolf and the black and white Border Collies zipping from one specific situation and needs. Some breeds are more Montana will ever chance upon a guard dog while While LGDs are working dogs, Redden advises side to the other with bright eyes and an eager ear, aggressive, others are higher maintenance, and there recreating on public lands. But if you do, stop grizzly bear that they should be socialized with people. This listening for commands. Then, as you get closer, the are different personalities between dogs within running or biking and confront the dog. Usually, helps them to receive proper veterinarian care flock parts like a fast-moving creek around a rock to a breed. There are several reputable breeders in they are surprised by a fast-moving jogger or ranges have including vaccinations, deworming and for some reveal a large white animal. You exclaim to yourself, Montana and surrounding states who are committed bicyclist and once they determine you are human, breeds, grooming; reduces conflict with neighbors expanded, “wow, that’s a big dog!” Now sniffing the air in your to creating a successful experience. These breeders: they’ll settle down and go back to the sheep. and increases the ability for them to be moved to direction, this dog lets out a tremendous bellow and §§ maintain strong blood lines, Recreating or hunting with dogs and encountering different operations. guard dog starts loping your way, causing you to recall books §§ vaccinate, a LGD can lead to uncertain situations depending you read as a kid where you had to make decisions LGDs have become important to sheep operations use among on the two dog’s temperaments. Typically, a with life and death consequences. Can I make it to §§ spay and neuter pups, across Montana. The following publications can companion or hunting dog will immediately return a fence in time? Should I throw something at him? §§ place dogs at the right age, provide more information: Montana to you once confronted by an LGD. Keeping the Can I outrun the friend who is with me? As the dog §§ raise their dogs with sheep or goats to start the dog close to you or loading them in or on a vehicle - Livestock Guardian Dogs by Reid Redden from ranchers has barrels forward, one or two more similar dogs join. bonding process at an early age, usually settles the situation down. If your dog Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 2015 How should you react? §§ monitor progress, become more won’t return to you, acts aggressively to the guard - Factsheet on Livestock Protection Dogs from §§ answer questions. For thousands of years, shepherds in Spain, Italy, the dog, or takes a run for the sheep, the LGD will use Wildlife Services, 2010 commonplace. Middle East and Eurasia have used large, specially- whatever tactics it feels necessary to protect its In his publication Livestock Guardian Dogs, Reid - Recommended Best Management Practices for bred dogs to help guard their sheep flocks against territory and the sheep. For your safety and out Redden, Texas A&M Extension Sheep and Goat Livestock Protection Dogs from the American predators. The use of livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) of courtesy, if you’re visiting a sheep operation at specialist, identified three major ways that LGDs Sheep Industry Association  has been increasing in the United States since reduce predation: territorial exclusion, disruption, the 1970s. As wolf and grizzly bear ranges have and confrontation. First, the guard dogs mark expanded, guard dog use among Montana ranchers their territory as a warning to other canines. Often has become commonplace. In the past, where a canids including wolves, coyotes and domestic dogs single dog could defend a flock from coyotes, many will seek different territory rather than invade the producers are now running up to three LGDs per LGDs space. Next, the LGD uses disruption. In the flock, in addition to having herding dogs, such as opening scenario, the dogs employed this technique Border Collies, to cope with the larger predators. perfectly. Seeing a 120-pound mass of barking fury The most common LGD breeds found in Montana barreling forward, followed by a second and third, are Anatolian Shepherd, Kangal, Komondor, usually detours even the staunchest predator. Maremma, Spanish Mastiff, Turkish Boz, Akbash, The final tactic is confrontation. This is where KRISTIN BEIBER and Great Pyrenees. Each breed has unique painful lessons may occur. As with airplane pilots,

8 a publication of Montana State University Extension LIVES landscapes Winter 2018 9