Livestock Guardian Dogs: Working on Common Ground

Ranchers who struggle to coexist with large predators are finding new hope in old dog breeds. While these Old World livestock guardian dog breeds have successfully defended livestock from predators for thousands of years in Europe and Asia, they remain relatively unknown in the American West. Explore how they work for one family, and what it means for the maintenance of large predators, like the wolf, on the landscape.

Dogs can help ranchers and predators co-exist? Watch this video and learn how it works! 

Please note that not all LGDs are trained or reared the same way, and therefore not all are as approachable as those featured in this video.

The development of a best practice manual for the use of guardian dogs to protect livestock will allow land holders to be proactive by preventing predation rather that reacting to attacks.

The Australian Government has produced an online Guide called "Guardian Dogs - Best Practice Manual for the use of Livestock Guardian Dogs" (2010) which you can download free at: www.invasiveanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Guardian-Dogs-web.pdf