Livestock guardian dog

Not to be confused with Herding dog.

A Maremma Sheepdog with a flock of sheep in Australia

A livestock guardian dog (LGD) is a dog type bred for the purpose of protecting livestock from predators.

Livestock guardian dogs stay with the group of animals they protect as a full-time member of the flock or herd.[1] Their ability to guard their herd is mainly instinctive, as the dog is bonded to the herd from an early age.[2] Unlike herding dogs which control the movement of livestock, LGDs blend in with them, watching for intruders within the flock. The mere presence of a guardian dog is usually enough to ward off some predators, and LGDs confront predators by vocal intimidation, barking, and displaying very aggressive behavior. The dog may attack or fight with a predator if it cannot drive it away.[3]

  1. ^ Suzanne Asha Stone (2016). Livestock and Wolves: A Guide to Nonlethal Tools and Methods to Reduce Conflicts, 2nd Edition (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: Defenders of Wildlife. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
  2. ^ Barnes, Elizabeth (1998). "Working like a dog". Mother Earth News. No. 168. p. 30.
  3. ^ Green, Jeffrey S.; Woodruff, Roger A. (1990). Livestock Guarding Dogs: Protecting Sheep From Predators (Report). U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. p. 26. hdl:2027/umn.31951d012181083. Agricultural Information Bulletin Number 588.