Cross-bred Livestock Guardian DogsMany people have cross-bred livestock guardian dogs where the parents/ancestors are all LGD breeds (like a Great Pyrenees and Maremma Sheepdog cross).
These types of cross-bred livestock guardian dogs are considered as individually efficient as a pure-bred LGDs. If you are considering a cross-bred LGD, the same qualifications apply to them as it does to pure-bred LGD's - working parents, health testing (and both/all breeds genetic health problems need to be tested for), proper temperament (remember to take into account the temperament of the breeds involved) and from a breeder who is willing to mentor for the lifetime of the dog. |
However, a cross-bred that is descended from NON-LGD breeds is never recommended for use as a livestock guardian dog as the dog may inherit instinct from the NON-LGD breed, causing behaviors that could harm, or even kill, your livestock. A NON-LGD cross may also not have all of the physical and instinctual abilities and characteristics that will enable the dog to safely deal with predators, which could cause harm, or even death, to your dog.