Definition of a WORKING Livestock Guardian Dog
A working livestock guardian dog has a job – which is to watch over and protect the stock of the owner.
In order for the LGD to perform its job he must live with the stock on a continual basis, 24/7/365, (a few exceptions would be during short periods of time, like females in season, whelping, injury, etc).
Guarding livestock must be the LGD’s primary job; he must willingly travel with the flock and be in proximity to the herd to protect them; he needs to be tough enough to face predators; he must be built for the job - have the size, agility, and coat for the job in all seasons.
If predators come calling the livestock guardian dog is the first line of defense.
What a working LGD is NOT:
In order for the LGD to perform its job he must live with the stock on a continual basis, 24/7/365, (a few exceptions would be during short periods of time, like females in season, whelping, injury, etc).
Guarding livestock must be the LGD’s primary job; he must willingly travel with the flock and be in proximity to the herd to protect them; he needs to be tough enough to face predators; he must be built for the job - have the size, agility, and coat for the job in all seasons.
If predators come calling the livestock guardian dog is the first line of defense.
What a working LGD is NOT:
- A dog of any breed that was not developed to have the instincts, size, coat and ability to live with and protect livestock from predators by innately utilizing behaviors that define a livestock guardian dog.
- A dog that is a general farm guardian who does not live with the livestock on a continual basis, but roams around the farm, coming and going as it pleases.
- A dog that spends significant amounts of time away from the livestock on a daily or regular basis – like one who spends more time sleeping on the porch or in the yard than living with the stock.
- A dog that looks for human guidance and direction and does not have the instincts to independently handle predator situations appropriately.
- A dog that sleeps at night any place that is NOT with the livestock.
- A dog that is good with livestock but does not live with and protect livestock night and day.
- A dog that barks but doesn’t have the rest of the criteria for follow-through in predator confrontations.
- A dog that would rather be with people than with livestock.
- A dog is NOT a working livestock guardian dog if you only have a few livestock for the sole purpose of proving your dog is "good" with them and for photos, instead of the very real reason of protecting your livestock from predation.
