Livestock Guardian Dog Breeds
The use of dogs in protecting livestock originated over 2000 years ago, with their use being recorded as early as 150 BC in Rome. Both Aritotle's History of Animals and Virgil's Georgics mention the use of livestock guardian dogs by the Molossians in the ancient region of Epirus. Many of the modern day livestock guardian dogs are thought to descend from the extinct Molossus breed.
Livestock Guardian Dog Breed Origin Map
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When looking at traits of the working dog, one has to bear in mind that all are generalizations, and are based on the mature working dog. Each dog is an individual, so writing a generalization of traits
will certainly not hold true for every dog.
will certainly not hold true for every dog.
Click each picture for more information about that breed.