LGDEN Breeds Statement
Please research the breeder! Some kennels or lines of livestock guardian dog breeds have been used for dog fighting, or for non-LGD uses like companions/pets, personal protection work, or general estate guardians. Fighting, military, police and protection lines are more aggressive and should never be used as livestock guardians; and any line that has not been specifically and selectively bred for livestock guardian dog work will be very unlikely to have the livestock guardian dog working traits, character, temperament or physical attributes needed to effectively protect your livestock.
There are breeders who are marketing their dogs as livestock guardian dogs when they do not even have livestock, or if they do, it is for photo ops only. A few "breeds" have been mixed with more aggressive lines such as fighting or military lines, and the traits selected for are NOT for livestock guardian dog work. There are breeders who proclaim (falsely) that they do not need livestock to prove their dogs are safe with livestock or that their dogs still retain the instincts and abilities needed for livestock guardian dog work. .
There are breeders who are marketing their dogs as livestock guardian dogs when they do not even have livestock, or if they do, it is for photo ops only. A few "breeds" have been mixed with more aggressive lines such as fighting or military lines, and the traits selected for are NOT for livestock guardian dog work. There are breeders who proclaim (falsely) that they do not need livestock to prove their dogs are safe with livestock or that their dogs still retain the instincts and abilities needed for livestock guardian dog work. .
Fad & Designer Breeds It is the stance of the LGDEN that only those breeds that have been developed for hundreds of years as Livestock Guardian Dogs be recognized as legitimate livestock guardian breeds.
Crossbreeding of livestock guardian dogs with other breeds, especially those that were used as guard and fighting dogs and not as livestock guardian dogs, is an ongoing situation in many of the breed's home countries, as well as in the US. The commercialization of these new "breeds" is very concerning, especially when these dogs are being marketed as livestock guardian dogs to the general public. Livestock guardian dog breeds have been carefully selected over many hundreds of years to display specific traits. Their instinctual behaviors are threatened by crosses with non-LGD dogs, and can be dangerous to livestock.
People involved in dog fighting and unscrupulous breeding practices are one of the main reasons there has been a need to emphasize education about recognized and accepted legitimate LGD breeds. BUYER BEWARE! (credit: The Kangal Dog Club of America)
Crossbreeding of livestock guardian dogs with other breeds, especially those that were used as guard and fighting dogs and not as livestock guardian dogs, is an ongoing situation in many of the breed's home countries, as well as in the US. The commercialization of these new "breeds" is very concerning, especially when these dogs are being marketed as livestock guardian dogs to the general public. Livestock guardian dog breeds have been carefully selected over many hundreds of years to display specific traits. Their instinctual behaviors are threatened by crosses with non-LGD dogs, and can be dangerous to livestock.
People involved in dog fighting and unscrupulous breeding practices are one of the main reasons there has been a need to emphasize education about recognized and accepted legitimate LGD breeds. BUYER BEWARE! (credit: The Kangal Dog Club of America)
Registration: Legitimate Registries in North America There are many legitimate registration organizations in North America, from all-breed registries like the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club, to purpose-breed registries like the American Herding Breed Association which only registers herding breeds, to single-breed registries like the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America who only registers one breed and is usually linked to or sponsored by the breed's parent club.
When looking for a registered purebred livestock guardian dog, the registry used by the breeder does play a very important part. If the breed is recognized by AKC, UKC or the Canadian Kennel Club, or a legitimate single-breed registry/club, but the breeder is not registering their dogs with one of these registries, be very cautious and find out why. There are several reasons that a breeder would choose a different registry, but the majority of these reasons are not good. Caution should be taken if the livestock guardian dog breed you are looking at is recognized by the AKC, UKC or the Canadian Kennel Club but the breeder is not using one of these registries. If the dog is not recognized by one the three main North American registries, see if the parent club has its own breed registry. If the dog is not from North America, it may be registered under one of the Fédération Internationale Cynologique (FCI) member clubs or the Kennel Club (KC) (United Kingdom) — Both of these organizations are reputable and very well recognized all over the world.
The Canadian Kennel Club has a page that goes over many of the all-breed registry organizations in North America. "DOG BREED REGISTRIES IN NORTH AMERICA".
When looking for a registered purebred livestock guardian dog, the registry used by the breeder does play a very important part. If the breed is recognized by AKC, UKC or the Canadian Kennel Club, or a legitimate single-breed registry/club, but the breeder is not registering their dogs with one of these registries, be very cautious and find out why. There are several reasons that a breeder would choose a different registry, but the majority of these reasons are not good. Caution should be taken if the livestock guardian dog breed you are looking at is recognized by the AKC, UKC or the Canadian Kennel Club but the breeder is not using one of these registries. If the dog is not recognized by one the three main North American registries, see if the parent club has its own breed registry. If the dog is not from North America, it may be registered under one of the Fédération Internationale Cynologique (FCI) member clubs or the Kennel Club (KC) (United Kingdom) — Both of these organizations are reputable and very well recognized all over the world.
The Canadian Kennel Club has a page that goes over many of the all-breed registry organizations in North America. "DOG BREED REGISTRIES IN NORTH AMERICA".
Personal Protection Dogs are dogs that are utilized as a guard dog for people. These dogs undergo specialized professional training to provide protection for their owners from people intent on causing personal harm.
Some people wrongly think that, because of the Livestock Guardian Dog's protective nature, LGD breeds would make good personal protection dogs. However, because of the livestock guardian dog's heritage and temperament, these breeds are not suited for personal protection training. Personal protection is highly specialized work. Reputable professionals know that only a minority of dogs within a few specific dog breeds can be trained for this work because of the distinct mental traits required. You will never see a LGD breed performing protection/attack work for the police or military because they are unsuitable for it. Misguided efforts to "train" these dogs for this inappropriate role will endanger the dogs, the breeds and public safety.
Livestock guardian dogs have not been bred to intimidate or chase. Rather, they move placidly as gentle giants among the flocks or herds. In contrast to the precise obedience needed in personal protection and police dogs, the supremely important trait of a good working livestock guardian dog is the ability to make sound decisions independently, including displaying aggression only when necessary, and only to the degree necessary to maintain peace and safety. This ability to behave appropriately without being commanded is the result of thousands of years of selective breeding and the healthy upbringing of the individual dog. Misguided "training" to attempt to use this kind of dog in an inappropriate role results in a dog with poor judgment. If these independent animals, bred to protect livestock from animal predators, are trained to be hostile toward humans, the results can be disastrous.
Various livestock protection dog breeds have been tested for mental aptitude to perform "police dog" or "Schutzhund" work, and trainers quickly learned that they are mentally unsuitable for this work. They cannot be trained to attack and to cease attack on command. Rather, the "agitation" methods used in this training result in an agitated dog who is not attentive to commands. To attempt to provoke aggression toward humans can only bring trouble. Sound judgment in a LGD is developed through gentle but firm nurture of a tolerant and calm temperament. (credit: Kangal Club of America)
Some people wrongly think that, because of the Livestock Guardian Dog's protective nature, LGD breeds would make good personal protection dogs. However, because of the livestock guardian dog's heritage and temperament, these breeds are not suited for personal protection training. Personal protection is highly specialized work. Reputable professionals know that only a minority of dogs within a few specific dog breeds can be trained for this work because of the distinct mental traits required. You will never see a LGD breed performing protection/attack work for the police or military because they are unsuitable for it. Misguided efforts to "train" these dogs for this inappropriate role will endanger the dogs, the breeds and public safety.
Livestock guardian dogs have not been bred to intimidate or chase. Rather, they move placidly as gentle giants among the flocks or herds. In contrast to the precise obedience needed in personal protection and police dogs, the supremely important trait of a good working livestock guardian dog is the ability to make sound decisions independently, including displaying aggression only when necessary, and only to the degree necessary to maintain peace and safety. This ability to behave appropriately without being commanded is the result of thousands of years of selective breeding and the healthy upbringing of the individual dog. Misguided "training" to attempt to use this kind of dog in an inappropriate role results in a dog with poor judgment. If these independent animals, bred to protect livestock from animal predators, are trained to be hostile toward humans, the results can be disastrous.
Various livestock protection dog breeds have been tested for mental aptitude to perform "police dog" or "Schutzhund" work, and trainers quickly learned that they are mentally unsuitable for this work. They cannot be trained to attack and to cease attack on command. Rather, the "agitation" methods used in this training result in an agitated dog who is not attentive to commands. To attempt to provoke aggression toward humans can only bring trouble. Sound judgment in a LGD is developed through gentle but firm nurture of a tolerant and calm temperament. (credit: Kangal Club of America)
Livestock Guardian Dog Companion breeders, or those who breed for pets or for conformation, are not actively selecting for working livestock guardian dog traits. Regardless of what they might think or tell you, if you do not consistently breed for a specific ability, it will eventually be lost. Companion dogs must be more social, more obedient, desire to be with humans over livestock, and less independent - and progressively breeding non-working LGDs will dilute the characteristics of the working livestock guardian dog.
Dog Fighting is an unacceptable, cruel and inhumane practice; an antiquated and barbaric custom that is illegal in most countries around the world. Modern dog fighting is a criminal activity that is driven by ego and money. There is an established connection between dog fighting and other criminal activity, such as organized crime, racketeering, drug distribution, and/or gangs.
In some countries, livestock guardian dog breeds have been used for dog fighting. The instincts, physical size and aggression selected for in these fighting dogs is far removed from the breed's pastoral heritage and they are NOT recommended for use as livestock guardian dogs. Certain breeders claim that "testing" or sparring is necessary for selecting good LGDs. However, we expect LGDs to work with each other in pairs, teams or packs and not be dog aggressive, which this sparring promotes.
Unfortunately, the people selling these dogs are only interested in enlarging their own wallets and egos and care nothing for the welfare of your livestock. There are many fighting-line dogs being marketed as livestock guardian dogs, especially in the US, from both foreign and domestic breeders.
Some "breeds" that are being advertised as livestock guardian dogs are nothing more than a combination of LGD breed(s), mutt street dogs, mastiffs and other non-LGD breeds, to get the desired fighting qualities and size. These dogs may not only be dangerous to your livestock, but to your other pets, and to your family as well.
LGDEN takes a strong stance against any breeders who produce dogs for use in fighting, as well as any breeder who breeds dogs for profit based on extreme size making it unfit for livestock guardian dog work.
In some countries, livestock guardian dog breeds have been used for dog fighting. The instincts, physical size and aggression selected for in these fighting dogs is far removed from the breed's pastoral heritage and they are NOT recommended for use as livestock guardian dogs. Certain breeders claim that "testing" or sparring is necessary for selecting good LGDs. However, we expect LGDs to work with each other in pairs, teams or packs and not be dog aggressive, which this sparring promotes.
Unfortunately, the people selling these dogs are only interested in enlarging their own wallets and egos and care nothing for the welfare of your livestock. There are many fighting-line dogs being marketed as livestock guardian dogs, especially in the US, from both foreign and domestic breeders.
Some "breeds" that are being advertised as livestock guardian dogs are nothing more than a combination of LGD breed(s), mutt street dogs, mastiffs and other non-LGD breeds, to get the desired fighting qualities and size. These dogs may not only be dangerous to your livestock, but to your other pets, and to your family as well.
LGDEN takes a strong stance against any breeders who produce dogs for use in fighting, as well as any breeder who breeds dogs for profit based on extreme size making it unfit for livestock guardian dog work.
