What is a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD)?
The easy answer is an LGD is a dog that protects farm animals and livestock. The longer answer is an LGD is so much more than just a dog that protects livestock. LGD’s are dogs that have been bred for thousands of years to create a standard of guarding in dogs that we see today. There are many different breeds of LGD’s with different traits, personalities, strengths and weaknesses. LGD’s have evolved and changed over the years to become what they are today, but their purpose has almost remained the same: to guard and protect. LGDs live and work with their livestock to protect them from predators. They are not house dogs or general farm dogs that go inside, they are working dogs and they work outside 24/7 with their stock.
Are LGDs the same as herding dogs?
No! This is a common misconception, largely because many kennel clubs put them in similar groups. Herding dogs such as border collies are also working dogs but they have different instincts, such as a higher prey drive and a desire to chase. The instincts of herding dogs are to herd. They will move livestock, biting at the heels of sheep, and herd them wherever they want them to go. Herding dogs do not make good LGDs because they were not bred to guard and it is not in their genes. LGDs do not herd their stock, they guard them and they have a low prey drive-by comparison. They are very different types of dogs and it is why you should never get a dog for work that’s been mixed with an LGD and a herding dog.
Are Livestock Guardians the same as Guard Dogs?
Not even a little bit. We can see why some people might think this, because both have “guard” in their name but they are actually very different. Guard dogs are personal protection dogs that guard people or property. Often they will undergo lots of specialized training. Livestock guardian dogs guard the livestock. What this means is that an LGD will protect its stock from animals or people, but it will not attack without reason. They will not chase down a threat and leave their stock unprotected. LGD breeds are also independent workers and they can be difficult to train against their nature. LGDs are unsuitable as guard dogs and should not be used as such. The LGD Education Network explains it really well, and you can learn more by clicking here.
What LGD breed do you have?
In the United States one of the most popular LGD breeds is the Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mountain Dog) for their easy temperament and ability to work in diverse environments. There are pros and cons to each LGD breed, and the Great Pyrenees breed was the best suited for our family dynamic and our farm. We have purebred working Great Pyrenees LGDs. You can read more about Great Pyrenees on the AKC website here, or by checking out the Great Pyrenees Club of America.
How big do Great Pyrenees get?
Males typically are 95 lbs to 120 lbs, and females are 85 to 110 lbs, but that can vary. Height for males ranges about 27 to 32 inches at the shoulders and 25 to 29 inches for females. These dogs often look even bigger because of their big fluffy coat. Great Pyrenees are double coated dogs with long guard hairs on top and fluffy undercoat that keeps them warm in cold climates and cool in hot climates. Males tend to have a profuse ruff around the neck whereas females tend to be a little sleeker. Some Great Pyrenees are all white and others have markings. They are not lapdogs, but good luck telling them that!
Do Great Pyrenees get along with other pets and children?
Yes! When socialized properly GPs get along great with other pets like cats and children. Start socializing your puppy from the day you bring them home. Here is a downloadable socialization checklist created by veterinarian Dr. Sophia Yin. Positive reinforcement is the best way to socialize dogs to be friendly, focus on praise, cuddles and pets, along with rewarding good behavior. You should also teach your children how to behave around dogs and how to be gentle. That puppy you are allowing your child to play rough with now will get to be a big dog one day and they won’t understand why they suddenly aren’t allowed to play rough. It’s not fair to the dog and it’s not fair to your child. Responsible dog ownership is so important especially with children because if the dog hurts the child it is very rarely their fault but they are usually the ones that suffer. Dogs should never be left alone with young children or pets they don’t know. The American Kennel Club has created a great little dog safety book for children which you can find here.
Should I get a male or a female LGD?
This is mostly a personal choice. You should take into consideration what sex dog you already have (if any). There’s a saying “Males fight for breeding rights, females fight for breathing rights.” It’s usually recommended that you have male/female pairs, as they are less likely to fight among themselves than male/male or female/female pairs. If all dogs are spayed/neutered it’s less likely they’ll fight but still a possibility.
Should I get more than one puppy at a time?
No, and here is why. Getting two puppies at the same time can create an effect known as littermate syndrome. Littermate syndrome is where two puppies (related or unrelated) can form a bond that in the end is destructive to both the dogs and their owners. It can lead to things like aggression and temperament issues, separation anxiety, codependency, inability to train together and just harder to train overall. It’s very hard training two puppies at the same time, it’s almost impossible to devote the amount of time needed to train two puppies and run a farm competently. Also, if you think having two puppies is bad wait until they are teenagers! It would be a disaster. Dogs should be a minimum of 18 months in difference before getting a second LGD, although we recommend an age difference of two to three years, depending on individual maturity. Read more about littermate syndrome here. That being said, if you get a puppy and an older dog at that same time they might be okay after an adjustment period. It would still be a good idea to acclimatize them over time. You can check out rescues and breed clubs such as Appalachian Great Pyrenees Rescue for older LGDs in need of a forever home.
I want a puppy to be a poultry guardian
Not a question, but definitely something we like to talk about with people interested in LGDs. Poultry, waterfowl, and game birds are easy prey and can definitely benefit from an LGD guarding them, however they are the hardest animals to train your LGD to guard because LGDs were not originally bred to guard these animals and they have a difficult time bonding to them. Puppy’s and adolescents think of these animals as fun squeaky toys to pass the time with and must never be left unattended with these birds until they are mature and reliable enough to do so. This takes time, patience, and training. All of our dogs (including our house dogs) are safe around poultry so we know it can be done, but its not an easy fix. Puppies and teenagers should be able to see the poultry but not have access to them, and vice versa (suicidal chickens are a common problem). Prevention is the best way to set your puppy up for success. The Learning About LGDs YouTube channel has a video specifically on LGDs and poultry which you can check out here.
Do LGD’s need training?
Yes and no. You can’t simply release an LGD puppy into a pasture and expect it to know everything. A puppy is going to need to be separate from the stock when they are not supervised (but still able to see them and be near them) until they are old enough to be trusted around the other animals. Popular methods of doing this are putting the puppy in a run or pasture next to the livestock or tethering them. When tethering makes sure you know how to tether safely, and know you’re local laws as some areas prohibit tethering for long periods of time, in which case a kennel might be more appropriate. Dogs should always have access to shelter and water, no matter where you put them. Puppies also need a fair amount of exercise, and they’ll be harder to train without it. As puppies, they will also want to chase things that run (read: poultry) and as teenagers, they will want to get into trouble. Great Pyrenees do not mature until they are 2-3 years old. A lot of it depends on what kind of stock you have. Poultry is the hardest stock for an LGD to bond with and will take the longest to train on. Some LGDs will instinctively know to bark at predators and strangers, but if you socialize your dog to strangers and strange dogs they may be less likely to bark at strangers. This may be ideal if your puppy is going to be a pet, but if you want a working dog you have to set them up for success and not allow them to be exposed to bad habits and strangers.
What kind of training should I do?
Your LGD will have instincts that don’t need to be trained, such as keeping away predators and barking at strange animals. It might be a while before those instincts kick in (usually around six months of age), but they will come as your LGD matures. We recommend the first training you do be leash training so that when you are with your stock your LGD can come with you in a controlled manner. Use a D ring to clip a leash to your belt or a runners leash if you want your hands free, reward good behavior with treats, and correct or redirect negative behavior. Other things your LGD should be taught sit, lay down, mine, leave it, stay or place, and they should come when called.
What should I feed my LGD?
It is important to feed your Pyr properly to avoid health issues. We recommend talking to your veterinarian about the most appropriate diet. We feed our dogs Purina Pro Plan Large Breed dry food soaked in bone broth we make on our farm. We will supplement their regular diet with raw food. When feeding your LGD make sure that livestock and poultry can’t get to their food (they will eat it!) because this can cause your LGD to guard their food and attack their stock. It’s best to feed them separately away from the other animals, or to provide them with an area the other animals can’t get into. We have used the Bergan Aut-O-Dine feeder and keep it within the kennel area so the other animals can’t get to it. If you want to feed your dog raw food exclusively, make sure they are getting all of the nutrients they need and are eating a balanced diet. You can read about what to feed your LGD here.
What are some general requirements for LGDs?
LGDs are not apartment dogs, they need space to roam within safe boundaries. Suburban or rural environments are the best, along with strong fencing. Fencing is non-negotiable, without it LGDs will roam onto other people’s property or into roads where they can be a danger to themselves and others. Most experienced owners of LGDs will recommend spaying/neutering to help prevent roaming, as it is such a strong instinct for LGDs. Some LGDs dig, some climb, some jump, and some respect their boundaries, it just depends on the dog. Another requirement is these are working dogs and without work to do they won’t have an appropriate outlet and will be unhappy and possibly destructive. Guarding is in their nature, they need a job to do whether it be guarding their family or their stock. Great Pyrenees require a fair amount of exercise, puppies in particular will be difficult to deal with if not exercised appropriately. LGDs should not exercise by chasing livestock as this encourages bad behavior, it is better to physically exercise them in a pen or separate pasture. Mental exercise such as scent work, puzzles, or hide and seek games will also help tire dogs out. LGDs need access to shelter and water at all times too, and a place where they can be alone if they need to. This can be a stall in a barn, a crate, a kennel, or something similar. Working LGDs live and work outside 24/7 and should not be brought inside your home except as a last resort. This is because if they are inside with you and your family they will bond with you and your family instead of your livestock. If you are looking for a home guardian or pet then that’s okay, but if you want a working LGD you’ll only confuse them and create problems for yourself. This doesn’t mean you should ignore, neglect, or not interact with your LGD, you simply want them to bond to their stock. At the end of the day LGDs are still dogs, and they need to be in a safe environment where they cannot get hurt until they’re old enough to look after themselves. Dog-proofing their kennel or area where you keep them when they are unsupervised is important to ensuring their safety.
Is an LGD right for me?
This is a question we encourage everyone to think about. What is your living environment? Are you in a rural, suburban, or city home? Do you have adequate space for an LGD? Can you afford to add an LGD to your family or farm? Do you have work for your LGD? Do you have the time and energy to put in the work to train a new LGD? Why do you want an LGD? LGD’s are a long term solution to a predator problem, but they’re also a huge investment in time and money. It takes LGD breeds an average of 2-3 years until they are fully mature and able to work without supervision. The amount of effort and expertise you put into their training can shorten that time, but you have to remember that dogs looking for trouble will probably find it. Long term they will be the best defense for your livestock, and they will often work until they are between 10-14 years of age or until they are physically unable to. Great Pyrenees are hard workers and giant love bugs, and if you can commit yourself to caring for them and training them then you will end up falling in love with the breed just like us and having a competent protector for your family or farm.
Please note that this FAQ is just an introduction to Livestock Guardian Dogs and Great Pyrenees. We highly recommend that you do your own research on LGDs and Great Pyrenees. Read articles online, read books, talk to people you know with LGDs, and join the Facebook group for Learning about LGDs. You should also research Great Pyrenees, the breed, look at AKC and the national breed club, seek out information from your local breed club, and see if you can meet someone with a Great Pyrenees. You should research BEFORE you start looking into getting an LGD. You want to set both yourself and the puppy up for success. Getting an LGD is not something you should do lightly and you should be prepared for all of the ups and downs before getting one. When adequately prepared an LGD can be a wonderful addition to your farm and family.
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