Customer Reviews

Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care, and Training

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I hope you have found your way to the page for the new, revised version of this book, published in 2004. If not, search books for the co-author "Dawydiak", and this will bring you to the page where the new version can be ordered.

This book is written by co-authors who have been involved in breeding and working with livestock protection dogs for over 20 years. They bring their wealth of experience and common sense to the book. The things they write are based on a great deal of experience.

The book contains breed descriptions of various livestock protection dog breeds. Seventeen breeds, some quite rare, are discussed, as well as mixed breed dogs. Breed descriptions are given, including the major assets and drawbacks of the various breeds. Photos of excellent working dogs of various livestock protection dog breeds appear throughout the book. Discussion of breeds moves to selection of a pup, and the authors remind us that all of these breeds have important things in common and that within breed differences may be important. Selecting a breed might come down to the need for a shorter coated dog in a warmer climate or simply the fact that a good breeder with satisfied customers lives nearby. One breed is not necessarily better than another, but a pup from a good breeder from a specific breed may be the best choice for a given situation.

A moment for a word on what livestock protection dogs are: These are dogs that protect livestock from predators. They are big, athletic and smart, especially if evaluated in terms of what they do well raather than what other breeds do well. These are not "herding dogs". Nor are they urban property protection dogs. Their temperament is uniquely suited to forming family bonds with livestock and then protecting their livestock family as well as their human family. While they will protect their human family, persons seeking an urban-type guard dog may find other breeds more suitable for this role. These dogs are not good for "schutzhund" training, for example.

This book concentrates on livestock protection dog breeds. The main focus is on working dogs, but a chapter on keeping these dogs in companion animal roles is included, and much of the information presented to the livestock raiser would also be useful to the person wanting to learn more about keeping one of these dogs in a "domestic" setting. In discussion of health or behavior issues, the emphasis is on those which are common to livestock protection dogs, leaving aside the general issues of canine health or behavior issues. General dog information can be found in other books. Good info on livestock protection dogs is hard to come by.

A chapter on breeding is worthy of consideration. The authors have been breeding and working with Akbash Dogs for over 20 years. They exemplify the modern, conscientious breeder who is concerned about whether her pups go to good homes and who are willing to follow through with assisting the people who receive these pups to take care of them. It is pointed out that the purchase price of a dog is small compared to veterinary bills and other liabilities that can come with the dog. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in a sound pup from a reputable breeder.

The book is not especially heavy to lift but it is densely packed with useful information. The writers bring scientific understanding, years of experience and common sense to writing this book for the owner or prospective owner who wants to get the most these dogs, whether in a companion or livestock protection role.

Originally published in 1990, the authors have reviewed and added a few extra chapters to this industry standard title from Alpine Books. As always, with Alpine, the book packs a lot of information into an unexpectedly small package. The field of livestock protection dogs isn't particularly well served with titles, but it is also, in the form we see it today, rather a modern endeavour. The breeds discussed, of course, have a long heritage trialling back into the last two thousand years, but in those earlier days farmers and the general population lived very different lives. Now, the livestock protection dog has smaller ranges with boundaries defined by fences and quite often little daytime contact with their shepherds, compared to the past where ranges were huge, there were no fences, and the shepherds were within cooee.

This is a specialist title, naturally, and while I have never lived with or even contemplated a need for a working livestock protection dog, I have spent my life with dogs and also lived the duration on a farm with a number of species that have benefited from the modern livestock protection breeds.

The authors give an excellent review of the breeds in common use in Northern America, and those chapters are of great importance for the judges of the show world - I challenge you to at least attempt the photo quizzes on the breeds!

Advice on general puppy raising and training are fairly typical and sound, the advice for the specialist training and development of the specific protection dog could raise eyebrows, and be warned there is at least one technique that is banned by the Australian National Kennel Council discussed.

The advice on choosing a puppy and buyer are good strong general points any breeder or breed buyer would be wise to read. The authors have a refreshingly open way about dealing with inherited issues, of course they undertake many measures to reduce their own puppies chance to develop such diseases by screening and selective breeding practices, but all breeders know that is not a sure fire guarantee, and buyers and the affected dogs need to be protected.

One point I found of particular interest was the repeated reminder that livestock protection dogs take time to evolve into their full natural role, and an owner cannot expect full guarding duties to be undertaken until the pup is at least 18 months old. And, of course, these traits need to be nurtured.

What surprised me the most, how cute the livestock protection breed puppies were! There are lots of gorgeous cute photos, not what I expected from a working title!
What disappointed me the most, ahh, that is a result of my own experiences of farm animal husbandry, the condition of some of the livestock in the photos. The dogs look hale and hearty and well cared for, a few of the livestock were wanting in that respect.

This is an excellent title reviewing the breeds in use in North America, the current accepted training techniques, and a refreshing look at diet and nutrition for this specialist industry.

Breeds covered include: Akbash Dog, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Kangal Dog, Caucasian Ovcharka, Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mountain Dog), Komondor, Kuvasz, Maremma Sheepdog, Polish Tatra Sheepdog, Slovakian Cuvac, Tibetan Mastiff, with mention of the Sarplaninac, Castro Laboreiro, Estrela Mountain Dog, Rafeiro do Alentejo, and Pyrenean Mastiff.

It is an excellent book on raising and maintaining a livestock protection dog. I have used the book many times when I have a problem with my dog. The authors seemed to be on target in their methods compared to the other books I have looked at. It is an excellent book I would recommend it to anyone.

There is a difference between herding, hunting, and livestock protection dogs. While all three types are usually associated with certain breeds, the first two types of dogs generally work under direct human supervision. Livestock protection dogs are unique in that they can protect a variety of livestock types independently of humans.

While other books on the market will address basic obedience training and training for herding and hunting dogs, Livestock Protection Dogs focuses specifically on the uses of livestock protection dogs, telling about the origin and different features of each of these breeds; how to select and train a puppy; address behavioral and training problems; and provides breeder contact information. Also covered are topics such as the dog as a family companion, diet and health problems, and special considerations for protecting unusual livestock, everything from waterfowl to ratites and camelids.

The authors have written a book that is easy to read and informative, for both the average reader as well as the owner or breeder of livestock protection dogs. A nicely detailed table of contents, comprehensive bibliography, suggested reading list, list of websites and breeder contact information, sample questions for prospective dog owners and breeders to consider, supply valuable information. Black and white photographs portray the beauty and variety of the different breeds, while anecdotes testify to the lengths the dogs will go to to protect their charges.

Because of the growth in popularity in livestock protection dogs, several updates were added to this second edition, such as more identification of breed types photos, revised training methods, expanded list of animals now protected by these dogs, and crucial information for new breeders. The authors encourage feedback on training methods from their readers.

Canadian authors Orysia Dawydiak and David Sims are world-renowned for their experience with and knowledge of livestock protection dogs. David Sims wrote the first edition of this book.

[Reviewed October 2004]

As a new owner of a pair of Anatolian Shepherd dogs, I was very interested in learning all I could about this interesting breed - and all the dog breeds that are used for livestock protection. This book has proved invaluable as a resource in understanding about their temperament, independence, necessary training, bonding, and other topics as well. This book not only covers the better know breeds, but also the rare and exotic breeds as well. If you are at all interested in livestock protection dogs, I highly recommend this book! Get It!

With all the problems in our area with illegals stealing livestock and rampaging pit-bulls (Owners fault not the dogs) we needed to look for additional security for our goat herd. our llama was doing a good job against coyotes and dogs, but needed help. So we looked for a book to do research with. This book answered many of our questions. It provided a foundation to give us questions to ask. The training guidelines the breed information was fantastic. What I liked best about this book was that is was not "show" oriented. It was real world, with real dogs, doing real work.
A very pleasant read, easy to flow through, very well laid out and a solid primer!
My compliments to the authors and publisher for producing a fantastic book that helped us choose a Great Pyr for our heard!

I recently acquired a 2 yr old Great Pyrenees who was previously a goat guardian. I needed him to guard alpacas. This book helped me figure out a solution to all my questions.

Excellent book. Lots of information and insights into the history, behavior, and function of livestock protection dogs - a poorly understood group of working dogs. Great photos. A useful and insightful book. My only complaint is that I would have liked a little more info on some of the specific breeds, particularly the Kuvasz.

This is the best book I've seen on the various livestock guarding breeds. Good photos and descriptions of the subtleties between breeds. Good suggestions for managing problem behaviors.

My daughter in Indiana was about to buy a great pyrenees pup and was looking for information on training livestock guard dogs. I ordered this book for her and she said it was just what she was looking for; it gives techniques to train dogs for just that purpose. The material reinforced and supplemented information she had already gotten from a large range sheep operation here in Montana that has several such dogs guarding sheep. She was amazed I had found such a reference dealing with the specific application of livestock guard dogs.