- Dogs have a long history of guarding flocks. Most dogs used to protect livestock today trace their origins to Europe and Asia. Among the most popular are the Great Pyrenees, who once guarded against wolves and bears in France; the Turkish Akbash, Kangal, and Anatolian shepherd; the Hungarian Komondor and Kuvasz; the Italian Maremma; and the Tibetan mastiff.
- Dogs who guard flocks share several traits. They are large, independent, courageous, domineering, and territorial. Weighing 100 pounds or more, most are white and blend in with the sheep they protect. Their desire to defend sheep stems from instinct rather than training. Guard dogs differ from herding dogs in that they move among the sheep without being intrusive while remaining alert to danger. Despite their calm nature, they are wary of intruders.
- Flock guard dogs begin training as puppies. Socialization occurs from the time a puppy is 4 weeks old until it is 14 weeks. The younger a dog is when placed among livestock, the more effective it is when grown. Puppies large enough not to be trampled are placed with lambs at 8 weeks. The farmer monitors their adjustment. Since bonding with the sheep is critical, they interact more with sheep than with humans during training. Because their minds must be on the sheep, they aren't often allowed to play with children. They learn obedience training and basic commands when young.
- During training the puppies learn to accept other farm animals and herding dogs, recognizing they are not predators. By 5 months old they might exhibit ideal behaviors, although they won't be called upon as protectors until they are a year old. They are reprimanded for chasing sheep and praised for staying with them. As they approach the 7-month mark their playful stage ends, and they are separated from the sheep so they don't view them primarily as playmates. Over time, the dogs begin marking their territory, exhibiting more serious concern for the sheep, and barking with deliberate intent.
- As an initial trial, dogs are assigned small numbers of sheep to watch. Their behavior is observed and mistakes corrected. American dogs protect sheep from coyotes, mountain lions, black bears, and domestic dogs. Farmers use one or two dogs for every 200 sheep. They are expected to be trustworthy enough to be left alone with the flock with whom they are bred to stay. When they leave to drive away an intruder, they quickly return to the flock. Dogs in fenced areas who are responsible for guarding against predators are trained to watch their own rather than those in other fields. They receive food, water, and shelter, with farmers checking on them daily. On the open range a shepherd feeds and tends the dog who assists him. A 1990s Colorado study showed that 96 percent of farmers would recommend the use of flock guard dogs to others.
