I am just starting a new homestead in an area with known predators. What comes first, the goats or the Guardian Dog? I have to have something, since there is everything up to mountain lions there. How do you integrate the dog into the flock or herd?

-- Chris Tomlinson (horsewhisper411@hotmail.com), January 28, 2002

Answers

If the goats are used to a guard dog already, and the dog has been guarding, then it should go pretty quickly.

Easiest way we have found is to pen them next to each other for a few days and then let the dog go in with you during chore time.....the ones we have brought home have just flopped themselves right down in the goat/sheep pen like they belonged there.

Are you getting a puppy? Or a grown dog? Sounds like you need the grown dog!

-- Tracy (zebella@mindspring.com), January 28, 2002.

I'd say the fencing comes first! Both the goats and the dog will need it.

If you get a dog from a good breeder, the breeder will help you with the training. Purchase a dog from working stock, not show stock. If the dog has been guarding cattle or some other stock, some retraining is needed for the goats, and the breeder will be an asset. Perhaps you can talk to a breeder before purchasing the goats and see what s/he says.

Sounds like you need to start with an older, full grown dog, not a pup. I haven't done puppies for pets in years. If a dog is at least a year old, he's already got some obedience training, housebroken, doesn't chew....you get the idea!

LGD's are left with the stock 24/7.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), January 28, 2002.

We had our goats first. When we got our dog she was 9 months old and had be raised with goats. We just put them all together in a pen and within 2 days they were fine. We now have 5, Great Pyr, and 31 goats no problems with predators, our neighors have seen coyotes. We have 2 pups, male and female, we are waiting to give away to a good home. If you are interested email me.

-- Lesa Addison (Lemaradd@aol.com), January 29, 2002.

Lesa, where are you? I am in SW MO. I would be interested in further information on your puppies. I at first was considering an Anatolian of some type,(Kuvasz maybe?) but the cost and some of their personality quirks I had heard about are something to consider. I feel I would like to raise a puppy. I have raised many puupies, primarily various types of working dogs, but never a livestock guardian dog.

Thanks to all who have submitted answers. I will look for a local dog show and see if I can talk to someone first hand who can help me make the selection. I still think about a Kuvasz because of the mountain lions. My wife was afraid of those we had met, but she has passed away and so that is no longer a consideration.

-- Chris Tomlinson (horsewhisper411@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.