What to use for guard dog for goats and yard w/ Aussie

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We are doing well with our Aussie but will need something for a guard dog. What dog would you suggest for the yard area and the goat pen? We have bobcats in our area, one pesky cat who keeps getting our loose rabbits and lots of stray dogs. One day I went to the store when I got back a neighbors stray dog he had found ravished our chickens. Blessedly none were killed. We want to eventually fence in the yard also. Is there a dog that's fits the bill and would be able to work in conjunction with our Aussie?

-- Lynn (johnnypfc@yahoo.com), June 30, 2001

Answers

take a look at http://lgd.org they have information on several Livestock guardian dog breeds.

Each Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) breed has unique personalities as well as physical characteristics.

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), June 30, 2001.


Hi Lynn, Do you mind me asking why your aussie doesn't fit the bill? What about an american farm collie (not a regular collie)? Gloria

-- Gloria Mullinax (mullinaxclan@yahoo.com), July 07, 2001.

I am going to ask the same question - why doesn't the aussie fit the bill? Our Australian Shepherd is very protective. She knows which cats belong here and which ones don't, takes care of most ground hogs, tries to take care of the skunks (usually fails and gets a bath), protects our sheep and goats (although the goats do a pretty good job of running off the coyotes themselves). Also NO ONE will step inside of this house if we are gone believe me.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), July 07, 2001.

I just realized there was a question here, sorry about the time in answering! She wants to love on everyone that comes over and struggles to get to them. She wants to play with all the animals. I don't have any experience yet with stray dogs and her. She is super sweet where as my lab will bark when people come but does not work well with the animals. I am just tired of animals wondering in and molesting our animals. And people wondering in for that matter. We live about 1/2 a mile off the road on a private drive and people still come. One day I caught a lady walking around our property taking pictures. She thought it was OK because she thought no one was home. The pictures were supposed to be for her appraisal. I do not think it is OK any time, but she could have stood in the driveway I guess. She just helped herself while the kids were watching from the window before I could get to the door. Of course my usually barking lab who is older was sleeping!

-- Lynn (johnnypfc@yahoo.com), July 24, 2001.

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