Okay, I have decided to purchase a pair of livestock guard dog puppies by spring. I have raised Great Pyrenees and really like them. I have some experience with Anatolians. but as I live on the edge of town and have children stop by to pet the goats, I do not want an overly aggressive dog. I really want a puppy from a working enviroment rather than pet or show type. Oh yes, if that is not picky enough, I would like to get one not more than a days drive from southeast Kansas. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated

-- Karen Mauk (kansasgoats@iwon.com), October 19, 2001

Answers

Believe it or not, if your livestock is goats or sheep, the best guard dogs are llamas. They've been proven over and over to be better than dogs when it comes to protecting a herd.

-- Wendy Antes (phillips-anteswe@pendleton.usmc.mil), October 19, 2001.

Wow, I have thought about Llamas but not sure if I know what to do with them. I know I can get young ones very reasonable at a local auction. They are pretty things too. And would make my impromtu petting zoo even more interesting for the area kids. Are they mean???

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), October 19, 2001.

I guess that would depend on the llama. Most hand reared ones that are brought up around children are quite docile. Every once in a while you get a mean one, but you run that risk with any animal. I would get one from a reputable breeder who tracks the off spring. I breed rabbits and cull the 'mean ones' I have to cull a doe because her spti fire attitude breeds into the kits. Not good pets, just pissy all the time. Most resposible breeders are honest and will work with you to find one that suits your needs.

-- Wendy Antes (phillips-anteswe@pendleton.usmc.mil), October 19, 2001.

well everyone has an opinion, so i'll add mine. :)

we use farmcollies-and they have a pricetag that is easier to deal with in my opinion than a llama. There are a fe farmcollie owners that post here-and If you email me I can give you more info. There are a couple of litters planned soon-or in the spring.

or you can check the archives-I know someone has posted links or web addresses of the AWFA webiste-I just don't have access to my favorites now-due to pc problems.

Sarah

-- Sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), October 19, 2001.

Livestock Guardian Dogs prevent your livestock from being attacked by foiling the predators sneak attack! The dogs bark! when the dogs bark the element of surprise is lost. The predator finds it just too much work and moves on. A llama can not do that.

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001.

Sorry to disagree, Westbrook, but have you ever heard a llama's "alarm call"? It sounds very much like a loud, shrill, car alarm. I've seen it happen many a time when the dog is sound asleep, then hears the llama's alarm, then goes investigates, and THEN barks! And besides adding to her "petting zoo" (kids LOVE to have their picture taken sitting on a llama!) llamas have very usable manure for the gardens--which we all know dogs don't. AND they pick out a "potty place" and only go there, so it's really easy to go load up a wheelbarrow full when needed. Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@centurytel.net), October 19, 2001.

Why wait till spring? Fall pups are like fall gardens, no pests! Fleas and ticks are gone, so you don't have to chemically treat them. Hate the idea of using Biospot or the like on a pup, though here in the south you are left with little choice. We are toying also with the idea of pups right now, its just such a big commitment, and as usual it will be my commitment, all husband and son will do is tease and play with them! I am going with Ridgeback again. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), October 19, 2001.

I have a Great Pyrenee pup living with my spring goats and sheep now. She is 6 months old and is $200.00-all shots. I live in Sullivan, Mo. which is 75 miles west of St.Louis if you are interested. I raise and sell Pyrs and they live with my stock.

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), October 19, 2001.

A friend of mine should have some pups soon. Full stock GP's, no papers. He sells them for 100. He is in Kentucky near me. He has a Boer goat herd of about 50, and the mom lives with the goats and the pups are born in the barn too. I have some pics of his last litter in my computer, if you'd like to see them, I can email them to you.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), October 20, 2001.

Her pups will be 1 wk old on Monday. She had: pure white: 1 boy and 3 girls

masks: 4 boys and 2 girls

He said for me to wait till they are about 4 wks to take pics of them. Mom is in barn and doing well. 10 pups! He will give them their first shots. He gave the mom a booster before she became bred. He will worm them also.

There are 3 other male pups available, about 8 wks old, not related to these pups, at someone else's farm. The lady became ill, and said if someone takes all 3 they can have them for 50.00 each. These pups have not had their shots though. I have not seen them nor do I know what they look like. My friend asked me yesterday if I wanted to bring them here and help her out, I would have to buy them, but I have a 6 wk old litter of BC pups here now (all taken), and really don't want to bring in other dogs that havn't had any shots yet. If someone might be interested, let me know, and we'll see what we can do. I would love to help the pups find a good farm home. She sold all of them but these 3 boys left. They are full stock, no papers.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), November 06, 2001.

I'm not sure who may have any here in AR for sale in the spring, however, if you are interested in a guard llama, my director at work raises llamas and lives in north western AR.

I have a miramma/komondor dog, Furby and he is just awesome.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), November 06, 2001.

Ken's GP pups are ready to go. He's putting an ad in the paper tomorrow. They are full stock GP for 100, near Elizabethtown, KY, about 1 hour south of Louisville.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), December 03, 2001.