Guard Dogs for Goats

There are many species of guard dogs for goats used for the purpose of protection from predators. The characteristics of some these dog species are described in the following article.

Livestock Guarding Dogs

These dogs are used for protecting the livestock from predators and commonly known as sheepdogs. The livestock guardian dogs are watchful about any possible threat from predators and blend in the flock to keep an eye on the animals. The guard dogs for livestock include many different types. The important guard dog types are the Kangal dog, Tornjak dog, and Karakachan dog.

Guard Dogs for Goats

Tornjak: It is a mountain dog having its origin in Croatia, Herzegovina and Bosnia. These dogs are well built and have a strong body which is almost square-shaped. Long and thick hair protects the dog in harsh weather conditions. The tornjak is calm in nature and not very aggressive. However, this guard dog is very alert and watchful. Though tornjak is not demanding in nature, the sturdy dog is tough and a perfect 'candidate' for guarding goats and other livestock. In the first 9-12 months, these dogs are not very activity however, after this phase they need exercise in the form of long walks and playing with other dogs. It has a sharp memory and learns quickly; thus, training the tornjaks doesn't require much time. It is a typical farmyard guard dog used for protection and herding. The tornjak prefers large spaces and is able to live outdoors thanks to the thick coat it possesses. These dogs can survive on a low protein diet. In fact, increasing the protein content in their diet may cause coat problems. Overall, the tornjak is a healthy dog breed fully capable of guarding the goats.

Kangal Dog: The Kangal dog which is also known as 'Sivas Kangal Dog' is Turkey's national breed. The coat color may vary between pale tan and sable while the body weight is around 64 kg. It protects goats from wolves, jackals and bears. These dogs are independent, protective, controlled and calm in nature. Thus, owners who do not have prior experience of training need to be cautious while interacting with these dogs. The specialty of Kangal dogs is that they do their job with extreme devotion and are gentle & protective towards the livestock and even children.

Carpathian Shepherd Dog: The Carpathian mountains in Romania is the place of origin of the 'Carpathian Shepherd dogs'. The courage and devotion they display while guarding the livestock is the specialty of Carpathian Shepherd dogs. The Carpathian Shepherd dogs are said to have battled with bears while protecting the livestock.

Cão de Castro Laboreiro: The Cão de Castro Laboreiro has its origin in the mountainous regions of Portugal. These dogs are large and have a height up to 60 cm at withers. Their appearance is similar to that of wolves and the body weight is around 40 kg. The body coat is of light or dark wolf color. It advisable to allow only experienced trainers to handle these dogs because their large size and aggressive nature could prove to be dangerous.

Karakachan Dog: The Karakachan dog has descended from the domesticated dogs of the Balkan region. These dogs consider the flocks as their territories and thus, are very serious with the work assigned to them. Any threat to animals in the flock is dealt with aggression by the Karakachan dogs. These guard dogs are intelligent, brave and have an independent character. The skin is thick & closely fitting and the skull is broad.

Training the Guard Dogs

In the process of training a guard dog, the first thing that is checked is the temperament. It is the most important factor to be considered in the training of such dogs. Testing the temperament helps in understanding whether a dog is suitable for training or not. Obedience training is the first step of the process. Not obeying commands from anybody else is also a part of obedience training. The dogs are trained how to alert the owners about strangers. Barking and running to the owner is the basic step taught to the guard dogs. Many such techniques are used in the process of guard dog training.

A brief account of characteristics of guard dogs for goats is presented in the above article. It provides the necessary information about these dogs.