Need Info on LGD in Indiana

trnubian · #1 11/05/13, 06:12 PM

I have some questions about what kind of LGD would be best for my sister's situation. She is getting married and moving to a piece of land thats about 4+ acres of overgrown pasture and a small woods borders it. It was has been passed down in her fiance's family and it had cattle and chickens on it 10+ years ago. It needs refenced and a few shed are going to be built for more goats as they go but right now its just in the planning phase. Anyway they have been told there is a cyote problem in the area anld when there were livestock therr before they cyotes had gotten a few. So I know she is in need of an LGD. My question is what breed would be best and are t here any breeders close by? I really dont care if they are papered or not. But I would like them to come from working lines. Also should she keep it in the pasture with the goats or let it patrol the property? Thanks in advance!

Ford Zoo · #2 11/05/13, 06:20 PM

I prefer to keep mine in the fence with the goats. Keep in mind that some breeds, like Pyranees, will wander if not penned, and will easily expand their territory beyond 4 acres.

I have two Italian Maremmas and a GP. I love both, but the IM's are kept in one pen and have it easier as they partner together to protect the goats.

Keeping the dogs with the goats makes for better bonding, and bonding is one thing to keep in mind. The dog may come from working lines, but has it been raised with livestock? If a pup, was it born in the barn and exposed to the goats? etc. Critical bonding time happens by about 2 months old if I remember right.

IndyGardenGal · #3 11/05/13, 06:29 PM

Anatolians. Contact Necie at Lunamojo. She's got some Anatolians and could probably point you to a breeder.

trnubian · #4 11/05/13, 07:21 PM

Ok thanks! How do I get ahold on Necie?

IndyGardenGal · #5 11/05/13, 07:32 PM

Dairygoatinfo

motdaugrnds · #6 11/05/13, 07:42 PM

trnubian, I'm not clear enough about what your sister's situation would be to make a suggestion. From what you've said, she would not have lovestock for awhile. If I were in her situation (a planning stage) moving onto 4 acres, I would be more inclined to get a good "family" guard dog. I'm partial to short-haired German Shepherds. Also, if you're concerned about wolves, she may actually want two (2) dogs.

That being said, there are LGDs that do just fine on small homesteads. My Karakachan certainly is doing well here, bonding with goats and fowl well. If your sister is set on an LGD, she will need to know how to deal with one as they are not like other dogs and could be challenging.

trnubian · #7 11/05/13, 07:59 PM

Well she is just in yhe planning stages as to putting up fencing and getting thing together there to move. She just wanted some advice now on LGDs so so can make an informed decison inbthe near future on whatbto do about livestock protection.

2happymamas · #8 11/05/13, 11:01 PM

This farm is in Franklin, IN and they sell Great Pry.

http://www.waywardlanefarm.com/

aart · #9 11/06/13, 05:06 AM

She should know that even if pup comes from working lines it will have to be properly trained and that can take up to 2 years before dog is able to be fully trusted totally unsupervised with livestock.

Hopefully she has some experience with properly training dogs in general that can be morphed into training an LGD. It's as much (or more) about the owner of the dog as it is about the breed of dog.

Good Luck to her!

Backfourty,MI. · #10 11/06/13, 09:49 AM

I think she should wait to get a working LGD pup or adult until she actually has the livestock. They need livestock to protect & yes, I would start them out with her goats when she gets them.
I would probably just put the goats in the barn at night until she gets the right dog & I would tell her to do research because not all LGD's have the same traits even though they will all guard your livestock.

trnubian · #11 11/06/13, 09:59 AM

Ok thank you all for the advice! I will pass it along to her!