[Jacob-list] Introducing a guardian dog to Jacob sheep...

[BIDEWEE at aol.com]

Hi all,
We have an opportunity to get a young (8 month old) pyr/marema  cross guard 
dog.  He's been living with llamas and goats without  a problem but 
apparently he isn't getting along with the farm dog (a  weimaraner) so they're 
looking to re-home him.  At our place he wouldn't  have contact with our farm 
dogs so that's not a concern here.
 
We've been using llamas as guards with mostly good results but all four of  
our guard llamas are all getting pretty old (20ish) and several of them  
are now arthritic and down on their pasterns.  
 
We recently lost an old ewe to coyotes at our upper barn, with a llama  in 
the pasture.  It happened at night so we don't really know if the llama  did 
his job by keeping the rest of the sheep safe or if he sat idly by while 
the  ewe was killed.  We did a bunch of work on the fence lines, which we  
already thought were in pretty good shape and so far we haven't had any more  
kills.  
 
But, the incident has me thinking it might be time for a dog.  My  question 
is, how have those of you who use guard dogs introduced them to your  
sheep?  Understandably, our sheep aren't fans of our border collie  when we use 
her to herd them, but will they recognize the different temperament  of a 
guardian dog?  Should they be introduced along a common fence line at  first?  
Or ??.  I'm actually as concerned that the Jacob ewes  might take him out as 
I am that dog would hurt them.
 
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Karen Lobb
 

 
bide a wee farm
registered Jacob & Navajo-Churro  Sheep
19562 NE Calkins Lane, Newberg, OR 97132
503-538-7987 /  karen at bideaweefarm.com  
www.bideaweefarm.com
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