[Jacob-list] LGD

[Linda]

Has anyone seen a difference between male and female LGD's? I prefer 
female dogs in general, but don't know specifics on LGD's.
Our male LGD does not stay in the fence, but I'm happy with that as he 
patrols both pastures at the other place. He's not a people friendly dog 
so is safe from thieves. He patrols the perimeter of the property and 
does not run.  Before I owned him, he was with another male (neutered)on 
the same property. He did travel (leaving the property) when he had a 
buddy to run with. Without the other dog, he is focused on his flock. If 
he's not in the pasture, he is in sight.
Even though Sam was born in the field with goats (he was never handled 
by people until he was two and that was only to be caught and 
transported) and had been with goats all his life (he was seven) when I 
brought my sheep over, he required an introduction period with the 
sheep. He did not accept them as "his" right away. Once he did, he has 
been a excellent guardian.
The problem with sheep eating dog food wasn't a problem until Sam fell 
in love with a particular lamb. I had to move her to the house before 
she made herself sick! He protects his food from other sheep.
Sam is old and we are looking for an older experienced female. This 
pasture is 1/2 mile from the house by road (1/4 mile through the woods). 
Since I am not there most of the time, I don't feel comfortable 
overseeing the introduction of a puppy. I would be interested in hearing 
how others have introduced two adult dogs.
We raised standard donkeys for years and the foals were born with the 
sheep. We sold them when the drought was so bad. They were wonderful and 
would stomp a dog. After we started getting rain again, we went in 
search of another donkey. If you don't see a donkey actually with sheep 
or goats, proceed with caution. Daisy killed a lamb. Our current donkey, 
Ginger, is not as bonded with sheep as our farm born girls, but has been 
an excellent alarm system and gets along with the sheep. We had coyotes 
howling outside our fence line this spring along with Ginger braying. We 
didn't lose any lambs, but I do secure them at night. She's a large 
mini, so no idea if she is capable of actually fighting something off. 
But she gives us an alert to hit the barn lights and grab a gun. I tend 
to think she is a good deterrent.
Our one experience with a llama convinces me that llamas are delightful 
animals. Mine would not quit chasing sheep, but she was an older animal 
and not very adaptable.
One thing that I find very frightening in this discussion is that 
coyotes (or coy-dogs)have evolved to attacking adult sheep and hunting 
in packs. In this area, it has been rare to have coyotes take adults, 
but I'm hearing of it happening.
Long winded post!
Linda


On 9/30/2012 10:01 AM, Karen Askounis wrote:

>

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm & Fiberworks

> Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com

> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list


-- 
Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/attachments/20120930/fa25e68a/attachment.htm>