This is a good choice for you if:
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This is the wrong choice for you if:
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If you have a single dog that has been raised as your "child", you can expect to have an issue with that dog and a livestock guardian breed.
It helps to understand the history of these breeds
Pego, Pasha and Maluty
All livestock guardians are considered a "type" in South Africa, rather than a "breed". All come from a very small pool of genetics, with most Anatolian stock originally imported from Turkey.
In the picture on the left, both Pego and Pasha (left and middle) are Anatolian Shepherds. Other than their colour, you wouldn't think they were the same breed at all.
From Wikipedia: "The Anatolian shepherd dog is a breed of dog which originated in Anatolia (central Turkey) and was further developed as a breed in America.
With acute hearing, exceptional eyesight, and the strength to take down wolves, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a superb guardian of his flock."
Anatolians as we have them in South Africa still largely exist as they do in their native Turkey. They have not been "developed as a breed" here - this means that they are not bred to have a certain colour/look/shape. They are bred to be good working dogs based on their mind over and above anything else. They are not a recognised breed with the South African kennel union (KUSA).
Malutis have been developed from stock sourced in the Lesotho highlands. These dogs have been around for hundreds of years, protecting flocks, and only within the last ten years have they been selectively bred and developed as parasite and disease-resistant LGDs. Click here to read Boavida's information on them. Malutis are not a recognised KUSA breed.
Each of these breeds is a primal, very "dog like" breed. They haven't been bred as pets and while most can adapt to being pets, you need to understand what their focus is.
If you are looking for a working livestock guardian dog, please contact Green Dogs Conservation, or Deon Cilliers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (deonc at ewt dot org dot za)
In the picture on the left, both Pego and Pasha (left and middle) are Anatolian Shepherds. Other than their colour, you wouldn't think they were the same breed at all.
From Wikipedia: "The Anatolian shepherd dog is a breed of dog which originated in Anatolia (central Turkey) and was further developed as a breed in America.
With acute hearing, exceptional eyesight, and the strength to take down wolves, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a superb guardian of his flock."
Anatolians as we have them in South Africa still largely exist as they do in their native Turkey. They have not been "developed as a breed" here - this means that they are not bred to have a certain colour/look/shape. They are bred to be good working dogs based on their mind over and above anything else. They are not a recognised breed with the South African kennel union (KUSA).
Malutis have been developed from stock sourced in the Lesotho highlands. These dogs have been around for hundreds of years, protecting flocks, and only within the last ten years have they been selectively bred and developed as parasite and disease-resistant LGDs. Click here to read Boavida's information on them. Malutis are not a recognised KUSA breed.
Each of these breeds is a primal, very "dog like" breed. They haven't been bred as pets and while most can adapt to being pets, you need to understand what their focus is.
If you are looking for a working livestock guardian dog, please contact Green Dogs Conservation, or Deon Cilliers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (deonc at ewt dot org dot za)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these dogs good with children?
A: As a rule, yes, but it all depends on the dog. Each dog has a personality, just like people, and some enjoy children, some don't.
Q: Are they good with other dogs?
A: As long as all the dogs speak "dog", then yes. If the dog has been raised away from other dogs and has not been socialised, you're likely to have an issue.
Q: Are they good with cats and other pets?
A: They are generally fine, but again, it depends on the specific dog.
Q: Are they good watch dogs?
A: They are very alert dogs but it depends on what they feel is a threat. Our dogs will by and large accept all people, but they go absolutely beserk if they hear a jackal calling.
Q: Will they protect my family?
A: Their size normally makes them somewhat of a deterrent, but it's doubtful that the dogs would protect you against people. While they are aloof with people, they are not threatened by them, and therefore won't feel that they need to protect you from them.
Q: Do they need a lot of space?
A: Yes. They do not need space to run, but they do need space to patrol their territory and they are constantly looking to expand their territory to keep it safe. This means that, in a small space, they will happily run out an open gate and mark the area - that area will then be considered by them to be their territory. They may run out and not come back!
Q: Are they good with livestock and horses?
A: Most of them will be very good with sheep, goats and cattle. They are wary of horses but will adapt. Poultry can be considered delectable to them when they first arrive for rehabilitation. It is a must that you observe your dog in its new environment and look out for any signs that they may chase stock. Chasing is ALWAYS firmly discouraged. These dogs are bred with low prey drive, but a screeching, flapping chicken can be tempting.
Q: Do they enjoy outings?
A: Ours absolutely adore car rides and outings, but nothing ever happens off-lead unless we are in an enclosed space and away from strange dogs. They are not suitable for dog parks and beaches as they have zero recall. This will establish over time, but don't expect your LGD to operate off-lead in a controlled manner in less than a year.
Q: Do they like to swim?
A: It all depends on the dog. Some do, some don't.
Q: Are they house-trained?
A: Most of the retired dogs will never have seen the inside of a house. That being said, they are very clean dogs (preferring to "hold" and then defecate on the borders of their territory) and all of ours have been "house-trained" from the start because of this. Dogs that have come from pet environments may well be house-trained. All the dogs are different.
Q: Do they eat a lot?
A: Relative to their size, no. Our LGDs eat the same amount as our Border Collies.
Q: Do they need "special" or "large breed" food?
A: No. They do well on any commercial pet food. As with any dog, they'll need supplementation if they are arthritic or have some sort of physical issue. Likewise, if you prefer to feed a raw diet, there's no reason that they won't do well on it.
Q: What does their rehabilitation through the SALGDR programme entail?
A: They are introduced to other dogs, pets and livestock. They are introduced to strange people, to children and exposed to as many typical pet dog situations as possible. This includes car rides, outings, etc. They are taught to walk on a lead and, as far as possible, taught to understand their name and what "uh uh!" and "NO!" means. They are also exposed to things like baths, being brushed, activity at a swimming pool, parties, etc. They also learn what praise is. Any physical or behavioural issues are noted and dealt with. Once all of this is done, we can profile them and look for their perfect home. In this time they are also treated for any parasitic issues and they are sterilised if they haven't been done already.
A: As a rule, yes, but it all depends on the dog. Each dog has a personality, just like people, and some enjoy children, some don't.
Q: Are they good with other dogs?
A: As long as all the dogs speak "dog", then yes. If the dog has been raised away from other dogs and has not been socialised, you're likely to have an issue.
Q: Are they good with cats and other pets?
A: They are generally fine, but again, it depends on the specific dog.
Q: Are they good watch dogs?
A: They are very alert dogs but it depends on what they feel is a threat. Our dogs will by and large accept all people, but they go absolutely beserk if they hear a jackal calling.
Q: Will they protect my family?
A: Their size normally makes them somewhat of a deterrent, but it's doubtful that the dogs would protect you against people. While they are aloof with people, they are not threatened by them, and therefore won't feel that they need to protect you from them.
Q: Do they need a lot of space?
A: Yes. They do not need space to run, but they do need space to patrol their territory and they are constantly looking to expand their territory to keep it safe. This means that, in a small space, they will happily run out an open gate and mark the area - that area will then be considered by them to be their territory. They may run out and not come back!
Q: Are they good with livestock and horses?
A: Most of them will be very good with sheep, goats and cattle. They are wary of horses but will adapt. Poultry can be considered delectable to them when they first arrive for rehabilitation. It is a must that you observe your dog in its new environment and look out for any signs that they may chase stock. Chasing is ALWAYS firmly discouraged. These dogs are bred with low prey drive, but a screeching, flapping chicken can be tempting.
Q: Do they enjoy outings?
A: Ours absolutely adore car rides and outings, but nothing ever happens off-lead unless we are in an enclosed space and away from strange dogs. They are not suitable for dog parks and beaches as they have zero recall. This will establish over time, but don't expect your LGD to operate off-lead in a controlled manner in less than a year.
Q: Do they like to swim?
A: It all depends on the dog. Some do, some don't.
Q: Are they house-trained?
A: Most of the retired dogs will never have seen the inside of a house. That being said, they are very clean dogs (preferring to "hold" and then defecate on the borders of their territory) and all of ours have been "house-trained" from the start because of this. Dogs that have come from pet environments may well be house-trained. All the dogs are different.
Q: Do they eat a lot?
A: Relative to their size, no. Our LGDs eat the same amount as our Border Collies.
Q: Do they need "special" or "large breed" food?
A: No. They do well on any commercial pet food. As with any dog, they'll need supplementation if they are arthritic or have some sort of physical issue. Likewise, if you prefer to feed a raw diet, there's no reason that they won't do well on it.
Q: What does their rehabilitation through the SALGDR programme entail?
A: They are introduced to other dogs, pets and livestock. They are introduced to strange people, to children and exposed to as many typical pet dog situations as possible. This includes car rides, outings, etc. They are taught to walk on a lead and, as far as possible, taught to understand their name and what "uh uh!" and "NO!" means. They are also exposed to things like baths, being brushed, activity at a swimming pool, parties, etc. They also learn what praise is. Any physical or behavioural issues are noted and dealt with. Once all of this is done, we can profile them and look for their perfect home. In this time they are also treated for any parasitic issues and they are sterilised if they haven't been done already.