My first Publication CC April Edition-19-High Resolution | Page 32

Dog Breed
LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN
DOGS
By Paramjeet Singh Dhesi *
ivestock Guardian breeds
are among the most ancient
breeds of dogs. In fact,
the role of fl ock guardian
may have been one of the
fi rst uses humans found for the
domesticated dog. Livestock Guardian
dogs (LGD) probably originated in the
Middle East or Asia. Th ese dogs are more
commonly known as the Flock Guardian
Dogs. Th is should not come as a surprise,
since these are the areas where cattle
has been given great value, since ancient
times. Nomadic tribes routinely used
dogs to protect their fl ocks of sheep and
goat, as they depended on them for food
and clothing. Livestock Guardian dogs
(LGD) were used in ancient Assyria and
Babylonia to protect sheep from wolves,
as well as to guard the house. Persians of
biblical times actually had laws protecting
their sheep guardian dogs and family
watchdog from abuse. Ancient Egyptians
L
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developed separate breeds of dogs for
herding and guarding fl ocks.
Since they were used for protection of
fl ock and livestock, they were of course
powerful and protective dogs (thankfully,
they are not counted among the extinct
species yet). Th ese are the breeds that
are employed as sentinels and defenders.
In earlier times, where there were great
chances of the agricultural-beings (crops,
cow, sheep, goat) being attacked by other
natural predators, they were the best
suited guards according to the owners.
Especially, shepherds relied on these
heavy-footed canines.
Currently if you have a farmhouse with
sheep and goats, you will notice that your
LGD gels well with them. Th is comes
naturally and genetically to them. And if
you do not have any sheep or cattle in the
house, you might fi nd your LGD sitting
Creature Companion | April 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 4 • Noida
aloof and wondering “Why Am I needed
In Th is House Which Has No Flock To
Protect!”. On the other hand, they can also
befound to be aggressive towards any other
creature trying to pry in it’s owner’s house.
Th is is not it, yet are a few of them which
are calm and good home companions,
such as Th e Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz and
Komondor.
Th ese guarding dogs are sprinters, rather
than long-distance runners. We have
found that Terriers are used as Livestock
Guardian Dogs (LGD) Other types of
livestock guardian animals cannot see
well at night and don't seek out predators
with their sense of smell like the livestock
guardian dogs do.
Th ere are many breeds and sub-breeds
that they have, like the Central Asian
Shepherd (Alabai), Caucasian Shepherd
and Anatolian Shepherds. All breeds