How US sheep farmers are using guard dogs to protect flocks

Last year, more than 15,000 sheep were attacked by dogs in the UK, costing more than £1.2m/year, according to insurance agency NFU Mutual.

This is a rising trend, with more happening year-on-year. Could guard dogs that are being widely used to protect US sheep flocks also be the answer in the UK?

In the US it is a much bleaker picture. Total US sheep and lamb losses due to predation accounts for one-third of all recorded fatalities. This equates to 190,000 animals out of a national flock of 5.2 million, costing the industry of $33.3m (£22.5m).

The number-one sheep killer is the coyote – prevalent throughout the nation and responsible for 60% of deaths.

See also: More farmers look to NZ Huntaway to work sheep

It is estimated that more than 40% of US sheep producers now use guard dogs to protect their flocks against the country’s predators.

The US farmer

Charles and Allison Jarrard, who run a flock of 800 Targhee and Targhee cross Rambouillet ewes, near Kaycee, Wyoming, say without their four guards they would not be able to make a decent profit as lamb losses would be too high.

They run Akbash and Komondor cross Akbash guard dogs – chosen for their friendliness towards people and tireless defence of their bonded sheep family.

While it may seem an unlikely alliance, Mrs Jarrard says it is instinct.

“With guarding dogs it’s never called training but bonding; it’s 90% instinct for these dogs when connecting with the sheep. They come to us at six months partially bonded.”

The sheep range over 2,024ha of dry, open country – mostly sagebrush, where at any time they may encounter mountain lions, wolves, bears and coyotes.

The dogs live out on the range with the sheep year round, where they have access to a feeding station. “We also hand feed every other day to check on the dogs,” adds Mrs Jarrard.

Akbash cross Great Pyrenees.

Ewes are mated to Hampshire/Suffolk rams for prime lamb production and at lambing time the threat from eagles and ravens is heightened.

Eagles are federally protected to the extent that farmers cannot physically scare them away by law, but the Jarrards’ dogs can and do.

“One Akbash nearly starved to death in defense of a ewe that had injured itself. It was four days until we found it; still guarding against eagles,” she says.

The only problem with the guard dog’s devotion to duty at lambing is their intense protection can sometimes lead to first-born twin lambs wandering away with its canine guardian while the ewe births a second lamb, says Mrs Jarrard. Consequently, some ranchers choose to remove dogs at this time.

But the Jarrards leave their dogs with the sheep, given their extensive and exposed management system.

She adds: “Without the presence of the dogs, our weaned lambing percentage of 115% would be down to about 80% – maybe less from predator attack – putting the viability of the business into question.”

The guard dog breeder

Montana sheep producer Marvin Dunster discovered flock-guarding dogs after neighbouring domestic dogs attacked his sheep when he moved to Billings 27 years ago.

This led to the founding of 5R Stock Dogs – the most successful supplier of guaranteed bonded guarding dogs in the US.

The company ships out 25 guarding dogs a month to farmers across the country.

First-time buyers now account for 50% of dogs sold as demand increases in the face of growing predation.

Six-month-old dogs ready to start work cost $800 (£550), says Mr Dunster, and they cost about $400 (£270) to rear to four months, which includes feed, worming and neutering.

Meanwhile, the parents/adult dogs cost $300/year (£200/year) each to feed.

Mr Dunster runs a flock of 150 Katahdin ewes, a popular hair-sheep breed, and a 70-head cow-calf enterprise.

His own livestock plays an integral role in nurturing bonding, he says. The pups are introduced to sheep at six weeks with a safe area for retreat. At eight weeks this safe area is removed, leaving the pups full-time with the flock.

He breeds a range of guard dogs from Great Pyrenees, Maremma and Anatolian, to Komondor and Akbash. He says each one offers different guarding qualities.

Selective cross-breeding also takes place to refine attributes needed in the field. “The Turkish Akbash was introduced after the wolf staged a comeback; we needed a more aggressive, agile dog that was people friendly.”

Guard dog breeds

Great Pyrenees

• Origin – Border region between France and Spain
• Basques developed breed for flock protection from predation by bears and wolves
• Light coloured, long hair
• Weighs 38-65kg
• Primarily nocturnal, least aggressive, follows flock closely

Maremma

• Origin – Southern Tuscany, Maremma region
• Light coloured, semi-long hair resembling Great Pyrenees but with orange tint to ears
• Weighs 30-45kg
• Similar behavioural characteristics to Great Pyrenees
• Varied effectiveness within the breed as regards to flock-guarding function

Akbash

• Origin – Western Turkey
• Short hair
• Weighs 41-59kg
• Creates wide boundary while on patrol against predators
• Aggressive but people friendly
• First imported to US in 1974

Komondor

• Origin – Hungary, dating back to the 15th century
• Dense, long, cord-like coat with impenetrable layer of hair to help defend against injury from wolves
• Weighs 35-45kg
• Intelligent, athletic, social, aggressive, fearless

Anatolian Shepherd

• Origin – Turkey
• Large, fawn coloured, short hair
• Weighs up to 60kg
• Regularly patrols flock boundary to find best vantage points
• Size used to intimidate, not offensively aggressive until challenged
• Resolute, protective, known to defend against bears