[ SHOWGSD-L ] herding vs. flock guardians
- From: EJDegen@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 10:55:53 EST
There are many breeds used to guard flocks, but GSDs and Old English
Sheepdogs are not among them. There is a big difference between a HERDING
breed
(such as the GSD, border collie, OES, sheltie, etc.) and a GUARDIAN breed. A
herding breed moves stock. A guardian breed LIVES with the flock full time.
He/she becomes part of the flock and is NOT a "pet". Sheep will actually run
TO the guardian dog when they become frightened. Often, when a herding dog
is sent out to bring in the sheep, the guardian dog comes along with the flock
as a "member". Of course, you have to be very careful with that and the
guardian dog must know the dog that is herding! In South Carolina, we used an
Anatolian Shepherd who was fantastic. I also have friends that have used
Great Pyrenees & Maremmas. I also know other people that have llamas as
guardians and a couple of people that have used donkeys. I have never met a
Russian
Ovtcharka nor do I personally know anyone that actually uses them as a flock
guardian, but from the sounds of it and the breed description, I imagine
they would be good, too!
Julie Degen
In a message dated 1/24/2007 2:24:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, sheila writes:
True enough, but not every rancher has the ability to manage such a dog as
you do. A Great Pyr, or GSD or Old English and others that are much easier
to handle and more up the alley of tough but not as educated in dogs, rancher.
sheila
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