Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care, and Training

Rating:
Summary: Centered on Turkish guard dogs, but overall a great book.
Review: All in all this is a pretty good book on a subject that is hard to find information on. The author does a pretty good job explaining about raising and making use of a Livestock Guarding Dog.

Rating:
Summary: Addresses both the adolescent and mature dog
Review: From wolves hungering for sheep to foxes in the henhouse, ranchers and farmers have always had to deal with the problem of predators. The use of dogs as a front line of defense against predators has achieved even greater popularity with the rising trends prohibiting the use of poisons, traps, and guns. Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care And Training, by Orysia Dawydiak and David E. Sims defines what constitutes a livestock protection dog; surveys the various dog breeds; provides key advice on puppy selection; addresses both the adolescent and mature dog; identifies specific behavioral probelms and their solutions, and more. If you are in need of a dog to protect your property and your livestock, Livestock Protection Dogs will prove to be invaluable reading.

Rating:
Summary: Check out the new version!!
Review: I hope you have found your way to the page for the new, revised version of this book, published in 2004. If not, search books for the co-author "Dawydiak", and this will bring you to the page where the new version can be ordered.

This book is written by co-authors who have been involved in breeding and working with livestock protection dogs for over 20 years. They bring their wealth of experience and common sense to the book. The things they write are based on a great deal of experience.

The book contains breed descriptions of various livestock protection dog breeds. Seventeen breeds, some quite rare, are discussed, as well as mixed breed dogs. Breed descriptions are given, including the major assets and drawbacks of the various breeds. Photos of excellent working dogs of various livestock protection dog breeds appear throughout the book. Discussion of breeds moves to selection of a pup, and the authors remind us that all of these breeds have important things in common and that within breed differences may be important. Selecting a breed might come down to the need for a shorter coated dog in a warmer climate or simply the fact that a good breeder with satisfied customers lives nearby. One breed is not necessarily better than another, but a pup from a good breeder from a specific breed may be the best choice for a given situation.

A moment for a word on what livestock protection dogs are: These are dogs that protect livestock from predators. They are big, athletic and smart, especially if evaluated in terms of what they do well raather than what other breeds do well. These are not "herding dogs". Nor are they urban property protection dogs. Their temperament is uniquely suited to forming family bonds with livestock and then protecting their livestock family as well as their human family. While they will protect their human family, persons seeking an urban-type guard dog may find other breeds more suitable for this role. These dogs are not good for "schutzhund" training, for example.

This book concentrates on livestock protection dog breeds. The main focus is on working dogs, but a chapter on keeping these dogs in companion animal roles is included, and much of the information presented to the livestock raiser would also be useful to the person wanting to learn more about keeping one of these dogs in a "domestic" setting. In discussion of health or behavior issues, the emphasis is on those which are common to livestock protection dogs, leaving aside the general issues of canine health or behavior issues. General dog information can be found in other books. Good info on livestock protection dogs is hard to come by.

A chapter on breeding is worthy of consideration. The authors have been breeding and working with Akbash Dogs for over 20 years. They exemplify the modern, conscientious breeder who is concerned about whether her pups go to good homes and who are willing to follow through with assisting the people who receive these pups to take care of them. It is pointed out that the purchase price of a dog is small compared to veterinary bills and other liabilities that can come with the dog. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in a sound pup from a reputable breeder.

The book is not especially heavy to lift but it is densely packed with useful information. The writers bring scientific understanding, years of experience and common sense to writing this book for the owner or prospective owner who wants to get the most these dogs, whether in a companion or livestock protection role.

Rating:
Summary: Check out the new version!!
Review: I hope you have found your way to the page for the new, revised version of this book, published in 2004. If not, search books for the co-author "Dawydiak", and this will bring you to the page where the new version can be ordered.

This book is written by co-authors who have been involved in breeding and working with livestock protection dogs for over 20 years. They bring their wealth of experience and common sense to the book. The things they write are based on a great deal of experience.

The book contains breed descriptions of various livestock protection dog breeds. Seventeen breeds, some quite rare, are discussed, as well as mixed breed dogs. Breed descriptions are given, including the major assets and drawbacks of the various breeds. Photos of excellent working dogs of various livestock protection dog breeds appear throughout the book. Discussion of breeds moves to selection of a pup, and the authors remind us that all of these breeds have important things in common and that within breed differences may be important. Selecting a breed might come down to the need for a shorter coated dog in a warmer climate or simply the fact that a good breeder with satisfied customers lives nearby. One breed is not necessarily better than another, but a pup from a good breeder from a specific breed may be the best choice for a given situation.

A moment for a word on what livestock protection dogs are: These are dogs that protect livestock from predators. They are big, athletic and smart, especially if evaluated in terms of what they do well raather than what other breeds do well. These are not "herding dogs". Nor are they urban property protection dogs. Their temperament is uniquely suited to forming family bonds with livestock and then protecting their livestock family as well as their human family. While they will protect their human family, persons seeking an urban-type guard dog may find other breeds more suitable for this role. These dogs are not good for "schutzhund" training, for example.

This book concentrates on livestock protection dog breeds. The main focus is on working dogs, but a chapter on keeping these dogs in companion animal roles is included, and much of the information presented to the livestock raiser would also be useful to the person wanting to learn more about keeping one of these dogs in a "domestic" setting. In discussion of health or behavior issues, the emphasis is on those which are common to livestock protection dogs, leaving aside the general issues of canine health or behavior issues. General dog information can be found in other books. Good info on livestock protection dogs is hard to come by.

A chapter on breeding is worthy of consideration. The authors have been breeding and working with Akbash Dogs for over 20 years. They exemplify the modern, conscientious breeder who is concerned about whether her pups go to good homes and who are willing to follow through with assisting the people who receive these pups to take care of them. It is pointed out that the purchase price of a dog is small compared to veterinary bills and other liabilities that can come with the dog. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in a sound pup from a reputable breeder.

The book is not especially heavy to lift but it is densely packed with useful information. The writers bring scientific understanding, years of experience and common sense to writing this book for the owner or prospective owner who wants to get the most these dogs, whether in a companion or livestock protection role.

Rating:
Summary: Centered on Turkish guard dogs, but overall a great book.
Review: It is an excellent book on raising and maintaining a livestock protection dog. I have used the book many times when I have a problem with my dog. The authors seemed to be on target in their methods compared to the other books I have looked at. It is an excellent book I would recommend it to anyone.