Practical Knowledge about Livestock Guardian Dogs

Livestock guardian dogs are a type of working dog bred and kept specifically to protect grazing animals from predators. These videos provide essential practical knowledge about the care, training, and use of livestock guardian dogs. They are aimed at persons who are interested in these dogs, already own them, or are considering acquiring one. These videos were produced as part of the LIFEstockProtect project.

Breeds

The video addresses the topic of livestock guardian dog breeds—the variety of breeds, the role of socialization, genetics, and working lines of these dogs.

Acquisition and integration

The video discusses the acquisition of livestock guardian dogs, their successful integration into the farm, and the requirements of dog owners.

Behavior and working methods

The video provides insight into the behavior and working methods of livestock guardian dogs. It explores aspects such as group dynamics, territorial behavior, reactions to the presence of wolves, and the different circumstances working with various types of livestock.

Conflict management

The video addresses potential internal and external conflict sources related to the work with livestock guardian dogs and presents strategies to minimize these conflicts.

Training and breeding

The video explains the various developmental and training phases of livestock guardian dogs and highlights some prerequisites for successful breeding.

Certification

This video provides an overview of the certification process in Austria and highlights requirements the dog must meet.

Health and well-being

The video highlights the health and animal welfare requirements for keeping livestock guardian dogs. It covers environmental needs, feeding, health care measures, grooming, and handling issues like heat cycles and neutering.