On the guard

This might be the ultimate guide to dogs, donkeys and llamas as livestock guardians. It's written from a North American perspective and covers all aspects of the issue. The author, Janet Vorwald Dohner, has raised and worked with guardian dogs for 26 years and is the past vice president of the Kangal Dog Club of America.

An introductory chapter of “Livestock Guardians” deals with predators likely to attack livestock: wolves, coyotes, cougars, feral dogs, etc. Even smaller animals such as skunks can be dangerous, for instance as vectors of rabies. The bulk of the book is about guardian dogs, introducing the reader to 31 different breeds. Some are relatively well known, such as the Great Pyrenees, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog and the Kangal. Others are more exotic, such as the Hungarian “Komondor”, a bizarre and very aggressive breed that looks like a giant mop! There are also more general chapters on dog training and health issues, and interviews with farmers sharing their experiences with various livestock guardians. Most illustrations are black-and-white drawings, but a colour photo section has been included. My favourite photo shows an Akbash Dog guarding chicken!

The book ends with somewhat shorter sections on llamas and donkeys, and a list of resources. The list, somewhat curiously, include addresses to the Predator Conservation Alliance and the Mountain Lion Foundation! More obvious (perhaps) resources include Llamapaedia, the Middle Atlantic State Komondor Club and the National Anatolian Shepherd Rescue Network.

In sum, “Livestock Guardians” is a book about everything you needed to know about these issues, but were afraid (or unable) to ask! Five stars.