Environmental Health and Protection Commons^™

Relative Effectiveness Of Various Breeds Of Livestock Guarding Dogs For Reducing Predation On Domestic Sheep In Colorado, William F. Andelt, Stuart N. Hopper

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

We surveyed 59 livestock producers that used multiple breeds of livestock guarding dogs to determine their ratings of the relative effectiveness of guarding dogs for deterring predation on domestic sheep in Colorado during 1995. Significantly (P < 0.05) more producers rated Akbash dogs as more effective than Great Pyrenees for deterring predation by coyotes (Canis latrans), black bears (Ursus americanus), mountain lions (Felis concolor), domestic dogs, and all predators combined. Significantly more producers also rated Akbash dogs as more effective than Komondors for deterring predation by coyotes and all predators combined. Great Pyrenees and Komondors were rated as similar in effectiveness for deterring predation. Significantly more producers rated Akbash dogs as more aggressive, …