I promised someone I would ask this, and I was wanting to know how many dogs it would take to run a 20 acre place if someone had 10 to 15 goats.

They want to have the Anatolian or Kuvasz breed to protect the goats from Coyotes. This is in Texas where coyotes are vast. I assume because these dogs specialize with this type of thing that they wouldn't have the kind of rank as other protection dog breeds. Meaning that they wouldn't fight amongst themselves. They want to know if they should have two only, or could they work in a third in. I told them about what I've learned when bringing a third into the picture, but with these breeds, is it an issue?

I don't know about this sort of thing so I have no idea if this is the number necessary, etc.

I'm writing this because I know the knowledge here with the board might know best, AND I think some of the people even live in the country, and may deal with this as well.

A friend of mine has a Maramar (sp?) when she got it i started looking into the breed and its uses, They are bred to take care of flocks of what ever you want them to, The are happy to keep to the company of their charges and any other "keepers" they work with. They are a nice natured dog but are a bit stand off ish if they don't know you when you are with their owners and if they are "on duty" and you approach you aint getting those sheep etc....
There are 2 i have seen that mind 20 odd sheep that i see when driving from time to time, they don't chase the sheep around but will gently herd them away from dnager and they have great team work with each other ie: one will herd their charges away whilst the other will address the threat, then the other will return as back up but still keeping an eye on the stock.
They are good team workers but aparently should be raised together from youngsters if possible.
NB: AS pets they are the funniest dogs, great sense of humour and realy nice.
I wnated one but got into the GSD"s again instead.

Thanks for the info guys.

If someone is interested in Livestock guarding dogs I would recomend the Book "DOGS" by the Coppingers. It will prevent them from making grievous mistakes in rearing their guarding dogs and in understanding how they actually work in this capacity.

Excellent book Kevin.

Julie, is that a Maremma? Italian versian of the Kuvasz.

If I were to be looking at a livestock guardian breed, for the warm climates in Texas,I would get a Perro De Pastor Mallorquin. These are Balearic Island farm dogs. (not fighting dogs!) They have been bred to guard herds. They also have been bred to withstand the heat and sun of the Mediterranean. They are fierce and aggressive with predatory animals. They are also only about 50-60lbs and mature very quickly. They are easy to take care of, eat very little, need minimal water, and are not human dependant. A very independant breed. Excellent flock guardian. You don't need a huge, hairy, slow maturing dog to do the work. These little guys are kick ass. No joke. . . They instinctually stay near the flock that they adopt and protect it with their lives. No problem with any native North American predators. Cats, cyotes, feral hog, wild dog, whatever. . .

I have a very close friend that is into the rare Spanish breeds and his Pastors are nice dogs for their purpose. Hard little buggers, great for harsh country.

Now, of course Richard had to through out the Rusky breeds. :rolleyes: But there are plenty of other very good flock dogs. Pyrenean Mastiff, Estrela Mountain Dog, Maremma, Czech/East Euro Kuvasz, and my other favorite the Owczarek Podhalanski. These dogs come from the best of the Polish, Russian, and old Czechoslovakian flock dogs. Sweet dogs. . .

There are also some very nice, more traditional breeds that can fit nicely into the position of flock guardian. In my neck of the woods there are two Alpacka (how the hell do you spell that?) breeders that have problems with bear and lion. They use two Rottweilers. They do a nice job as well.

I've got some info and importers that can look for some of the more rare breeds that I mentioned. Mail me. . .

A link to the book DOGS

Maremas are very popular in this country for guarding goats and sheep from dingoes. The guy over the road has several of them with his angoras. Same as any dog make sure you get one from a working dog breeder. I know a sheep farmer who got a young male that got killed by a pack of dingoes within a few weeks of getting it. Mules hate dogs and will kill them on site. Lamas are down on them as well, these might be other options. A young mule would probabaly bond with sheep if he had no other friends. Them and lots of 1080, electric fences and .223 amunition.