brookcove
Posted : 10/6/2008 11:04:31 PM
It depends on the type of breed. Most LGDs are "tending" dogs - they not only chase off threats in the form of predators, they also manipulate the environment and the flock for the perceived good of the flock. Chasing off deer falls under the latter category. They'd also chase off strange sheep or at least keep them apart for a while, depending on how strange they are (ie, if they don't play by the rules somehow). This betters the flock as they then don't have to compete with random intruders for forage and water.
I prefer this type of dog because they are also the kind that do things like lead the flock to better grazing by themselves, and also keep lambs warm and dry during difficult births.
I socialize my dogs now. I've found that it doesn't harm their guarding or tending ability as long as they know their place is with the flock. I'm a little outside mainstream with this view but I'm not absolutely alone. And I've placed half a dozen dogs raised in this way in very happy, satisfied homes. This last time I brought my rescue Maremma in the house for about three weeks and only walked her on a leash to the flock a couple times a day to remind her of her job. If it were possible to "break" a good LGD of guarding by being kind and teaching them to respect and enjoy human company, I'd turn out nothing but failures at this.
However, someone with a team of range LGDs has different goals for them than I do. That's why there's such a marvelous range of LGDs out there all doing what seems like essentially the same job.
What a neat sounding adventure. I had a friend who went out west and got to help on one of those big spreads, with her dog. And our Gus came from another place like that in CO. I guess those people who say there's not much call for dogs that work with flocks, might be looking in the wrong place!