Tommy Coyote Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 I was out looking at articles on using guard dogs to protect against wolves. And I found this. Switzerland is having trouble with wolves that are returning. It sounds like right now there is just one pack of about six European wolves but they were killing a lot of sheep. The wolves are heavily protected so the farmers can't just shoot them. Some of the farmers are using multiple guard dogs with success. They have to do that for the larger flocks. They are using a more aggressivd guard dog against wolves - Maremano-Abruzzi. I've never heard of that but they look like Pyrs. But for flocks of 50 or under they are using donkeys and its working. Donkeys are very intolerant of dogs and wolves and they are very attentive so they are good lookouts. If they spot trouble they start to bray and then I guess that they just attack. And the sheep adjust to their presence well. The only problem seems to be that you can hear their braying for miles so you need to be sure your neighbors won't object to the noise. Who would have thought. I wonder if llamas or alpacas would work the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted April 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 They didn't say what you do if you use dogs to move the sheep. I guess you would have to put the donkey up. They are docile and easily handled. Course, I've never been around a donkey in my life so I have no idea if this is really true. The closest I ever got was reading Brighty of Grand Canyon in gradeschool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy V Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Donkeys are rumoured to be good livestock guardians but, for the most part, aren't, as they can be difficult to manage and can become aggressive to livestock. For small holdings, such as myself, many use a llama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Wendy's right for the most part. I grew up around donkey's and they're good animals to have around. They like kids and can be used for light drayage and wagon pulling. They have to grow up or be carefully introduced to a dog(s) become accustomed to it. Other than that they can't stand dogs, foxes, coyotes or wolves. For some reason the tolerate cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted April 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Wendy's right for the most part. I grew up around donkey's and they're good animals to have around. They like kids and can be used for light drayage and wagon pulling. They have to grow up or be carefully introduced to a dog(s) become accustomed to it. Other than that they can't stand dogs, foxes, coyotes or wolves. For some reason the tolerate cats. What is the thing with cats and horses? They seem to really like each other. I saw a show one day about a dog who lives with elephants on an elephant reserve and they get along fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcburniefarm Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 If this link works you have to see this, It's not the original set of pics, there are 8 or 9 total, a couple was riding with their dogs, and a mountain lion started stalking the dogs, the pack mule went ape-sh!@ on the lion. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...en%26safe%3Doff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnewe2 Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 I been around donkeys and they aren't my favorite. They can be very aggrevissive towards dogs. I've had a llama and 2 LGD. The llama was totally awesome but not much good for a guard. He tried his best but just couldn't compete with the coyote situation down in AR. But the dogs + the llama were wonderful. the llama would hold the sheep somewhere safe and the dogs would work the predators. If you live in Semi-Suburbia and your fences are good with neighbors almost close, a donkey or llama could be all you need and won't upset the neighbors with barking. But not out in the boonies where there's no way to keep thinigs fenced out. Our llama worked beautiful on 5 acres with good fencing. That's about it. He was good with working dogs, and nervous about strange dogs, which was good. Pack mules are much bigger than donkeys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted April 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 If this link works you have to see this, It's not the original set of pics, there are 8 or 9 total, a couple was riding with their dogs, and a mountain lion started stalking the dogs, the pack mule went ape-sh!@ on the lion. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...en%26safe%3Doff Wow. That is really something. I had no idea mules could do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
painted_ponies Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 Wow. That is really something. I had no idea mules could do that. They can't. The mountain lion was already dead - click here for snopes story Anyway - cats and horses (house cats anyway) do seem to have a special relationship. My young paint horse loves them - the barn cats at my old boarding stable would sit on the fence posts and he'd come over to rub his nose in their fur. Of course, if you happen to be riding him and he sees a barn cat out of the corner of his eye - ZOMG! Lions! Tigers! Wegottagettheheckouttahere NOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Bo Boop Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 We don't need no stinkin' donkey I have three horses, and so far they have been great sheep protectors We have coyotes all around us, and I've never seen one in my pasture. The horses don't bother my dogs either when they're working, and often times the dogs have to pick the sheep up off of the horses... Hudson, playing LGH ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in2adventure Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 We don't need no stinkin' donkey I have three horses, and so far they have been great sheep protectors We have coyotes all around us, and I've never seen one in my pasture. The horses don't bother my dogs either when they're working, and often times the dogs have to pick the sheep up off of the horses... Hudson, playing LGH ;-) I had to look twice at this picture. Because they are all laying down in the same position, at first glance it looks like they're standing up to their bellies in mud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted April 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 This is awful but I knew some people who went to a trial and tied their dog to a post in a pasture. Whet they didn't know was that there was a horse in the pasture. And the horse stomped the dog to death. I think the dog actually died of its injuries a little later. Be careful of horses. They don't like dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
painted_ponies Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 Be careful of horses. They don't like dogs. Au contraire! My two love dogs. And as every foxhunter knows, it's a cardinal sin for a hunt horse to kick a hound. You'll be asked to leave immediately! I teach mine that dogs are to be treated with respect, but not to be feared. If an obstreperous canine gives us a hard time while we're out riding, I expect to be able to ask my horse to walk purposefully toward said canine miscreant until he backs off. I would never ever allow my bc to "work" my horses, though. Violet got her leg broken at her last home because she nipped at a horse's heel and he kicked her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Bo Boop Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 Two of my horses, the blk/wht paint, and my old horse, like dogs, (my dogs) my other paint horse doesn't care for the dogs that much, although he won't hurt them, I usually keep an eye on him. My dogs have never tried to work the horses, for what ever reason all my dogs pretty much ignore them. I guess from the time they were little they've always been exposed to them. The dogs pretty much treat the horses like what they are ;-) lawn ornaments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcburniefarm Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 They can't. The mountain lion was already dead - click here for snopes story Aww, another good story ruined by the truth. Still pretty unordinary pictures........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrayburn Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Be careful of horses. They don't like dogs. Depends on the horse and the dog. My old mare tolerated our dogs just fine but I was riding her one day when the neighbor's GSD came over his fence and jumped our aussie who was running along with us. The mare took one look at this and ran the GSD over and then chased him off. Bless her heart. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurelin Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Our neighbors have 'guard donkeys' that back up to our house. In fact the other day I made the mistake of upsetting one by walking a bit too close to the fence with the dogs. The next thing I know I hear something come charging through the woods and on the opposite side of the fence is one of the donkeys stomping at me. They really do not like our dogs. They bray ALL the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyGRanch Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 This is awful but I knew some people who went to a trial and tied their dog to a post in a pasture. Whet they didn't know was that there was a horse in the pasture. And the horse stomped the dog to death. I think the dog actually died of its injuries a little later. Be careful of horses. They don't like dogs. Terrible story, but my current horse likes dogs (and cats) just fine The cats have a nasty habit of standing in her grain dish and gazing lovingly up at her, while she eats around them... My old appy, Bob, HATED dogs, and wouldn't hesitate to charge one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyGRanch Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Our neighbors have 'guard donkeys' that back up to our house. In fact the other day I made the mistake of upsetting one by walking a bit too close to the fence with the dogs. The next thing I know I hear something come charging through the woods and on the opposite side of the fence is one of the donkeys stomping at me. They really do not like our dogs. They bray ALL the time. I really like your sig pic I just had to say something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThunderHill Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 I haven't had much personal experience up close with donkeys. But wow, can they raise a racket when they're in the mood. Horses seem to run the spectrum when it comes to interacting with dogs. I've known horses that liked dogs in general, horses that only liked "their" dogs, horses who were neutral, horses who were terrified of dogs... and horses that would go out of their way to kill dogs. Not many of that last category, but they do exist. We had a Thoroughbred gelding at a barn where I used to lease a mare, he hated dogs and killed at least two while I was there. If they got too far into his pasture he could outrun them in the open. He'd strike with his teeth and front hooves and mean business. But he was OK with humans. We also had a group of three Morgan horses and a Quarter Horse in one of the upper fields who would take time off from their loafing to teach rude dogs some manners. (Though they weren't dog killers.) My darling idiot Bull Terrier got out with them one day and apparently thought she'd have a fine time a-chasing the nay-nays. Off she went at top speed. I went pelting after her, images of panicked horses, broken fences, and vet bills with far too many zeros spinning through my brain. I lost sight of the proceedings when I came to a low spot, heard the thundering of hooves and a breathless yipping noise coming fast, and took off at right angles to the track praying I could get out of the way in time. First over the hill came my Bull Terrier, fleeing for her life with her eyes bugged out in amazement, doing a not-bad imitation of a greyhound. Behind her (not hurrying overmuch) came the equine posse, with their necks snaked out, ears pinned back, and eyes glinting. If they'd meant to catch the dog, they could have, but they were just doing a little educating. The dog eeled through the wooden gate (losing only a little skin and fur) and the horses pulled up easily and stood there snorting and staring in a significant manner. Lulu (the Bullie) was not overly endowed in the brain cell department, but she never went in that pasture again. I was told later how that mob had run off the neighbor's escape-artist German Shepherds and assorted other uninvited canines multiple times as well. Those same horses would nuzzle and play games with the resident Jack Russell terriers, and the senior Morgan mare would let my other mixed breed dog sleep under her belly in the stall, while I groomed her. So anyway, I try not to make advance assumptions or take needless risks with regard to how previously un-introduced horses and dogs will get along. You just never know. I've heard of mixed results with horses and sheep, too. My friend's Quarterhorse mare used to work the sheep in and out of the barn or up and down the fence (she was from cutting horse lines) if left alone with them too long, which the sheep didn't seem to enjoy a whole lot. Some horses seem to like sheep and will adopt them and protect them, some don't seem to notice sheep much, other horses seem to go the bully route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Boots Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 When I was a kid and got my first horse, we had two old farm nags, but I didn't think they really counted, we turned the mare out into the field with the sheep. They had areas where they could get away, and that's where the other horses were so my folks didn't think much of it. Then we noticed some of the sheep had patches of wool missing from their backs, turns out the mare was corning the sheep and then picking them up with her teeth, horrible (although kind of funny in a sick way) to watch as she would got after the herd tossing sheep out of the way. We quickly realized that sheep and horses no longer belonged together. The biggest issues I have herd of with donkeys as guard animals is that if there is a more horse like creature around they would rather bond with it then protect the sheep. I know llamas will do this too, but since llamas are less common than horses or at least in our part of the country getting a llama as a guard animal seems like less of a risk. We had a guard llama last year, she was my sisters and was about 14 years old, had never been around sheep in her life, but it only took her about 5 minutes before she was watching the sheep like a hawk and scowling at the neighbor dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBlaylock Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Yeah, I've also heard that Lamas make good gaurds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthfieldNick Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Bill Fosher would not like my older mare. She thinks goats make fine companions, but that all sheep must die. Except for one ancient, gimpy ewe I had who stood down the horse and won, The Fat Mare tries to eat sheep (and dogs, too). She loves the goats. Go figure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcburniefarm Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 When I was a kid and got my first horse, we had two old farm nags, but I didn't think they really counted, we turned the mare out into the field with the sheep. They had areas where they could get away, and that's where the other horses were so my folks didn't think much of it. Then we noticed some of the sheep had patches of wool missing from their backs, turns out the mare was corning the sheep and then picking them up with her teeth, horrible (although kind of funny in a sick way) to watch as she would got after the herd tossing sheep out of the way. We quickly realized that sheep and horses no longer belonged together. Is this my sister posting? Exact scenario, flat backed sheep when they were together. Too funny in a sad sick way yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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