While wolves and dogs may come from the same ancestors, these animals often find themselves at odds when it comes to the modern world. Many dog breeds may be able to stand their own against a wolf, though it is important to take into account your dog’s limits if you are employing a dog to guard your property or livestock and you are concerned about wolves. Our article gives you a few details on whether or not your dog can protect against wolves and how to ensure their safety while working.
Can Dogs Protect Livestock Against Wolves?
If you own a large plot of land or a farm with livestock that needs protecting against predators such as wolves or coyotes looking for an easy meal, you may be searching to adopt a livestock guardian breed like an alabai. Breeds of dogs that are known as livestock guardians are typically large, sturdy, alert, and protective, and they will have no problem protecting their flock or property from predators such as wolves.
However, livestock guardians can easily be injured in a fight against a wolf, and it is important to understand the limits of your dog’s duties before you put them to work around the property.
The exact duties of your livestock guardian dog depend on their breed, their training, and the assistance that you need as you bring them into your home.
Popular breeds that act as livestock guardians include:
- Great Pyrenees
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Kangal Shepherd Dog
- Komondor
- Akbash
- Kuvasz
- Bernese Mountain Dog
Ensuring the Safety of Your Livestock Guardian
As your livestock guardian dog gets to work on your property, it is essential that you ensure their safety by making sure they are well-trained. A dog that listens to you, responds quickly, and knows their tasks by heart is a safe dog, as they have less risk of ignoring you, becoming out of control, or squaring up against an opponent that they are generally outmatched by, such as a wolf.
To keep your livestock guardian dog safe while they work around your property, you should place fences around the perimeter of your property where possible. This helps to deter predators and makes sure your livestock guardian dog stays in one place. You will also want to work on boundary training and provide a safe shelter for your dog with ample fresh water and food that they can retreat to. Teach your dog to give a wide berth to farming equipment as necessary, and reward your dog for avoiding potentially poisonous or dangerous plants and machinery to reinforce this behavior.
The Realities of a Dog Versus a Wolf
While livestock guardian breeds are often incredibly beneficial and helpful to those looking to protect their properties against wolves, the reality is that a dog is likely outmatched against a wolf, even more so when the dog is smaller or not particularly suited to fighting or aggressive behavior. It is essential to take steps to ensure that your livestock guardian breed is protected and that they know when to retreat.
You should also note, as you look to adopt a livestock guardian dog, that some of these breeds may come from dog-fighting backgrounds. In some cases, individuals may attempt to breed wolf-dog hybrids or organize dog fighting rings for dogs to challenge wolves or another opponent, something that has been outlawed since the 1970s. However, dog fighting still occurs in many areas, and the effects that dog fighting rings have on their communities and dogs that are victimized by these activities are profound.
If you suspect that the dog you are adopting has been used in dog fighting, or if you suspect illegal dog fighting activities and wolf-dog hybrids (a breed that is illegal in many states) are present around your area, it is important to contact authorities as soon as possible to put a stop to dog fighting incidents.
Protecting Your Property With the Help of Your Pup
Livestock guardian dogs are invaluable working dogs, and these pups help to protect many properties and flocks of livestock from the dangers of predators such as wolves, coyotes, and foxes. It is essential to make sure that your livestock guardian dog is well-trained and up to the task of protecting your property, in addition to ensuring their safety by placing boundaries and fences around your property when possible.
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