Re: [blackbelly] livestock guardian dogs

[RBMuller]

GUARD DOGS WITH GUARD DONKEY We all have opinions about what works best for our situation but please keep an open mind to other ideas or solutions. Ms Bigelow, it sounds as if your donkey is doing his job. As a Livestock Guardian Dog owner I have to answer this!  There are exceptions to all the rules. But I will agree with Ms Bigelow about not having a guard dog and a donkey in the same area. The donkey will try to kill the dog and if the donkey and dog do get along the donkey is worthless. But I saw my donkey pick up kid after kid and shake them to death (5 to be exact) before I could get her out of the pasture.  I have also seen a donkey pick up and shake a baby calf.  My guard dogs have NEVER done that. I raised guard donkeys for a while until they were unable to help the goats when 4 dogs (someone's pets) came into the herd and killed 30 goats.  The donkeys were unable to keep up with all the dogs.  I was able to remove the dogs when they made the mistake of coming back. Since I have used guard dogs this has not happened!!! A well trained guard dog from actual working lines will bring parts of animals to the feed area.  Because of the guard dog's makeup, they will not open up, tear into, or otherwise gut an animal it is guarding, even if the animal just died.  I have one neutered male that when he finds a dead kid or lamb will bury it. When the guard dog is young they may pull ears or tails while playing with the animal.  I usually remove the pup and  put it with some older animals that just won't put up with play. I feed my dogs dry dog food as well as raw bones and thank goodness they eat the afterbirth before the predators (including buzzards) smell it  They have NEVER have sampled the wares. Ms Bigelow if you would like to come see guard dogs working please give me a call.  I am about 45 miles east of you. Thank all of you for listening to the other side. Rhonda Muller, Round Mountain, TX  830-825-3707  [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: Elaine To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 3:32 PM Subject: Re: [blackbelly] livestock guardian dogs Warning to anyone contemplating introducing a prospective guard dog into a sheep herd with an established guard donkey:   Your donkey may regard your prospective guard dog as a predator, and your dog may not escape with his life.