Barrels/Guard Dogs

As far as the dog goes, I would never leave a dog with my goats if he seemed aggressive. It doesn't matter what his breed is. Although a Great Pyrenees is a livestock guardian breed, Labradors are hunting dogs, so that could totally cancel out any good guarding instincts of the Pyrenees half. Yes, he could absolutely attack your goats. There are plenty of goats and sheep and other livestock killed every year by domestic dogs. I know several people who've lost goats to neighbor's dogs, stray dogs, or even their own dogs -- even dogs that they thought wouldn't hurt a fly. Most domestic dogs just want to play, but their idea of play can be fatal to goats. I would never, ever, ever put a dog with my goats if I did not trust him 100%.

A guard dog stays with the stock 24 hours a day, whether they're outside or in the barn or wherever -- but again, if this dog seems the tiniest bit aggressive towards your goats, do NOT leave them alone unattended. And no dog should be allowed to "run loose" throughout the land. They should be confined in a pasture with the goats or in the barn with the goats -- not running loose, where they could possibly kill your neighbor's stock, get hit by a car, or cause other problems.

Replies

Amy Nowicki April 25, 2010 at 9:25am

Our weeklyclassifieds always has barrels for sale or you can go to your local auto mechanic shop and they always have them too. Be careful with your dog. During the day while we are working outside we free range our goats. Just this last Friday our outside guard dog who is not agressive with any of our other animals, just seems to like to play alot, killed our bottle baby goat. It was very devestating. Don't chance it if you even have a little bit of a doubt.
Tammy April 25, 2010 at 6:44am

Thanks. That is what I was thinking.
Deborah Niemann-Boehle April 24, 2010 at 10:44pm

As far as the dog goes, I would never leave a dog with my goats if he seemed aggressive. It doesn't matter what his breed is. Although a Great Pyrenees is a livestock guardian breed, Labradors are hunting dogs, so that could totally cancel out any good guarding instincts of the Pyrenees half. Yes, he could absolutely attack your goats. There are plenty of goats and sheep and other livestock killed every year by domestic dogs. I know several people who've lost goats to neighbor's dogs, stray dogs, or even their own dogs -- even dogs that they thought wouldn't hurt a fly. Most domestic dogs just want to play, but their idea of play can be fatal to goats. I would never, ever, ever put a dog with my goats if I did not trust him 100%.

A guard dog stays with the stock 24 hours a day, whether they're outside or in the barn or wherever -- but again, if this dog seems the tiniest bit aggressive towards your goats, do NOT leave them alone unattended. And no dog should be allowed to "run loose" throughout the land. They should be confined in a pasture with the goats or in the barn with the goats -- not running loose, where they could possibly kill your neighbor's stock, get hit by a car, or cause other problems.

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