Baby Goat Is Part of This Protective Pup’s Pack

Livestock experts typically recommend that dogs and goats be kept apart. Dogs are predators while goats are prey animals. So, goats naturally see dogs as a possible threat, even if the dog is not aggressive. This dynamic can result in unnecessary stress for the goats, or even accidental harm. However, there are some exceptions. In this adorable post from babyanmlpics, a Great Pyrenees gives a thorough tongue bath to one of the Nigerian Dwarf goat kids in its care. This pup is a livestock guardian dog, trained to protect goats, sheep, poultry, or other livestock from predators. Great Pyrenees have strong protective instincts, and view the animals they guard, especially the little ones, as part of their pack.

Livestock Guardian Dogs

Livestock guardian dogs have been trained to prevent predation by warning off predators. One way they do this is by scent marking their territory’s boundaries. Dogs are very territorial, so other dogs and dog-like species typically avoid areas that have already been claimed. If this method is unsuccessful, guardians will bark and act aggressively, finally confronting intruders that remain persistent. Coyotes are the top predator of goats and sheep in the U.S. So, employing livestock guardian dogs is a crucial strategy for farmers and ranchers to deter canine predators.

Great Pyrenees, like the dog shown above, are believed to be the most common livestock guardians. The breed was developed from dogs that have guarded flocks in Europe for thousands of years. They are considered the least aggressive breed towards livestock, as well as people. Breed experts explain that these dogs were bred to be independent thinkers, so they require little human supervision to guard the livestock once trained. Other naturally protective livestock guardian breeds include Anatolian Shepherds, Akbash, and Maremma.

Why Aren’t Goats Afraid of Guardian Dogs?

Specially trained livestock guardian dogs are raised with livestock from a young age. Puppies from 4-16 weeks old are at the ideal developmental stage to socially bond with the animals they will be guarding. Guardian dogs that have been properly reared with livestock don’t see these animals as competition. Experts believe the dogs view the animals as an extension of their pack, including all of the livestock in their territory.

However, a dog is still a predator, so why aren’t the goats afraid of their guardians? Just as dogs include the livestock in their pack, the goats are thought to view the dog as part of their herd. Specialists argue that since the dogs have been trained from puppies to keep the goats safe instead of preying on them, the goats recognize the dogs as a source of protection rather than a threat. Livestock guardian dogs do not hunt or herd. So, the goats learn that the belligerent behavior of their guardian is directed toward predators and not them.

The Protective Instinct in Action

Well-trained livestock guardian dogs are not family pets. They prefer to spend their lives with the animals they have bonded with. Great Pyrenees are often praised for their patience and kindness to the livestock they protect. It’s not unusual for the dogs to lick the members of their “pack” to show affection, to groom them, or as a form of social interaction.

Guardian dogs are also drawn to pregnant and nursing animals and their young. The dogs instinctively provide additional protection when the mothers and offspring are most susceptible to attack. This conscientious pup is showing a natural instinct to care for the most vulnerable members of its adopted family. The little goat kid doesn’t seem to mind the extra attention from the leader of the pack.