This publication looks at the existing and potential use of guard dogs, alpacas, llamas and donkeys as guards of livestock, against wild dogs, dingoes and foxes, the major predators of livestock in Australia.

Many of the breeds of guard dogs were developed in Europe over several thousands of years for protecting livestock against wolves and bears. These guard dog breeds have a similar placid nature, are non-predatory with livestock, and will actively discourage other canids, other intruder animal species, and unknown humans from coming near ‘their’ flock. These guard dog breeds are now available outside their countries of origin and, together with alpacas, llamas and donkeys, have been evaluated in countries outside Australia, mainly in the USA, as guards for livestock.

ISBN 0 7347 1545 5