What's the best LGD breed?

Interesting article..... Spaced on the fencing of the perimeter of my place I have about five or six signs WARNING LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS WORKING DO NOT DISTURB. One on the front gate. Unfortunately some people still come too close to the fence, but its getting better. I need to put up a few signs that say CAUTION STAY BACK FROM FENCE. On biting and breeds.....I would note from my own experiences with owning several breeds of LGDs there can be a vast difference between individuals within a breed so take the figures cited with a grain of salt. I own two Spanish Mastiff males. The largest one is intimidating enough merely from his size, and he seems to know it, and although he will sometimes charge the fence - or trot up to it more like - he is not aggressive towards people once introduced, or if they show no tendancy to provoke anything. My younger male mastine, on the other hand, has recently gone from being intimidating to downright aggressive at the fence. He will not let anyone touch him anymore other than myself. He will come up to the fence and if someone reaches in, he will snap at them. This has all just started in the last few months. When friends come in now, he will observe them, remain distant, but never quite take his eye off them. My female mastines, vary as well; some are vocal and intimidating at first then settle down and let people pet them. Others more aloof. My point being, within a breed, there will be vast differences. But again thanks for posting links, good information there.

Yes, there is implied liability in NV.... therefore signs must never say: caution, warning or imply that there are dangerous anumals on the property. My insurance agent specifically requested that I use only signs that state fact. I have two that say "Dogs on Premesis", also have some like Brenda's that state:"WARNING LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS WORKING DO NOT DISTURB"... beyond that there should be no signage that implys viciousness or probability of an attack or biting....... Kate

I know of one LGD guarding some sheep, along with a llama in my area. A couple times when biking with one of my Tosas, this dog squeezed through his fence to come out in the road after me. Good thing he or she is not so aggressive (maybe cowardly), cuz when i hopped off my bike and went towards the dog to take a picture it shut up and backed away. Gotta be careful with those dogs, have some excellent fencing that they can't bypass.

As far as best, it comes down to the individual. For me, I would be the type that would want a violently aggressive breed towards predators (including bad people) but very loving with those that it trusts.

Are there still rustlers out there? I've watched some old westerns where humans steal livestock, that stuff actually happen nowadays? Beware what you ask for wanting human aggressive dogs. Most farmers can't afford big fencing, those dogs are going to leave their properties and come after innocent people (like me) out on the road. If this dog bit me, the owner would be in a lot of trouble, maybe even go to jail. Perhaps it's liability that keeps the popularity of these dogs down.

Actually tosamama, here in what we call the "ION" Idaho Oregon Nevada - and even recently documented in Merced and Mariposa counties, California...there has in the last year been a huge uptick in CATTLE RUSTLING. We are not talking a few head but 100's of head go missing. Unfortunately not many cowmen use LGD's (unlike in Spain where Mastin Espanol guard cattle). If they aren't tightwads (and too many are) they hire a range rider, someone who just rides through the stock all the time to keep tabs on them (not easy here when you are talking millions of acres of open range, BLM, deeded land, etc. As for extreme aggressiveness in LGDs......be careful for what you ask for. I have a female Kangal that would - if not stopped by fence - rip someone's throat out. Am I proud of it? Hardly. It is a great responsibility. She is a lamb with me, and my best friend who can handle her. Anyone else is given wide berth. If the walk up to the fence from outside, she practically comes inside out trying to get to them. She has never bit anyone but if provoked or teased, it would be all over, I know this. Same for outside dogs. There is an "a--hole" down the road who's big thrill in life is to drive his pick up truck by my place super slow with his pit bull and a mutt in the back, who of course non-stop bark and race in the truck bed as my dogs hit the fence trying to get at them. He does it on purpose to antagonize my dogs. I have taken to watching for him in the evening when he comes to get his mail from the boxes, and I walk up to my gate like I'm going to open it....evil grin. Of course if my dogs got out with my luck his truck would run over some of them but the ones it didn't would kill those dogs. Again, is this something to brag about, or be seriously responsible about.....I prefer the latter. I know what damage my dogs could inflict if incited and although of course I have peace of mind here for me and my stock, I also must continually keep vigilant to make sure the Kangal does not clear that fence someday. So far, its been good. Unfortunately in this sue-crazy world, you have a dog so fierce that it practically kills someone, can you afford to defend yourself when their family sues you? Think about the big picture.... Yes of course I want LGDs that can stop big predators and I am very confident I have those. But people? Well, I have a Kimber 1911 for that....grin......

Yes, you want an LGD to at least bark if strange humans come by, but really what is it going to do when all criminals have guns and other weapons? I've also known some LGD's who are scary human aggressive, your life as you know it can end if a dog bites an innocent person. One female Sar, would sneak down the driveway to try to get at visitors while they were still in their car! A human aggressive dog, especially in North America is a lawsuit waiting to happen.