Madison the Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dog takes good care of her sheep in Aguanga. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
Predators abound in the Anza Valley, waiting for their chance to make a meal of a farmer’s poultry and other small animals. Domestic livestock, such as sheep and goats, can fall victim to predation from various wild or domesticated animals, such as coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, weasels, mountain lions and stray dogs.While these hunters recognize humans as the apex predator and fear and respect humans for the most part, many people are unable to patrol their property 24 hours a day. Fencing and other physical deterrents help, but sometimes the job of protecting the ranch residents falls on one special hero – the livestock guardian dog.With their inbred instincts and minimal training, these dogs reduce predation on livestock. Though common elsewhere for centuries, livestock
