In the early part of 2004 Matthew Berry and Johan Gallant began discussing the posiibility of developing a line of dogs from Idigenous Africanis Strain to Guard sheep, Goats and Cattle against the many predators preying on farmers livestock and livelihoods.
Lets be frank. These are not your regular Africanis town ship terrier type of dog. These are dogs carefully selected for the correct behavioural conformation , from the correct environments and dogs which have proven themselves over the last decade as successful Livestock Guardians.
They hardly even look like what you will see in the rural farming area's of Southern Africa. Theaim was to get a dog with resistance to disease and parasites both internal and external which needed less maintenance than the currently imported Livestock Guardian Breeds.
At present we have dogs placed with Endangered Wildlife Trust as well as Landmark Foundation.The dogs are doing well guarding Cattle, sheep and Goats in the Waterberg area.
Below is a letter from the EWT's Deon Cilliers to the supporters of this project.
Hi every one. I have visited a few of the Livestock Guarding Dogs which were sponsored by some of you yesterday around Welgevonden to see how these pups are adapting to there new lives as livestock guarding dogs and "leopard guardians" I am please to report back that all the pups have adapted well after I placed them on the respective farms, with two of the pups (Mars and Gaia) already joining their herds in the veldt. "Mars" is living with his herd of cattle in the veldt and only returns back to the kraal with his herd once a day, where he is fed and checked by the herder and or farmer. "Gaia" has really taken huge strides and settled in very well. One morning she slipped out of the kraal with the goats she is guarding and since them she accompanies them everyday, returning with them to the kraal. During my visit, both "Mars" and "Gaia" were out in the veldt and I could not see them to get some pictures for you as sponsor and interested party. I will try again next week, when I attend the Waterberg Leopard Forum at Welgevonden. "Ares", "Mhondoro" and "Joanna" are still in the respective kraals and are still bonding with their herds of cattle. It is expected that they will be integrated into the larger herds within the next month and will also start their lives as livestock guarding dogs soon. It is really not a train-smash that they are still in the kraals bonding with the smaller core herds of cattle as a strong bond is very important. I managed to get some pictures of Mhondoro and Ares. The farmer where Joanna has been placed was not on the property and I will visit her next week as well and get some pictures of her with her herd. I did meet him on the road and he is very impressed with Joanna. I hope this report keeps you interested in this program which would not have been possible without your kind support. Regards from the Waterberg!! Deon Cilliers Endangered Wildlife Trust Senior Field Officer Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Program Mobile +27 82 8531068
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