As a farmer in South Africa, having a well-trained protection dog can be a game changer. Not only do these dogs provide security and peace of mind, but they can also be trained to perform a variety of tasks on the farm. In an article at the beginning of the year, I looked at which breed of dog would be best as a guard dog. Now I will discuss the benefits of having a well-trained dog, not only for personal protection, but also for utilisation on the farm.
One of the most popular breeds for protection work is the Belgian Malinois. These dogs are highly intelligent, easily trainable, and fiercely loyal to their owners. They are also known for their courage and protective nature, making them an ideal choice for farmers looking for a reliable personal protection dog.
In addition to their protective duties, Belgian Malinois dogs can also be trained to perform other tasks on the farm. For example, they can be trained to herd livestock, track down lost animals, and even detect pests or diseases in crops. This versatility makes them a valuable asset to any farm.
Although the Belgian Malinois is an ideal candidate as a farmer’s best friend, they do require an extraordinary amount of energy and effort. They are extreme dogs and need to be working and burning energy all day, every day. These dogs are a great option if you can have the dog with you all day on the farm, but if it ends up being a dog that gets left in the yard most of the time, it will go mad and cause you countless headaches.
According to a report by South Africa Online, livestock farmers in the country suffer losses of around R2 billion each year due to predators such as black-backed jackal, caracal, leopard, cheetah, brown hyena, and even crows and stray dogs. Having a well-trained protection dog can help mitigate these losses and provide farmers with much-needed peace of mind.
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 19 January 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 19 January 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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