Guarding the Alpacas
As brand new alpaca breeders in 2002, we didn't know what we wanted to guard our alpacas—a llama, dog, both? After much researching we decided to get a dog. Then came the next question—what kind of dog?
Our parameters for a guard dog included intelligence, independence, trustworthiness – a fierce protector but gentle with kids. More research and many hours later we settled on a Polish Tatra Sheepdog (Owczarek Podhalanski) for our alpaca farm. This was the easy part!
The Polish Tatra is native to Poland where they have guarded sheep for a hundred years. The breed was nearly wiped out during the World War II Nazi occupation of Poland. Because of the Tatras massive size, intimidating bark and determination to protect its charges, the Nazi soldiers shot the dogs on sight. By the 1950's only about 120 Tatras had survived the slaughter. Through careful breeding, the population of the dogs increased, and by 1981 the first Tatras entered the United States—about the same time of the first importation of alpacas for sale.
All this to say, the breed is rare in the United States and to find a puppy for sale was extremely difficult. After much perseverance, we located one breeder who was willing to sell one to me. And thus, Tekoa arrived at Eye Dazzler Alpacas.
He has matured into a beautiful and loyal guard dog. He is extremely intelligent and we have learned to trust him. When he barks during the night we know there is something lurking in the dark that doesn't belong around the herd.
He and Allie walked miles and miles during his training and he obeys basic voice commands and follows simple hand signals.
We have 4 grandsons and he is gentle with them and all children who enter the barn.
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