One of the best ways to protect livestock from predators such as mountain lions is to have trained Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) on your property. These special breeds are instinctually protective of sheep, goats, and other livestock, and they can ward off predators. Not only does this protect livestock, it also protects the predators themselves. Mountain lions have been killed under depredation permits in staggering numbers over the years due to their natural tendency to go after livestock.
If you have livestock on your property and are interested in getting LGDs, check out the map below to see some of the breeders found throughout California. The most common LGD breeds are the Anatolian shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Maremma sheepdog, and Akbash. The map differentiates breeders based on the breed in which they specialize.
