Dogs

Livestock Guardian Dogs or LGDs were bred to independently live with and guard livestock such as sheep. LGDs are also referred to as sheep dogs, though they are not shepherd dogs. Unlike a herding dog, a LGD does not control the movement of the flock with predatory actions towards it. Instead, they blend into the flock and generally ignore the individual animals in favour of keeping an eye out for potential threats.

Livestock Guardian Dogs are generally large, protective and independent, which can make them less than ideal for suburban or urban living and house pets, though they are probably more suited to urban living than their more active herding counterparts that require even more space and exercise. None the less, they are often chosen for their guardian qualities towards children, and will be as protective of their family as they would be of their flock. They are also used as guard dogs for people and property. Generally, most LGDs around the world are still kept as working dogs.

Being bred as independant thinkers and decision makers, they are often difficult to train.  Not because they lack intelligence, but because they don't see why they should do what you want them to do.  They are not for the inexperienced dog owner.

There has been an increased interest in the traditional uses of a LGD in North America, where LGDs allow for predator control that is effective and less environmentally damaging than trapping and poisoning.

The following is a list of Livestock Guardian Dogs

Akbash Dog
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Also a herding dog - and thus much easier to train)
Bergamasco Dog
Bosnian Tornjak (Croatian Mountain Dog)
Caucasian Ovcharka
Central Asia Shepherd Dog
Estrela Mountain Dog
Kangal Dog
Komondor
Kuvasz Dog
Maremma Sheepdog
Pyrenean Mountain Dog - Great Pyrenees
Polski Owczarek Podhalański (Polish Tatra Mountain Sheepdog)
Rafeiro do Alentejo
Spanish Mastiff (Pyrenien Mastiff)
Tibetan Mastiff - Do-Khyi
Perro Majorero (Fuerteventura , Canary islands)