I was the one who first trained Banjo(and named him!) . He was rescued from Kentucky along with 7 or so others....he was a walking skeleton, very thin, weak and untrained. I worked with him for a while during my trekking and hiking trips and he learned fast and easy. Im SO glad he's working out for you and I miss him terribly. He is one I regret that I sold.
Yay, you found us! Not only is Banjo an excellent guard llama, but he is also a bit of a neighborhood celebrity! We are very thankful to have him. You are welcome to come visit him anytime 😊
I have a short attention span for RUclips videos longer than 5 minutes so I assumed I would watch a minute or 2 of this video and be on to the next but I actually ended up watching the entire video! The facts about llamas were very interesting and informative but more than that you guys have AMAZING chemistry, it was wonderful to watch how you two interact and how genuine it seems. 😍
I loved this video. When my daughter was little, I had an experience with a llama at the petting zoo. The lady that was holding the llama said “she likes you, blow on her nose”. I got to pet the lama too. I fell in love with the llama that day. There’s a farm are used to visit that hand llamas and I couldn’t stop myself from pulling over and eventually knocking on the door of the owners who let me go and join the llamas who are very sweet and so beautiful. I wish I had room for a llama and a couple of sheep. I’m very much enjoyed hearing you count down the positive things about a guard llama as well. One because I have had in my past to Kuvasz dogs, one at a time. Our family always thought that a Kuvasz was superior to a Great Pyrenees, smarter, better assessors of danger, incredibly family oriented…(OK, I loved that both of these dogs like mama was leader of the pack). But it’s impossible not to fall in love with a llama, in my mind. What incredible beast they are, protective and gentle at the same time. You’re very very lucky and very blessed to have A guard llama and sweet sheep. May God bless.
I love that you have mentioned your llama who babysit the lambs! He sounds fantastic, such a sweetie! Also, your farm looks like a dream!We're at the beginning stages of developing our farm right now, and seeing how incredible your farm is, is super inspiring...thank you! Your information is appreciated.
Beautiful llama. Thank you for sharing your experience with llamas as guardians. Having raised llamas for 24 years, in my experience not all llamas are good guardians. Some don’t have the correct temperament.
Your llama has a cute wee face like a goat! Goats are clever animals too but wouldn't be able to defend against predators. Good luck with your animals from Northern Ireland.
Thank you for the video! We are looking into getting a llama to guard our farm and your information was great! Also the name of your channel really caught our eye. Going to check out more now
@@ancestralevolution Alpacas are very capable of defending themselves. Very little difference between them and a llama. We had 3 alpacas. Our neighbor had a pyrenees and two anatolians. We came home from vacation and found one of the Alpacas dead. The other two missing. The dead one had its face chewed off and its butt eaten out. The other two came back in the next couple of days. One had 15 feet of barbed wire tangled up in its wool . I can tell you by the amount of wool I found everywhere the alpaca put up a hell of a fight. It would have been no different it was a llama. (Yes Ive owned both for over thirty years).Those dogs would have killed it. Llamas are not immune to being killed while guarding sheep. They are very good at it, but aren't perfect.
There are lots of llamas being raised in Lake County E. Oregon right now. My question is if they can be kept overnight outside the fenced meadow in order to guard the chicken coop without straying off the property. Their kicking ability allows them to dispatch coyotes, but not wolves.
I am not sure if they will stay without fences. Maybe someone else might have experience with this. We keep our chickens inside our fenced pasture with the llama.
We have never owned a donkey so don't have any personal experience with this, but I have heard from others that donkeys can be very effective guard animals. However, they can be a bit noisy and they don't give you a fleece every year like a llama. Also, the care of a llama is in many ways similar to sheep.
Livestock guardian dogs are notorious for escaping and roaming. They are bted for larger territories than most small farms. I was looking for a donkey but they are hard to find here. I've lost 4 sheep to coyotes most recently a very beloved bottle lamb.
While llamas will recognize/get used to a familiar dog to some extent, they still will not like them especially if the dog is messing with "their" flock. You want to make sure your neighbors' dog stays out of the pasture with the llama.
It looks like there are a couple llama rescue organizations in california and southwest. You might check with them and see if they have any for adoption that would be suitable as a guardian. Goodluck!
Do the llamas have access to the chicken coop?????? Our coop is mobile and int the same field as our llamas alpacas. never lost a chicken to a predator.
we have dingos here in Australia they are verry shy bit bigger then an Alsation. foxes are a big broblem i se alot of farms getting lamas, if you have under 1000 head of sheep you are a small farm, also Angus cows are rather teritorial
That is a good question. I am not sure about that. However, any predator that would go after alpacas would probably also go after sheep, so if the llama defends the alpacas it's probably also defending the sheep.
There is a lovely Llama who is the guard for a local sheep group. The Llama LIKES NO ONE... and has a bell and people are WARNING others who think the llama coming over and seeming interested in you wants to bite. For some reason the Llama likes ME (I look very much like one of the owners). Wonderful job, and intelligent enough to like me and not eat my camera when I take a photograph.
If you have more than one llama, they have a tendency to bond with the other llama and not so much with the sheep. So they end up not being as vigilant about protecting the sheep. We have never had more than one for this reason.
I’m glad he’s worked well for y’all! Things for viewers to consider- llamas are no match for multiple canines, when you have more than one llama with sheep or goats they tend to stick to their own and don’t do much protecting. Whereas a couple of LGD’s can usually be enough of a threat to multiple canines to prevent your whole flock from being killed. Also you want to make sure you can handle your llama for hoof trims.
Agree 💯 about using multiple large territorial herding dogs for guarding/protecting if one lives where mountain lions, wolves, or grizzly bears are prevalent. I’ve had German Shepherds for decades. They require socialization, lots of exercise, rules, a job, & love. They would never run off and leave me if we’re off hiking somewhere. They will die trying to protect their humans if need be. I can’t speak for other breeds. I’m interested in possibly getting two llamas to use as pack animals for longer hikes in the northeastern Appalachians, as well as make them part of the family. In other words, I’ve no intention of having a heard of them. You seem to know llamas. Would you recommend both females, or one female & one gelded? I’m sorry you’re stuck in the city, lol.
@@dshepherd107 I created my RUclips channel when I was in the 8th grade or so and living with my parents in the city. I have since escaped the city (time for a change of name? ) I have had experience with llama through my neighbors animals, which I used to farm sit for them frequently. They still had attacks happen when they had 2. Since they’ve gotten LGD’s they haven’t had any losses (almost 3 years)
@@quailjailss I think most people here in New Hampshire, have multiple Llamas, not just one. Also, so far not large packs of coyotes.. but sadly they are a big nusciance now (especially on Cape Cod, where they have no predators and are "trapped" there and are doing well on trash and small pets.) Llama wool is worth something so you can make money if you have a pack of Llamas....
OK so I take care of both llamas and alpacas. The llamas are smart enough, but the female alpacas they protect are certainly their equal in terms of intelligence.. And the two herds of boy alpacas I care for don't have llama guardians, they stand up for themselves. Even the girls have a dominant alpaca who is far more protective than the llamas.
This question is for anyone using llama’s as sheep guardians: are they able to be introduced to your farm dogs and become acclimated with them? Are they able to differentiate between farm animals and predators? My concern would be if a farm dog were to get in with the sheep and be killed by a llama.
Our llama has gotten somewhat used to our herding dog, but just to be safe, we never work the sheep with the dog when the llama is in the same pasture.
30 years of llama ownership.Yes llamas are fully capable of accepting the farm dog. I have had many many dogs in over the years for training. None have ever been harmed. the llamas just need to be introduced in a so they know the dog wont harm them. They dont like dogs they dont know and are very good with remembering dogs they have been introduced to. Im careful when they first meet. But never had an issue.
Fortunately, we really don't have wolves, cougars, or bear around us. We have heard of people using llamas out west, but don't have personal experience with these predators.
@@ancestralevolution how do we get started? Not trying to lube you up or anything but it sounds like a worthy pursuit on an entirely self-flagellation level...
Don't llamas also grow wool? Why have sheep? Also a guard donkey is about the best you can get outside of a dog. I've seen them kill coyotes and protect the horses they live with
Llamas do grow fleece, but it is different from the wool on a sheep- Similar to an alpaca, but not quite as soft. It does not have crimp like wool. I like to combine llama fiber with wool. Donkeys can definitely be great guard animals, but don't give you a fleece...
Fencing.... not true. My neighbor has Llamas. I see every day where a Llama will put it feet up on a 4 foot high fence.....push it down.....and walk over it ! Thats a real issue ! They dont always stay where you want them !
Have had llamas and alpacas for 30 plus years. Llamas are not smarter than alpacas. Not much difference at all. I believe the Incas did not do a whole lot to breed "better" llamas. Llamas are not nearly as smart as horses. ( I have horses also) If they were so good at breeding they would have taken the Vicuna which has far better fiber than the alpaca and bred them for fiber production. You could easily train an alpaca to pack for you. Alpacas are also very aggressive towards stray dogs , coyotes etc.. They are smaller but most predators will be not want to take a chance when confronted. Llamas have been killed by cougars, its their native threat in South America. We have had 25 or 30 llamas and alpacas over the years. None have lived past 17. When the llamas were first popular in the USA they thought they would live past 20 with better nutrition. It did not turn out that way. As to fencing. They mostly respect fencing. As long as its good quality. You can use single strand but it will need to be tight and at least one hot wire or they can get through it. I watched one one once that was standing at 4 foot fence. He jumper right over it. My fences are 5 tall. Im pretty a sure a Llma would have a very difficult opening up a dogs stomach. They could kill it, but not instantly.You can have more than one in the pasture with sheep. As long as the Llamas can visualize where the sheep are the llamas will protect the sheep. So if you had a smaller property 10 , 15, 20 acres thats open. The llamas will work. They are not just going to stand around and watch the sheep get munched. If you want a few llamas to pack and want to run them in with you sheep have at it.They have EXCELLENT vision. Their native predator is the cougar and the Llamas evolved in very open terrain. So they developed great eyesight, I would say it's caparable to our North American pronghorn. On spitting. In all our years I have never had a llama intentionally spit on me unless it was sick or injured. Ive been caught in the crossfire several times.they dont like being caught they dont like their nails trimmed and they dont like getting sheared. But still they never spit at me. Llamas have two types of spit. The instent spit that you get when they have a need for an immediate response. Then they have the gradual spit. This is what they use when they have time think about it. It is their cud they bring up. As near as I can tell they are very accurate and effective out to 12 feet or so. Back in the 80's llamas were very popular and could be very expensive, A male sold for $182,000 dollars. Yes thats $182,000 dollars. When breeders would get a male that was not breeding quality they would often donate it to a petting zoo. his male would grow up not learn any respect for humans. when the busload of kids comes along and starts messing him up comes the gradual spit and wham, 40 kids go home and tell their parents and everyone they know that little susie go spit on. The llama market crashed in the early 90's and they have only in recent years enjoyed a resurgence. I had two neighbors that had/have Guard dogs. The one neighbor has to keep the dog penned up away from people for fear of attack. The lady behind us had some sheep and she had two anatolians and a pyranees. We came home from vacation and found one of our alpacas dead in our pond. Its face and rear end chewed up. The other two alpacas were gone but returned the next day. One had 15 feet of barbed wire tangled in it. We found two different types of dog hair on the fence. dark and light, plus big dog tracks in the mud. I found chunks of black wool all over the pasture. It was clear the guy put up a hell of a fight. But he did not knock the dogs down and diembowel it. Animal control contacted the owner and denied her dogs did it. the dogs kept coming back but I couldnt catch them on my property to shoot them .Finally got a shot one night and missed. Animal control contacted her and again she denied it. ( why animal control didnt get hair samples for DNA is beyond me We have an excellent DNA lab for fish and wildlife. ). Finally a neighbor caught her dogs on video killing a deer. Animal control impounded one of them, the lady hid the other one, the dog was euthanized. If you insist on using dogs, just dont get two or three. Two or more together is a pack and they will and can start killing. With all that being said, Llamas do make great guard animals.
Yes cougars can kill llamas. But the llamas are pretty aggressive and it's likely most cougars wont risk an attack. We have cougars here. Neighbor killed done trying to kill his goat 50 yards from my llama barn. Have never had a llama kill by a cougar. We did lose and alpaca to a couple of anatolians and a pryanees.
I was the one who first trained Banjo(and named him!) . He was rescued from Kentucky along with 7 or so others....he was a walking skeleton, very thin, weak and untrained. I worked with him for a while during my trekking and hiking trips and he learned fast and easy. Im SO glad he's working out for you and I miss him terribly. He is one I regret that I sold.
Yay, you found us! Not only is Banjo an excellent guard llama, but he is also a bit of a neighborhood celebrity! We are very thankful to have him. You are welcome to come visit him anytime 😊
I have a short attention span for RUclips videos longer than 5 minutes so I assumed I would watch a minute or 2 of this video and be on to the next but I actually ended up watching the entire video! The facts about llamas were very interesting and informative but more than that you guys have AMAZING chemistry, it was wonderful to watch how you two interact and how genuine it seems. 😍
Thanks so much!
I can just imagine how warm and water wicking that hat is, wow!
I loved this video. When my daughter was little, I had an experience with a llama at the petting zoo. The lady that was holding the llama said “she likes you, blow on her nose”. I got to pet the lama too. I fell in love with the llama that day. There’s a farm are used to visit that hand llamas and I couldn’t stop myself from pulling over and eventually knocking on the door of the owners who let me go and join the llamas who are very sweet and so beautiful. I wish I had room for a llama and a couple of sheep.
I’m very much enjoyed hearing you count down the positive things about a guard llama as well. One because I have had in my past to Kuvasz dogs, one at a time. Our family always thought that a Kuvasz was superior to a Great Pyrenees, smarter, better assessors of danger, incredibly family oriented…(OK, I loved that both of these dogs like mama was leader of the pack).
But it’s impossible not to fall in love with a llama, in my mind. What incredible beast they are, protective and gentle at the same time. You’re very very lucky and very blessed to have A guard llama and sweet sheep. May God bless.
I love that you have mentioned your llama who babysit the lambs! He sounds fantastic, such a sweetie!
Also, your farm looks like a dream!We're at the beginning stages of developing our farm right now, and seeing how incredible your farm is, is super inspiring...thank you! Your information is appreciated.
Thank you so much! Good luck on your farming journey! It is hard work, but definitely worthwhile.
delightful video by a delightful couple! :)
Very entertaining video. Not just for Llamas. Thanks.
Thank you :) Glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful llama. Thank you for sharing your experience with llamas as guardians.
Having raised llamas for 24 years, in my experience not all llamas are good guardians. Some don’t have the correct temperament.
We have sheep and goats and would like to get a llama guardian animal. Do you have any for sale that would be a good guardian animal?
Y'all are awesome, both of you have such a peace about you. Definitely couple goals!
Thanks!
You guys are awesome. Thank you for the information. My neighbor has llamas and I have fallen in love with them.
Your llama has a cute wee face like a goat! Goats are clever animals too but wouldn't be able to defend against predators. Good luck with your animals from Northern Ireland.
Thanks! We are thinking about goats one day :)
@@ancestralevolution Have you heard of a geep
@@frostbitetheannunakiiceind6574 haha, yes. That's one reason we haven't gotten any yet!
Hi! New subscriber, thanks for this informative video! We are new youtubers/homesteaders here, cant wait to watch more
Thanks! We look forward to checking out your videos :)
Thank you for the video! We are looking into getting a llama to guard our farm and your information was great! Also the name of your channel really caught our eye. Going to check out more now
Thanks so much! Glad you liked it :)
WONDERFUL video! You guys are amazing, adorable and very very informative! Thanks for LLAMA 101.
Thanks so much!
Excellent video. Correct information. Regards from Peru!
Thanks very much!
Could a Lama be among the Alpacas to be kind of a “protector too’
Yes, I think so. We don't have any alpacas though, so can't speak from experience.
@@ancestralevolution Alpacas are very capable of defending themselves. Very little difference between them and a llama. We had 3 alpacas. Our neighbor had a pyrenees and two anatolians. We came home from vacation and found one of the Alpacas dead. The other two missing. The dead one had its face chewed off and its butt eaten out. The other two came back in the next couple of days. One had 15 feet of barbed wire tangled up in its wool . I can tell you by the amount of wool I found everywhere the alpaca put up a hell of a fight. It would have been no different it was a llama. (Yes Ive owned both for over thirty years).Those dogs would have killed it.
Llamas are not immune to being killed while guarding sheep. They are very good at it, but aren't perfect.
There are lots of llamas being raised in Lake County E. Oregon right now. My question is if they can be kept overnight outside the fenced meadow in order to guard the chicken coop without straying off the property. Their kicking ability allows them to dispatch coyotes, but not wolves.
I am not sure if they will stay without fences. Maybe someone else might have experience with this. We keep our chickens inside our fenced pasture with the llama.
You think temporary fence will keep them in a paddock?
You could probably train them to moveable electric fence.
How do llama's compare to donkeys for guard duty?
We have never owned a donkey so don't have any personal experience with this, but I have heard from others that donkeys can be very effective guard animals. However, they can be a bit noisy and they don't give you a fleece every year like a llama. Also, the care of a llama is in many ways similar to sheep.
The Llama mama. How CUUUUUTE!!!
( I want )
Thank you so much for great information
Livestock guardian dogs are notorious for escaping and roaming. They are bted for larger territories than most small farms.
I was looking for a donkey but they are hard to find here.
I've lost 4 sheep to coyotes most recently a very beloved bottle lamb.
In south America the llama free roam the packa are more around the home and much smaller.
I love this video thank you so much;!
Glad you enjoyed it!
How do llamas do in regions where mountain lions, grizzlies, and/or wolves are prevalent?
I believe they are used pretty widely out west, but we do not have any personal experience with these critters.
Can you use them for alpacas?
We don't have personal experience with this, but I would think you could.
Alapacas can defend themselves. the have the same reaction dogs coyotes etc..., as a llama.
So I'm super interested in llamas... our neighbors have a dog though. Do you think we could train the llama so it knows to be nice to certain dogs?
While llamas will recognize/get used to a familiar dog to some extent, they still will not like them especially if the dog is messing with "their" flock. You want to make sure your neighbors' dog stays out of the pasture with the llama.
The llama will train the dog to stay clear.
I would like to get one for my Pygmy goats. I’m having a hard time finding one. We live in Riverside Ca
It looks like there are a couple llama rescue organizations in california and southwest. You might check with them and see if they have any for adoption that would be suitable as a guardian. Goodluck!
8th reason could be Llama manure??
How are they with raccoons?
They wont like them. I had a llama attack a porcupine.
Good video
Not sure how I ended up here but you two are adorable. Do you sell the things you make from their hair?
Thanks! Yes, we do periodically. We are working on a website and will post things when available :)
I Have 3 Llamas & Foxes Have Wiped Out My chickens!!
Do I Need to Get an Alpaca?
Do the llamas have access to the chicken coop?????? Our coop is mobile and int the same field as our llamas alpacas. never lost a chicken to a predator.
I approve of this.
Awesome video
Where r u from
Thanks! We're in east Tn.
we have dingos here in Australia they are verry shy bit bigger then an Alsation. foxes are a big broblem i se alot of farms getting lamas, if you have under 1000 head of sheep you are a small farm, also Angus cows are rather teritorial
you mentioned 1 llama. Will the llama bond with only alpacas if you have a mix of sheep and alpacas?
That is a good question. I am not sure about that. However, any predator that would go after alpacas would probably also go after sheep, so if the llama defends the alpacas it's probably also defending the sheep.
There is a lovely Llama who is the guard for a local sheep group. The Llama LIKES NO ONE... and has a bell and people are WARNING others who think the llama coming over and seeming interested in you wants to bite. For some reason the Llama likes ME (I look very much like one of the owners). Wonderful job, and intelligent enough to like me and not eat my camera when I take a photograph.
Lucky you, you get to be friends with the llama :) That's pretty funny. Thanks for sharing!
Why do you only have one when they are family animals?
If you have more than one llama, they have a tendency to bond with the other llama and not so much with the sheep. So they end up not being as vigilant about protecting the sheep. We have never had more than one for this reason.
I’m glad he’s worked well for y’all!
Things for viewers to consider- llamas are no match for multiple canines, when you have more than one llama with sheep or goats they tend to stick to their own and don’t do much protecting. Whereas a couple of LGD’s can usually be enough of a threat to multiple canines to prevent your whole flock from being killed.
Also you want to make sure you can handle your llama for hoof trims.
Agree 💯 about using multiple large territorial herding dogs for guarding/protecting if one lives where mountain lions, wolves, or grizzly bears are prevalent. I’ve had German Shepherds for decades. They require socialization, lots of exercise, rules, a job, & love. They would never run off and leave me if we’re off hiking somewhere. They will die trying to protect their humans if need be. I can’t speak for other breeds.
I’m interested in possibly getting two llamas to use as pack animals for longer hikes in the northeastern Appalachians, as well as make them part of the family. In other words, I’ve no intention of having a heard of them. You seem to know llamas. Would you recommend both females, or one female & one gelded?
I’m sorry you’re stuck in the city, lol.
@@dshepherd107 I created my RUclips channel when I was in the 8th grade or so and living with my parents in the city. I have since escaped the city (time for a change of name? )
I have had experience with llama through my neighbors animals, which I used to farm sit for them frequently. They still had attacks happen when they had 2. Since they’ve gotten LGD’s they haven’t had any losses (almost 3 years)
@@quailjailss I think most people here in New Hampshire, have multiple Llamas, not just one. Also, so far not large packs of coyotes.. but sadly they are a big nusciance now (especially on Cape Cod, where they have no predators and are "trapped" there and are doing well on trash and small pets.) Llama wool is worth something so you can make money if you have a pack of Llamas....
Our llama tries to attack us and spit on us when we go into the pasture.
Not all of them are well-behaved...
im watching this and I dont have a farm. I would like to have one to protect my front lawn flowers though.
Your flowers might get munched ;)
OK so I take care of both llamas and alpacas. The llamas are smart enough, but the female alpacas they protect are certainly their equal in terms of intelligence.. And the two herds of boy alpacas I care for don't have llama guardians, they stand up for themselves. Even the girls have a dominant alpaca who is far more protective than the llamas.
This question is for anyone using llama’s as sheep guardians: are they able to be introduced to your farm dogs and become acclimated with them? Are they able to differentiate between farm animals and predators? My concern would be if a farm dog were to get in with the sheep and be killed by a llama.
Our llama has gotten somewhat used to our herding dog, but just to be safe, we never work the sheep with the dog when the llama is in the same pasture.
30 years of llama ownership.Yes llamas are fully capable of accepting the farm dog. I have had many many dogs in over the years for training. None have ever been harmed. the llamas just need to be introduced in a so they know the dog wont harm them. They dont like dogs they dont know and are very good with remembering dogs they have been introduced to. Im careful when they first meet. But never had an issue.
What are you doing with wolves, cougar , Bear 🐻.?????
Fortunately, we really don't have wolves, cougars, or bear around us. We have heard of people using llamas out west, but don't have personal experience with these predators.
2 or 3 female mules work good against wolves.
@@manolodlospavos what are you doing during lambing? Can’t have mules around newborns
@@quailjailss male donkeys or mules doesn´t work,thats true.but with females no issues at all.
@@manolodlospavos well I hope you keep having good luck with it.
Could you raise Kosher Llamas and open a sandwich shop called Deli Llama?
@@ancestralevolution how do we get started? Not trying to lube you up or anything but it sounds like a worthy pursuit on an entirely self-flagellation level...
I have a toy llama
Don't llamas also grow wool? Why have sheep? Also a guard donkey is about the best you can get outside of a dog. I've seen them kill coyotes and protect the horses they live with
Llamas do grow fleece, but it is different from the wool on a sheep- Similar to an alpaca, but not quite as soft. It does not have crimp like wool. I like to combine llama fiber with wool. Donkeys can definitely be great guard animals, but don't give you a fleece...
Llama is pronounced "yama" in espanol (LL = Y sound)
Save your drama for the Llama lol
😀❤🙏
Llamas are the mini version of camels.
Ok. There might be seven reasons to choose a llama over a dog. But there are 348 reasons to choose a dog over a llama.
Too much talking, not enough footage of them Llama doing it’s guarding.
🦙🦙🦙🦙🦙 llama llama llama
Fencing.... not true. My neighbor has Llamas. I see every day where a Llama will put it feet up on a 4 foot high fence.....push it down.....and walk over it ! Thats a real issue ! They dont always stay where you want them !
This why you need alabi dogs ,kangal dogs.
At 0.1 I thought he said gay
Have had llamas and alpacas for 30 plus years. Llamas are not smarter than alpacas. Not much difference at all. I believe the Incas did not do a whole lot to breed "better" llamas. Llamas are not nearly as smart as horses. ( I have horses also) If they were so good at breeding they would have taken the Vicuna which has far better fiber than the alpaca and bred them for fiber production. You could easily train an alpaca to pack for you. Alpacas are also very aggressive towards stray dogs , coyotes etc.. They are smaller but most predators will be not want to take a chance when confronted. Llamas have been killed by cougars, its their native threat in South America.
We have had 25 or 30 llamas and alpacas over the years. None have lived past 17. When the llamas were first popular in the USA they thought they would live past 20 with better nutrition. It did not turn out that way. As to fencing. They mostly respect fencing. As long as its good quality. You can use single strand but it will need to be tight and at least one hot wire or they can get through it. I watched one one once that was standing at 4 foot fence. He jumper right over it. My fences are 5 tall.
Im pretty a sure a Llma would have a very difficult opening up a dogs stomach. They could kill it, but not instantly.You can have more than one in the pasture with sheep. As long as the Llamas can visualize where the sheep are the llamas will protect the sheep. So if you had a smaller property 10 , 15, 20 acres thats open. The llamas will work. They are not just going to stand around and watch the sheep get munched. If you want a few llamas to pack and want to run them in with you sheep have at it.They have EXCELLENT vision. Their native predator is the cougar and the Llamas evolved in very open terrain. So they developed great eyesight, I would say it's caparable to our North American pronghorn.
On spitting. In all our years I have never had a llama intentionally spit on me unless it was sick or injured. Ive been caught in the crossfire several times.they dont like being caught they dont like their nails trimmed and they dont like getting sheared. But still they never spit at me. Llamas have two types of spit. The instent spit that you get when they have a need for an immediate response. Then they have the gradual spit. This is what they use when they have time think about it. It is their cud they bring up. As near as I can tell they are very accurate and effective out to 12 feet or so. Back in the 80's
llamas were very popular and could be very expensive, A male sold for $182,000 dollars. Yes thats $182,000 dollars. When breeders would get a male that was not breeding quality they would often donate it to a petting zoo. his male would grow up not learn any respect for humans. when the busload of kids comes along and starts messing him up comes the gradual spit and wham, 40 kids go home and tell their parents and everyone they know that little susie go spit on. The llama market crashed in the early 90's and they have only in recent years enjoyed a resurgence.
I had two neighbors that had/have Guard dogs. The one neighbor has to keep the dog penned up away from people for fear of attack. The lady behind us had some sheep and she had two anatolians and a pyranees. We came home from vacation and found one of our alpacas dead in our pond. Its face and rear end chewed up. The other two alpacas were gone but returned the next day. One had 15 feet of barbed wire tangled in it. We found two different types of dog hair on the fence. dark and light, plus big dog tracks in the mud. I found chunks of black wool all over the pasture. It was clear the guy put up a hell of a fight. But he did not knock the dogs down and diembowel it. Animal control contacted the owner and denied her dogs did it. the dogs kept coming back but I couldnt catch them on my property to shoot them .Finally got a shot one night and missed. Animal control contacted her and again she denied it. ( why animal control didnt get hair samples for DNA is beyond me We have an excellent DNA lab for fish and wildlife. ). Finally a neighbor caught her dogs on video killing a deer. Animal control impounded one of them, the lady hid the other one, the dog was euthanized. If you insist on using dogs, just dont get two or three. Two or more together is a pack and they will and can start killing.
With all that being said, Llamas do make great guard animals.
Thank you for sharing. Answered a lot of questions. Wish I could hear more stories
Had a local farmer lost 3 llamas to a cougar. Ripped their throats out.
Yes cougars can kill llamas. But the llamas are pretty aggressive and it's likely most cougars wont risk an attack. We have cougars here. Neighbor killed done trying to kill his goat 50 yards from my llama barn. Have never had a llama kill by a cougar. We did lose and alpaca to a couple of anatolians and a pryanees.