After losing a 12-day-old female cria in 2001 to a cougar attack, we purchased Jake, a Maremma, which is an Italian livestock guardian dog. These dogs have been bred for centuries to guard animals. In most cases the puppies are born right in amongst their "family" and so along with their instinctive traits, they have on the job training. There are many breeds of these incredible dogs, we just chose Maremma as a result of some amazing recommendations which we highly agree with. Jake and Kiara are both "altered" which takes care of any wandering instinct that might detract from their jobs. These dogs are everywhere all the time always watching and checking the wind. Their strategy is to go out and face the enemy. Do not let them near the flock. They stood up to a grizzly last fall and although our cougar has been in the area she stays off our property. To date she has killed several dogs and a miniature donkey but avoids us. Touch wood!! These dogs would give their lives for their "family", but beyond this, they are the sweetest dogs that one could imagine. They dispose of the after birth which further bonds them with their flock but it also removes something that would draw predators.