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Guard Dog? Not in Missouri. It's Guard Llama

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri

A few weeks ago, I wrote a boring post asking a llamabunch of questions about multi-list systems. Since I had no real clip art to add value to my post, I threw in a photo of a llama.

I did not get the answers that I was looking for in that post, but I did receive a variety of questions about the photo, about the llama.

Llamas are very common in Missouri. In fact, even my parents have two of them: Peanuts and Emperor. Hollywood made the llama a household name. (Remember: The Emperor's New Grove?)

But, Missouri farmers and ranch owners raised the status of the llama years ago:  Llamas are very effective as guard animals for protecting cattle, goats and sheep from predators.

Llamas naturally do not like dogs, horses and coyotes.

Therefore it's very common to see a llama among a herd. Llamas are an effective, low cost, low maintenance, non-lethal method to reduce loss on goat, cattle, and poultry ranches.

Llamas blend well with most herds and do not mind being alone. They eat, drink and sleep right along side of the herd they are with.  For reasons unknown to me, farmers will tell you -  one llama with a herd is more effective than having multiple llamas in the same field..

So, exactly how does a llama help reduce loss?

It is common for a llama to give a call of alarm, walking to or running toward the predator; chasing, kicking, or pawing the predator; herding the sheep/cattle/goats away from danger; or positioning themselves between the herd and the predator. Llamas can be very aggressive if need be.

Llamas are a farmers version of a guard dog. No leash required.

baby llama

 Neighbors' Llama

(baby goats, far right)

Peanut

Peanut eating a snack of hay

Llama3

llama5



Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty, at 417-468-5900 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Marshfield, Conway, Phillipsburg, Lebanon, Long Lane, or Buffalo, Missouri.
Serving all of South Central Missouri including Laclede, Dallas and Webster Counties.






To
view all our listings and auctions, visit:
UCtheOzarks.com
FindYourFreedomMissouri.com

Contact Debbie at: Debbie@ucvip.com

Copyright © 2008 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved. The information provided herein is obtained from multiple sources and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

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Comments (5)

Jesse Clifton
Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

Well, I have to admit, that's new info for me.  I would have never thougth of a Llama as a replacement for a herding dog...

Jun 30, 2008 06:17 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Debbie, you are soooo right... I am seeing llamas in fields around here for the very same reasons as you have stated. Good post...

Jun 30, 2008 07:57 PM
Debbie DiFonzo
Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri - Lebanon, MO
Lebanon MO and Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

Oh, Jesse, you'd be amazed at the substitutions we make here in Missouri! <G>

Michael - When I first moved to Missouri I could not figure out why a llama and why only one! Such a city girl I was!

Jul 01, 2008 01:49 PM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Whew Debbie, I didn't realize I got so behind on reading your posts.  I'm sorry you didn't really get the answers for about the MLS information but THANK YOU for telling us more about the llama in the picture.  In our area, people frequently use donkey's for the same sort of purpose.  This was informative and cute pictures. 

Jul 05, 2008 02:04 PM
Debbie DiFonzo
Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri - Lebanon, MO
Lebanon MO and Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

Thanks for stopping by Sondra! I did not realize donkey's would be used in the fields as protection. We had a donkey - well, still do, but that is another story - she is very friendly and really a big baby. I would not have guessed them to be aggressive enough.

Jul 05, 2008 03:01 PM