Because other animals share our land, and they aren't necessarily friendly to alpacas and cats, we purchased Biff, an Akbash Dog, to be our Livestock Guardian Dog.  LGDs, as they are known, are breeds of dogs that historically have guarded sheep and goats.  They have low predatory instincts and the ability to bond with the livestock they guard.  Biff is great at his job, barking at anything he thinks is threatening and patrolling our land at night.  For more information on these types of dogs, go to www.lgd.org .

Many alpaca farms find that some type of fowl living in with the alpacas, helps with bug control.  We didn't want any noisy Guinea fowl, or loud and sometimes mean Geese, so resisted getting birds for awhile.  But after seeing how the black flies and other bugs bothered our alpacas, we found the perfect breed of Ducks!  We adopted three Muscovy Ducks, named Peter, Paul and Mary, and they live in with our boy alpacas.  They love to take baths in their stock tank and forage for bugs and things in the field in early evening.  They are not the prettiest breed of Ducks, but we think they are cute!  And best of all, they are virtually silent.  The boys make a soft hiss and Mary makes tiny quacks.  They came from an alpaca farm and are totally comfortable with the boys.  Muscovys were known as 'Mosq' Ducks because they love to eat mosquitoes!  Now if they just like black flies as much...