Brian Smyth of Alpacas of Ireland has told the Irish Farmers Journal that his farm was trialling a new rental service with a starting price of €160/month for each pair.

Alpacas are known for their hostility to foxes and dogs.

"They jump up on their back legs and fall onto the dog with their front legs," Smyth said. However, they can cost up to €6,000 per pair and are too big an investment for many sheep farmers, especially for something they have never seen before.

Smyth hopes that the rental option will attract more farmers as they would commit for only one season of nine or 12 months, depending whether they house their flock or not. Alpacas of Ireland will manage the animals' health and shearing, and give farmers basic training for their upkeep. Smyth said they eat the same feed and carry fewer diseases than sheep, and do not require dipping.

Although there has been no research into their use as guard animals in Ireland, Australian researchers have found that running alpacas with a sheep flock increased the number of lambs surviving until weaning age by an average of 13 for every 100 ewes.

There have been numerous dog attacks in recent weeks, leaving many sheep farmers with heavy losses.

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