Hunter Valley farmers are using donkeys to guard their livestock, sheep, cattle, goats and even chickens, against the threat of wild dogs and foxes.

Stanhope resident George Dick has been using two donkeys to guard his cattle for about 10 years.

Mr Dick said he had not seen a dog near his property since the donkeys, named Zac and Raffles, arrived.

“They are looking after about 30 [head of cattle] plus calves at present,” he said.

“[The donkeys] are quiet and placid. [They’ve known] my dog and my daughter’s dog since they were puppies so the donkeys accept them.”

Donkey dealer Christine Berry said she sold and leased the creatures to property owners across the Hunter and as far away as Gloucester.

Ms Berry said the use of guard donkeys had become popular and the method was 100 per cent effective.

“What the donkey is doing really is looking after itself,” she said.

“It couldn’t care less about the other animals. It just wants the intruder out of the area.

“First they sense there is a predator, then they assess the situation, they don’t just go charging over. 

“Donkeys are highly intelligent.”

She said donkeys would chase wild dogs or foxes mercilessly if approached.

If a donkey caught a predator, it would stomp with its front hooves and bite.

Wild dogs and foxes sensed danger when they saw a donkey, Ms Berry said, so confrontations did not often eventuate.

But she said owning or leasing a donkey came with the responsibility of taking care of it like any other head of livestock.

She said it was important to obtain a donkey through an experienced dealer because not all were suited to guarding.