A bodyguard that barks

Handling these dogs is a tradition that dates back centuries in both Europe and Eurasia and it’s a well-tested method for transhumance shepherds protecting their flocks. The subject of hot debate here in Germany recently, it passes without comment in Slovakia, where the wolf was never wiped out. In our interview, our project partner, Michaela Skuban, an expert on both bears and wolves as well as sheep farming, tells of her experiences with herd guard dogs, the differences between Germany and Slovakia and the joy of working with experienced dogs.

What experience have you had with herd guard dogs and how good are they at preventing wolf attacks?

The shepherds I work with report lots of positives. Recently a shepherd told me proudly that his six-month-old dog had already frightened off a wolf by barking at it and had even chased after it. The older the dogs are, the better they become at doing their job. But of course, there are certain individuals that are not suited to being herd guard dogs. They are either too affectionate and would probably rather try to cuddle a wolf than drive it away or they are simply too scared to stand up to a large predator.

What training is given to herd guard dogs?

A similar training programme to the one for herd guard dogs in Germany is not provided in Slovakia. The pups are usually born in a barn and so they get used to sheep, goats and cows from the start. In the weeks that follow, they pick up a lot by watching their parents; at the same time the shepherd keeps a close eye on the way the animal develops, but he will not usually intervene very much. His role is more to just reinforce good behaviour and try to discourage bad behaviour.

What happens after the puppy stage?

Quite often the shepherd will take dogs out with them for the first time at just three to four months old, to get a better idea of how they behave. There they immediately come into contact with predators, not necessarily face to face, but they pick up the scent of wolves and bears from droppings and scent marking, for instance. Experience like this is absolutely essential for the young dogs. At about one year old they will have enough practical experience to be able to defend a flock from attacks. Nevertheless, some animals are ready for this much earlier, as already described. By the age of two and a half, the dog’s character will have settled down.

The shepherds have to be able to rely on their dogs. How would you describe the relationship between them and their four-legged companions?

The herd guard dog is more than anything else a working dog, like a colleague. Although I would call the relationship close, even warm at times, there is no cuddling or snuggling up to the dog. Of course, the animal is praised and stroked for good work, such as when it’s responded well to being called back. But that’s pretty much it for rewards. When the dog is two to three months old and getting to the awkward age, some dogs develop a habit of nibbling the sheep’s ears.  As this can seriously damage the sheep, the shepherd sometimes needs to take more radical action and will give the dog a smack. However, it’s important to say at this point that the dog is not beaten: a shepherd who beat his dog would no longer have the dog’s trust. The cooperation between man and dog is based on mutual trust, something which is hugely important out in the field.

In Slovakia, there is a relatively high game population. So why do wolves attack livestock at all?

Like all large predators, wolves are focussed on hunting in the most energy efficient way possible. If they spot a new-born calf or an inadequately guarded flock of sheep or goats, they may strike. There are also occasional cases of packs of wolves that have become specialised in hunting livestock. Of course, that is disastrous, but it is extremely rare.

In contrast to Germany, in Slovakia it is legal to hunt wolves up to a certain number which is set each year. Would more hunting of wolves solve the problem of livestock being ripped apart?

That’s too much of a sweeping statement, as when the hunting quota increased by several multiples in Slovakia, it actually had the opposite effect. The indiscriminate shooting of wolves weakens the pack structure which consists of adult wolves, their young from previous years and the pups. If, for instance, the parents are killed, there is an increased danger that the inexperienced young wolves will be go for easy prey and get a taste for livestock. I once saw a mother desperately trying to cope with raising her young on her own. At some point, she then began increasingly to hunt for grazing animals. It’s a fact that sometimes it is necessary to eliminate real “livestock hunters” but you must be extremely careful and identify the guilty party correctly. For us, the best protection out in the field comes from herd guard dogs working together with the shepherd on the spot.

Let’s get down to the financial side: how expensive is it to buy a herd guard dog? And do shepherds get any subsidies?

A pup costs about 300 to 400 Euros without any pedigree certification. Most livestock farmers are not that interested in a dog’s pure pedigree. What is more important to them is to see the young dog a number of times and watch its parents outside in the fields. However, if someone wants to get involved in breeding professionally, a certificated pedigree dog would cost about 400 to 600 Euros. With the average wage in Slovakia at only about 800 to 900 Euros, such a purchase is an expensive item, especially as they do not usually stop at one dog. When shepherds are moving through areas with high numbers of wolve and bears, they will need at least 3 or 4 experienced dogs.

As you have already said, herd guard dogs are not cuddly toys. Do they represent a danger to hikers and cyclists?

That depends on the situation. If a hiker gets into the middle of a flock, it can lead to a confrontation. In fact though, a herd guard dog soon realises that people acting inadvertently are no danger to the life of its flock and it will not usually bite. However, the dog’s potential to act aggressively will be increasing. It can be more dangerous if the hiker has a dog with him, particularly if it is not on a lead. The dog will be seen as a potential threat. Mountain bikers can sometimes be attacked. Their sudden appearance can confuse the guard dog at first. A completely new phenomenon for us in Slovakia are the quad bikers. The dogs have hardly any experience of them. And a herd guard dog can run surprisingly fast…

How can clashes like this be avoided?

Firstly, it must be said that in all these cases, despite the potential for conflict, there are hardly any incidents. That is mainly because there is always a shepherd with the flock who can quickly call the dog back. And, as already mentioned, the dogs are continually trained to obey the signal to come back. However, if the flock is spread out over a wide area at some point and perhaps the shepherd hasn’t realised a cyclist is approaching, it is important that the rider doesn’t panic and keeps as much distance as possible between him and the flock. However, there are likely to be occasional clashes in the future as a result of the increase in tourism in Slovakia’s rural areas.

Finally, a personal question: what has been your best experience so far with herd guard dogs?

Oh, there are so many! Seeing the young pups in the barn is always great. But it’s almost better still to see how the dogs develop. I do have one dog who’s a bit of a favourite: a nine-year-old Podhalanský Čuvač bitch called Bibi. This dog is incredibly experienced and confident, and she not only works perfectly with the shepherd but is very good at training the younger dogs. She knows exactly when to patrol the edge of the forest and when she can afford to take a break. She is wonderfully gentle with the sheep, but at the same time she stands up very well to predators. It is very moving to see how the sheep gather round Bibi in the knowledge that she will protect them from all danger.

Ms Skuban, thank you so much for this interview!