Guard Dogs to Protect Sheep Grazing in Fenced Pastures Against Wolf: a New and Still Challenging Practice

Predation by wolves affects all livestock farming systems, including those having different batches of animals being simultaneously grazed in distinct and sometimes distant fenced pastures scattered over a landscape. In the absence responsible human herding watching his flock or herd, protection sole combination fences guard dogs is new practice France, that has not yet received much attention public policy recommendations. We used several sources knowledge, from scientific literature to experiences breeders interviewed Southern Alps, analyse three issues improve effectiveness practice: number required per batch animals, complementarity within their working group, land area be protected dogs. each case, are necessary. Within can play complementary roles this optimizes protection. The rearrangement dog groups during year cause difficulties. It may appropriate allow cross fences, so they do have wait for jump dig underneath. But densely populated frequented country such as allowing on periphery faces high risk conflict with other users. When grazing lands become risky areas hikers hunters confronted dogs, sustainability outdoor called into question.