livestock guardian dogs
protection and defense
These include dog breeds that are bred and trained to protect and defend (from predators, stray dogs) the herd entrusted to them. They are permanent members of their herd, spend day and night with them and work independently, without direct commands. A herd protection dog is bred to live outdoors with its herd, to move with it and to protect it. To this day, dogs that are used in this way are selected by shepherds based on their physical appearance, their behavior as puppies and their work performance.
The nature of the livestock guardian dog is characterized by reliability, vigilance and protective behavior towards its grazing animals, thus preventing or reducing losses of grazing animals. In order to ensure that predators and grazing livestock live together, livestock guardian dogs are, alongside other livestock protection measures and technical tools, a proven method of protecting livestock from dangers posed by wild animals.
When it comes to livestock guarding dogs, it is important to remember that their purpose is to protect their livestock from danger. In order to minimize or completely avoid conflicts with land users in the countryside, the legislator provides for 2nd Animal Keeping Ordinance stipulates that dogs used with livestock must be certified by the Austrian Bear, Wolf and Lynx Centre in cooperation with the federal states.
The certification includes both the dog and all people who work with the dog. They must show that they can support the dog in various situations by understanding its needs and behavior and responding accordingly. The examiners are experts in the field of dogs commissioned by the ÖZ.
Overview of certification content:
Relationship between dog and dog owner, dog on the farm/civilized environment:
- Handling the dog, trainability, behaviour in stressful situations in familiar and unfamiliar surroundings, also away from the herd.
- Dog allows itself to be attacked (mouth, paw, fur check), loaded into car/trailer
Behavior towards strangers – humans and animals:
- Encounter with hikers, cyclists, individual passers-by, other dogs, both in the herd and away in villages/built-up areas
- At no time may the dog show aggressive behavior
Dog – Herd:
- checking herd loyalty, with and without distraction.
- Dog – other dogs in the work environment, behavior towards other livestock guardian and herding dogs, ability to work in a team
- When dealing with the herd, strangers should be perceived as a normal part of the environment
The complete guideline with all information and content on certification is available at Publications of the ÖZ available for download. The document OeZ_Checklist_Certification_HSH serves as a guide for farmers who want to register a livestock guardian dog for certification.
A brochure with lots of information about livestock guardian dogs, their attitude, their working methods, history and breeding is available at LSP_Livestock_Protection_Dogs_Breeding_Deployment available as PDF.
