Very interesting link regarding working dogs in Portugal. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16845256
Just seen this link. Really interesting story - and a change for the better I think, for all concerned!
Interesting article. I have heard of the importance of LGD's in Bulgaria. Seems that this is now becoming a viable option for many countries. http://www.canids.org/occasionalpapers/livestockguardingdog.pdf This paper lists the types of LGD's used worldwide.
Where I lived in Italy, Maremmas were used extensively as livestock guards.. It made walking anywhere an absolute nightmare though as they would come after my dogs from miles away. I don't have many pictures as I was too busy running normally (or screaming trying to keep them away!) but on this occasion I was fairly close to the car when this pack came so managed to get my dogs safe in time.
Just caught up with this thread. Beautiful Maremmas. I can imagine it would be very frightening to encounter these dogs on your walks. They certainly look like they mean business!
I bet they look scary when they're in full guarding mode running towards you.;-) That's the thing about LGDs - they won't waste energy on a full on display if there's no perceived threat, They are nothing if not lazy!
They are sadly one the the main reasons I returned to the UK. :-( They are very aggressive and as you can see, will leave the flock to search out dogs and they are all over the place so there are no safe areas. I have had dogs running beside my car attacking the windows to get to my dogs for more than 3 miles (it's very hard to outrun them because a lot of the roads are dirt track and potholed so you can't go fast) I was once chased by a pack of 9 but was luckily close to the car when I saw them coming down the mountain so managed to get the boys back inside. As individuals they aren't quite as brave, one morning I opened my cabin door and there was a lone male at the bottom of my land and my dogs took off for him. I ran after them but they all disappeared around the corner where I then heard growling and snarling and started to run faster! By the time I got there, Shilah was standing there in a total panic, the Maremma was legging it up the hill and Kofi was swaggering back down the path having seen the intruder off! They are beautiful dogs but if I never see one again it will be too soon!
