6 LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS IN THE NETHERLANDS

6 LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS IN THE NETHERLANDS

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Delivery of 6 livestock guardian dogs (LGD’s) to 2 shepherds in the Province of Drenthe (Netherlands).
Goal: to protect the herd from wolf attacks
 
These livestock guardian dogs of the Mastin Espanol de Trabajo breed were purchased as puppies in the Cantabrian Mountains in Spain.
They grew up and were bred in the Ardennes with sheep and cows in order to develop their natural livestock guardian dog instincts.
 
Challenges:
– before being integrated into the herd, the dogs must live near the herd but separated from it by an electric fence.
In the absence of this period of adoption of their new “family”, they can consider the herd as intruders and, for example, eject them from their enclosure.
– avoid unwanted dog behavior such as playing with farm animals, biting them, etc.
This causes a lot of stress to the animals and the game can escalate. LGD’s should maintain a respectful distance from their new family members. Family, yes, but old fashioned way: keeping distance!
 
In conclusion, LGD’s management is not to be underestimated and requires great expertise.