A Sheep In Wolf's Clothing
The Livestock Guarding Dog is a member of the pastoral breed of dogs, but unlike many dogs in this group, it doesn’t do any herding!
Its main role is to protect the herd or flock from predators and they do this by becoming a member of the herd or flock itself. They are able to do this as they are bonded to the herd from an early age and watch for predators from within the group.
Many of the Livestock Guarding dogs today can trace their ancestry back to the Guardian dogs of the ancient Greek tribe of Molossians whose dogs were used to watch over their animals and livestock.
The dogs are put with their herd group from an early age and much of the bonding is done through the dog’s sense of smell. This means that a dog raised by sheep would not be necessarily be a good guardian of goats or penguins! Yes - penguins.
A herd can have between one and five guardian dogs and the Herdsman will use the dogs in different ways. One dog may remain amongst the flock whilst another dog may patrol the perimeter alerting the other dogs if a predator comes near.
The Komondor dog of Hungary is a Livestock Guarding Dog and is affectionately known as a ‘Mop’ dog , this particular breed came to Hungary with the Cumans of Asia who were fleeing from the Mongols.
Herding dogs, however, perform a completely different role and in Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. these are known as ‘working’ dogs regardless of their breed.
Herding dogs can herd in different ways, for example ‘Heelers’ nip the heels of herds to move them on. Corgis were used in a similar way moving cattle along the old droves in Wales to the markets in London. The New Zealand Huntaway will herd by using its loud bark to muster the sheep in its charge. The Briard is an old French breed and unusually was bred to guard and to herd. Even if a Briard lives in a town, it will still exhibit herding traits when it comes into contact with cattle or sheep, or, if none available, it will herd people. Rumour has it that ‘Chewbacca’ of ‘Star Wars’ fame was based on a Briard.
And finally to the ‘Collie’ family and in particular the ‘Border Collie’. This dog is viewed in awe by my dogs (a Rottweiler cross and a Jack Russell cross) who, to be honest I think have an inferiority complex, though they always insist on watching ‘One Man and his Dog’ -probably to watch for mistakes!
The breed originated in the borders of England and Scotland and many of the best dogs can trace their lineage back to one dog called ’Old Hemp’
The Border Collie is energetic, athletic and intelligent and some dogs have even learned hundreds of words not just ‘Come By’!
Contributed by Theresa
(Published 1st Oct 2013)
