Livestock-guarding dogs in Norway Part II: Different working regimes

摘要: Livestock-guarding dogs are an effective way of protecting rangeland sheep from predators. However, open mountain/forest range and widely ranging factors that may make adaptation to Norwegian conditions difficult. This paper focuses on the dogs' working patterns effectiveness under different regimes. A 3,500 ha. unfenced forest/mountain pasture in bear habitat comprised research area which 624 2 herds grazed. The field trial lasted 3 months, a total 10 Great Pyrenees participated for various time intervals. Three regimes were evaluated. 1) loose without command dog handler (Method A); 2) B); 3) guarding inside fenced, 1 km(2) forest C). Nocturnal behavioural activity data predation recorded. Method proved too uncontrolled conditions, because dispersed ranged far, causing conflicts nearby settlements with wildlife, livestock. Pasture (C) > times less active engaged activities 15 more frequently, no carcasses found fence. Therefore, C probably had best preventive effect.