Guardian dogs protect sheep by guarding sheep, not by establishing territories and excluding predators

摘要: Guardian animals have been a common non-lethal method for reducing predator impacts on livestock centuries in Europe. But elsewhere, producers sometimes doubt whether such methods work or are compatible with modern husbandry practices extensive grazing systems. In this study we evaluate the hypothesis that guardian dogs primarily ‘work’ by establishing and defending territories from which canid predators excluded. Eight maremmas six free-ranging wild of different sexes were fitted GPS collars monitored 7 months large sheep property north Queensland, Australia. Wild dog incursions into adjacent recorded. never overlapped their home ranges infrequently overlapped. contrast, 713 hourly locations 120 maremma recorded, mostly three dogs. These spent mean 2.5–5.9 h inside during incursions. At location, worked guarding prohibiting fine-scale interaction between sheep, not territory respected We conclude shepherding behaviour boisterous vocalisations combined flocking circumvents attacks but does prevent nor discourage foraging close proximity. Certain at parturition may incur greater predation risk.