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livestock guardian dogs and grizzlies

 
steward
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This article about a study on grizzly bears versus livestock guardian dogs is rather amazing.

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/study-finds-guard-dogs-significantly-reduce-grizzly-encounters-on-farms

Reductions of 87.8% in grizzlies coming near farmsteads and 94.1% reduction in grizzly time spent on farmsteads. Particularly those farms with grain spillage, which is a major bear attractant.

So cool.
 
pollinator
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Wow!
 
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Up here in Alaska, the top bear dogs are a breed called Karelian Bear Dogs, which apparently originate from breeds in Finland and Russia. They are good at hunting and fighting big game animals like moose, wolves, and the Eurasian Brown Bear and have been used to good effect in Canada, America, and strangely, Japan, where they have greatly reduced bear incidents.

My brother and sister worked at a summer camp a few years ago over in Port Allworth Alaska and said that the dogs would constantly patrol and circle around you while you walked on the trails to make sure that there were no bears hiding in the brush. Needless to say, as a prospective Alaskan homesteader, I think I want a few of these dogs for my homestead in the future.
Karelian-Bear-Dog.JPG
[Karelian-Bear-Dog.JPG]
 
rocket scientist
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In Romania the sheep herders have Romanian Carpathian shepherddogs to protect the flock against bears and wolves. The dogs secure the perimeter and will fight fiercely (and intelligently, as a pack), protecting the flock if needed.
Here's my Carpathian - no bears around so it must be working

WhatsApp-Image-2024-01-25-at-11.59.45.jpeg
[Romanian_Carpathian_shepherddog.jpeg]
 
pollinator
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Nina Surya wrote:....
Here's my Carpathian - no bears around so it must be working



Bloodlines might be similar to the Sarplaninac (brown one in photo below) which come from the Balkans.  All 3 shown are good at keeping predators away.....when not upside down on the couch!
Haywagon.JPG
[Sarplaninac.JPG]
 
Nina Surya
rocket scientist
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Wow, they look so much alike! I'm certain there's a strong ancestral lineage shared by the two!
I think it's LGD wisdom; when not on active duty, be stand-by ... = napping
 
The truth is rarely pure and never simple - Oscar Wilde
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