Use and breeding of livestock guarding dogs in the Subcarpathian area Wiadomości Zootechniczne, LV (2017), 2: 129–138 Use and breeding of livestock guarding dogs in the Subcarpathian area Joanna Kania-Gierdziewicz, Barbara Mroszczyk University of Agriculture in Krakow, Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland; [email protected] he dog remains one of the most beloved and can cause some problems to their owners T companion animals accompanying the man (Drożdż, 2014). and meeting his need of companionship or play According to the commonly accepted with a live animal, especially in children and criterion FCI divided all dog breeds into four elderly. Since domestication of the dog probably categories: working dogs, livestock guarding over 14,000 years ago, more than 400 breeds have dogs, retrievers and companion dogs (Fogle, been developed, which differ often widely in 2008). According to specific function, livestock many morphological traits (e.g. size, body weight) guarding dogs were further classified into herding and functional features, depending on work they dogs which help to control and keep a flock or were bred to do (Fogle, 2008). Dogs trained to be herd in one location, and guardian dogs, which therapy or assistance dogs for handicapped or specialize in protecting livestock from predators, other working dogs (used by rescue and civil most often bears, wolves and lynxes (Śmietana, services) do their job eagerly and sometimes 2006). Livestock guarding dogs fulfill a very perform many responsible tasks. In this way they important function on farms, which cannot be can help the men or replace men’s work, e.g. as replaced either by human’s work or any guard dogs, livestock guarding dogs, herding machine. Dog’s exceptionally acute senses and dogs, retrieving game for hunters or saving inborn instinct are perfect for working with people’s life. However, a majority of dogs is flocks of sheep or goats and herds of cattle or owned or bred as companion animals for their even horses. However, each such dog requires enjoyable look and being affectionate towards individual approach to the care and training their owners. In a vast majority of cases, breeding (Śmietana, 2006). In Poland, there are places of such species is based on commitment of fans where livestock guarding dogs’ popularity still of certain breeds which curry out breeding survived and they can fulfill tasks matching their selection at homes or backyards basing usually on inherited skills. Especially, the southern range of several or even single animals. Such breeding the Subcarpathian region (foothills and mountains) endeavors are coordinated by Federation is such location where livestock guarding dogs still Cynologique Internationale (FCI) that is World help farmers in managing flocks of sheep and Canine Organization, and in Poland by The herds of other animals (Śmietana, 2000, 2005; Polish Kennel Club, which is a member of FCI. Nowak & in., 2005; Lescureux et al., 2014). At present, often some breeds of working dogs, According to Czudec et al. (2013), the e.g. livestock guarding dogs are used as Subcarpathian region is among less economically companion dogs although, due to their specific developed regions of Poland were a greater features resulting from the original purpose they percentage of population than in other regions of were bred for, they are not quite fit to play this Poland live in rural communities (more than new role, especially in urban apartment houses, 58%). Scientific research results 129 J. Kania-Gierdziewicz & B. Mroszczyk Agriculture is usually of extensive type foothill or mountain areas has been highlighted, with smallholder farms (to 5 hectares). Livestock with regard to Poland (including the breeding is small-scale, farmers raise cattle Subcarpathian region) by Nowak et al. (2005), (including dairy cows), horses, pigs and poultry, Nowak & Mysłajek (2005), and also Śmietana sheep farming is based on grazing especially in (2006), recently, also in Germany as reported by foothill areas (Bieszczady, Lesko, Sanok and Reinhardt et al. (2012) and in other European Lubaczow Districts). In 2010 most of sheep farms countries as described by Álvarez & Blanco were located in the Bieszczady and Lesko (2014), Mettler (2014), Landry et al. (2014) and Districts and especially in the municipalities: Lescureux et al. (2014). According to the review Komańcza, Lutowiska, Cisna, Czarna, published by Nowak et al. (2005) evaluating Olszanica, Krempna, Lesko, Ustrzyki Dolne and damage caused by wolves, in the period 1991– Lubaczów. 2000 thirteen Tatra Shepherd dog pups were Sheep farms in these municipalities given to farmers raising small ruminants in the reared also the largest flocks (from 30 to almost Subcarpathian region and another 12 pups were 100 head). The Subcarpathian region is also donated to 10 farmers of different livestock known of terrific recreational and tourist species (sheep, goat, cattle and horses) in the attractions and outstanding natural landscape Żywiec and Silesian Beskids. These projects features due to diversity of the terrain (highlands, aimed to test efficiency of livestock guarding foothills and mountains). About 48% of its area is dogs in flock or herd protection. All these pups protected by different environmental protection were appropriately trained and have proved their programs. In 1973, the Bieszczady National Park, worth. one of bigger national parks in Poland, was However, there are no studies to date established in this area encompassing a large part which would address the problem of the numbers of the Bieszczedy Mountains. It belongs to and breeds of livestock guarding dogs used and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Czudec, 2013). bred in foothill and mountain regions of Poland. In recent years, protection of livestock Therefore, the aim of the present study was to flocks and herds grazing in the mountains and analyze the prevalence, and raising and breeding foothills from attacks of predators, like wolves, conditions of livestock guarding dog (LGD) bears and lynxes came to be of great importance breeds in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship, with not only in Poland but also in the whole Europe special attention paid to the foothill and mountain due to increasing population of wolves and its areas of the Bieszczady Mountains as natural migration to the west of Europe. The extent of pastures for sheep grazing protected by livestock damage caused by these predators and magnitude guarding dogs and herding dogs and to determine of compensations granted have been also which breed was preferred by LGD breeders and discussed. Similar problems were encountered by farmers. breeders and environmentalists from North America and Africa. Material and methods These issues have been widely discussed The studies were conducted at 16 farms by researchers engaged in environmental in the southern range of the Subcarpathiam protection research from many countries (Ribeiro Voivodeship (Bieszczady, Lesko and Sanok & Petrucci-Fonseca, 2004; Rigg, 2005; Hansen, Districts) which utilized working dogs and 8 2005; Landry et al., 2005; Levin, 2005; Reinhardt licensed breeders of LGD. Data regarding the et al., 2012; Álvarez & Blanco, 2014; Mettler, number of animals, their sex, work assignment 2014; Landry et al., 2014; Lescureux et al., and training methods were collected and 2014; Salvatori, 2014), also from Poland analyzed. (Okarma et al., 1998; Śmietana, 2000, 2005; In addition, an attempt was made to Nowak & Mysłajek, 2005; Nowak et al., 2005), analyze husbandry methods, i.e. housing, feeding and even from North America and Africa and breeding of working guardian dogs and (Marker et al., 2005; Bangs et al., 2005). kennel guardian dogs. Data were collected using The need for the use of livestock specially prepared questionnaires and personal guarding dogs on farms with livestock grazing on reviews with owners at their farms. 130 Scientific research results Use and breeding of livestock guarding dogs in the Subcarpathian area The questionnaire for dog owners Results and Discussion contained 11 questions and for breeders 10 In the Subcarpathian region, three breeds questions regarding besides the above-mentioned of working dogs can be the most commonly issues, also feeding and care for animals, encountered: Border Collie, Bernese Mountain breeding, if applicable, dog’s specific Dog and Tatra Shepherd Dog. They were characteristics, origin (farms) and customer classified into different groups: working dogs and preferences (kennels). The questionnaires are livestock guarding dogs. In terms of body size, presented in Annex 1 and 2. two of these breeds, namely Bernese Mountain Reviews were performed in the form of Dog and Tatra Shepherd Dog were included into unstructured talks with farmers, who willingly the group of large dogs while Border Collie into shared their knowledge and long experience with medium-size dogs. Bernese Mountain Dog which raising and training their dogs. Reviews also is a guardian-herding dog was categorized into II included personal observations of dogs’ behavior FCI group II while Tatra Shepherd Dog and during working on the farm, and interaction with Border Collie into group I that includes livestock other animals and people, feeding and housing guarding dogs (http://www.zkwp.pl). conditions. Table 1. Number of examined farms in different localities of Subcarpathian voivodeship No. Sex No. of Locality Breed of farms males females dogs Wańkowa 1 Tatra Shepherd dog 3 2 1 Rajskie 2 Tatra Shepherd dog, mongrels 6 4 2 Lutowiska 1 mongrels 1 0 1 Wetlina 2 Tatra Shepherd dog 3 2 1 Krywe 1 mongrels 2 1 1 Smolnik 2 Border Collie 1 1 0 Brzegi Górne 1 Tatra Shepherd dog 1 0 1 Osławica 1 mongrels 1 1 0 Bacówka n. Mała Rawka 1 Tatra Shepherd dog 1 0 1 Chmiel 1 Border Collie 1 1 0 Żłobek 1 mongrels 1 0 1 Rabe (Bieszczady District) 1 mongrels 1 0 1 Rabe (Lesko District) 1 mongrels 1 0 1 Scientific research results 131 J. Kania-Gierdziewicz & B.