Behind the piece of tomme you slipped into your sandwich before setting off on a hike lies a whole flock of sheep... and the guard dogs who watch over them! Without them, there'd be no grazing in the mountain pastures, and therefore less flavor in your piece of cheese.
Yet herding dogs sometimes have a bad reputation. Often noisy, they can sometimes be frightening. Right or wrong? Let's take a look at the best practices to adopt if you want to enjoy a peaceful hike in the mountain pastures.
What are herding dogs used for?
Herding dogs, commonly known as "patous*", help shepherds protect their flocks of sheep and goats from predators such as wolves and lynxes.
While they have much in common with their domestic dog brethren, they also have characteristics that predispose them to protection(powerful barking, deterrent instinct...).
Find out more about the presence of the wolf in France
*Named after the most common breed of herding dog
Herding dogs: what are the risks for hikers?
A herding dog has only one objective in mind: to protect the sheep or goats it has been entrusted with guarding. If it senses danger, it will do everything in its power to stand between the herd and the threat (real or imagined).
In concrete terms, if you approach a grazing area while hiking :
- The dog will bark continuously until he considers his herd safe again. This means you'll hear his (rather impressive) barking before you've even spotted him, and potentially long after you've started to move away.
- The dog will run out to meet you and prevent you from advancing towards the sheep or goats he's protecting - whether the shepherd is present or not (a herding dog is autonomous and makes its own decisions).
- The dog will analyze the danger (= you) by approaching fairly closely (herding dogs have poor eyesight). Depending on the signals you send him, he will: either stop barking and return to his herd; or continue his attempts to deter you.
Incidents (nipping, biting) are rare if you adopt a behavior that reassures the animal. We'll talk about it next!
Where are herding dogs? How to avoid them?
Almost all sheep and goat herds are protected from wolves and other threats by one or more herding dogs. So you're likely to come across them on any hiking trails that cross grazing areas.
However, not every grazing area is occupied by a herd at any given moment! Indeed, shepherds regularly move their animals to offer them fresh grass to sink their teeth into. So how do you plan your hike so as not to come across any guard dogs?
- Before setting off, consult the interactive map Map Patouwhich lists the mountain pastures and estives where herds (and guard dogs) are likely to be found. Please note that this information is given as an indication only (shepherds may need to move their sheep and goats quickly if conditions require).
- Keep an eye out for information signs at the start of hikes and along trails.
- Keep your eyes peeled: if you see a herd in the distance, it is very likely to be accompanied by one or more herding dogs (and even more likely to have already noticed your presence, thanks to their excellent sense of smell).
How do you react to a herding dog?
The herd is not yet in sight... and you can already hear the guard dog(s) sounding the alarm with their barking. Soon, they'll be right in front of you. Don't panic! Adopt the following good reflexes to continue your hike in complete safety.
✅ To do:
- Stop (or walk slowly, but not directly towards the dog).
- Take your walking poles in one hand and point them downwards
- Talk to the dog calmly ("hello dog! Everything's fine, I'm taking a walk etc.").
❌ Don'ts:
- Look the herding dog in the eye
- Turn your back on the herding dog / flee in a hurry
- Force your way through; instead, wait for the dog to come down in pressure (or for the herd to move on) to continue on your way, or back up step by step gently before turning back.
Herding dogs: good practices to remember
The best way to avoid being confronted by a herding dog... is to do everything in your power not to be considered a threat.
- Avoid grazing areas: adjust your itinerary so as to let the goats and sheep graze peacefully, and not worry the herding dog unnecessarily. The mountains are vast, your hike will be just as beautiful a little further on 😊
- Leave your pet at home when you go hiking in the mountain pastures (the herding dog might mistake it for a wolf).
- Are you trekking and can't avoid the grazing area? Signal your presence so as not to startle the herding dog (by speaking loudly, for example), and walk well around the area (without endangering yourself, of course).
- Is the herding dog coming towards you? Stop, speak calmly to him (remember, he's under stress too), avoid sudden movements, and back away gently.
- Never try to pet a herding dog (or the sheep and goats it's protecting!).
To find out more about pastoralism in the mountains, visit Pasto Kézako :
- How does pastoralism work?
- What's at stake in the presence of pastoralists in the mountains?
- What is the purpose of facilities (fences, gates, drinking troughs, etc.)?
- What are the best practices to adopt as a hiker?
