Komondor Guard Dogs Reduce Sheep Losses to Coyotes: A Preliminary Evaluation

Abstract

Four Komondor dogs were trained to attack captive coyotes and to stay within fenced sheep pastures. The dogs, used in pairs, were then evaluated on three ranches (65 to 330-ha pastures) to determine their potential in protecting sheep from coyote pre. dation. Daily checks of sheep losses were made on each ranch for three consecutive ZO-day periods: preceding placement of the dogs, during their time in pastures, and after their removal. Sheep kills by coyotes decreased significantly during and following use of the dogs, suggesting some potential for the deterrence of coyote predation-at least under fenced-grazing conditions. Coyote (Cunis larrans) predation upon sheep poses serious problems to stockmen in certain parts of North America (Cain et al. 1972; Gee et al. 1977; Sterner and Shumake 1978). Public concern ova the nature and extent of predator-control activities has led to increased efforts to develop nonlethal methods of coyote-damage control (Sterner and Shumake 1978). One nonlethal approach which has received little scientific attention is the use of guard dogs. Historically, dogs such as the Great Pyrenees (France, Spain), Kangal (Turkey, Iran), and Komondor (Hungary) had heen used by Old World shepherds to protect sheep and goats from predation by wolves and hears. All three dogs are large (35-55 hg), aggressive toward intruders, and recognized as distinct breeds, although their ancestral origins are obscure. Evidence regarding the effectiveness of these dogs consist5 solely of testimonial accounts (Anonymous 1974; Gerber 1974; Newbold 1971). and empirical data to verify claims of reduced tlock losses are lacking. In this report, we present the results of a preliminary field study which sought to evaluate Komondor dons as a mums of reducing coyote predation upon sheep in fenced-graring Gtutions. The Komondor was selected because more information regarding its use as a guard dog was available to us and because the Kangal is an extremely rare breed in the