THE KOMONDOR

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Here's a "shaggy dog story" that could have a happy ending for livestock owners who are plagued with predator problems.

WATCHDOG EXTRAORDINAIRE

by Catherine Allen

We've all heard the phrase "a wolf in sheep's clothing", but—not long ago—I encountered a dog in sheep's clothing! The first time I saw a Komondor, I could scarcely believe my eyes: The canine—which was covered with long, white, matted hair— did look remarkably like an overgrown ewe. In fact, as I watched it, the animal even acted like a sheep . . . since it moved along quietly with the flock, keeping its head down in what appeared to be a grazing position.

However, Komondors don't for a moment imagine that they're sheep. Instead, as a result of centuries of breeding and in—born instinct, the dogs guard "their" flocks against predators. Since the breed's introduction to North America from its native Hungary just a few years back, Komondors have helped sheep ranchers in both Canada and the United States to reduce—dramatically—losses to marauding carnivores.

AN "OLD WORLD" SOLUTION

Predators probably pose the greatest single threat to a sheep raiser's livelihood. Wolves, coyotes, coydogs, roaming domestic canines, and—in remoter areas—even bears have been known to take a devastating toll in the course of just one night's attack on a flock. Furthermore, if such slaughter continues unchecked, predation can actually put a small-scale sheep operation right out of business!

The traditional methods of dealing with the problem-shooting, trapping, "denning" (killing newborn coyote pups in the den), and using poisons or electric fences—seem to be only marginally effective and have received, in many cases deservedly, a lot of criticism. Shooting and trapping are, at best, only temporary measures because of the sheer impossibility of eliminating the bulk of the predatory animals in a given area . . . while environmentalists are concerned about the danger of poisons to other forms of wildlife, and disapprove of the inhumane practice of denning. Fencing can offer some protection against predators, of course, but it's doubtful whether there exists a barrier strong enough and high enough to repel a really determined invader.

In the face of such a dilemma, many sheep raisers have rediscovered the traditional Old World method of protecting flocks: guard dogs. Unlike the more common sheep-herding breeds, guard canines don't try to move their charges . . . they simply live with the flock-24 hours a day—and drive off any attackers that may approach. Middle European shepherds have relied on the vigilant animals for centuries . . . and some of the best breeds from Hungary, Yugoslavia, Russia, Italy, and Turkey are now being imported for "trial assignments" in this hemisphere. So far, one of the most highly rated of the "immigrant" dogs is the shaggy—coated Komondor.