Ignorant.
They obviously mistook the tourists for democrats and tried to get them to join the rest of the herd.
I can see both sides. If someone is coming toward me there is no way to know their intent so I understand the dog’s caution
BUT this is public lands .
I think the dogs lose on this one
but they are great looking dogs and do their job well
What could these ‘back-country tourists’ be trying to do to the sheep that’s getting the dogs so riled up? I mean, after all, they ARE from Turkey — I’m sure they’ve seen some things in their time...
"Mornin' Sam"
"Mornin' Ralph."
Sounds like a good dog to have in areas with active SWAT teams.
This issue is a load of tripe. These animals are doing what they are trained to do.. that is to guard the flock. These “tourists” need to keep their distance from the flock instead of crowding them for a photo op.
How come the Pit Bulls aren’t mentioned? They want to talk about a breed of dog that is a menace to society.
MFO
A wolf in sheep’s clothing! Isn’t he magnificent? He has the face of a Golden Retreiever.
This is a problem. My property abuts national forest where where sheep are grazed for a period every summer. And of course when they’re always either straying onto my land or the shepherds are too lazy to go around so they move their herds (several hundred sheep) over my land. Their dogs are vicious so mine can’t even go outside, and I can’t even walk my own property or drive up my road without some dog either chasing my truck or looking at me like I was a bear. When you try to talk to the shepherds they “no habla”. I don’t mind them grazing, but mind your dogs and stay off my land. And other folks enjoying the outdoors have just as much right to be there as grazers - I don’t care if they are “tourists” - it’s public property.
How close would an “intruder” have to approach before the dog reacts? Is it asking too much for hiker/bikers to stay 100 yards away from a flock of sheep?
I understand the “problem”, because I was blessed with two wonderful Belgian Malinois, who are also sheepdogs.
Most people misunderstand the protective behaviors of sheepdogs. They help to move the flock, protect the flock, and defend their “territory”. Most good sheepdogs will do a natural “bark and hold”, which amounts to some fierce “Cujo” style barking/snarling, accompanied by air biting on either side of the intruding dog/coyote/sheep rustler.
If the intruder backs up slowly, and signals non-aggression, all will be fine. But, I can easily see why a mountain bike coming full tilt toward the flock would be perceived as a major threat.
If I were riding a mountain bile near a flock of sheep, I would dismount, and walk slowly by, keeping my eyes away from the flock.
People need to respect a flock of sheep, because a speeding mountain bike could easily cause the flock to take flight, and sheep will run themselves to death. One coyote, or sheep-chasing dog can kill an entire flock.
I side with the shepherds and the sheepdogs here.
Think of it this way. Lets say he hired a Mexican with a gun to watch the sheep. And lets say this Mexican got it in his head that any hiker passing by was a threat to be shot at. It’s not the dogs fault that it’s judgement is wrong,, but why is it my job to either get bitten, or to never get out in the public forest?
It’s like that.
This sheepherder has no right to force everyone out of the forest because of the method he uses to protect his sheep.
The best breed for guarding sheep is the Toy Poodle.
If a Toy Poodle sees a wolf, he thinks,”Crap. He could kill me.” Then, he runs to the house and gets the rancher and says, “Man, you’ve got to get your gun. And I mean the big one with the long barrel. There’s a wolf up by the sheep.” Not great fighters, but smart enough to go for help.
” - - - entered the debate over regulations-— “
Since the sheepherders have leased the Federal land for grazing, should people be regulated to stay far away from grazing sheep?
The dog has a job. Let them do it. We have a Great Pyrenees down from us. He just plays and plays with my 27 lb dog. They have a lot of fun.
Easy fix. Place warning signs for stupid hikers, Pass at your own risk, dogs guarding sheep against anything that moves that is not a sheep...