Home

Herding dogs in need: How you can help

Herding dogs in need: How you can help

Herding dogs in need: How you can help

If guard dogs are in need, they have a harder time than other dog breeds to find a suitable new home. The breeds, called “HSH” for short, are characterized by independence, territorial behavior and a pronounced protective instinct and absolutely belong in experienced hands. Unfortunately, not all animal welfare organizations, which usually want to rescue the four-legged friends from the streets abroad, know what it is about these special dogs. However, good intentions alone are not enough when it comes to keeping and raising them. What you need to pay attention to if you really want to help guard dogs, you can learn here.

From abroad, well-meaning but inexperienced animal welfare activists sometimes pick up guard dogs in need and place them in Germany with equally unsuspecting dog owners. If it then turns out that the new owners cannot handle the dog’s pronounced territorial behavior and protective instinct, an odyssey can begin for the poor animals, in which they are passed on from family to family, from shelter to shelter. You can help prevent this from happening with the following tips.

Help for guard dogs in need: breed characteristics

Herding protection dogs are usually abbreviated HSH; this stands for herding dogs with primarily protection and secondarily herding use dog qualities. This means that the protective function is primary in these dog breeds. They are not shepherd dogs, as their name might suggest. Sheepdogs – also called herding dogs – are meant to keep the flock together and work with the shepherd. HSH are bred to protect the flock from predators, thieves and other attackers even in the absence of the shepherd. Thus, it is genetically ingrained in their nature to remain calm but alert, and to react with lightning speed with defense in the face of danger. In doing so, they work largely independently, deciding on their own what does and does not pose a threat to their herd and territory.

Now, guard dogs cannot simply discard this thinking and behavior if they are suddenly kept as a pet and family dog. When they don’t have to guard a herd, they watch out for their caregivers and for their self-established territory. This can lead to problems, because a HSH considers everything he can overlook as his territory, so also the paths and the surroundings when walking, not only his own garden. He may already consider it a danger when a passer-by or another dog approaches – then he switches to defense mode. If the threats do not help, it can come to the worst case to the attack. A HSH that is not challenged enough and is not exercised can also develop a pronounced hunting instinct.

Herd protection dogs in distress: Beware of misunderstood animal protection

There are many different animal welfare organizations that pick up street dogs and other four-legged friends in need abroad, nurse them back to health and try to place them in Germany. This is an honorable activity and it is a great luck for the animals that there are such kind people. Unfortunately, some animal protectors go to work with a little too much naivety and too little expertise, other organizations are unserious and want to make a profit from the poor dogs.

The consequence of this can be that there are guard dogs in need or mixed breeds among the cold-blooded dogs, which are actually not at all suitable as family dogs or pets and cuddly animals. However, since most people are looking for a dog as a family member, these particular breeds are described by inexperienced animal brokers as being fond of children, people-oriented, sociable and friendly – thus raising false expectations. If the new owners realize that they are not up to the herding dog and have to give him away again, this is terrible for the animal. In this case, it might have been better off on the street.

When a guard dog is suitable for you.

You can find a selection with HSH breeds on the right side of this article. Don’t act too hastily and don’t let a cute HSH puppy “wrap you around its finger” if you want to help a dog in need. If you have no experience with guard dogs, another breed of dog is most likely a better fit for you. However, if you are familiar with the needs of these four-legged friends, that’s a good start. In addition, HSH are better off in the countryside in a sparsely populated area than in the city. Great is a very large garden with a dog fence that your guard dog can guard. It is ideal if you keep farm animals yourself that he can watch over. During walks, your HSH should always be on a leash, and the caregiver should ideally be strong and tall enough to hold the four-legged friend if his hunting or protective instincts overshoot the mark.

HZOES.COM

HZOES.COM

Cute and funny, info and tips about dogs, cats and other animals. Great pictures and funny videos from the animal world. Your animals on hzoes.com

More articles from dog

Dalmatians: nature and character of the beautiful dogs Clever, fun-loving and very active: Dalmatians charm not only with their pretty appearance, but also with their lively and affectionate nature. Who wants to acquire a dog of this breed, but should first think carefully whether the character of the four-legged friend really suits him. In order to find out, you should inquire well about the nature and the optimal keeping conditions of a Dalmatian before the acquisition. Of course, each Dalmatian is individual, but you will find the characteristics discussed below in many representatives of this dog breed. Dalmatians: Lively dogs that need clear rules A well-behaved, sweetly treated and well-used Dalmatian has a happy, playful and affectionate nature. He is a smart, adaptable family dog who needs lots of love and is sensitive to pressure and stress: Anyone who meets the Dalmatian with too harsh or unfair dog training will most likely get to know him from his stubborn side. Praise, on the other hand, will achieve much more with him, so positive reinforcement is the best training method for him. Despite their sensitivity, Dalmatians are definitely self-confident dogs with strong characters that can become stubborn if you don't take the lead. It is important that you don't use an authoritarian style of leadership and definitely don't try aversive training methods on your dog. Instead, you can use clear instructions, consistency and patience to ensure that your Dalmatian follows you of his own accord. If you use clear commands and regular training to ensure that your four-legged friend understands what you want him to do, but at the same time treat him lovingly, he will voluntarily follow you. Nervous nature? Prejudices against Dalmatians For a while there was a rumor that Dalmatians were nervous and even aggressive in character. This was due to the fact that the dog breed with the black dots experienced a boom as a result of the Disney cartoon "101 Dalmatians" in the 1970s. Unscrupulous breeders and inexperienced breeders followed the trend and bred the dogs without paying attention to their mental well-being and decent socialization from puppy paws. If dogs do not grow up in a safe environment from birth and get to know other people, conspecifics and other animals as well as everyday noises at an early age, they are particularly skittish later on. Some then compensate their fearfulness and nervousness with aggression. However, this has nothing to do with the breed, but with a lack of socialization and education. History of the dog breed and importance for its character Dalmatians are a very old dog breed and it has not been handed down beyond doubt what their original purpose was. However, they later proved their worth in Great Britain and the USA as companion dogs of horse carriages. In the USA they were frequent companions of the fire department when their carriages were still pulled by horses. By their barking they drew attention to the arrival of the fire department, so they were a kind of siren on four paws. They also guarded the carriages and kept stray dogs away. It is also believed that Dalmatians acted as guard dogs on farms, chasing away pests from the farm. For its nature, this means that mainly character traits such as alertness, intelligence and attention, as well as versatility were taken into account in breeding. In addition, the dogs are physically enduring and capable of making independent decisions when needed. At the same time, however, they feel very comfortable in the company of people and help their two-legged partner with great pleasure. The Dalmatian and its nature: Occupation is important The Dalmatian is very lively, which he shows only outside, if he is properly exercised. He loves to run and does this with a lot of endurance. Occupation for the little head is a must for the intelligent dog. The four-legged friend feels best in a family where there is a lot going on. He also gets along with children, as long as they do not tease him or treat him as a toy. As a city dog or animal that is constantly alone or mentally and physically underchallenged, he would not only become unhappy, but could also develop behavioral problems. So overall, the Dalmatian is an advanced dog that needs an owner who is well versed in the breed and its characteristics! Dog sports for the Dalmatian In order for your Dalmatian to really let off steam, it is recommended that you engage in regular dog sports with him. Dog dancing, for example, is both mentally and physically a great activity for the pretty spotted bearer. But agility and obedience training also come into question.
Dog Buying

Dalmatians: nature and character of the beautiful dogs

Dalmatians: nature and character of the beautiful dogs Clever, fun-loving and very active: Dalmatians charm not only with their pretty appearance, but also with their …

Read More →
Study shows: Dogs are into baby talk.
Dog Keeping

Study shows: Dogs are into baby talk.

Study shows: Dogs are into baby talk. “Such a good boy!” “Yes, fine!”, “Would you like some food?”: Owners like to communicate with their dogs …

Read More →
Olde English Bulldog: portrait of the dog breed
Dog Buying

Olde English Bulldog: portrait of the dog breed

Olde English Bulldog: portrait of the dog breed The Olde English Bulldog (OEB) is a back-breeding of the English Bulldog, as this dog breed in …

Read More →
Puppies: How old do puppies have to be when they are given away?
Dog Buying

Puppies: How old do puppies have to be when they are given away?

Puppies: How old do puppies have to be when they are given away? A puppy should move in with you? Then the dog breeder of …

Read More →
Ball junkie: break dog addictive behavior
Dog Training

Ball junkie: break dog addictive behavior

Ball junkie: break dog addictive behavior Once the dog has become a ball junkie, you cannot easily break him from his addictive behavior. It is …

Read More →
Czechoslovakian Wolfhound: Buy TWH
Dog Buying

Czechoslovakian Wolfhound: Buy TWH

Czechoslovakian Wolfhound: Buy TWH The Czechoslovakian Wolfhound, or TWH for short, is an imposing, beautiful dog that resembles a cross between a wolf and a …

Read More →
This site uses cookies

By continuing to use our site, you agree to our T & Cs and the use of our Cookies & amp;trackers as well as those of our partners in order to offer you content, services, personalized advertising and to generate statistics & amp; audience analysis.