Predatory behaviour of hunting dogs towards grazing sheep / Jakthunders predatoratferd overfor sau i utmark
Dogs occasionally display predatory behaviour towards domestic sheep when running free in open fields. The general aim of this thesis was to find measures reducing the interest conflicts between sheep industry and hunters and walkers using dogs in mountain pasture.
Papers I and II test the inclination of sheep chasing in three breed groups of hunting dogs over two years. Motivational behaviours for attacking sheep were evaluated by a path test with novel stimuli, by using electronic dog collars on dogs within a sheep fence, and by information on the dog’s experience supplied by a dog owners’ questionnaire. Elkhounds showed the highest attack degree, and most frequently received el. shocks, hare hunting dogs were intermediate, while setters showed the lowest values.
The studies aimed to test long-term learning effects of previous sheep tests in dogs, and to uncover potential negative effects on dogs’ behaviour and mental stability, by using electronic dog collars, a device used for several training purposes raising concern for the dogs’ welfare. No dogs attacked a lone sheep, and number of dogs attacking sheep flock and el. shocks administered were reduced in the second-year tests. Our findings combined with owners’ reports confirmed no negative behavioural effects, and the loss of previous sheep interest indicate that this device is efficient for reducing dogs’ probability of chasing sheep.
A study on dogs’ social incitement for sheep chasing together with a non-chasing (Hamilton stoever) and a chasing (Border collie) companion dog revealed that dogs exhibited a higher chasing motivation and a higher attack degree together with a chaser, while being unaffected by a non-chaser. This indicates that a Border collie showing intentions of predatory behaviour on command could be used in dog testing to reveal the full predatory potential of the tested dog (Paper III).
An electronic dog collar trainers’ questionnaire revealed lack of education in dog behaviour, dog breeds, sheep behaviour and electronic dog collar practice, which may lead to potentially wrong testing of dogs.
A study on antipredatory behaviour among six sheep breeds in response to dog, man and stuffed carnivore models showed that light-weight breeds displayed most pronounced antipredatory behaviours, where dog released the longest recovery time (Paper IV).
Key words: Aversion learning; Depredation; Predation; Shock collar; Social hunting
