So why aren't sheep being protected by sheep dogs anymore?

I doubt sheep herders would be brushing or bathing them at all, mostly they would be in the fields with the sheep so they can protect them.

I've never seen a herd of sheep let alone a sheepherder @DianneN it must have been a kool sight to see. There are about 4 large sheep dogs that are used to guard sheep, I just like the look of the Komondor and naturally because they are rare it is intriguing. I know Europe is much more likely to use dogs to help with their sheep whereas here in the US I imagine we have more cattle ranchers or chicken or dairy farmers. It's really interesting how different our country is from those in Europe or even South America.

@rebelann I've only seen sheep herders in the U.K. All I know is that they weren't keen on having their photos taken and their dogs were black.

I just wouldn't expect lamas to be aggressive enough to protect against wolves, some wolves get over 200 pounds and when their natural prey are such animals as bison, moose and elk, none of which are small nor weak. If I had sheep I'd have at least 2 Komondors so they could help each other guard the flock.

@rebelann An adult Llama weights 450 pounds. They are never alone to guard the sheep, there are at least three. The local shepherds said they had no more wolves problems when they switched from dogs to llamas.

That is really interesting @LadyDuck but I'm glad they found a successful way to thwart wolves, at least they weren't needlessly slaughtered.

@rebelann They are sheep dogs though like Border Collies they were born to be Sheep Dogs and German Shepherd Dogs also and a kind of Mastiff Hound with stripey fur forget what he is called properly and they are big strong dogs that they use. A lot of sheep killed around here but not by wolves either something else which no one knows what it could be.

Interesting @lovinangelsinstead21

Really? Ordinary dogs?

@rebelann Wolves are protected animals in France, and they kill many sheeps in the Alps every year.

Aren't there deer and other such large game they could hunt @topffer ?

Only in Europe though, here the seem to prefer to slaughter wolves or other predators so they can keep their lazy lives. If someone wants to raise livestock they should also be prepared to properly protect them rather than look for ways to slaughter wildlife.

I did not know all of that, I had thought that the UK was reintroducing the wolf to help control destruction of vegetation by ungulates. I know that when they reintroduced the wolves to Yellowstone park it was a huge benefit to other wildlife as well as the vegetation which had been overgrazed by ungulates.

I have seen some of the work that a wolf conservationist is doing in the UK @arthurchappell his name is Shaun Ellis and I find what he's done very impressive.

@rebelann don't think the wolves are back here as yet

I couldn't agree more @jaboUK I just wish the terrain and climate here were more pleasant so that walking could be enjoyable.

Oh, I didn't think about that. I've never been around sheep so I really have no clue what all is entailed with raising them and I never would have thought about people taking walks near them. It sure is different over there, here where I live many people prefer to walk in the shopping malls where there is heating and cooling for their comfort.

@rebelann A walk in the countryside is far more invigorating than a walk in the mall.

Yep, they have been called something like mop dogs and boy are they huge. They make excellent guardians from what I've read.

If I were younger and stronger I'd love to adopt one of these, apparently they are excellent for protection and I love the way they look

I'm betting that a sheepherder isn't going to bath or brush his dogs quite the same way we would our pets, those are working dogs with a job to do and sometimes it means letting them be as clean as the sheep are.

I have never known anyone with sheep but there are a lot of ranchers in this county so I have to wonder why they don't use dogs to help thwart predators and thieves.

@rebelann good question

A couple of years ago I read a few articles about a rancher in Washington state who insisted that the US Government kill the wolf pack that attacked his herd while they grazed on public lands that was supposed to be used for deer and other such ungulates to graze on and of course the stupid government did just that. They wiped out several wolf packs just for that one stupid bozo.

No wonder Mother Nature is so pissed off @crazyhorseladycx

@rebelann happens lots, the taxpayers pay fer such 'services', too. they're quite oft sendin' choppers out to kill coyotes, wolves 'n cougars 'round these parts. these folks gripe 'bout wild critters killin' their stock, but then yell louder when the rest 'f the ecosystem falls 'part. always pointin' the finger elsewhere, 'f course.

What kind of sheep dog was she mixed with? The Komondor is no longer a common breed as they once were plus they are huge unlike the kinds of sheep dogs I've seen.

The Komondor does not herd sheep, they just protect them.

@rebelann Oh, I understand now. They protect them from any predators or a thief.

They used to @kobesbuddy I'm not sure if they still do or not, they are huge dogs though.

That might be but I wasn't writing about herding sheep, the Komondor is used as a guardian.