Čuvač for biodiversity

How the Čuvač dog saves sheep, biodiversity, predators and finally itself

Slovakia is a small country in Eastern Europe. However, it is often overlooked, Slovakia is a real heaven for many endangered wildlife species including all three large predator species bear, wolf and lynx. Slovakia is often blamed for its communistic past, but if you take a closer look, you will discover a rich cultural life, mainly inspired by shepherd culture. Many folk rituals and songs are built around the coexistence with predators on the pastures. The traditional food in Slovakia are dumplings with sheep cheese cream and the traditional cloths were often worn during the work with sheep. Slovaks were a traditional shepherd nation with their traditional sheep breeds (Valašky), livestock guarding dogs (Slovak Čuvač) and herding dogs (Slovak Hajčiarik). Through extensive grazing, many alpine meadows are enriched in biodiversity and endangered species including the Tatra marmot enjoy and even need the open pastures for their survival.

The modern, western lifestyle however changed the landscape and the objectives or life goals for many people. Money and properties in combination with expensive holidays in exotic countries seem to be the uppermost targets for many inhabitants. However, work-life balance purposes are not combinable with such a strenuous work like shepherding and majority of young people try to establish their income rather on a different work. Shepherd schools were closed and it is impossible at the moment to study the important handcraft of being a shepherd.

At the same time, population numbers of predators are increasing in Slovakia which is on the one side a positive development. On the other side, however, attacks by wolves on livestock are increasing, too, which is an emotional and economic threat. Slovak farmers do get indeed compensation for livestock killed by predators, but they need to show mitigation measures including livestock guarding dogs or electric fences in order to be eligible for the compensation scheme. Unfortunately, there is neither financial support for purchasing mitigation measures, nor any help for shepherds by the state such as consulting, database about puppies or hands-on contribution in case of establishing electric fences. Finally, it seems easier to radically shoot predators in order to reduce depredation cases than to systematically help people outside on the pastures. Last year, a total number of 220 bears and 68 wolves were shot officially in Slovakia. However, illegal killing is high and widely accepted by villagers. Therefore, we expect high poaching rates on bears and wolves. From our own radio-collared bears, wolves, and lynx, several of them were killed illegally.

Despite the teasing Western lifestyle, there are still some people in Slovakia who continue grazing sheep and the traditional way of life. These people would need much more support so that they can continue also in the future to extensive graze livestock and by this, to enhance the biodiversity in the beautiful alpine pastures. Already now, overgrown alpine pastures is a huge problem in the Slovak National parks and the lack of sheep breeding farms and educated shepherds will worsen the situation. Unfortunately, shepherds do have often a bad reputation as they are seen as drunkards and losers. Further, nature visitors do often behave inappropriate in case of meeting a livestock flock accompanied by dogs. Education and awareness for the general public is more than needed: first, we can increase the reputation of shepherds and their work and gain new, potential workers. Second, explaining people how to behave will enable sheep breeders to take their dogs onto pastures also in the future.

The final vision would be to establish a shepherd and predator centre in the district Banska Bystrica. Here should be education aiming at new shepherds in order to teach them basics about livestock, veterinary basics, working with livestock guarding dogs as well as herding dogs, and principal behaviour of predators. The new candidates should have the possibility to make a practical training course at a summer sheep camp for some weeks. At the centre, there should be an educational farm where public could educate themselves about the importance of extensive grazing, shepherd work, how to behave in nature, and about predators. Finally, there should be a breeding station for the Slovak Čuvač and some of the Valašky sheep. The center should work as a contact point for shepherds in case that they need advice or would like to purchase a dog. Therefore, working dogs should be finally registered for having an overview about good working dogs and puppies. This center would fill the gap between sheep breeding culture, conservation of biodiversity, education and therefore, reduce the pressure on large predators.

Outputs according to months:

field visits of livestock farms and evidence of all livestock guarding dogs in the region Banskobystricky kraj (after 6 months): table with farms and their dogs including judgement how the farm works

registration of all Slovak Čuvač dogs (begin of a working line of the Slovak Čuvač) and establishment of contact to the University in Nitra (kynological department) (after 9 months)

registration of some extern Podhalansky Čuvač dogs as they are more original: improving of the working traits in dogs (after 9 months)

registration of Slovak Hajčiarik in the region Banskobystricky kraj (after 8 months)

Cooperation with the breeding club for Slovak Hajčiarik (after 3 months)

Finding a possible location for the beginning of a shepherd and predator education center (after 10 months)

Research which European funds or other funds could be possible used (after 11 months)

Building up cooperation with all involved stakeholders (Sheep breeding association, hunters, foresters, nature conservationists, local governments etc.) (after 10 months)

Presentation for the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment in order to show the importance of supporting shepherd education for conservation of culture, people, biodiversity and large predators (after 10 months)

Final report with further steps (after 12 months)