Guard dogs
Often acquired carelessly, then simply abandoned
Recently Eddy was found in front of the training area of a dog school. With a muzzle and a water bowl, he sat for hours in the storage box there until someone took notice of him. The exact reason why the dog with the thick, fluffy fur was left to his fate can only be speculated. But the fact is that Eddy is a guard dog. And especially for dogs of this breed, Gut Aiderbichl is currently receiving an alarming number of inquiries and cries for help.
Defend guard dogs - without ifs and buts
So Eddy, despite his sweet appearance, is a real powerhouse. He belongs to a breed of dog that has been trained for centuries to independently protect an entire herd. They were bred for survival in inhospitable, mountainous areas. Their thick coats protect them from harsh weather but also from injury when they confront wolves or bears, for example, to protect their herd. A guard dog is not the same as a herding dog, because the guard dog usually works on his own. He must be able to assess approaching dangers and defend the herd at all times and at all costs, if necessary using their body dimensions and extremely powerful jaws. Accordingly, not only the appearance of this dog breed is impressive, but also its nature.
But what is useful for a grazing flock of sheep or goats in the mountains can lead to major problems in densely populated areas. "The animals are basically not aggressive or attack without reason, but they often smell danger in everyday human life where there is none," says Dr. Marianne Wondrak, veterinarian at Gut Aiderbichl. Because not only the herd is consistently protected, but also their own pack or territory, such as family children, the apartment or the garden. Unfortunately, there are always incidents in which a guard dog vehemently defends his family or territory against supposed "intruders" - and be it only the postman or friends. This can quickly lead to serious injuries because of the often stately body size.
Guard dogs are only conditionally suitable for families
In recent years, a trend has developed towards the keeping of guard dogs by private individuals. It is always important to consider well in advance whether and which animal companion to bring into the house. Many people are not aware that there are major behavioral differences between dog breeds," says Dr. Wondrak.
As puppies usually snatched from their mothers much too early, the little balls of wool with the huge paws look cute. In the urban environment and in inexperienced hands, however, their owners are very quickly overwhelmed with the character traits of the guard dogs. One characteristic of the guard dogs is that puberty sets in much later than in other breeds. So the strong guard and protection instinct often awakens only at the age of three years. Until then, they tolerate visitors quite well. The sudden change in the dog's behavior is then a great shock for many owners. For many owners, living with their four-legged friend in everyday life thus becomes a major problem.
Close cooperation with the Secure Base association
Increasingly, therefore, also reach Gut Aiderbichl cries for help to take up guard dogs, Many dogs of this breed are in private hands due to excessive demands also in kennels "locked away", kept on a chain. However, this breed is accustomed to freedom and independent work. So dog owners achieve only the opposite: the dogs are severely traumatized and behavioral problems. Wrong or insufficient training only make things worse. A vicious circle develops, which unfortunately often ends in euthanasia because of "unmanageable aggression" at the veterinarian. "The dog, which follows its trained instinct, is not responsible, but the lack of understanding for the needs of this breed," says Dr. Marianne Wondrak, veterinarian at Gut Aiderbichl.
Gut Aiderbichl would like to spare dogs like Eddy this fate, and has recently been working closely with the association "Secure Base competence promotion for guard dogs". In 2016, the Lippitz family founded the privately financed association in Carinthia, whose main task is the emergency admission, accommodation, socialization or achieving a "manageability" of guard dogs. So far, 51 severely behaviorally challenged guard dogs have been successfully and permanently resocialized and placed through the association. "We hope that Eddy will soon be one of them," says Dr. Marianne Wondrak.
