Click this link to see the pups that are being socialized for our Predator Conflict Prevention Project:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.286781784668746.84130.153766261303633&type=3

Ray

Great photos... the puppies have an interesting look to them. Are the dual purpose, do they herd as well as guard?
If not, do you use a herding breed also or do the shepherds do the herding alone? How long does it take for this breed to mature? Are they more inclined to stay with the flock or do they range out to a distance to engage predators?
Thank you again.
Look forward to your answers....
Kate

The Carpatin has wolf in its blood, appearance and behavior. In my opinion the only dogbreed where the wolfblood turns out positive for utility. There is really something in these dogs that gives them advantage: being both domesticated as well as wild and natural.

The breed is pure guardian and work eficient in a group, the best is 4-5 dogs. They work like a wolfpack: some members ocupy high points to oversee the livestock and sense threats asap. Other members stay close to the livestock.

Carpatins sense predators from great distance and when possible confront them frontline, away from the livestock. Since they are a intelligent, wolflike operating breed they are not easily fooled or lured away by a single wolf as a distraction.
They will not abandon the livestock, even in rage there intelligence is still functioning.

The breed is fast groing, females adult quicker than males. We will implement our dogs at age of 8-9 months with a shepherd in the mountains. They are quit vigilant and capable guardians on that age allready.

The shepherds in Romania that have these dogs don't want anything else anymore. For fieldworkers like us there is also an advantage: Carpatins are much more stable in behavior than other LGDs we encounter. They sense good or bad intentions with humans who aproach. In our case that means that we )with good intentions and energy' are always able to enter there domain, at least when their owner is there.

Offcourse, as with all dogs: treating them good, socialization and care is the basis of good functionality.

Cheers,

Ray

I see I forgot one answer:

As far as for the herding: The Romanian shepherds are very well with the sheep. The whistle and call them when they have to follow or change direction.

There is a lot of difference in behavior of the sheep between Romania and Western European sheep herds.
The use of herding dogs often results in nervous and stressed sheep who keep distance from the shepherd and dogs.
With traditional Romanian shepherds that is not the case.

Offcourse, as with all dogs: treating them good, socialization and care is the basis of good functionality.

Ray, wiser words never spoken. The true basis of any good LGD. I have never understood the people who don't touch or handle their LGD's at all. Me I could not do that. Love my dogs too much. Thanks for another enlightening post Ray your dogs are fascinating....

Thanks! I like the passion for the dogs on this forum.
Utility dogs are only a good prevention tool if you respect them as living beings and companions, not as things.

Ray

Ray, gorgeous photos, the pups are cuter than cute! Wonderful album. I really enjoyed it!

Last summer Muskwa Wildlife Projects and Carpatin Club Romania made this promotion clip as a part of their collaboration. For interested: enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Muskwawild#p/a/u/1/Vjp5sI3pQOc

Ray

Ray Dorgelo wrote:Thanks! I like the passion for the dogs on this forum.
Utility dogs are only a good prevention tool if you respect them as living beings and companions, not as things.

Ray

This is also what I believe... you must treat these dogs well and give them companionship or they do not perform at their very best....

Kate

Recent pictures from our Muskwa Wild Guardians. Special thanks to our partner and Carpatin care taker Zoltan Szekely who really contributes our Conflict Prevention Project.