Herd guard dogs, or “Patous”

The role of herd guard dogs (often known as patous, the name of the breed) is to protect herds from predators (wolves, lynx, dogs, etc.), day and night, on mountain pastures or closer to villages. They are often used in large numbers, particularly to deal with packs of wolves.
HOW DOGS BEHAVE:
1. They sprint and approach to identify any threat.
2. They bark to warn and dissuade.
BEHAVIOUR YOU SHOULD ADOPT WHEN MEETING A DOG:
1. Go around the herd without running, staying as far from it as possible
2. Signal to the dog by speaking calmly so as not to startle the dog. If the dog approaches, stop, do not stare into its eyes, hide your walking sticks (any aggression will amplify the aggressive behaviour of these dogs).