Shepherds turn to dogs to defend sheep from wolves on the Veluwe

Shepherds in the Veluwe region of the Netherlands are employing a unique strategy to protect their sheep from wolf attacks - hiring Italian mountain dogs to guard their flocks. Stichting Schapedrift Ermelo, a volunteer organization, recently acquired two Maremmano-Abruzzese sheepdogs to keep wolves at bay from the herd they tend on the heathlands in Gelderland.

The forested Veluwe region has the highest concentration of wolves in the Netherlands, with seven packs residing in an area of 1,000 square kilometers since their return in 2019.

The organization has installed eight-foot electrocuted fences around its sheep enclosure to deter wolves, but the animals remain vulnerable when herded across the heath. Shepherd Marion Derks expressed concern over the increasing threat posed by wolves and the presence of interested predators in the area. The two white-haired dogs have been used for centuries to protect sheep and are valued for their non-aggressive nature and alertness.

As soon as they detect danger, Derks explained, their attitude changes, making them appear larger and more imposing, and they begin barking. The dogs are not intended to engage in combat with wolves, but rather to dissuade them from approaching the herd. Wolves typically target easy prey, so if they perceive the threat as too great, they will seek alternative targets.