Livestock-guarding dogs in Norway: Part I. Interactions

We documented behaviors of Great Pyrenees livestock-guarding dogs toward pe ople, livestock, dogs, horses, reindeer, and bear to determine if they migh t be suitable for protecting livestock in Norway. None out of 13 dogs showe d aggressive behavior towards unfamiliar people, and aggressiveness towards dogs and livestock was also low. However, 91% of the dogs tested chased re indeer. A willingness to chase bears was apparent in all 3 dogs tested. Alt hough the Norwegian strains of the Great Pyrenees are bred mainly for exhib ition, they obviously have retained some behavioral patterns important for the livestock-guarding function. Their nonaggressive behavior towards peopl e, dogs, and livestock, and their active reaction towards bears suggest tha t this breed could be suitable for use as livestock-guardians in Norway. Ho wever, the dogs' tendency to chase reindeer is a trait that may cause confl icts in reindeer-herding areas.