We all know that dogs are man’s best friend, but here in Patagonia, they are also great guardians, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. How do they do it? Today, we’ll share the incredible skills of these loyal canines in protecting the flocks in the heart of Chilean Patagonia.
For many years, the puma, the region’s top predator, posed a constant threat to the families who dedicated their lives to sheep farming—a noble and traditional activity in southern Chile.
However, by the 20th century, the puma threat had reached such a level that many families resorted to hiring hunters to chase down these felines, which were merely searching for food, in order to protect their livestock.
As time passed, some families realized that hunting the puma was not a sustainable solution to a problem that affected their often sole means of livelihood. That’s when José Antonio Kusanovic, a key member of the founding family of Las Torres Patagonia, devised a new strategy to help protect the flocks in Patagonia.
José Antonio recalls that there were years when pumas could kill up to 900 sheep in a single season. A solution was urgently needed. The idea came after watching a memorable Chilean television show that featured a peculiar breed of shepherd dogs in North America, which helped protect livestock from predators like bears, wolves, coyotes, lynxes, and even pumas.
“If they could do it with just dogs, we could too,” José Antonio thought to himself, and he ordered a litter of Maremma dogs from Canada.
If you're not familiar with this breed, here's a brief introduction. The Maremma is a mastiff breed from Italy, easily recognizable by its large size, sturdy and muscular body, and thick white coat. Adults can weigh between 35 and 45 kilos and reach a height of 60 to 70 centimeters.
After training them and integrating them into the sheep flocks, José Antonio notes that the results were astounding. From losing 900 sheep in a year, the number dropped to just 15.
These friendly dogs, thanks to their keen hearing and sense of smell, can detect a predator from several meters away and ward it off with barking and a brave stance.
If you'd like to learn more about how the Maremma dogs' defense method works, check out the series “Animals Up Close” on Disney+, where José Antonio Kusanovic himself welcomes Nat Geo documentarians to show how these dogs can even fend off pumas at night.
We hope this story has deepened your appreciation for these incredible animals. And remember, if you visit us from Punta Arenas on our All-Inclusive program, you can stop by Cerro Negro to learn more about our shepherd dogs’ skills and the practice of sheep shearing.