Patou And Herd
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This summer, join a mountain guide for a unique opportunity to meet a local shepherd. Enjoy an easy walk through the alpine pastures as you discover life in the mountains, learn about traditional alpine farming, and understand the essential role of livestock guardian dogs (patous).
📍 Meeting point: Every Monday at 9:30 am in front of the Tourist Office.
📝 Registration is mandatory at the Tourist Office no later than 7:00 pm on the day before the outing.
The “patou”, or Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is a protection dog bred specifically to live among a herd from a very early age. It is generally associated with sheep and goats, but in certain cases may also live with herds of cattle. Its main role is to protect the farm animals from predators (wolves, lynx, stray dogs, etc.), both day and night, whether on remote mountain pastures or near the villages. In certain sensitive areas, several dogs are present for greater safety, particularly from packs of wolves. Although it is neither aggressive nor dangerous by nature, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog has a very strong protection instinct. It reacts instinctively to anything it perceives as an intrusion or a threat to the herd. The word “patou” is often used for all livestock guardian dogs, but it is in fact a specific breed, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. In France, a number of other breeds are also used as guardian dogs, in particular the Abruzzese Sheepdog, the Kangal Shepherd Dog and the Transmontano Mastiff.
In Val d’Isère, mountain guardian dogs are used mainly to protect herds of sheep, but also cattle, especially at some of the resort’s iconic sites: the Bellevarde sector, the Arcelle area and around the Dôme. These are regular summer grazing zones, and the guardian dogs ensure the herds are not disturbed by intruders or predators. 👉 Before you go out walking, remember to check the interactive “Patou Map”! This shows you the current location of herds that are protected by dogs, so you can adjust your route accordingly and avoid unpleasant surprises.
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Always keep your dog on a lead, otherwise the livestock guardian dog may see it as a predator and take defensive action.
👉 If the mountain dog still approaches, it is advisable to let your dog go, so that the two dogs can assess one another naturally, to avoid the situation deteriorating.
🚫 Whatever happens, do not pull on the lead or pick up your dog, as this could be interpreted by the guardian dog as a threat or challenge.
Every summer, the mountain pastures are grazed by herds that are watched over by herdspeople and protected by guardian dogs. So these dogs are essential allies in maintaining the balance between wildlife, livestock farming and tourism activities.
Pastoralism isn’t just about grazing animals. It is an ancestral way of life and a means of landscape management and maintenance of a remarkable biodiversity. But it is also an endangered activity that deserves to be supported.
Sam Carter Ghoiyov2tsq Unsplash
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Pyrenean Mountain Dog 4913254 1280
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