Shepherd deploys guard dogs against wolves

A sheep farmer in Tønder is reinforcing her flocks with Maremma puppies to defend against wolves, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The dogs will live full-time in the fields as part of the flock. Males can grow up to 73 cm tall and weigh up to 45 kg, consuming roughly twice the feed of a Border Collie, according to farmer Åse Svendsen.

Svendsen has recorded 23 wolf attacks on her sheep, losing up to eight in a single incident. She now plans to expand her guard dog numbers as wolf populations grow.

“We haven’t lost any sheep where we have Maremmas,” she said. “When we see wolves right outside the fence, it’s reassuring to know the dogs are out there 24 hours a day, all year round.”

She operates the dogs in pairs: one keeps the flock away from threats while the other confronts them.

Despite installing kilometres of wolf-proof fencing, Svendsen doubts its effectiveness alone. She cited cases of dogs easily clearing such barriers and noted 15 wolf attacks behind certified fencing in 2025–26, per the Agency for Green Transition and Water Environment.

“Look at zoos—they keep wolves contained with massive fences, both above and below ground. That’s a different level,” she said.

The Maremma is a livestock guardian breed, not a companion dog, according to the Danish Kennel Club. Svendsen paid 8,000–10,000 DKK per puppy, importing five from Portugal without certification, meaning she must train them herself. Certified puppies cost significantly more.

She supports state subsidies for guard dogs, similar to programmes in several German states, but warns against excessive bureaucracy.

“It’s a good helper, but it can be stubborn. You have to show it who’s in charge,” Svendsen said.