By Cheetah Conservation Fund | CCF Staff
On September 30, 2018, we had to say goodbye to one of our beloved livestock guarding dogs, Spots. Spots was the star of CCF, modeling for photos, taking part in films, and working extremely hard to protect his herd of goats and sheep. On the morning of September 30, 2018, he had to run at top speed to get to his herd and follow them for the day, but unfortunately, we believe his heart gave out by the time he reached them. Spots was becoming an old man at the age of 10 and began showing his age, but he still loved working more than anything in the world. Every Sunday he was super excited to go out with his herd and while we are incredibly sad that he has passed away, it is some consolation that he died doing what he loved best.
Spots was part of CCF's renowned Livestock Guarding Dog Program that has been highly effective at reducing predation rates and thereby reducing the inclination by farmers to trap or shoot cheetahs.
CCF’s renowned Livestock Guarding Dog Program has been highly effective at reducing predation rates and thereby reducing the inclination by farmers to trap or shoot cheetahs. CCF breeds Anatolian shepherd and Kangal dogs, breeds that for millennia have guarded small livestock against wolves and bears in Turkey. The dogs are placed with Namibian farmers as puppies. They bond with the herd and use their imposing presence and loud bark to scare away potential predators.
CCF has been placing dogs since 1994 and our research shows that dogs are highly effective, reducing livestock loss from all predators by over 80 and up to 100 percent. Farmers adopt CCF dogs and participate in education on how to train the dog. CCF does on site follow up visits to ensure the dogs have proper training and medical care and are settling into their guardian role. Farmers have enthusiastically embraced the program, and there is now a two-year waiting list for puppies, which makes these dog's role even more important to CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog Breeding Program.
Thank you Spots for giving CCF so many years of your life and being the best working dog ever and the gentlest soul we know! We will miss you, but will always remember the star of our program. Rest in peace our strong guardian.
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