Before leaving
- Water and a foldable bowl, in sufficient quantity for the outing's duration.
- A first-aid kit suited to them, in addition to yours.
- Check their identification (see our guide on pets in emergencies).
- Adapt the route to their physical condition, not just yours.
Heat, a real danger for them
A dog regulates its temperature differently from a human, mainly by panting. Walk them early morning or late evening, avoid any effort during hot hours, and watch for heatstroke signs: excessive panting, heavy drooling, weakness, disorientation. It's a veterinary emergency: move them into shade, cool them gradually with lukewarm water (never ice-cold), and contact a vet immediately.
Facing a livestock guardian dog
In the mountains, you may encounter herds guarded by protection dogs (commonly called "patous" in France), tasked with defending them against predators. According to the French national parks portal, their behaviour towards a hiker is normal and predictable if you follow a few rules:
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Keep your distance, go well around the herd | Approach to observe or photograph closely |
| Walk slowly, speak without shouting | Run or shout |
| Stop, let the dog come to identify you | Force your way through |
| Stay calm and passive | Stare the dog in the eyes, threaten it |
| Hold an object between you and the dog (bag, stick pointed down) | Pet or feed the dog or the herd animals |
Barking or approaching to sniff are normal reactions, not an attack: the dog identifies you, then returns to its herd once reassured. If your own dog is with you, keep it on a leash and move away calmly.
If they get injured
Apply first aid from your kit, limit their movement if you suspect a fracture, and contact the nearest vet. If walking back isn't possible, an improvised carrying method (tarp, jacket) may be needed to carry them to the vehicle.
Mistakes to avoid
- Letting your dog run freely near a herd, even without a visible guardian dog.
- Approaching a guardian dog to reassure or photograph it: the opposite of the recommended behaviour.
- Hiking during the hottest hours with a flat-nosed dog, particularly prone to heatstroke.
- Forgetting your own bowl for the dog, assuming they'll drink from an always-available stream.
Vets around you
LASTLINE can help you:
- find the nearest vets on a map;
- keep your pet's specific needs registered in your household.
LASTLINE doesn't replace veterinary advice in case of injury or heatstroke.
Find a nearby vetFrequently asked questions
What should you do when encountering a livestock guardian dog?
Keep your distance, go well around the herd, walk slowly and speak without shouting. If the dog comes to sniff you, stay calm and passive, stop, don't look it in the eyes and don't pet it: it will identify you then return to its herd.
How do you recognise heatstroke in a dog?
Excessive panting, heavy drooling, weakness or disorientation are warning signs. It's a veterinary emergency: move the dog into shade, cool it gradually with lukewarm water (never ice-cold), and contact a vet immediately.
Can you pet a livestock guardian dog?
No. National parks explicitly advise against it: petting, feeding or photographing a guardian dog or the herd animals up close can be interpreted by the dog as an aggression.
Sources
- French National Parks Portal, Guardian dogs (developed with the National Wolf and Livestock Farming Action Plan).