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RE: Zertifiziertes Schafhalter-Update

Hey Chriddi and congrats!))) So, is this shepherd training course required by the government or is it something you chose to do on your own? After learning so much, you could almost say you're practically a vet now! The best part is that you can handle situations when a vet isn't available. And just because the dog isn't a German Shepherd doesn't mean it's not good. In Bulgaria, many of the dogs are Karakachan Shepherds – a Bulgarian breed used to guard herds from predators and thieves. I'm curious about something else – how do you deal with ticks? As far as I know, it's forbidden to spray against them in Germany. Here, we spray, but despite that, there are still a lot of bites every year. This year, Lyme disease has been found in 70 percent of those bitten, which is pretty worrying. Best wishes and good luck with these adorable friends! The last photo is my favorite! Cheers)))

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 6 months ago 

The last photo is my favorite!

At some point he had to drink a little involuntarily... 😉

IMG_7573.jpeg

))) hugs)))

 6 months ago 

Thank you very much... 😊

required by the government or is it something you chose to do on your own?

Yes and no and yes... 😉
The German Animal Welfare Act (government) requires "expertise" to keep livestock (you can keep a dog without expertise, sad...). It's enough to say that you naturally have expertise as soon as you register the livestock. However, if there are problems (for example in the case of epidemics or genuine mistakes (wrong food...)), this is no longer enough. Then you need written proof.
I did the course completely voluntarily. With the desire to learn a lot, to be lectured on everything I "heard" in a well-founded and organised way and to practise (you can find all the information you need on the internet, but that's not the same as training) and to form a lively network with like-minded people.

Haha, of course I'm not comparable to a practising vet - they have to study for a while. but I'm actually not so insecure when an animal isn't feeling well. And that's right: unfortunately, a vet is rarely available (at least he never has time to visit the paddock).

Karakachan Shepherds

Oh yes, very impressive, fearless animals that can even take on a wolf.
We also used to have a guard dog, a Mastiñ Español. Unfortunately, she died before she was allowed to be responsible for a whole herd.

Ticks are indeed a big problem. This year it seems to be particularly bad - I pick 3-4 ticks off myself every day. I've also had myself tested - luckily I don't have any Lyme disease pathogens in my blood.
We're not allowed to spray, right. It would harm too many other insects. Hm. The dog is vaccinated and the sheep get a product called "Butox" on their coats. Then they still bite, but die immediately afterwards. So if they were to transmit a disease, this would only happen with a single bite. The chances of failure are good... 😉

So, to help yourself out. Here, our farmers also try to educate themselves and have groups to share information because, just like you, vets don't always show up here either, and there are often no vets in the villages because they choose big cities or go abroad. Of course, studying to be a vet takes a lot of time, in Bulgaria it's several years, but the information you already have makes you somewhat like one
Three or four every day...! God, take care of yourself!! I use a spray with essential oils of lavender, rose geranium, lemongrass, rosemary, and basil. A tablespoon of hammamelidis tincture is added to them. I haven't bought hammamelidis yet, but I read that it helps a lot. I spray myself and the dog. About two months ago, a tick bit him, and a month later, I took him for a 4D test. Thank God everything was fine! Stay healthy and take care of yourself!

 6 months ago 

but the information you already have makes you somewhat like one

🤗
I always thought that expressing exactly that sounded a bit arrogant... 😎

Three or four every day...! God, take care of yourself!!

For sure!
Three or four a day... but they don't bite immediately.
Maybe two bites a week. And I watch the position of the "stitch" very well.