How to act if you see a patou dog while hiking in France

People hiking across mountain pastures in France have a good chance of encountering a Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog or patou, which are typically used to defend sheep - including against wolf attacks. We look at how hikers should act to stay safe around patous.

There have been several reports of problems between hikers and patous in recent months, including one hiker who was evacuated by helicopter after taking refuge in a tree in the Vercors, and two hikers who were hospitalised after an encounter near Grenoble.

Raymond Riera, the shepherd whose patous reportedly forced the hiker to take refuge up a tree, told The Connexion that the dogs were necessary to protect his flocks against wolves, which have repopulated many mountainous areas, particularly in the Alps.

“It’s not so much the wolves that cause me problems, but the tourists,” said Mr Riera. “They just don’t understand.”

So far no one has been seriously injured.

How to avoid issues with patous:

• Avoid any flocks of sheep or goats, and stay far away from any patous. 

• Keep your dogs on a short lead, and go far around any flocks. 

• Do not let children approach or run.

• If a patou does appear, try to stay calm and avoid sudden movements. 

• Do not shout. 

• You could even yawn, as this is reportedly a sign of appeasement for dogs. 

• Avoid staring at or threatening the dog with a stick or other object, as these could be seen as aggression.

• Do not try to scare the dogs away - remember that patous can fight wolves and they are not easily scared!

• Gradually move away, without running, and avoid any signs of confrontation.

Read more: Farmers and hikers given safety tips on French Pyrenean Mountain Dogs