Research overview: welfare and wildlife impacts of livestock-guarding dogs

This overview examines the downsides and trade-offs of deploying livestock-guarding dogs against big cats, balancing their depredation-reducing benefits. It synthesises research on dog welfare, exposure to predators, disease, and harsh conditions, and on the ecological costs of free-ranging guardian dogs harassing, chasing, or killing wildlife, transmitting disease to wild carnivores, and disturbing non-target species. The literature discusses best practices, proper bonding, supervision, sterilisation, vaccination, and breed selection, to maximise protection while minimising harm. The survey frames guardian dogs as a powerful but double-edged tool, cautioning that poorly managed dogs can create new conservation problems even as they solve depredation, and calling for integrated welfare-and-wildlife-conscious deployment.