Crops - Guard animals Guard animals

Guard dogs

Guard dogs can either directly deter wildlife by aggressively approaching, or alert people of wildlife presence.

One study conducted in New York, USA, evaluated the effect of keeping dogs confined in apple orchards to deter white-tailed deer (Odicoileus virginianus) damage on apple yields. In two subsequent years, the apple yield was 37 % and 128 % larger in orchards with dogs than without.

Referenced papers
Curtis, P. D., & Rieckenberg, R. (2005). Use of confined dogs for reducing deer damage to apple orchards.
Apple yield was larger in orchards where guard dogs were confined to prevent white-tailed deer damage