Where are the patous? Whympr’s brand-new map layer makes them easy to spot!

Whether you’re out hiking, biking, or just soaking up the mountains, knowing where those big fluffy guard dogs — yep, the famous patous — are hanging out can save you a lot of stress. Good news: Whympr now pulls in data from Map Patou. That means you can quickly check where herds are being protected by dogs, so you can head out with all the info you need.

‍Map Patou — what’s that?

Map Patou is a super handy interactive map that shows you all the alpine pastures and summer grazing zones where guard dogs are on duty. It covers 9 departments in the Alps: Ain, Cantal, Drôme, Isère, Loire, Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie. The map is run by Pasto Kézako, a collective made up of six local teams called Services Pastoraux, who work together under the Réseau Pastoral Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Since 2023, they’ve been teaming up to help more people understand how to share the trails safely with these dogs.

‍So… what exactly are patous?

Guard dogs are like the mountain’s very own superheroes. They protect herds from wolves and other predators. There are over 7,000 of them in the Alps! They’re part of the alpine landscape — but they can sometimes be intimidating or misunderstood.

Why does Whympr include Map Patou data?

Simple: so you can plan your outings with a clear view of where patous are likely to be.

With this info, you can:

• Pinpoint exactly where the herds — and their guard dogs — are;
• Adjust your route accordingly;
• Enjoy the great outdoors while respecting pastoral life.
  

The data is updated regularly, but nature can be unpredictable — so always stay alert out there!

👉 Watch the tutorial on Youtube (in french)

Did you know? Humans can see clearly from 30 meters away — but a patou can only recognize you from about 5 meters. That’s why they might come really close before realizing you’re not a threat.

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‍How should you behave around a patou?

To avoid any unpleasant surprises, keep these tips in mind:

• Stay calm and don’t run;
• Don’t stare the dog in the eyes;
• Back away slowly, no sudden movements;
• Don’t go near the herd;
• Keep your own animals on a leash;
• Pay attention to local signs and notices.

Understanding guard dogs: a few key points

A patou isn’t your average dog:

• His loyalty is to the herd — not to a single person;
• He’s independent and makes his own decisions to keep the animals safe;
• He’s never tied up or muzzled;
• He never leaves the herd, even when the shepherd isn’t around.

The most common guard dog breeds in France include:

• The Great Pyrenees (the classic patou),
• Central Asian Shepherd,
• Maremma and Abruzzese Sheepdog,
• Kangal,
• Transmontano Mastiff,
• Spanish Mastiff.

In short
With Whympr and the Map Patou layer (you’ll find it under the “maps” tab in the app), you’ve got everything you need to enjoy your hikes with peace of mind — while respecting the shepherds, their herds, and their loyal guard dogs.

That said, nature is unpredictable — so always stay alert out there!