Dogs recruited to protect German sheep from wolves

German officials wanting to protect their sheep from wolves are calling in the experts, two Pyrenean mountain dogs named Ben and
Carlos.

Saxony state environment minister Frank Kupfer said Tuesday the services of the specially trained dogs are now available to worried shepherds. The dogs, a breed that has guarded German livestock for centuries, will protect sheep if Saxony's wolves ignore obstacles such as electric fences.

Wolves are protected and have established themselves in parts of Germany over the past decade. Official figures show Saxony, on Germany's borders with Poland and the Czech Republic, has 45 wild wolves living in five packs, the biggest population in the country.

Wolves have killed some 200 sheep in the German region over recent years.