several forms of staff ends

The Karakachans accommodated much of their culture to a nomadic way of life. They lived in circular huts made from a braiding of foliage and branches. To secure his sheep, each shepherd used a distinctive staff with a hook at one end that was decorated with woodcarving. This staff also served as a source of protection for the shepherd.
Another key source of protection was the presence of the Karakachan dogs. These dogs were assimilated into the shepherd's family at a young age and given the status of a family member. The dogs ate the same white bread (Kar. Psumi) that the shepherds ate. This bread was composed of bran mixed with rye flour, although pure rye and barley meal was considered preferable. Whey was added to the bread dough and turned into a paste. Karakachan dogs were fed twice a day and ate approximately one kilogram of bread per day. Meat was never given to the dogs because shepherds did not want a dog making an association between meat and sheep or humans. Along with bread, the dogs also were given a mush of bran and barley meal. When cheese was prepared, dogs also got whey to drink. (Whey contains milk acid, milk sugar, carbohydrates and minerals, and very high-quality although a minor amount of protein. It is 94% water, virtually no fat.

pronged collar for dogs' protection

The Karakachans demanded two tasks of their dogs. First, they had to guard the huts; second, they had to guard the livestock. Dogs guarding the huts patrolled a territory of 1 to 2 kilometers. When wolves, bears or people approached the huts, the dogs started to bark and did not let the intruder approach. These dogs were called "Kopakoschkila". At night, the dogs had small huts at their disposal. The livestock herds were usually accompanied by male Karakachan dogs. By the particular sound of the barking, the people could often discern the visitor's species.

Livestock guardian Karakachans were given different names at various points in their lives. Pups were called Kar. Kutrâk. Yearlings were called Kar. K'tavi. At three years of age, the dogs had matured into true livestock guardians called Kar. Skila, Skilja. And at this age, they were also capable of fighting wolves.
To provide an extra advantage in a wolf fight, the livestock guardian dog frequently wore a collar with sharp prongs (Kar.hanaka) with the prongss turned outward. These collars were bought from Gypsies.