What does patou mean in french?

Le patou is a species of dog from the Pyrenees, bred specially to protect sheep flocks. They are brought up with the flock when they are puppies, so they think they are some kind of sheep (they are also white in colour). If the flock is threatened, they come out of the flock and will attack if necessary. In Haute Provence they have been brought in to counter attacks by wolves.