Stefanos Polygenis - The guardian of the Greek shepherd dogs

His bond with the Greek Shepherd dog began when he was just 11 months old. One morning, young Stefanos wandered out of his family’s home in Agia Moni, Trikala—unnoticed—and disappeared. As soon as his absence was discovered, the entire village was thrown into turmoil. Police, relatives, and neighbors searched for hours, in vain. “The child has been abducted,” was the prevailing assumption.

At the same time, in a small hut across from the family’s home, a female shepherd dog who had just given birth was guarding her litter. After eight fruitless hours of searching, Stefanos’ father thought, “What if we check the dog across the street—what if... she attacked him?” But who would dare approach a nursing shepherd dog? He called the dog’s owner, a neighbor, and together they found little Stefanos fast asleep among the puppies, nestled in the dog’s protective embrace.

The Beginning of a Unique Bond

Stefanos believes that day marked the beginning of a lifelong connection. Eighteen years ago, when he moved to his new home on the outskirts of Trikala, the need for a guard dog led him to adopt his first Greek Shepherd—a dog from Arcturos, descending from the line of Makedonas. He grew to love and deeply respect the animal. His second dog, a female, came from a respected breeder in Florina. That was the humble beginning of his amateur breeding efforts, motivated by a single purpose: the preservation of the breed.

Encouraged by a close friend who recognized his devotion to animals, Stefanos decided to pursue this passion professionally. He reached out to the Kennel Club of Greece, and his breeding program was officially recognized. His dogs soon began receiving international distinction—and the rest is history.

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The Greek Shepherd Dog is a Regulator of Nature

“The Greek Shepherd Dog is a balancer, a bridge-builder, a regulator of nature,” says Stefanos. “It’s not in his nature to kill. His mere presence is enough to keep wild animals away from the flock. The wolf will sense it and think, ‘I won’t go there. I’ll hunt wild boar, roe deer, or stag’ — the natural prey of the forest. This way, the wolf population is also regulated, depending on available food. It’s all part of a chain…”

Wishing to share his knowledge and love for the Greek Shepherd Dog, Stefanos created the YouTube channel LYKOMACHIN. With nearly 25,000 subscribers and over 15 million views, it has become a reference point for shepherd dog enthusiasts across the Balkans and beyond. On the channel, he discusses the breed’s history, behavior, and temperament, answers viewer questions, debunks myths, and advocates for a way of coexisting with nature that is slowly disappearing. Through the screen, he continues doing what he does best: defending the Greek Shepherd Dog — with passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment.