2 dogs to protect the farm?

[centrarchid]

It will not be just about breed, especially if you are dealing with Mr. and Mrs. Fox. Dogs will have to really get in on those when they visit and they are harder to keep away than coyotes.

 

[LoganTW]

I was just going to ask, before I truly make up my mind, what other people think about breeds for this purpose, and mrsbrooke, they kinda have to be able to guard both livestock and poultry, because I plan on getting livestock. Also I have not really made up my mind on Tibetan mastiff, I just know it so far is my most practical choice. And that I would like big dogs no smaller then German shepherd. But I would prefer bigger then that in case wolves do come down from up north, which they do every once in a while. So that's all I'm getting at with the mastiff thing.

 

[cash money]

I trained my queens land heeler and my chocolate lab to be my flock protection there killed 2 stray cats an a fox since we got chickens

 

[centrarchid]

I was just going to ask, before I truly make up my mind, what other people think about breeds for this purpose, and mrsbrooke, they kinda have to be able to guard both livestock and poultry, because I plan on getting livestock. Also I have not really made up my mind on Tibetan mastiff, I just know it so far is my most practical choice. And that I would like big dogs no smaller then German shepherd. But I would prefer bigger then that in case wolves do come down from up north, which they do every once in a while. So that's all I'm getting at with the mastiff thing.

Tibetan Mountain Dog good choice based on historical use but will be expensive in many ways. Your biggest challenge with them or any dogs will be the breaking them in part and then they will have to contend with charges that will not stay together making protecting such much more difficult especially from foxes and coyotes that employ snatch and run rather than kill, consume there and fight off challengers like wolves and bears do.

If you have wolves come down then the dogs on your side would likely be overwhelmed if budget scaled for your relatively small operation. Our wolves likely are a bit larger than the old world varieties and a pack of six or more (about average) will be able to handle a pair of any canines (dogs of any breed, other wild species, other wolves of another pack). Nice thing is you are small enough that protecting area with fencing will be cheap, cheaper than keeping dogs long-term. I do both so have handle on relative costs.

 

[islandgirl82]

All based on personal experience: I currently have a newfoundland who is wonderful with all creatures and keeps his back to anything that shows no threat, which includes my chickens (that's a dog's way of showing they mean no harm). He will even give them a wide berth when he walks by them so he doesn't scare them and they have learned that he is friend but all other dogs are foe. He will chase off my neighbor's 2 Australian shepards when they get anywhere near my flock and yes, the aussies had tried many times to get my chickens when I was new to the neighborhood and their owner and I have done a lot of chasing ourselves to catch the dogs but we've had some REALLY close calls; luckily my girls only lost a few feathers.

As wonderful as my newfie is with my flock and other farm animals, he's not a natural LGD. He's great at reading me and has learned to step in front of danger without command but newfies are far more people oriented and the fact that he defends my flock is just a bonus.

I like my neighbors aussies as they are sweet dogs but they are extremely high energy and go looking for trouble when they haven't had adequate mental or physical stimulation. My neighbors, their dog trainer and I have been all working hard at training them and after over a year and a half I've finally stopped feeling anxious when I see them walking down the driveway but I will never leave them alone with my chickens. Yes, aussies are very smart and they do learn quickly but seemed to forget everything when something caught their attention but that goes for any poorly trained dog.

I grew up on a horse and sheep farm and we had 2 great pyrenees who were wonderful and gentle with people and all the animals we had. They preferred to spend all their time outside (unlike my newfie who just wants to be wherever I am) but they were house trained and spent their nights in the house. We never saw wild predators on our property but had plenty of deer take to the pastures with our livestock. The thing about pyrs is they bark a good amount as a warning to predators so if their main method bothers you, you may find a better suited breed. You will also want to fence in the area you want them to patrol because they will make the rounds on their territory and without boundaries they will decide how big their territory is, whether that land belongs to you or not. They also shed A LOT and need regular grooming but their long coat makes them well suited for cold winters.

There are pros and cons to every breed so you'll have to decide what traits you're looking for and what you can live with.

Good luck!