Advice for a Farm Dog please. Scotch Collie, English Shepherd, Pyrenees, etc. ?

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

A llama is great protector for any farm animal. Just a thought.

Yeah! I know a channel on YouTube and they have kangals (I think that's what the dogs are) and they work will the alpacas to spot and scare away the coyotes.

 

[Paz]

Kangals are great. English Shepherds are prone the coat problems, so not suited for forests. I also like Caucasian Shepherds, and if you want to scare smaller things away, a Guinea fowl flock is the best. They will attack everything that looks like danger and alert all other birds. Their screams are so loud, that no avian bird would get near them, foxes will run away with a headache, cats will be dreaded to get anywhere near them.

 

[coach723]

Just wanted to say that many LGD's are labeled as 'stubborn'. That's not really the case. They are VERY independent and smart and they think for themselves, that is what makes them good for protection. Training is important, so they learn what they are supposed to do, but the stubborn part is kind of unfair to them. They have to be independent enough to be able to decide and do what is needed when no one else is there. Some of them are very instinctive at it, but training is a must. When my pyr goes into protection mode, you can't really call him off until the 'danger' as he perceives it is addressed or gone. Sometimes just going out and acknowledging what ever it is and telling him 'good job' is enough. But if there is a predator out there, he's not quiting til it's gone, one way or another. It's his job and he's serious as death about his job. I also have a donkey, same rule applies. He's not quitting til it's gone, whatever it is.

 

[Farmer13]

We have had 7 Goldens each has made a great farm dog & family protector.
This is Bella & she lives for the snow.

 

[PetalAndPlume]

I would suggest a border collie. I love my girl. She is the sweetest, most gentle girl ever. She is super gentle with the animals and is always looking out for predators. Border collies are the best breed in my opinion! But I have heard amazing things about Great Pyrenees dogs!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sheltie.

 

[NetherLeeFarm]

I'd almost say that there's not truly a livestock guardian breed that's born ready to serve. There are dogs whose characteristics make them more easily trainable and affable toward this duty, but even within breeds, each dog is different. It's actually in a dog's natural prey drive to kill a chicken or anything else that's hopping around and furry or feathery, but some dog breeds and some dogs regardless of breed can learn to temper this more than others.

It's often been said that a good farm dog isn't made, it's born, but I think it's a lot of both. I've learned that it takes about two years to train a good, dependable livestock guardian. Of course, some come into it more naturally than others, and some never will. Before getting a dog, you may need to commit to the idea that it will be part of your lives regardless of it's ability to fulfill this duty.

I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions to this, but I don't hold to the idea of sticking a puppy in a field or barn and thinking it will naturally figure things out. Although I don't think it needs to be sleeping in your bed either. All dogs need to be taught their place in the pack along with what is expected of them, and most dogs will thrive when this is provided with a strict, loving hand.

Speaking from decades of experience in dog ownership and training, I'll just throw this out there: When it comes to most things in life, including dogs, you get what you get. But if you work hard to mold your canine companion into a job and life they'll love, you'll usually be successful. So pick the breed AND dog that suits you and your lifestyle and that you want to spend a lifetime with, and then train train train and it will usually work out well, regardless of his/her ability to be a LGD.

PS Pictured is my pretty 100 lbs lab/pyre mix guarding our land. Best farm girl ever.

 

[Paz]

View attachment 4051543
Sheltie.

I too have a sheltie

 

[Love Donkeys]

With Pyrenees you need good fencing. They will actually climb over gates and fencing to go looking for predators. The LGD's are very strong willed and independent thinkers. The photo is of Freddie, we had 3 other Pyrenees at the time, living with and protecting our Meat Goat herd...

If you choose to have a Donkey purchase the biggest Jenny you can find. Small Sicilian Dokeys may get killed large predators. Only have one Donkey, she will consider the poultry is her herd. You can not have a LGD in the poultry area with the Donkey. The Donkey will kill the LGD, she'll plan her attack very carefully then she'll strike....
Our Donkeys will even "escort" rabbits out of the pastures.