We are going to be getting puppies soon and would like some opinions on the best type of dogs to have around chickens, cats and children. In addition to that, it needs to be a large breed dog (to prevent coyote attacks) but also a dog that is not prone to fence climbing or wandering. We have 2 acres but are on a busy road. Electric fencing is not an option right now b/c we have young children.
We had a Rott/Shephard mix that never left our property, but I know she would never have left our chickens alone. She passed away last year.
We also had a Corgi/Shephard/Chow mix who was the happiest dog I've ever had, but he was an expert fence climber and would never have tolerated the chickens or cats. He also was prone to snappiness when my son bothered him too much. His wandering was a tragedy b/c he was hit by a car in January.
We are left with a very smart but old Border/Lab Mix who doesn't like to be inside with us, so I really want to get her some "protection" in her old age. She is great with the kids, cats and chickens. But also is a fence climber. (You should see our fence -- and she still finds a way out. She climbs trees also.) Luckily, as she's gotten older, she rarely leaves our property, but if she has a companion, she likes to roam.
ANY IDEAS??? This time, I probably will not go with a pound puppy b/c 2 or our 3 pound puppies came to us with parvo, which is very common at the shelters in our area. So would rather go with a reputable breeder or adoption home.
We had a Rott/Shephard mix that never left our property, but I know she would never have left our chickens alone. She passed away last year.
We also had a Corgi/Shephard/Chow mix who was the happiest dog I've ever had, but he was an expert fence climber and would never have tolerated the chickens or cats. He also was prone to snappiness when my son bothered him too much. His wandering was a tragedy b/c he was hit by a car in January.
We are left with a very smart but old Border/Lab Mix who doesn't like to be inside with us, so I really want to get her some "protection" in her old age. She is great with the kids, cats and chickens. But also is a fence climber. (You should see our fence -- and she still finds a way out. She climbs trees also.) Luckily, as she's gotten older, she rarely leaves our property, but if she has a companion, she likes to roam.
ANY IDEAS??? This time, I probably will not go with a pound puppy b/c 2 or our 3 pound puppies came to us with parvo, which is very common at the shelters in our area. So would rather go with a reputable breeder or adoption home.
