Can Boxers and Staffs get over a 4 foot fence to get my chickens?

[princesslayer]

We have brand new neighbours who have 4 dogs. 2 boxers and 2 staffs. The new neighbours are very nice and say the dogs won't be in the garden alone, but I am a bit worried they will get over the 4 foot chain link fence and grab our chickens ( or kids???) There will also be a netting chicken fence in between to keep the chooks off my flowers but I can't see that stopping a dog.

What do you think? Should I keep the chickens in their run now instead of letting them range in the garden?

 

[HenPen]

Yes,they can physically jump the fence but if they will depends on the dog...I have had both breeds and they were both able to jump a 4 foot fence but neither ever did until I asked one too.They never even jumped over the 2 foot baby gate I used in the house but they sure could if they wanted to.

 

[Yardbirds286]

I have a Boxer and he won't jump out 4 foot fence unless asked. They are pretty front heavy dogs. Not a lot of lift, but a ton of power. Our has a VERY high pray drive so I watch him very carefully, and never free range with him outside. On the up side, he has treed coons, possums, and a anything else that he can get up a tree. However, I agree that it depends on the dog.

 

[Tylt33]

We had a 5'+ wood fence that our boxer could scale.

 

[farmertank]

I would watch the Boxer over the staff. Boxers tend to be more energetic and curious. They will jump a 4' fence with no problem if they want to, Staffy's are likely to try to go through the fence instead of over, they can jump 4' fence, but usually won't because it takes alot of effort. I have both breeds and would defiantly worry about the Boxer more. But, like everyone else said it really depends on the dog it-self and his age. I would keep an eye on them myself if I was you and make a decision based on what you see from them.

I wish you luck, this could turn out fine or it could turn out to be another one of those bad neighbor stories.

Julie

 

[Morgan7782]

YES for both breeds. Are you talking about English Staffies or American? English Staffies are much more like a bulldozer, all muscle but not a lot of height to them. American Staffies are more pitbull influenced, and I had one female who would jump from a standstill and clear out purposefully made 7 foot fence to visit with her neighbor friends. IF You are talking about American Staffs, then absolutely they can clear 6 foot dog ear fence easily. I would think boxers as well. Not so sure about English Staffies... They are a little thicker and less leg.

 

[KKatknap]

If it were me, I would keep my chickens in their pen for awhile until I felt secure. I'm not sure how long that would take, under the circumstances. I guess I would pray the neighbors set up a higher-fenced area for their dogs at some point. Couldn't really request they do that, though, unless they do clear the fence. Which I am sure they could. Unless they are all old and fat.

 

[nzpouter]

Quote:
easy.... and being 4 of them there's always the pack mentality... but all depends on how well trained they are...

 

[McSpin]

Almost any dog can get over a 4' fence if it wants. They learn to climb corners real easily if they can't jump it. It's best to have your chickens free ranging while you're there waiting to train the dogs. A good powerful garden hose spraying them in the face, will stop most dogs in their tracks. Train them yourself if your neighbors won't.

 

[tammye]

If scared, can the chickens get out of the pen? They may fly over the top to get away from an attacking dog and end up in his mouth, this happen to me at a cookout. A family members dog charged the pen and one of the girls was able to find the only spot where the top netting was open and flew out over the four foot high fence. The dog tried to eat her, he got a mouth full of tail feathers before I was able to grab him, close call, she is bald but fine. So the moral of this story is, beware at least until the dogs become desensitized to their new feathered neighbors, that is if possible. Chickens do look and sound like dog toys!