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

[haygrif]

Figured I'd chime in simply since I make a living working with dogs (obedience training).

Both of those breeds are incredibly athletic working breeds and therefore would probably not have any problem scaling a 4ft fence. There are a number of medium-large breed dogs that can scale a 4 ft fence -- it's not too hard, unless the dog is really old, overweight, or doesn't have the desire.

It absolutely depends on the dogs as individuals. Many breeds were bred to have such capabilities, and the breeds you mentioned also tend to have very high prey drives. I have three chickens, and my two medium-large dogs (a lab/shepherd mix and a Norwegian buhund) have both gotten so used to the chickens that they can co-exist peacefully together -- though they are also both breeds that were bred to GUARD livestock animals, not hunt them. I pet sit a friend's American Bulldog (another larger bully breed) every so often, and the chickens have to be kept up tight in their pen and the dog kept in a run before I feel confident with her around. She even goes after my cats -- and please note, she's a perfectly sweet, well adjusted dog -- has never bit a human, but the prey drive in her is strong. It is simply a part of her breed.

If I were you, I'd ask your neighbors about the dogs. Observe them. Do they chase squirrels and seem very motivated to chase prey? Do their owners seem like they're responsible and on top of the situation? Are they well trained?

Just to be safe, I'd get a 6 ft privacy fence. I feel like keeping chickens is a very risky business and if they are to free range they need to be kept guard over against many predators, including but not limited to the dogs next door. Having a high fence helps. Having a fort-knox-esque coop helps as well, for when you aren't around to keep an eye on them. Huskies and many large breeds are known to easily leap 6 ft fences and higher, as well. It's up to you to defend your chickens, and your neighbors to keep their dogs in check.

Good luck!

 

[nzpouter]

actually a well trained pack of dogs can be an assets to your chicken keeping.... they'll keep other predators away from your place....

we have 3 bull terriers that will sleep with the chickens when I feel there's predators about...

 

[newchickmom09]

Yes, if they want to they can come over with NO problems. I would just get to know your neighbors and understand how well trained there dogs are. I have an australian cattle dog/pit/lab and he is the best dog with any of our birds. I can take him to anyones house that has chickens or ducks and he is great with them. He was over a year and a half old when we got our chickens so it wasn't like he was raised with them from puppy hood. He naturaly doesn't have a high prey drive for these kinds of animals. Both breeds of your neighbors dogs were originaly bred to be great with people. I wouldn't worry about your kids really if you have taught them how to behave around dogs. If you are so concerned then I would really try to get to know them. Maybe even let there dogs smell your chickens threw the fence and see how things go.

Just remember some dogs just can't handle it when birds flap there wings. My heeler/pit/lab won't bother a bird but he will chase a cat no questions asked. There are different kinds of prey drives.

 

[kindir]

Yes, they can get over it, and it depends on the dog. I have 5 dogs, all of them incredibly athletic since we compete in several dog sports and the ONLY one I have to worry about? The 8 pound Toy fox Terrier, who can absolutely jump a 4 foot fence.

Of course, he only does that if I'm on the other side. Still, I never leave any of my dogs outside unattended for more than a couple of minutes - I'm the overprotective dog mom type!

I would just make sure the chickens are well protected until you find out about the neighbor. I'm sure my neighbors were less than thrilled to have someone with 5 dogs move in next door, but once they realized that my dogs were well trained and would NEVER step foot on their property they were fine. Now they bring their kids over to watch whenever I'm training them for frisbee.

 

[sydney13]

my old boxer would be able to jump over our four ft fence if he wanted to but he never would. he was great with my hens and as he was napping outside i could thrown food on his head and they would run right on him and eat it

i didn't have to train him to get along with them but im sure that other boxers would love to catch a chicken

 

[AinaWGSD]

In a heartbeat. A 4' high fence isn't even a challenge for a healthy dog of those breeds. But like others have mentioned, training is also a key factor in whether or not the fence will contain the dogs. My german shepherds are perfectly capable of jumping/scaling my 4' high chainlink fence (well, maybe not so much my older one now that she's so arthritic...but if she really wanted to I'm sure she still could) but it is adequate to keep them in my yard as they have been trained not to touch the fence, even when there is something extra-enticing like a running squirrel or rabbit on the other side. I certainly don't trust it to keep them in my yard if I am gone all day, but for an hour or two here and there it's fine even without supervision. If your neighbors aren't going to leave the dogs out unattended, it certainly sounds likely that they're responsible enough to have at least basic control over their dogs. And both of these breeds tend to be friendly and good with children, so unless they act uncharacteristically aggressive I wouldn't really worry about them coming after your kids (assuming of course that your kids aren't little houligans and don't torment the dogs).

 

[boogiedog]

I agree with most of the posts here - 4' is not a sufficient fence. You may want to ask your neighbors to split the cost of a 6' fence, which would be much better. Even the best behaved dogs, in a pack, can escalate behavior when excited and if your chickens start making some noise that is particularly of interest to them they may want to "visit".