Chicken Herder Dog?

[Damummis]

My red healer is great with the chickens. He does bark though.

His cue is "Stupid chicken" and he rounds them up.

 

[UnkleMacsChickenShack]

Have you thought of a Great Pyranees...Ive had 2 friends use these type dogs and they worked out great for them...The Great Pyranees can also stay out during the harshest winters due to thier thick woolish type coats..and the ones Ive seen are very good around children...Some of the heeler dogs are just to NIPPY for me ..they tend to nip and bite to control the herd I dont like that...

Just my humble opinion..Pappa Jerrico

 

[Schroeder]

Also do some reading about English Shepherds. I don't want to start a debate about BC's vs. ES's, but many swear there is no better farm dog than the English Shepherd.

 

[slackwater]

I was reading about livestock guardian dogs, and it seemed like they were very high maintenance, even for a "free-ranging" dog - they had to be on-leash, or in a well-fenced enclosure, etc - not really good for my "farmette." Would a heeler-type dog be better for off-leash roaming on a small property (15acres)?

 

[HillsHalfAcre]

Thank you all so very much and we will consider each breed mentioned before making a decision, and will keep checking for new posts. My wife is a real softie (she could not eat one of the Cornish Xs I harvested last year because it would sit on her lap) and my 10 & 12 year old sons will likely get attached to the pup. I don't want to have to switch dogs once we commit. Great pic of the Red Heeler! Will let you all know in the long run.

Thanks again!

 

[RedfogsFlock]

Well we have a chihuahua and she is scared of our chickens. Heelers can be really good dogs. It's all in how you raise them really. Poodles stay away from since they are bird dogs. We have a rhodesian ridgeback, and he doesn't bother the girls at all. Actually this morning he was laying on his back while our grown drake was just biting him all over cuz he was to close to his woman!

So I watched awhile and he was actually enjoying it!

 

[cobrien]

I have a blue heeler mix who is GREAT with the chickens and does not bark a lot. However she does not herd them, she only protects them (from raccoons, opossums...and squirrels). I know a farmer whose blue heeler is an amazing chicken herding dog and it also doesn't bark a lot. Of course there are likely plenty who do bark a lot.

But the main reason I chimed in is to recommend that whatever breed you decide, since you really want a herder and want to commit to keeping the dog, I recommend getting your pup from a working line of dogs. That is, the pup's parents should be farm dogs so that your pup is more likely to have the temperament that you're looking for. Many purebred herding dogs have not been bred to be good herders - but rather to conform to a standard that is largely focused on physical appearance and not working ability.

BTW I think a Bouvier (Bouvier de Flandres) would be another good choice, but you should be ready for some grooming!

Good luck!

 

[anniem]

There is a lot to consider with a dog that you want for specific work, especially if it's not exactly breed for it (as in, dogs are specifically breed to herd chickens). How much time do you have for this dog? What kind of dog to you want to live with?
Personally, I have an Aussie and can't imagine having anything else. Mine has enough herding instinct that he wants to chase things that move but he didn't grow up with things like cats and chickens so he gets a bit overzealous about them. I've known many that were great with everything--as long as they were exposed early.
Most herding dogs need a good bit of direction. They are smart. If you don't give them something to do they will get bored and find something to do--and you probably won't like what they choose.

In general...Border collies are the best working dogs. Always ready to go. But they are all about the work, not so much about their people. And they can annoy you for something to do (don't have an "off" button) or they pester animals (staring at the cat, waiting for it DO something...).
Heelers are typically aloof, 1-person dogs. Less tolerant of strangers than other breeds. I don't know much about their working habits, but I think they are pretty adaptable.
Aussies...they are good, but not exceptional workers (although there are overbred working lines that are more BC like and confirmation lines that don't have an ounce of instinct left in them). They have great personalities, definately one of the friendliest working breeds. I've also known people who won't get another aussie after having one b/c they are almost like children--pout if you leave them kind of stuff, people couldn't take the guilt! (my older one did this for 2 months when I brought puppy home

).
These are definately breeds that you want to research a breeder and make sure they have what you are looking for.

ETA: Might also want to think about how much your kids want to be involved with the dog. IME, heelers are the type that are fine with kids in their own family but not necessarily with others--the last thing I want it a dog that might nip or bite someone else's kid, or one that I have to lock up whenever anyone comes over (and the 2 that need this that I know off the top of my head are heelers).
BCs are fun for kids, they'll fetch alllll day and are totally into agility but it's about the play more than the person. Aussies are great family dogs--as long as they don't feel left out.

 

[ARose4Heaven]

I have a Lab, chug and pomeraian, the first two herd the chickens... into a corner to eat.

But the Pom is a chicken's best friend. His mouth isn't big enough to harm them and they can't find any place on him to peck. He is just one of the chickens, a furry chicken. When out ranging, his sharp little bark distracts preditors long enough for the birds to scramble to safety. He hasn't much to fear from the predators himself...I have seen that tiny little fur-ball chase a car 25 mph without even being winded. The chickens are a great distraction from car-chasing.

In the evening, they follow him back to thier electric-fenced play-yard. Neither chickens or Pom seem to feel the fence as they slide under it...but the predators stay far, far from it. Then after the chickens are all bedded down, he comes to the house for a good brushing (burrs love fur) and his own comfy bed.

 

[OwensMom]

We have 3 Border Collies who all work sheep. They help on the farm as well as trial. As a result they are given alot of direction and work. You should NEVER allow then to herd by themselves. They will not consider you as part of their picture and therefore will not please you. They will please themselves! BC make wonderful family dogs IF you can give them enough mental stimulation. We are retired and the dogs are our kids now. They go with us everywhere and resent staying home alone. If I leave my big male home alone he manages to mark everything that belongs to me. They are crate trained but if left in the crate for extended periods, they become neurotic. They are too intelligent and active for incarceration. They need structure, activity and alot of interaction. As someone else said, if you do not give them something to do they will find something to do--and you won't like it. Good luck, Lynn