Do dogs and goats get along?

[sandy sea]

Do most dogs get along with goats? I have 4 giant breed dogs and would like to get a goat or two. My dogs are not allowed with my chickens or my two pot bellied pigs. I can not trust the dogs with the chickens or pigs, they like chicken too much. If I were to get a goat would I have to keep them away from the dogs?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

What breeds of dogs do you have? I have Borzoi & a 1/2 Anatolian and both are fine with my goats...but they were trained to be that way....a lot depends on the breed & the amount of training...some breeds may not be able to help themselves & should not be left unattended...

 

[twotmama]

Actually its good to have a dog; and I raise goats with a great pyrenese and chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and pigs and lambs. The dogs keep away coyotes and they can be broken from hurting your other animals, but as far as goats go they get along fine and if you interested in poultry build you a coup its fun and baby goats are adorable we just had triplets.

 

[hooksetz]

I'm not a goat specialist or nuttin', and my experience with goats and dogs I'm sure will be debated, but there's something about a goats baaaaah that seems to make a dog lose his everloving mind. Trained, or special dog breeds probably don't act like that, but I beleive that they normally would only get along sitting down for a bite to eat, if you know what I mean? (HHHHHMMM tastes like chicken). I'd say if you can't trust them around chickens and pigs, probably not the best idea to mingle in a goat or two. Just my 2 cents.

 

[sandy sea]

I have two English Mastiffs, one Neo. Mastiff and a choc Lab. The Neo is the one I am most concerned about, gets a little too excited. Hates the chickens.

 

[lil'chickies]

I have yellow lab & 12 wk. old german shepherd around mine. You will probably want to keep them separated, but within sight, until you know how they will act. If you are the pack leader and your dogs know you lay down the law, they should be fine. Just watch closely. Once they get the taste for goat, they will keep going back for it. Let them know that the goats are yours and not for them. It's easier when they are puppies to introduce them to different animals without worrying so much.

 

[bheila]

My dogs (lab mix and english bulldog) lived around my chickens for a year and then one day decided that it was time to kill one. So I'm taking no chance with the goats. The dogs are allowed in the pasture with the goats but only when I'm in there too. The goats love to hit the dogs with their horns so I have to watch them. Most of the time the dogs stay away from the goats but why take any chances.

 

[gwennym]

I have a Golden Retriever, Tucker, who would rather eat corncobs (!) than bother any other critter, however, I have a Doberman mix, Lyla, that LOVES to chase anything with 4 feet --- goats, horses, etc. I think she likes the chase, as she's NEVER tried to hurt any of the animals on my parent's farm.

Gwen

 

[Haviris]

In my opinion if your dogs are not trustworthy around your chickens and PBPs they probably won't be good around goats, so yes I'd say you will probably have to keep them separate.

 

[lisahaschickens]

The answer to this is that it most definitely depends on your dogs. If they have a high prey drive, as mine do, they will most definitely view the goats as food items, just as they do the pigs and chickens. If they are used to being around other animals and/or they are a breed that is bred to protect or heard other animals, then they will be just fine. From what you are saying, it sounds like I would not consider putting them together with goats. Breeds like Pyrenees (mentioned by the previous posted) have been bred for generations to protect livestock from predators and that's why they are great with the livestock animals. Breeds like border collies are bred to herd livestock and at worst, most will herd your goats and chickens around all day and maybe nip at them to "keep them in line" but that's all.