Do short haired flock gaurdians exist?

[3Rivers]

I plan on starting a small flock of chickens in the spring and was wondering about flock dogs. I need something with very short hair and minimal training being as I'm surrounded by foxtail meadows on all sides and am only home nights and weekends. Also I'd rather not have a giant dog. All the ones I've looked at were BIG and long haired. Any ideas? I already have a poodle terrier mix and was wondering if his gopher/rat kill instinct would transfer to the chickens?

 

[nzpouter]

minimal training

this part here... no such thing unless you're very very very lucky.

 

[bj taylor]

if you have the space an australian cattle dog might. my neighbors to the back have 2 & they do a great job keeping predators off their property and they tend to leave the chickens alone. i just don't know how much work he has put into them. the down side to them is they are barkers.

 

[leonphelps]

cattle dogs are tons of work. they are great dogs, but need work and training.

 

[sonomachx]

With foxtails all around even short haired breeds will have problems. They will still need to have their feet and bodies checked nightly for the awns. Also, any dog can and will get the foxtails in their noses, ears and eyes. Granted though, it is easier to find the devilish things on a short haired dog. I always recommend fencing the dogs away from the foxtails if you can, and mowing down a wide perimeter of the weeds BEFORE they go to seed to limit exposure.

 

[centrarchid]

Acreage not indicated but if enough, then a couple grazers like geese or sheep might control foxtail enabling a broader range of dog options with respect to coat type.

 

[Contrary]

I suggest a livestock guardian parrot.