I'll have to chime in on this one...
Boston Terrier-extremely high prey drive. I got her as an adult (1 yr. old) and the first thing she did was grab a chick. I yelled at her, shook her collar, and she never did it again. She is now the
ultimate flock guardian, even breaking up chicken fights. Unfortunately, she also breaks up the geese trying to breed, since they are very loud and flappy!
I found her with a fox she killed. It was facing the direction of the chicken house, and I'm sure that is why she killed it. I do allow her to kill bullfrogs and squirrels, when she can catch them. It satisfies her prey drive, and keeps the yard and pool clear of pests. She chases off strange dogs, and helps me round up lost babies that wander too far. She is too much of a people pleaser to do anything to disappoint me.
Border Collie mix- wandered up and has been ok. She chewed on a few chicks and they had to be put down. She also grabbed a half-grown chicken and was running up to the barn with it. I yelled, and she dropped it, and it ran back to me. Unhurt and completely dry. I'm not convinced she wasn't taking it up to the barn for the night. Sounds weird, but if she was going to hurt it, she would have.
She's pretty good. I don't trust her completely, but she does sleep in the barn with them, and everyone is accounted for in the morning. She and the geese chew on each other...they pinch her and she nibbles their beaks. Not enough to hurt or leave a mark, and they seem to enjoy it?? She does run from the guineas!
Pyrenees mix- horrible dog. Worst dog ever. Not only killed chickens and guineas, but also skinned my geese alive. That one was a SSS. I tried to give it away, but no one wants a chicken killer.
We are looking to get a good watch dog that will protect the property, and not harass our animals. So far the Pits sound the best, but I don't think they would do good as an outside only dog. I am glad this thead is still going, and no one is taking offense.
Shelly
