Dog Breed Experience Poll/Database

[farrier!]

We have 2 Vizslas they were very easy to train and are now totally Chicken Ignorers.
One is 8 and the other 2.
My friend moved in with her Labradoodle and she is a chicken killer...

 

[redhawkou812]

Our current dogs are not allowed loose with the chickens, but previously when I had some that were free ranging, believe it or not, the rottie ignored them, but the papillon was not allowed loose with them after he killed one that was about the same size he was, so it's all individual!

 

[bald k9]

My Chinese Crested is a chickens best friend!!! His Name is Simon Mykyl Here is his pic

 

[JestersEye]

Quote:
OMG... That is such an adorable picture!

 

[Big dreams]

I would have to wonder how many dogs that were raised with chickens are chicken killers, I get the feeling that had I had puppies when I got the chickens things might be different, but my dog already killed one chicken and I don't let them out together at all. She is a pit mix (maybe?) I got from the pound as a full grown dog, had her for a year or two before getting the chickens.

 

[lizardz]

Of the four dogs we have/had -
Newfie/Golden Ret. mix - very remorseful chicken killer - wanted to play with them, but they just didn't play for long. He killed 5 of our chickens and always brought them to me and would lay them at my feet with a remorseful look, crying and gently nudging them as if to say, "make her better, mom."
Lab, Beagle, and Pit Bull mix - Not really sure what to call them - they don't harm the chickens at all, but they used to sneak under the chicken wire into the run (before we finally fixed it) to eat the scraps that were throwen out for the chickens. I would be looking for one of the dogs and go over to the chicken area, and there s/he would be, laying patiently with the chickens waiting to be let out. Never a chicken harmed.

I think it truly depends on the particular dog. While training can help, some dogs don't need it and some, no matter what you do, can't seem to help themselves. Now that I have a huge fenced area for the dogs, I just choose to keep my dogs away from the chickens as much as possible if they're not supervised.

 

[Ken H]

I believe English Mastaffs are a good mix with chickens because they are just too lazy to attack chickens. I had a 250 lb. mastiff that would just lay there and let my daughter's hamster crawl all over it. Just don't let another dog get in it's face. It's like they say "Are you talkin to ME? Here's a picture of my favorite dog 'Dufus'. The grandkids would try to ride him like a pony. 250 lbs. of gentle giant.

 

[1stepcloser]

Lab/chow mix....killed chicken by trying to play with them but now ignores them. Scarred her for life by hanging carcass around her neck.

Llaso Apso/Pom/nonsense mix ignores them but isn't a big fan.

Cairn terrior/Pom mix ignores the chickens but is suspicous (they chased her once).

 

[honeydoll]

We have a yellow lab/ mix and he has such a strong prey drive I would never let him alone with them. A stray kitten crawled in our fence and he almost killed it, he hunts everything that is a small animal. With lots of time and training he is ok if we are there but NEVER would I leave him alone with any small animal. I'd say he would be a chicken killer.

 

[GardeNerd]

Golden Retriever- Chicken Friend

He was 3 when we got the chickens as babies. I made him sit many times while the baby chicks crawled all over him. If he even looked their way he was scolded. He tries to please so much so this seemed to have done the trick. He was supervised a lot in the first 4 months around the chickens. I would also intentionally spook the chickens when he was around to see if he would react. A lot of times he ignores them, unless they are getting a treat he likes too, and then he slyly walks up and nudges his way in. If I had not trained the dog to leave the chickens alone, I would not be surprised if he would have chased them and been a one time remorseful chicken killer. He loves to chase squirrels and balls to the point of obsession.