Dog Breed?

[CookieChicken18]

Hi all! I am looking for a dog to protect my little flock and to hang out with. The problem is that allergies are an issue. Does anyone know of a hypoallergenic dog with a low prey drive/good with/at protecting chickens? Thanks!

 

[sassysarah]

Labradoodles are good dogs! I had one myself but had to give him away because she was was always too alert and barking at other dogs and animals! She was very protective and shame I had to give her away! She was too big for my small backyard! She was a really good girl! It's part poodle part lab. So the hair shouldn't bother you. She was very alert and protective!

 

[User395221]

I don't think any animal is really hypoallergenic, just less likely to cause reaction. Anyway, the maremma is supposed to be good at guarding (have you seen the movie "Oddball"?), but I doubt it's hypoallergenic with all that fur.

 

[sassysarah]

I don't think any animal is really hypoallergenic, just less likely to cause reaction. Anyway, the maremma is supposed to be good at guarding (have you seen the movie "Oddball"?), but I doubt it's hypoallergenic with all that fur.

There are some

 

[The Moonshiner]

No breed of dog is truly hypoallergenic.
Some breeds are better then others for sure though.

 

[User395221]

The hard part is getting both a "non-chasing" AND a "less-shedding" dog in the same package. You might need to go for the less-shedding and train for the chook protection. I'd look at an adult dog known not to be "chasey".

 

[ChocolateMouse]

PLEASE pay attention to what you're getting! Mixed breed dogs only MAY be hypo. Poodles are hypo but there's only a CHANCE of passing that down. Labradoodles are only sometimes hypoallergenic.
http://www.alternet.org/culture/heartbreaking-truth-about-those-cute-doodle-dogs

http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/hypoallergenic-dogs/

Almost ALL of these are bred for some sort of hunting or bird dogs. Pay close attention to what the dogs were bred for.

You'll probably have to drop a priority. A chinese crested or maltese will hang with you and be hypo and probably won't hurt your flock, but it won't do anything to protect your flock. A poodle or poodle something will hang with you and MAY be hypo and may drive away predators but poodles are bird dogs and will also want to eat your birds.

 

[User395221]

but poodles are bird dogs and will also want to eat your birds.

From my experience, it depends on the individual dog how they are. There'll be breed tendencies, but it boils down to the dog. My cousin used to have miniature poodles. When one died, they got another. I think she had about 3 different dogs over time, all black minis, and each was VERY different. That's why I suggested looking at an adult whose personality is known. Even within a "chasey" breed, you can have a dog who is calm and not that chasey. Also, a "chasey" dog might not be chasing to kill and eat. My dog is chasey, but she does it for "sport", I'm not afraid she'll eat anybody. My other dog is a worry, he's a rescue with no manners. BUT the chooks peck him if he tries it on with them. There seems to be a detente between him and the girls.

As for protection, my westie barks at the crows, but I wouldn't rely on her to be Lassie in any real emergency.

 

[dainerra]

also, a lot will depend on if you are allergic to dog dander or to saliva. Or both. And, even within a breed that you have shown little issue with in the past, you can be allergic to a specific individual.

 

[User395221]

And, even within a breed that you have shown little issue with in the past, you can be allergic to a specific individual.

And you can even turn allergic to an animal you've had for a while. On another forum, a guy's wife had developed symptoms after a pregnancy.