I think for choosing a good dog for your family is to research the breeds. You have the sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding, and miscellaneous class (from the American Kennel Club AKC). Or you can classify them into what they actualy are like, hounds, spitz, mastiffs, guarders, working, herding, ect. These are
my opinions on the dogs and there are always exceptions to the breeds and how the dogs are going to act. You also have to consider how tampered the breed is due to over breeding, like the lab, german shepherd, ect., any breed that has gotten real popular with the general public.
If you like the sporting group which includes the pointers, retrievers, setters and spaniels dogs then you really have to consider the drive that some have, also how over breeding has really tampered the breeds. These dog were all origanly bred for hunting, helping the hunter finding the game birds and bringing them back.
The hound group is different form the sporting. They were bred to go after bigger game, to help the hunters find the game, tree the game, or take down the game animals. A lot of these breeds will fallow there nose and that can get the best of them and get them in trouble for wondering. So you might want to stear clear of them.
The working group is the group that the Great Pyrenees (GP) is in. These dog were bred to guard, pull sleds, and rescue are among the few. The breeds very from the GP, mastiffs, akitas, schnauzers, danes, to boxers, rottweilers, pinschers, and many more. They are all large dogs and some are very strong willed making them a challenge for some easy going dog owners. That is something to consider if you are thinking about these dogs. But they are all going to want to naturaly protect you.
The terrier group is one that is not for the weak of heart. They are feisty dogs and will give you a run for your money if you let them. Terriers were bred for hunting and killing vermin. The Parson Russel Terrier (jack russle terrier), American Staffordshire Terrier (aka pitbull), Fox Terriers, and Bull terrier are some in the group. Some terriers just don't like being around other animals. Something to think about.
The toy group has a very high spirit. They were bred to make people happy. They really don't have a job just to give delight. Some of the best allert dogs I have ever seen were Chihuahuas or Shih-tzus, they all want you to know they are there and something is comming. They would make a great allert dog, with training so they don't get the "little dog" syndrum. They don't have a real high prey drive either like some other groups naturaly have. They are not going to be affective with protecting much just because of there size.
The non sporting goup is a very mixed group with so many personalities, from the chow chow, dalmation, schipperke, boston terrier and many more. I think these breeds are pretty stong will breeds also. A lot of them were breed for protection like the chow or hunting like the schipperke. This is kind of as mix of a little bit of everything.
The herding group breeds mainly came from the working group before the herding was created. There are australian cattle dogs, belgians, collies, german shepherd dog, and many more. They love to please there owners and have that great instinct to try and keep things in order. Since they are herding dogs you have to watch for that nipping that some will try and do. Some breeds are deffiantly more pro to nipping then others.
The miscellaneous class is basicaly the breeds that have not been put anywhere yet. It includes the coonhounds that are hunters and will take down or tree big game. Then it includes breeds like the cane corso that is a very strong willed dog and the body to go with it. The leonberger is also in the group and is a great multipurpose working dog. They are a giant breed dog that was origanly bred as a family and working farm dog.
For us:
We have a 13 year old lab and she is a very very well behaved dog and is a great hunting dog. We do a lot of quail, dove, and duck hunting with her along with big game animals. She can come home and now not to go after our chickens and ducks. She has had a lot of training over the years. My hubby really wants to get a German Shorthaired Pointer after she passes. Now with these they have a very strong bird drive and the only way we probably will be able to have that work is to get him at a pup and work with him every day form day one, just because of his natural drive.
We also have a heeler/pit/lab maybe with some chow thrown in there. He has a lot of the personality of a heeler. He is the absolute best with the chickens and ducks. He used to try and herd the kids when he was very little or the mop and broom but as he got older he learned he couldn't do that. When we are out in the desert he loves to try and herd the cows but at home he has never even ran at any of out birds. I tell him "lets move the birds" and he stands about 10 feet from me and walks with me to move the birds. He is great with other animals, but will try to run off other predators.
My friend has a 7 month old german shepherd and I can't trust him as far as I could throw him. When they come over I have to lock up the ducks that free range and watch him like a hawk.
I think a lot has to do with how you are going to train your dog. If you start young not to run out into the road then once he gets older he will know that isn't ok to do. Also I think males are more fond of running off the females. Fixing any dog you get will help with that. For your chickens a "leave it" command works wonders. Start with something small like one piece of food then work up to bigger and better things. Read up on all of the breeds that interest you so you know them. If you end up getting a mutt you can at least guess to what you can expect if you know your breeds and what they do.
My suggestions are for a very large dog a Leonberger, a large dog a doberman pinscher who a great versitile dog, a golden retriever would also be a good dog for a family and a watch dog. Or any mutt that you put a lot of time and effort into.
Here are some good websites about breeds:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds
http://dogbreedinfo.com/a-z.htm
Here is my heeler/pit/lab watching over the chicks
Looking out for the ducks
