Dog Suggestions

[sundance]

I have a pitt, a poodle mix, and a yorkie, My chickens free range and so do my dogs, Before meeting the grim reaper, my roo used to chase all 3 into the house when he was outside the run. Now they just enjoy being outside with the chickens, but the chickens were raised with all the dogs so its nothing new to them. marrie

 

[Old McDonald 27]

I think a great pyr is the way to go. Mine is with my goats and turkeys, but she does great with the chickens and rabbits too. That being said, I agree with most breeds it is in how you train them. My English Springer Spaniel (a bird dog) is great with my chickens. Of course that could be because the first time he got within 10 feet of my girls my giant new hampshire red Roo tore him up!!! Had a big ugly knot on his head for days!!

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Yes, Lhasa Apsos are good with poultry. Many people don't realise that many small breed dogs (not the terriers) were originally bred to be guard dogs and can be good with poultry. Lhasas can't do much in the way of protection because of their small size, but when properly socialized, they will be nice to poultry.

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
Jeez, not again...

I know there are a lot of folks here with herding breed dogs like Aussies and Border Collies that get along with/"guard" the chickens, but that really only says one of two things about your dogs...either:

A) you've put a ton of work into destroying the natural potential of what may actually have been good herding dogs (which certainly doesn't do the breed any favors) or

B) they would have been pretty awful as herding dogs anyway. Too few breeders stive for working ability anymore, so useless herding dogs are actually pretty ubiquitous (...they're also fairly unpredictable, because if they don't herd, what do they do?...)

So, basically, if you're going to get a herding dog to get along with/"guard" your chickens, you should either be looking for the most useless (and, therefore, unpredictable) herding dog ever or prepare yourself for the herculean task of ruining an otherwise valuable dog by breaking it of all its natural instincts.

I mean, seriously...does that sound right to anyone?

Moreover, assuming you actually get the dog acclimated to and/or "guarding" the chickens...then what? What happens when they're confronted with a coyote? Or, several coyotes? Or a big raccoon, even?

At best, they're mangled..at worst, dead. They're bred to run fast, jump high, and turn on a dime...they're the "wide recievers" of the dog world...if you put them on the offensive line, they're gonna get STOMPED and your quarterback -- the chickens!!! -- are going down very shortly thereafter.

So, please...people...seriously...unless you want to start hearing stories about dead and mangled "guard" dogs in P&P, please -- for the love of all things holy -- PLEASE stop recommending small herding dogs for flock protection!!!!!

</rant>

 

[gel2727]

I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and he is great with all the farm birds. They are really great dogs, they are called the little dog with the big dog attitude (really, he thinks he's huge!). The only problem is if you have small children and they are running around they may "nip" at their legs (this is what they were bred to do with sheep). My Jake has never done that, but he will give you a tiny little nip (and then kisses to apologize) if you step on him or hurt him, but who can blame him?

Edit: And he won't go near the road unless he's with me.

 

[Joyryder]

My Bichon Frise is very good with the chicks.

 

[Firefly]

Quote:
Jeez, not again...

I know there are a lot of folks here with herding breed dogs like Aussies and Border Collies that get along with/"guard" the chickens, but that really only says one of two things about your dogs...either:

A) you've put a ton of work into destroying the natural potential of what may actually have been good herding dogs (which certainly doesn't do the breed any favors) or

B) they would have been pretty awful as herding dogs anyway. Too few breeders stive for working ability anymore, so useless herding dogs are actually pretty ubiquitous (...they're also fairly unpredictable, because if they don't herd, what do they do?...)

So, basically, if you're going to get a herding dog to get along with/"guard" your chickens, you should either be looking for the most useless (and, therefore, unpredictable) herding dog ever or prepare yourself for the herculean task of ruining an otherwise valuable dog by breaking it of all its natural instincts.

I mean, seriously...does that sound right to anyone?

Moreover, assuming you actually get the dog acclimated to and/or "guarding" the chickens...then what? What happens when they're confronted with a coyote? Or, several coyotes? Or a big raccoon, even?

At best, they're mangled..at worst, dead. They're bred to run fast, jump high, and turn on a dime...they're the "wide recievers" of the dog world...if you put them on the offensive line, they're gonna get STOMPED and your quarterback -- the chickens!!! -- are going down very shortly thereafter.

So, please...people...seriously...unless you want to start hearing stories about dead and mangled "guard" dogs in P&P, please -- for the love of all things holy -- PLEASE stop recommending small herding dogs for flock protection!!!!!

</rant>

Easy there! Don't give yourself an aneurism.

Couple of things-

-my Aussie is NOT small. She is a medium sized dog, as I thought most in the breed were? Not sure where you got the idea that they are small, unless you're thinking mini-Aussies. Still, I would not expect her to go up against something like a coyote... not in these parts anyway where they're about the same size as my dog.
-my Aussie DOES herd. She helps me round them up and get them into the pen on command.
-I did not get her to be a guard for the chickens (we had her long before). BUT, just the act of having a dog around does act as a deterrent to some predators. She also does chase away hawks.

I didn't recommend the breed, just stating that my Aussie has worked out great... as others have said it's not the breed per se, but temperament and training.

Peace,
Kelli

 

[Nash56]

We have 3 pembroke welsh corgies and they have never hurt any poultry. They help me herd in the geese at night without a feather missing.

 

[cassey40]

I have a German Shepard that keeps the coons and any other pest away and she is great with the chickens, its just the way they are trained in the begining if they are around the chicken all the time they will get use to them and be very protctive of them. Hope you find the right dog for you. Very sorry about you doggy

 

[cposz]

Our collie (100 pounds, so not small) is great with the hens and the chicks - very gentle - but we don't use him as a guard dog for them.

Heck, he doesn't even make a good guard dog for us. He's too friendly.