Dog Suggestions

[bawkbawkbawk]

Another vote for Golden Retrievers: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=202983

I agree that with the right training, a wide variety of dogs can be good around chickens. But in general, it seems that Terriers might be more difficult to condition due to their breeding. I have a hard time imagining a Jack Russell or Airedale overcoming their prey urge, but I'm sure someone out there might be able to prove me wrong.

 

[Boondachs]

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 now.... i recomended them as a GENERAL idea that would have a lesser chance of eating the flock the moment you turned your back.
ALSO, what do you think a true herding dog origianlly did??? it protected the herd as in herded. and WHAT dog is going to stand up to SEVERAL coyotes? answer NONE. But if you want to tell me what a small dog CANT do, I'll put my Dachsunds up against any racoon any day. so please- back off. This is not the letter of the law, the world isnt going to end tomorrow if a minpin ends up as a "guard dog".

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

I would get a Aussie they are good family dogs and if trained right they will take care of your animals.

You have to talk to the breeder about how they breed there aussie's because some people do try to breed herding out of them.
That is only for showing. Which i think is wrong since that is the dogs natural instincts.

There is a lady that may have one left. She has a thread.

 

[YellaDog]

We have 4 dogs, none of them bother the chickens. But, the one female we have is an airedale mix from the animal shelter. Female seems to make a difference, she wants to take care of all the other critters on the farm. She'll beat you to the coop in the morning so she can put her face right by the door as if she's counting them as they come out. She's solid white, so she may have some great pryanese in her too.

 

[emvickrey]

I hear the Great Pyroneese are the best but I wouldn't trade 10 for my dogs. I have a Lab, chow mix and chihuahua mix that will not bother mine. My lab faced a skunk once and got sprayed and still chased it away. My dogs are well trained to listen to us and they know if it lives here they are to watch out for it and not harm it. But if it is a mouse, snake, rabbit or squirrel they will kill it first chance. And they will chase a cat away in a heart beat too.

the little one is more for warning. she is afraid of her own shadow but will bark until she is horse.

 

[breezy]

Just my 2 cents but I eally do believe its less "breed" and more training. I have 4 dogs. 2 english springers(bird hunting breed) 1 boxer and 1 boxer /dobie mix( about 100 pounds) All 4 of my dogs can be trusted with the chickens and even as a pack obey the command" leave it" if they even look at the chickens. 3 of the 4 would absolutely warn me about predators and would take one on should one be stupid enough to linger in the yard. As far as keeping them from traffic...its called boundry line training and all dogs can learn it if properly trained with the exception of the sight hounds. No matter what breed you decide on spend the bucks and get good quality basic obedience accomplished and you will have a safe reliable trustworthy asset instead of a behaviourally and mentally unhealthy pet who is a lawsuit waiting to happen

 

[emvickrey]

Quote:
I agree with you on the female part. we have 4 dogs and 3 are girls and spayed. They will not hurt our birds but the boy will. But he is also new and just got neutered. The fixing makes a difference too. It calms them down alot especially in his case. We couldn't stay very long with him in his pen without fear of becomming his wife. We coulcn't turn our back to him at all and forget about bending over. DH thought it was hilarious but I was very cautious. He is a 125 pound 16 month old St Bernard. I can stay in his pen for a very long time now. Bending over or turning my back on him isn't a problem at all, (Thank goodness)

He wants to play with the chickens so we have to keep him away from them.

I started rambling agian, anyway a female is more protective especially if she has had a litter. The chow mix had a litter before I got her fixed and she is more menacing than the other two. The lab is only threatening to predators except dogs. She will play with any dog that walks in our yard unless they aren't friendly. She will fight then. The Chihuahua, well you guessd it a whimp but she will bark until her little throat is horse and run at the slightest thought of danger. I have seen her run from her own shadow. Wish I had the video cam out on that one.

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Get whatever breed of dog you like and think will be good for your family. ANY pup that is raised with chickens and other livestock will be good with them. Highly advise getting a puppy whatever you get,...its all in the training.Remember, what works for one may not work out for you so do your research. Best of luck!

 

[pne123]

There are dogs bred to be Livestock Guard dogs (LGD) Great Pyrenees is one and the Anatolian shepherd is another great choice. These are strong willed dogs so do not get one if you want the dog to do tricks and be your best friend. You must be able to be leader of the pack w/ them

I live in NorCal and we just got a rescue dog from Tx delivered. She is a great dog. she paroles the fence line morning and nite. SHe always lays where she can see the chickens, both gates, the house door and most of the yard.

Great organization. NASRN.org
http://www.nasrn.com/Available_Dogs.htm

I would not ever completely trust any dog alone w/ the chickens freerange. All dogs are prey driven. My boxer is a lot. the Anatolian is not but it still had to hunt for itself at some point in its history.

I am also sure you can get a herding dog to work but they are bred to herd. Most will nip the ankles of animals that are not doing what they want them to do. If your chickens are freerange i would not get one.

A full grown raccoon will tear up most dogs. I hope mine never try it. They have gotten a coyote and skunks but thankfully we have not had any raccoons in the yard yet.

 

[emvickrey]

I trust 3 of my 4 dogs completely. My lab will sleep with them, let them walk right over her, litteraly. I've seen it. My chow mix does'nt hardly even give them the time of day unless she thinks they are eating something she might want. She isn't aggressive abaout it she will just ease up to them so they just walk away then checks out what they have. She is very easy and careful not to startle them. She is also very smart though. I have gone in a store with her in the car and brought out a bag of meat, put it in the car and told her no its mine and went into the store next to the other one and came out ans she was still sititng where I left her. I can sit a plate of meat in front of her or the lab and tell them no and they will walk away and not touch it even if I leave it and walk away. The chihuahua mix is another story when it comes to food but she don't bother the chickens except for an occasional dart here and there. She gets a kick out of seeing them run form her but she don't try to hurt them. She will try to steal treats when i'm givng the out. We call her a crack head for food. It's pitiful how she acts. Just reminds us of a junkie that sees their next fix and begs for it. She will shake and everything. Little crack head and she's white too. lol

The St Bernard on the other hand hasn't had any training and will kill them.