Dogs besides Pyrenees and other large breeds that make good LGDs

[SentryFE]

I have two a Giant Schnauzer and a german shepard. Any dog properly trained and with the right temperment will work.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

What you need is a guard dog.

LGD stands for LARGE Guard Dog or Livestock Protection Dog, basically all the ones you named that you don't want. Kinda an oxymoron, lol.

Some good breeds would be German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois).

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I'd like a nice average-size dog that can be trained, will keep the chickens in the yard when they are out of their pen, and will chase off any stray raccoons, skunks, bobcats - and will want to stay close to home.

Any suggestions?

There is NO breed of dog that will always do those things.

LGD's don't "keep " animals anywhere.
They just protect them

Go to a shelter and pick out a medium sized mixed breed dog, and HOPE you get a good one.

Do NOT get one of the true LGD breeds and expect better results​

 

[P-Funk]

I read this post and replied as a PM, but after reviewing responses, I thought it should be posted.
Meet Victor. He's a 9 week old Decker Rat Terrier. His breeder, who is also my vet, swears they are the ablosute perfect dog (to keep my girls safe). He will grow to 20" and 40lbs. I initially wanted another huge dog, as I've always had. He's been on the ranch 3 days and already buddies up with the hens. I do have a small (1 acre) section fenced in for the girls to range but he never leaves my sight. So far so good. He only needs to be told once which animals belong here. If you have seen any of my FRANTIC posts re: guard dogs I wanted a big one myself, like a great pyrenees or german shepard. I have a feeling that soon Vic will meet that *&#@%^$ fox and tear it limb from limb. Good luck finding a pooch.

 

[mystang89]

I don't know about any other dog out there but if you want a large dog that isn't going to wander off DON'T get a Siberian Husky. Most hard headed dog I've ever owned. Good dog, stubborn dog, but good dog.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Any dog has the potential to be a good LGD... or a really bad one. If you expose them to poultry, etc. starting young and discipline them consistently, you can do it with any breed.

We have done so with a Lab and 2 GP's.

 

[wekiva bird]

I have GSD.
But I agree with Greenfamilyfarms too.

 

[peteyfoozer]

Having had a lot of different breeds, I have to kind of disagree with the above statement. Most any breed can make a good FARM dog, but LGD's are different than any dogs I have ever experienced. They LIVE with the stock, and accept the flock/herd as their pack. Their behavior towards them is decidedly different than that of other breeds. They have a very low prey drive, yet will defend with their lives. Most breeds if overwhelmed by a predator such as a cougar, or other large foe, will normally back down. An LGD will continue to protect. Hence the need to choose your LGD numbers according to predator pressure.

There is nothing wrong with a good Farm dog though. It's just a different need and a different type of protecting.
It's just a misuse of the term. Sort of like confusing a Thoroughbred with a purebred. They can be mutually exclusive.

 

[chics n more]

We've had great luck with our Australian Cattle Dogs (aka Blue Heelers). They take a lot of work to train but they are great as long as they know their place in the pack and are well socialized. Ours particularly hate foxes & possums and like to present us with the carcasses. One of our girls is a heavy duty snake killer, too. We also have a very small rat terrier who is a lot of dog in a little package (similar to the decker mentioned earlier just smaller). All of these dogs mingle with the chickens with no problems except a little jealousy.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

His breeder, who is also my vet, swears they are the ablosute perfect dog (to keep my girls safe)

Would you really expect him to say anything different when he's trying to sell you the dog?​