electrified fence to protect from dogs, or get a dog?

[ChickieNikki]

We want to fence 1/2 acre for the birdies. We could fence even more at some point, but are committing to the fence for 1/2 acre now. However, before buying $325 worth of electric fence, I'm wondering what our other options are. We weren't planning to electrify it, but have been told it's necessary to protect from dogs (hawks might be a prob, but our neighbor has 5 labs, our other neighbor has a beagle mutt that is old but has caught small rodents and eaten them before). I'm worried about electrifying a fence with young children--we have 6 kids, 4 are under 5, and don't want to shock them, of course. Plus neighbor kids are around, and I don't want that to be a problem either. Is there another fence option that is as inexpensive as netting, or is it a viable option to get a Great Pyr or other LGD to help out with the dog issue? Or even a roo?

Thanks--I've mentioned a dog, but DH is SOOOOO against a dog. We have a climate where a Pyr could be outside all year, but my kids are outside all year too and would be in the chicken yard playing with the dog/chickens--they're friends, not food! And I would walk/run a dog at least every other day all year (except the extreme summer heat, when even I don't want to work hard!)...any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

ETA: If I could show DH that a Pyr is an outside only dog, and assure him he wouldn't be sharing the house with a mountain of white fur, it might take a bit, but he could get used to the idea. He's a "dog" person, but he's a "no dog in the house" person, if there is such a thing. "Dog outside" has never been brought up. Until now. And very gently. By my neighbor, who suggested a Pyr for an LGD. She grew up on a farm, and her grandparents have Pyrs. Gotta approach this one gently with DH--6 chickens turned into 25 pretty quickly...now I'm talking goats, peacocks and dogs...he's a bit overwhelmed...

 

[AkTomboy]

I am all for Pyrs. I grew up with them and am lucky to say I have had atleast two pyrs in every day of my life. I have them now along with my mom on her place. Ours run with our chickens and turkeys along with all other critters every day. I have one who used to sleep in the chicken coop untill she out grew the door. They are great with kids and will gaurd your flock and kids.

Pyrs do have a double coat and do require to be brushed often when they blow the two coats. That being said pyrs are all over the world and states from AK to FL. Ours even in our "hot" summer enjoy the kiddy plastic pools for our alpacas. Or they will dig a rather large hole in the ground to get to the cooler dirt.

Our pyrs pull duty at different times during the day and walk the fence line often during each shift. As far as playing with kids more often then not they are not the fetching type although I do have a grump now who love to play keep away with the Bloodhound and Golden Ret.

They are also very smart dogs who were bred to think for themselves. So you need to work on manners when you get your pup asap. It may be cute to have a 15lbs pup in your kids lap but when they are pushing 200 lbs your lil ones are not going to like it so much.

Also if you are going to have them work they need to learn that from the start. Our dogs are a part of our family but they enjoy the job they do. We put our pups out at 6 weeks for them to start getting used to all the other critters. And work up from there dont be suprised with your dog no longer wants to come in from his job. At that age they learn who they can or can not mess with. It does help having adults who have the ropes down but have no fear a lone pup will suprise you on how smart they are.

Up here we have to worry about bears, wolves, coyotes and strays so we always have more than one adult pyr. If you are worried about just the odd stray one will do fine. Also in order for them to work as your gaurding of family and flock I do not teach my dogs to get along with other dogs. I want them to look at our land as only our land. No others are aloud unless I say.

Depending on who and where you get your pup it may be cheaper to go electric. With the cost of the pup, food and vet care in the first year will go over $325.

Please just remember you are getting a big smart dog. In the many years of my mom breeding them since 72. It is just sad how many people get them then dont teach them manners and when they are about 9 months no longer want them. I am not saying this is you being that you have already done the first step by finding out information before getting one. They are very very loyal dogs and I have seen what that does to a dog being dropped by the family they were raised with.

I hope my ramble has helped some. If you have more questions you can msg me. Or any of the other proud pyr owners on here.