Gaurd dog for farm

[megcpat]

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Hi chickenjim. Fancy meeting you here!

 

[vicki2x2]

Hmmm, that is interesting. I have only met one working Anatolian, and he was very protective, not friendly at all. When researching on the net, I had read in a couple of places that they tended to be not as good with children and more aggressive to other people besides their family. Now, this is just what I have read and the one encounter I had with one, but that was not what I was looking for. I was not worried about human predators, but the four legged kind and being good with children was a must, so I kept looking. It is interesting to hear others take on the different breeds.

 

[megcpat]

I posted an almost identical thread the other day and have had a number of people respond to say that they love their Anatolian shepherds. I think it is all in the way that they are started out as puppies - it sounds like socialize socialize socialize is the key! Also, a lot of favorable posts about Great pereneese as flock guardians.

Here's the link to the post I started is you want to take look - some useful info came up for sure.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=292534

 

[pride&joy]

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I think dogs just like people tend to be individuals but my two Anatolians (or any of the other three dogs that call my place home) will go from wiggling on their back to get their belly rubbed to full throttle to the fence line or direction of the threat (coon, fox, stray dog and occasional coyote). Most of the time if you come to my dogs a complete stranger with no introductions, they will definitely make you feel unwelcome, that is part of their job description. Once properly introduced whether it is the 3 year old daughter of my next door neighbors or a patient I brought home from work (I am a Vet-tech) and it is all licks and tail wags. That goes for the whole pack dough, however my Anatolians are surely more instinctive around the animals on the farm goats, chickens hopefully horses soon oboy. My female I had before I moved back home after school and bought the farm (sort of speak) and she is a dream now.

Ish

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[rhodiegal]

We have small kids and that is why we went Pyr. Their breeding has been worked with more than any of the other LGD's in the U.S. They have bred the 'ferociousness' out of most of the lines. We just felt that we had a higher chance of getting a kid friendly dog in a Pyr than some of the less common LGD's. I am sure most of the other LGD's are great as well with kids, but they have not been as extensively bred in the U.S. I would stress that they are not like modern dog breeds and need to be worked with and socialized as puppies. But in the end, they are remarkable animals.

Good website for Pyrs: http://www.sonic.net/~cdlcruz/GPCC/library.htm

The above link comes from a LGD library (lgd.org) but for some reason I could not get the main link to work.

 

[thedeacon]

If you have lots of money the dogs mentioned, I'm sure would be great. However, most medium to larger sized dogs work great. But don't get one of the better hunting breeds, ie labs ect, as they tend to use their hunting needs on the chickens. Start with a pup and let him grow up with the chickens. an occasional scolding may be necessary, but will leard to not chase the chickens.

 

[Brody's Broodello]

We have an outside guard dog he is a .......GOLDEN RETRIEVER! Yes a golden. Not my first choice of breed. But Rudy is not neutered, but will be soon. He has been outside doing his job for almsot 3 years now. His main job is to wonder the farm at night, his bark is deafening, and he really goes nuts if any other dogs or predators come around. Since he has been at his job, we haven't had one nighttime raid.

 

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

I also vote for the Great Pyrenees. We have had ours for about a year now and that was the best choice we ever made. We also did extensive research and thought the Pyr was the best fit for our family with two young boys. The Pyr is nicknamed the Gentle Giant. Unlike other LGD's, the Pyr will only attack a predator as the last resort. When confronted with a predator, they will show their aggression but will not attack them unless it has no other choice. Our two Pyr boys are so sweet I wish they didn't shed so much so I can have one as an indoor pet!

When looking for any LGD pups, make sure they have already been exposed to farm animals and kids. Our pups came from a farm and we really didn't have to do much training with them. Their instict is to protect the animals they are bonded to.

On another note, make sure you do efficient research. One thing you don't hear about much is that LGD's are on full time duty at night. That means they will bark A LOT at night. The purpose of the barking is to warn wild, nocturnal predators that they are there and that that is their territory. They will also spray the perimeters of their property (yes, they need to be fenced in). So make sure you and your neighbors will not be bothered by the barking.

Good luck to you!

 

[Darkice]

one of the best guard dogs out there is the Komondor. It considers everything in your yard part of the family. Even your lawnmower.
They are extremely intelligent and require little to no training. It comes natural to them.

 

[megcpat]

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Not to mention , they must make GREAT conversation starters!