The dog is a she- The Girldog, or Girl for short. I didn't name her, I just decided not to rename a 4 year old dog when I took her. That was 11 years ago. She was acting the same way she did when we got kittens 4 years ago. Totally anxious, but in a maternal sort of way. She chews the kittys with the fine front teeth flea chew like they were her puppies.
I expected her to treat the chickens the same but when I held Red (OK that is my lack of creativity showing) up to her to smell her she took a swipe at her!!! Bad dog!!! I smacked her face for what is probably the 4th time in 11 years. I will be more careful from now on.
The DW (darling not divorced right?) isn't fond of brown eggs hence the Leghorn (Biache'). I'm betting she will get with the program. She secretly loves the chickens already, I can tell.