Got my Great Pyrenees today!

[bluebird]

Pictures please!!!

 

[aart]

The breed is good at what they do.

Absolutely, when in the right situation and with the right training.
A lot of LGD's end up in shelters.

 

[Abriana]

I love great pyres!
Just be careful because dogs that guard chickens may not guard JUST the chickens. My sister almost had to get stitches when a chicken guard dog bit her hand. Not all dogs will be like this but pyres can get protective. Just a thought, good luck with them!

 

[lcwmt]

Absolutely, when in the right situation and with the right training.
A lot of LGD's end up in shelters.

bingo.

 

[Folly's place]

These dogs are not for beginners! They are tough working breeds that need leadership and early training to be safe and learn their proper jobs. Otherwise they may decide to do things that don't work out well. They aren't meant to love everyone! Mary

 

[LamarshFish]

I have never done this before, so I am not certain yet. My understanding is that there are basically two parts. One is to train them not to play with the chickens, the other is to train them where the borders are that they need to protect.

For the not playing with chickens, I plan on a gradual introduction with lots of supervision and immediate correction of any misbehavior.

For the territory, I just plan on taking them on walks along the perimeter and correcting any straying. Plus we are going to add fencing as quick as we can afford it.

As I'm sure you already know based on your breed choice, Great Pyrenese dogs are bred to be livestock protection dogs. If properly bred, I think you will be impressed with how much they will naturally and instinctively be inclined to protect the chickens. I would certainly make sure you pay attention to them and follow some sort of training program, but I think simple exposure to the chickens, and making sure they live among the chickens and grow with them as their own herd, they will take on the job of LPDs quite well and naturally. If you keep them indoors and only expose them to the chickens upon passing by and only sometimes, I'm not sure it will work as well.

In sum, trust the breeding and instincts and I think you will be impressed. I have a pointing dog, he's bred to instinctively freeze and point simply upon encountering the scent of a game bird. Before I even trained him, I exposed to his first game birds at around 5 months old, and he locked up and froze solid. He didn't even know what he was doing, but he was doing it. He's hard wired for it, it's DNA. They are pre-programmed. Have trust in it!

As far as outdoor care goes for them, buy or build them a nice dog house. Don't make the indoor portion too large--dogs, believe it or not, like burrowing and cave dwelling, and the smaller the space the easier it is for them to stay warm when they need to. Make sure they have shade as well.

Enjoy the ride.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I Have Heard this as well ...I think you will be impressed with how much they will naturally and instinctively be inclined to protect the chickens. I would certainly make sure you pay attention to them and follow some sort of training program, but I think simple exposure to the chickens, and making sure they live among the chickens and grow with them as their own herd, they will take on the job of LPDs quite well and naturally. If you keep them indoors and only expose them to the chickens upon passing by and only sometimes, I'm not sure it will work as well.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Everything is dangerous and there is danger in everything. LSGD can be very, very, K9 aggressive in the defence of "THEIR" flock and if some ditz waltzes onto your place with a yappy Fu-Fu dog in tow, your Great Pyrenees may see fu-fu as a threat (which it is) to your dogs' chickens. If a brawl erupts 9 times out of 10, the ditzy dog owner will attempt to protect the Fu-Fu dog. In which case the Fu-Fu's owner also becomes a threat to your dog's chickens. The danger is that dogs can't understand legal opinions and presidents and coming between a LSGD and that dogs sworn enemy may be the last thing that Ditzy Dog Owner ever does.

 

[Dr.Dale]

LSGD can be very, very, K9 aggressive in the defence of "THEIR" flock

Yes, but we need that. Stray dogs are a major predator threat here. We have lost most of our chickens to foxes, but dogs are second on the list. I need them to be K9 aggressive.

If a brawl erupts 9 times out of 10, the ditzy dog owner will attempt to protect the Fu-Fu dog.

I am concerned about that also. I have three things to address that concern. First, fencing. Second, signage. Third, limited liability. The dogs are owned by our small business, as are the chickens and all other farm-related things. So our personal liability is limited and we have business insurance.

 

[centrarchid]

I think you will be OK if you post indicating LGD on duty. Ideally, visiting public will know not to bring in dogs.

I have had mine really maul and and in a couple instances kill another dog. So far no real problems of the legal sort.