I have an australian cattle dog (blue heeler) cross who is a terrific chicken guardian dog. We think she is crossed with an Australian Shepherd but not sure. She does not have much herding instinct but will sit with them for hours watching perimeter of our yard. We leave her alone with the chickens and trust her 100%. Eight years with chickens and counting.
We've had a second dog for a year. I thought he was a small Australian Shepherd mix when I adopted him, but now I think he is a Dachsund/Spaniel mix but we can't be sure. I looked for a rescue dog that was known not to chase cats. We were told when we adopted him that he didn't chase cats and also was not very interested in chasing birds at the park. He also does very well with the chickens, and can be left alone with them. He is more of a goofball and not much of a protector unless squirrels count as a threat! He ignores the chickens other than eating their poo (ugh).
I think you have a good mix for your experiment. I am a former vet tech and dog groomer and worked with dogs for decades and know something of the various temperaments. I have always thought a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Bouvier, or Belgian Shepherds and other police/working dogs would be great poultry dogs. I think border collies and cattle dogs could be good but the herding instinct could be a problem; I think I just lucked out. The livestock guardians would likely be great but I also can't handle the barking. I'd love to hear how the experiment goes!
We've had a second dog for a year. I thought he was a small Australian Shepherd mix when I adopted him, but now I think he is a Dachsund/Spaniel mix but we can't be sure. I looked for a rescue dog that was known not to chase cats. We were told when we adopted him that he didn't chase cats and also was not very interested in chasing birds at the park. He also does very well with the chickens, and can be left alone with them. He is more of a goofball and not much of a protector unless squirrels count as a threat! He ignores the chickens other than eating their poo (ugh).
I think you have a good mix for your experiment. I am a former vet tech and dog groomer and worked with dogs for decades and know something of the various temperaments. I have always thought a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Bouvier, or Belgian Shepherds and other police/working dogs would be great poultry dogs. I think border collies and cattle dogs could be good but the herding instinct could be a problem; I think I just lucked out. The livestock guardians would likely be great but I also can't handle the barking. I'd love to hear how the experiment goes!