Guard Dogs

[tarajane]

But it is far easier to start with a breed of dog that already has innate, instinctive tendencies toward protectiveness. I have a Rat Terrier. I'm a pretty good dog trainer. I can honestly say it would not be worth my while to try and train my Rat Terrier to do the kind of work that would come (generally) very naturally for many Great Pyrenees or other LGDs. That is not to say that he couldn't do it, but I would have a tough row to hoe trying to overcome his instinctive natural tendencies to sniff out and hunt vermin. I could spend long hours training him to perform the behaviors and go through the motions, but you can't train in that instinctive need/desire/drive to do them. With all the training in the world I still expect that if I put my RT out with the flock with no supervision or guided direction from me, every one of my birds could be taken by a predator while he was busy ridding the woodpile of mice. That is far less likely to occur with a LGD who received the same amount of training. Likewise, I expect it would be very difficult to try and train that GP to completely ignore a flock of sheep and instead focus on hunting and killing rats. Different breeds are more capable than others of doing different work. Humans have spent centuries making sure that this is so. It's the whole reason we even have different breeds.

One also can't ignore that fact that even the most protective Chihuahua is still no match for a coyote. There are other considerations beyond temperament and instinctive drives that make certain breeds more appropriate for certain jobs.

Touch'e

But you WILL KNOW if there is a coyote around with a Chi.

 

[zazouse]

It is time to stop the acts of stupid. I have never said LGD's are not so capable in all the years I have been on this site. Never, not even once, even with what you site above. The assertion has always been other dogs are also suitable and that other components play into protecting the birds. It is not just about the dogs. More dimensions. One of these days you and so many others need to pull your heads out of your backsides and recognize when someone actually has experience with the kinds of dogs you tout exclusively and with other breeds as well and can give a balanced take.

Now write me up.

I believe that statement Talkalittle is refering to came from Bear foot farms way back in 2013, i remember reading and posting in that thread , perhaps you quoted in their statement and that is why it was brought up cause they did not read the entire thread.

 

[GAchickennewbie]

I can see both sides in regards to different breeds. However, although all breeds have breed tendencies, the individual dog comes into play big time!

Most people would NEVER suggest a lab to protect chickens. However-mine (a rescue at age 2 or 5-we're not sure-different vets gave different ages) has a protective side that I was able to integrate into protecting the chickens. He's also very quick on his verbal commands, which helps. His loyalty to me played into him being trained to protect the chickens.

Giant schnauzers are usually a toss-up. They can go either way. My male (RIP) couldn't be trusted around any non-canine small animal. However, my female (also a rescue at age 5) loves cats, kittens, other dogs, baby chicks, chickens. She's a sweetheart and will protect anything she knows is part of her pack.

 

[RoboDuck]

I am going to stock my farm with a herd of weiner dogs in case badgers ever make their way to Georgia. I know a lot of people who got rid of great pyrenees due to chicken killing. Others who have had their anatolians kill goats. Argue it all you want but there is no breed that is perfect for all situations. They have individual personalities just like we do. Where one gp might fail on my place, another may perform perfectly. It is also very much in how they are raised and the owner's abilities to train them. No dog will do everything "common to the breed" without at least some training and direction from the owner. All you can do is research traits and needs for each breed and pick what works best for your individual situation.

I love you all. I really do.

 

[iokra]

The Anatolians are an ancient breed. They are highly intelligent, highly protective and independent, breed for thousand of years to protect the herd (or flock) they are raised with. It's instinctive for them, it is simply in their blood. In general, no real training needed for them. If you have adult Anatolians already, they will train their puppies with the livestock. I got my chickens when both my Anatolians where 5 years old. One of them killed a baby chick. I put her on a leash next to the chickens. She was observing me attending to the chickens. In a few days she totally got it, the chicken belonged to me so they never attacked one again. I still watched them for weeks after that, not trusting them 100%. I can not believe how fast they got it without any training, really. My chickens actually stay close to my dogs during the day (we have hawks and a few got eaten by them) so I guess they feel more secure around the dogs. I do not even close my coop most of the times at night. My Anatolians killed plenty of raccoons that wandered on our property . If anybody with livestock needs a guard dog, they should consider the Anatolian shepherd. Here 's my two

 

[RoboDuck]

Those were going to be my choice but we chose to just try livestock guardian donkeys instead. They have kept away the coyotes and we just trap coons and possums so we don't lose too many birds. The raptors get more than the furry predators and no guardian can help with that very much.

 

[centrarchid]

Those were going to be my choice but we chose to just try livestock guardian donkeys instead. They have kept away the coyotes and we just trap coons and possums so we don't lose too many birds. The raptors get more than the furry predators and no guardian can help with that very much.

Some dogs can be very effective against raptors. Some dogs take to it naturally, others require a little training. Having dogs respond to chicken alarm calls helps immensely with that activity.

 

[Scruffyfeathers]

I have many dogs, almost all are mixed breed. There are two of the 31 that I am considering training as companions to my flock. It is because of their temperament and their loyalty to me that I would consider them. I don't know if breed is really all that important. I have never raised chickens and dogs together so it is a learning experience for me but I sincerely believe the two I have chosen will work out.

 

[MrsBachbach]

I can see both sides in regards to different breeds.  However, although all breeds have breed tendencies, the individual dog comes into play big time!

Most people would NEVER suggest a lab to protect chickens.  However-mine (a rescue at age 2 or 5-we're not sure-different vets gave different ages) has a protective side that I was able to integrate into protecting the chickens.  He's also very quick on his verbal commands, which helps.  His loyalty to me played into him being trained to protect the chickens.

Giant schnauzers are usually a toss-up.  They can go either way.  My male (RIP) couldn't be trusted around any non-canine small animal.  However, my female (also a rescue at age 5) loves cats, kittens, other dogs, baby chicks, chickens.  She's a sweetheart and will protect anything she knows is part of her pack.

You are quite right. The individual dog and his/her tendencies does play a role in whether they would be suitable or not.

 

[MrsBachbach]

The Anatolians are an ancient breed. They are highly intelligent, highly protective and independent, breed for thousand of years to protect the herd (or flock) they are raised with. It's instinctive for them, it is simply in their blood. In general, no real training needed for them. If you have adult Anatolians already, they will train their puppies with the livestock. I got my chickens when both my Anatolians where 5 years old. One of them killed a baby chick. I put her on a leash next to the chickens. She was observing me attending to the chickens. In a few days she totally got it, the chicken belonged to me so they never attacked one again. I still watched them for weeks after that, not trusting them 100%. I can not believe how fast they got it without any training, really. My chickens actually stay close to my dogs during the day (we have hawks and a few got eaten by them) so I guess they feel more secure around the dogs. I do not even close my coop most of the times at night. My Anatolians killed plenty of raccoons that wandered on our property . If anybody with livestock needs a guard dog, they should consider the Anatolian shepherd. Here 's my two

Exactly. It takes at least some training. You can't just throw them out there and expect it to happen. I expect there are the odd balls in every breed, but for the most part, they will do what they were bred to do with a little training. Before I got my Pyre, I had an older shepard dog here when I got my chickens. When they were introduced, it was clear she was going to chase and kill. They had her full attention. After spending a week on a chain (something she never experienced in her life) watching chickens free range all around her, she never looked at them again. She didn't protect them either, but I got the desired effect, which was for her to leave them alone.