My German Shepherd protected my hens. I trusted him alone for years with them. When a hawk flew over, they would run and stand under him until he saw it, then he'd bark and "chase" off the hawk.
He was pure German Shepherd, dad a show (both ability and looks) champion in Germany, Mom a police dog. Was bred for police work here. The breeding bred in a drive to obey - i'd never seen
anything like it. If I called, he came at a fast run. If I said "you can chase the rabbits, but not kill them" he checked his speed so he wouldn't run over the top of the rabbit and
let them go in their hole (the rabbit thing took a couple months to establish - only one dead rabbit. I guess he saw how upset I was over the dead rabbit).
He never chased the chickens. He like to run with them when they flapped their wings when first out of the coop in the morning to free range. But mostly he'd hang out with them and patrol wide circles around them. He liked something to do along his protection instincts. He had his best day when a bear came in the yard - he had that bear treed in less than a minute. I'm in Alaska, edge of valley next to mountain wilderness, so after he came home with me, no more lynx, coyote, fox in the yard which is something
with all the tame rabbits running loose. Only one (3 month old chick) I lost the entire time was to the neighbor's cat. I had a cat so I guess he let it alone. He learned to stay back about 15 feet behind porcupines as they crossed the ten acres also.
Little chicks liked to sit up on his back when he laid down.
He kept all other dogs away from the chickens - met them at the property entrance and drove them off growling ferociously.
I got him from the German Shepherd Rescue group. He was 18 months old, beautiful. Lived to 14 years old with me. Fine, fine dog. We went on many wonderful camping and road trips across Alaska.
Go with what you want, you'll find the perfect dog for you. I was looking for a German Shepherd and I had a feeling about this dog as soon as I saw him at the Rescue place; he was the "one".
The above post was right though, they are really intelligent. Work them on a leash every day for awhile to set up who's boss. Be consistent. Never get angry or afraid of
any other person while they are around because instinctively they'll back you up 100%. Its like having a loaded gun around, don't yell at someone just for show. Do not
tie them to anything another person needs to come round and get into or use. Don't tie them to your vehicle in a public place where other people walk by.
His former
owner was a ten year old budding gang member who used the dog to shake down the other kids for money, so I had a little talk with him about that attitude toward
people wasn't happening anymore. He dropped the vicious act and learned to ask strange people for pets and enjoy them. Took him back 6 months later to show the Rescue people and they were amazed he'd gentled down so. I learned with horses, just show them pictures in your mind of what you want. They get it.
