LGDs and Cats Questions

[chickens really]

Do you have a breeder recommendation. Primarily someone who wouldn't mind talking to me? You may PM me if you would prefer.

No..I'm in Canada. If you google specific breeds most breeders love chatting about dogs and are very helpful.

 

[AllenK RGV]

LGD's are pretty easy to train if you take the time. Sure some are born into it by breed and others require training and positive feedback. I have a Chocolate Lab, Pit Bull Mix, a run of the mill mutt and a Heeler. They are all indoor/outdoor dogs chicken safe and cat safe. They love chasing things that don't belong on the property(this includes the neighbor's chicken). The heeler had to be trained after killing off a flock when younger and a new addition. Our "barn cat" has always been safe around them all as they belong, but a visiting cat would spend hours tree'd should it get to far on to the property as anything that doesn't belong gets run off.

It really all comes down to you as far as what to expect from your LGD's. I do like the idea of you getting a dog that looks like it wants to work for you from the shelter they are usually highly motivated to please you and you should feel that "spark" when you meet.
EDIT
Ok, I reread the thread and the fact that your current dogs are not chicken safe, please disregard my post...

To provide something useful to your posting, some dog's are born into the role, and other dogs are trained into the role of being a good LGD. Just because your neighbor breeds champion sheep herders doesn't mean their offspring will be great at that role right out of the gate without being trained into their role.

 

[Willowspirit]

No..I'm in Canada. If you google specific breeds most breeders love chatting about dogs and are very helpful.

Okay. Cool. You know though I'm almost in Canada.

 

[BGcoop]

My dogs were not chicken or cat safe. I now have both. It has taken a year but today I had everyone out in the yard together! So, depending on the animal, I would say it is “possible” to train them all to get along.

 

[Willowspirit]

LGD's are pretty easy to train if you take the time. Sure some are born into it by breed and others require training and positive feedback. I have a Chocolate Lab, Pit Bull Mix, a run of the mill mutt and a Heeler. They are all indoor/outdoor dogs chicken safe and cat safe. They love chasing things that don't belong on the property(this includes the neighbor's chicken). The heeler had to be trained after killing off a flock when younger and a new addition. Our "barn cat" has always been safe around them all as they belong, but a visiting cat would spend hours tree'd should it get to far on to the property as anything that doesn't belong gets run off.

It really all comes down to you as far as what to expect from your LGD's. I do like the idea of you getting a dog that looks like it wants to work for you from the shelter they are usually highly motivated to please you and you should feel that "spark" when you meet.
EDIT
Ok, I reread the thread and the fact that your current dogs are not chicken safe, please disregard my post...

To provide something useful to your posting, some dog's are born into the role, and other dogs are trained into the role of being a good LGD. Just because your neighbor breeds champion sheep herders doesn't mean their offspring will be great at that role right out of the gate without being trained into their role.

The main thing with my current pack is that they have never met chickens before. We've lived here since the end of January and had chickens since March. the chickens have only been outside for a couple of weeks. The dogs have been unaware if them until then.

The little three would get pecked pretty severely and would back off. They are all seniors and the "big one " is about nine pounds.

My dobe has an incredible prey drive and also feels free to take off up the "road". (not really a road) to visit the neighbor's dog. She's the first dobe i've ever owned which doesn't naturally stay within 25 feet of us. Sadly i passed up an opportunity to get a lovely dobe puppy from a breeder in Montreal (the one in Canada) and I still regret it.

So we're all still adjusting to rural life. Maybe it's the wrong time. I'm going to still think about rescue. I'd like an outdoor dog that would maybe bed down in the barn with the horses. I'll keep thinking and dreaming while i work with the dobe to get her to leave the chickens alone.

ETA: thank you for this very thoughtful post!

 

[Willowspirit]

My dogs were not chicken or cat safe. I now have both. It has taken a year but today I had everyone out in the yard together! So, depending on the animal, I would say it is “possible” to train them all to get along.

Very encouraging!