Livestock Guardian Dogs

[True LGD]

Cant really see the point having a smallish guardian dog, you will be asking it to protect against far bigger dogs.

Common sense really. A mid size bird dog will become skittish when a wolf, bear or cougar is in the area. Maybe a bird dog is okay against crows, chipmunks, squirrels, racoons and skunks, but I bet they would run like heck against a real predator.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

we use bull breeds... bull terrier and pitbulls.

Good to know! In addition to my Great Pyrenees puppy I have a Pit Bull adult. Both are doing awesome with the chickens, so far, but I don't free range. The only threats here are mice, cats, other dogs, snakes and *maybe* coyotes.

 

[Ariannah]

Very good question. Did you already find your dog and if so what breed did you get? We have a Border Collie (for many years already) but she will herd and react on everything that moves, including our chickens. Although she is the perfect farm dog, her behavior is very stressful to our chickens so we only keep her inside the house. In the past we also had a Pyr and we loved her and miss her a lot as a guardian and pet. I agree with a comment that they eat less than you would expect. Also, their size, does deter predators. Our Pyr was very laid back, gentle with our animals (large and small) but very alert and protective. The only problem we had with her was that she loved to roam and abandon our property and livestock for many hours and even days (even though she was fixed). We got her when she was already 6 mo old and they need to be with live stock from a very young age. So, if we are getting a Pyr again we are going to make sure the pup is still very young so that he/she bonds with the livestock. We are also considering a Maremma for our free range chickens. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[kcyin156]

I know that Mudik are used for herding AND livestock guardians. They were often kept as alert dogs for the bigger and more intimidating guardians, like Komondors or Kuvasc. So, in other words, not only will they try to scare off the potential predator, they will also try to alert you on what's going on. They have a relatively curly coat, but it doesn't knot up all that much and it doesn't require a lot of grooming. They are small, their head no higher than your knee. They are rare in America, but I know there is a Mudi breed club if you want to know more.

Another breed I would suggest is the Beauceron. They are also known as the French Shepherd. They are more livestock guardian and they are big, but they have shorter hair that doesn't require a lot of grooming. And because one of the color markings is very similar to that of a Doberman, you don't have to worry about anyone trying to break into your property. These dogs are also rare in America, but they're slowly growing more popular due to their fantastic flock guarding skills. They can also be trained to herd.

More common dogs that are easier to find that I would suggest are Collies (there is a short haired variety, called smooth-coat), German Shepherds, Doberman (which were created to protect people, and eventually started being used as a flock guardian), Dutch Shepherd, Belgian Malimois, Berger Picard (also known as Picardy Shepherd), and all of the Bull Terriers.

Sorry about ranting, my career and profession specializes in dogs. Hope this helps!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: A Livestock Guardian Dog isn't meant to guard chickens.
If you let them run free, you're just asking for trouble.

If you have enough sheep to justify one, then get a TRUE LGD breed and keep it confined with the sheep
Don't ruin a good dog by trying to make it into a "pet" or "yard dog"

If you want a dog to run loose, get a mutt from a shelter

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Not one of those breeds are true LGD's.
Most are herding or HUNTING dogs

 

[centrarchid]

Bear Foot.

Most dogs are derived from multiple purpose curs of some sort that served many purposes in addition to hunting companions. In most instances they where also relied upon as alarm systems and general farm / village dogs. In those latter capacities they functioned very much like how some expect a guardian of poultry to perform. The capacity in all likelihood has not been bred out yet. People where I come from kept poultry free-range and could not have done so for so many years without free-ranging dogs doing exactly what you say can not be done.

Additionally, the true LGD's as you and others are so fond of stating, where developed for moving with herding animals that where not confined to little paddocks like you promote doing above. Even those dogs are predominantly used for something different than they where originally bred under most use realized today.

 

[4 the Birds]

A true guardian dog of livestock will live outside with the herd. This will required a durable long hair coat in most all instances. GP would be my first choice as a guardian of sheep! Dogs don't make good poultry guards but there are several short haired dog breeds that would be great to watch over things and sound the alarm. Keep the poultry fenced from the dogs and look at the shelters for a dog. There are plenty of great dogs that would work for you!

 

[aoxa]

I'm currently training a Bernese Mountain Dog as a deterrent. Main predators come at night and our barn is fort knox (or will be once it is complete ) right now the birds sleep in a baby barn and free range all day. Luckily we have very low predator rate, but I do believe our dogs deter them.


We're so blessed with this one. He is 19 weeks and was awesome with the poultry from day one.




Here are a few pictures of him 'hanging' ;with the birds.


Quote: Some info on the breed.

Oh did I mention that we have never tied Henry. He has only left the property following our darn poodle who is not allowed out at the same time. He does not wander.

We have had a Great Pyr and could not keep her contained. After the fire, we decided to choose a farm dog more suitable to our lifestyle.

 

[BMHarness]

Not one of those breeds are true LGD's.
Most are herding or HUNTING dogs

Not really sure what you would be hunting with any of those breeds with the exception of the bull which is sometimes used in boar hunting. Almost every breed he listed is a working dog. Nearly everyone of them are currently used or have been used as police K9's and are some very intelligent and quick learning animals. And a hunting breed doesn't mean anything negative. Most hunting dogs either point or retrieve gamebirds. That isn't a violent action even towards the game animal. Most hunting dogs are actually very calm well manored dogs. We have a yellow lab that works just fine and she was bred specifically for waterfowl hunting.