livestock quard dog? which breed?

[Bear Foot Farm]

But if you live in a rural area there is no reason to keep your dog cooped up

Just keep in mind if it comes on MY property and bothers MY animals, it won't come home.

LGD breeds, like most dogs, have a tendency to roam if not confined.​

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote:
This was the original question and info given:

if we should look into a livestock guarding breed?

We have 10 acres unfenced

I see no "disrespect" or nothing "off track" in giving honest answers based on realities and real world experience.

It takes a lot of work and even more luck to make any LGD breed into a "chicken guardian".

It's not what they were bred to do, and they don't behave like "normal" dogs​

 

[SentryFE]

Here is mine a Giant Schnauzer protectiing is what they were bred for.

 

[srpaint]

Our dog is a shepard/border collie mix. She does not stay outside all the time. She is more of an inside dog. But I am outside a lot threw out the day and night. She does a very good job. She does not bother the chickens/ducks and chases off unwanted "guest". In fact just about an hour ago I let her out to go potty and she chased off a fox. We could hear it. I then got the truck for lights to make sure it was gone. And she checked the whole property before we came back inside. Very good with kids too!

 

[carolinagirl58]

Quote:
This was the original question and info given:

if we should look into a livestock guarding breed?

We have 10 acres unfenced

I see no "disrespect" or nothing "off track" in giving honest answers based on realities and real world experience.

It takes a lot of work and even more luck to make any LGD breed into a "chicken guardian".

It's not what they were bred to do, and they don't behave like "normal" dogs​

I agree 100%.​

 

[Jferlisi]

It all depends on the dog really. I have 4 dogs and our renter has 2. We have a golden and a Chihuahua thats are indoor dogs. Our golden is outside most of the day, but we also have a queens-land heeler and a heeler/collie mix. Those two sleep outside and protect my hens like no other. They sleep in the fenced in backyard, we have a 3 railed fence out front but they can go thru it but they have been trained not to. Even if they are chancing something they stop at the fence. They go crazy at night if they know there is a coyote snooping around my coop at night. They are very protective of there chickens.
Here is a pic of my therman.

He has an obsession with balls, i dont know why.

 

[BunsNChicks]

Quote:
Just keep in mind if it comes on MY property and bothers MY animals, it won't come home.

LGD breeds, like most dogs, have a tendency to roam if not confined.

Hmm if I used your mentality I would be shooting my neighbors cows everytime they break down my fence and come on my property...AND shooting my other neighbors chickens...everytime they come on MY property. Two can play that game

 

[BunsNChicks]

Quote:
Are you willing to spend time training the dog? How many hours a day will the dog be alone? Like others have said you will more than like need a fenced yard...I don't trust those shock collar type containment systems (especially if you have a smart dog!). I have heard that most LGD do not make good family pets, aren't good around children ect...so don't recommend those. Each breed has it's own quality (bred into them) I have 3 rottweilers, they are all great with my chickens (thank god!). You will need to think about what breed interests you, do some research, talk to breeders (they can help you in deciding whether a certain breed is right for you). Some dogs are low maintenance, others, herding breeds may not be a good choice because 1/they will be constantly moving your flock around 2/some maybe a bit too nippy 3/ you will spend your entire day exercising them... So just some things to consider.

 

[centrarchid]

I have over the years used many breeds as free range poultry guarding dogs. None breed to purpose in respect to poultry. Not all poultry species same in respect to mobility and attractiveness to predators. With chickens I have had success with black and tan coonhounds, dalmations, border collies with present effort involving German short-hair pointer (bird hunting dog). Rearing dog with poultry helped a great deal although training needed with some and much of that had little do with immediate safety of chickens. My free range chickens do not move in cohesive group like ruminants (sheep, goats, cattle) and are subject to a broader range of predators. The smaller more active breeds have been my preference since they operate better when predator interests in flocks strongest (when predators raising young and it is hot). The larger LGD are like using a sledge hammer to tap in nails when largest predator is bobcat or coyote. My coyotes not those introgressed with wolves or domectic dogs so do waste time with that tangent. The larger LGD as previously mentioned more prone to heat stress and not as inclined to move about if multiple flocks are dispersed about property. Also in respect to dog roaming when off or on duty, I make certain neighbors know my dog(s), the dogs purpose, and that I value the dog highly. It is my responsibility to ensure my dog does not pose risk to valued possesions of neighbors. Not all dogs and neighbors compatible in that regard.

Dog breed will be a function of resources you have. If all birds in flock or dog confined by fence, then any breed will do but consider heat and cold stress in respect to dog size and coat type. If birds more spread then more mobile and possibly more dogs needed. If bigger predators, then bigger and or more dogs needed. With some situations the cost of using dogs is prohibitive, so keeping birds will need to be in smaller area that can be more readily fortified.

I restate, no breed of dog is bred to task of guarding poultry but probably all breeds have potential with good and bad individuals in all breeds. Being good with dogs will also effect outcome. If you can not control dogs, then I advise against using them. Most folks in my experience that have diffuculty with dogs and chickens are not skilled in keeping of former and should keep birds in coops or covered runs unless they are willing to sit with firearm all day and night.

 

[BunsNChicks]

Quote:
Well said!