I live on 2.5 acres surrounded by farmed fields and woods. Lots of wild things...coyotes, snakes, owls, hawks, coons, opossums, mice, rabbits, deer, turkeys. I have to have a dog or the yuckies are up on my porch. I also want to breed chickens full time and need the help of a dog. The maremma i have is a failure beyond compare and he must go. What do i get now? Ive always had german shepherds. It took me 3 years of training of my last one before she finally left the chickens alone. Starting over with a puppy, omg! the task!...but a necessary one. I NEED something that will leave my chickens alone and keep everything else away.