new guard dog. Advice?

[Warrior gamefowl]

This is Rootie. He’s a border terrier from Ireland. He’s a hell of a good dog. Not that he’s trained or anything he’s just got a great independent personality. He watches all the new chicks like a brood hen. He will come get me when one gets to chirping too loud. Problem is, he’s 13 now and he has slowed down. I let him sleep inside and pretty much do what he wants in his retirement, he has earned at least that. So, I need a new guard dog. I have only got a couple of acres here and there a fairly busy road in front of the house, so that leaves Pyrenees or other roaming breeds out.
I’d like to hear everybody’s opinion and experience with other breeds. I’ve had an

Australian Shepard and he was a great livestock dog. Right now that’s how I’m leaning. Change my mind!

 

[RiverOtter]

Everyone is going to post with their favorite dog.

But really, it's all about breeds and types that you get along with. I click the best with herding breeds and terriers. Some folks can't stand them, herding breeds are too intense, terriers are too hard to train, etc. But for me, they're not.

So basically, think of all your favorite dogs, and then pick one like that. Like, while I've had a Pointer, a Beagle and a Black Mouth Cur, and they were all good dogs and I loved them, they weren't my partners the way my Border Collie crosses or my GSD are or have been. They don't jump to the front of my mind like my little terriers. Some of them you just work better with.

Basically, any dog you can click and work with, will be a great dog for you.

 

[centrarchid]

I am using English Shepherds that have a strong guarding streak. I have game fowl like you where juveniles and some hens kept free-range over multiple acres. Parts of poultry area are fences, but dogs trained to navigate that. My dogs have a lot of hair making cold not an issue. They must be groomed heavy when it gets hot. These dogs are very smart. I have a couple 7 month old pups I would give away if someone was serious using them as livestock dogs. Those already out getting good comments on how they are coming along.

At this point they still need to be watched with birds, but their parents are with chickens all the time, especially at night when needed most.

I also did real well with a German Pointer, and he handled heat well.

 

[Warrior gamefowl]

I am using English Shepherds that have a strong guarding streak. I have game fowl like you where juveniles and some hens kept free-range over multiple acres. Parts of poultry area are fences, but dogs trained to navigate that. My dogs have a lot of hair making cold not an issue. They must be groomed heavy when it gets hot. These dogs are very smart. I have a couple 7 month old pups I would give away if someone was serious using them as livestock dogs. Those already out getting good comments on how they are coming along.

At this point they still need to be watched with birds, but their parents are with chickens all the time, especially at night when needed most.
I also did real well with a German Pointer, and he handled heat well.

[/QUOTE

Thanks. Awful nice offer
I’m not familiar with the breed. Are they Tri colored? Like I said an Aussie I had was a great chicken dog. Down to chasing hawks that tried to steal chicks. But I had a border terrier that was bred for herding competition and he was too much. People drop by with kids he’d have them herded up. A kid couldn’t ride a bike he was heeling the tires. Got a pic of them? You’ve got me all interested.

Thought I’d leave this here for no reason

 

[centrarchid]

Mother of these pups is tricolored. Color for breed is all over the place. One pup black and white while other is sable. Will try to get pictures. Otherwise owing to distance, would be more cost effective for you to spend an arm and a leg for a pup down your way. Your more southern English Shepherds likely to have shorter coats which would be an asset where you are.

English Shepherds are very similar to Australian Shepherd excepting former more independent. My male trees squirrels well. Female trees raccoons and opossums plus breaks up cock fights. Later thing not so good because pulls a lot of feathers in process,

 

[Warrior gamefowl]

They sound like good chicken dogs. I guess losing some feathers is better than losing eyes and killing each other. Yeah Missouri is a bit of a haul but I’m in northern Arkansas from time to time
I’ve been leaning towards Aussies but I’ll research English too. It’s easy to get an Aussie or any breed but getting a chicken dog is something else. I’m looking for dogs with a history of working with livestock.

 

[centrarchid]

Good luck on getting dogs from lines with recent experience with livestock. Most I have dealt with breed dogs like rabbits and have livestock, but do not actually use the dogs for what they were originally developed for. Both breeders I got my got my start from are like that, and they are not the exception. That said, at least some of the dogs from people like that are fine, the breeders have not had yet enough time to ruin them all.

 

[Warrior gamefowl]

Good luck on getting dogs from lines with recent experience with livestock. Most I have dealt with breed dogs like rabbits and have livestock, but do not actually use the dogs for what they were originally developed for. Both breeders I got my got my start from are like that, and they are not the exception. That said, at least some of the dogs from people like that are fine, the breeders have not had yet enough time to ruin them all.

I’m on board with all that. That being said, there are still some good honest breeders out there, just like game chicken people.
The best you will get, in dogs, chickens and life in general will be gifts.