Predator deterrent/dogs in general?

[johnsons-r-us]

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I love great danes! Several years ago when we were choosing a breed I was researching these and clumber spaniels. We choose the clumber mainly because of size. From the kennel size to vet costs the great dane would have been a challenge. And they are not too great in the cold outdoors are they? I thought they were more like indoor couch potatoes. Never thought about the poop thing....sounds like it would work though. You have to be creative with these things....

 

[johnsons-r-us]

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The thing you have going that I don't is the space. If I had 30 acres I would get two large LDGs for sure. I also will not have as much livestock as you do/will. So I think a LGD would not be happy with nothing to do at my place. I think LGDs are a special class, and that people might be trying to tell you they think differently, not only GPs, but if you read about them in general (other breeds of LGDs), they are not like labs or other common dogs. If you know this then you should be fine. If you are expecting a golden retriever or lab behavior you won't get it. They are great dogs when in the situation they are meant for. I know several people who have them. And they are great with kids! You have lots of space so that shouldn't be an issue. Just read up on them and their personalities to be sure they would fit into your situation. You will do fine!

 

[Mattemma]

I have a medium dog and a small dog. The 2 love to prowl the yard together,chasing things,and eat what they can catch,lol.We have less than a acre,but it is entirely fenced up to the sides of the hosue.

 

[Beekissed]

I've had the most wonderful success with throw-away(dogs no one wanted) Labs and Lab/mixes I've found! One couldn't ask for better livestock protection and with the minimal amount of training. Two came to me as adults, 4 yrs and 2 yrs. Both trained in obedience already and naturally protective and adaptive to livestock and the guarding thereof.

The third I got as a 2 mo.old pup that was first introduced to livestock/poultry at the age of 7 mo.~took a total of about 20 min. training in the course of one day and he has been fantastic all these 5 years. Twenty minutes to train for basic obedience and, later, 20 min. for training to chickens.

In all these years of constant free ranging, I've lost one bird to an owl because she chose to sleep in the hay shed about three nights in a row. I've lost 3 chicks to a black snake.

I've been away for 4-5 days at a time, many times, and left the dogs, chickens, sheep, cows all ranging together...no problems.

People will tell you that these dogs cannot be referred to as livestock guardian dogs because they aren't a breed that has been classified as one....I say, "Whoop-te-doo!" If I have animals that don't have to worry about predator attacks because my dogs prevent or deter them, then they are performing the function of a guardian animal.

Would they do the same if the livestock were out in the fields? Would they stay with them instead of coming to the house? Yes...if you feed them and shelter them in the fields, provide good fencing around those same fields, train them to that field~ I'd say they'd stay on the job the same as a full blood GP.

As it is, most of us have our livestock up close and personal, so family dogs perform a valued function if allowed to stay outside on guard 24/7.

 

[watchdogps]

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How much room do you have? Some LGDs are perfectly happy on smaller spaces. Nieghbors are a bigger worry.
In answer to your original question, yes, most dogs will help deter predators, simply by virtue of territoriality. An LGD will bond with its charges, and truly protect THEM, but any dog will probably chase a coon, or bark at a stray dog.
Dont forget your other factors when choosing a breed too. Grooming, energy level, what kind of fencing do you have, etc.

 

[Beekissed]

Mine kill any coon, groundhog or small game that dares come on the acre. The GP/lab mix gal would try to kill any stray dog that came here....she never did that before she had livestock to guard. The lab mix I have left won't kill stray dogs but will kill other preds. Not much barking, though....you just find dead animals the next morning.

 

[SpringChickens]

I had a red heeler who was a GREAT protector for my chickens. When we had her start sleeping outside with them, our mortality rate went down to zero. Unfortunately, she got hit by a car last summer and we had to put her down, and just recently got a new addition of a 1 year old lab/pit cross. He is doing great! He's taken very little work to get him adjusted to the chickens (and vice versa) and I think he'll be a great protector for them.

 

[johnsons-r-us]

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How much room do you have? Some LGDs are perfectly happy on smaller spaces. Nieghbors are a bigger worry.
In answer to your original question, yes, most dogs will help deter predators, simply by virtue of territoriality. An LGD will bond with its charges, and truly protect THEM, but any dog will probably chase a coon, or bark at a stray dog.
Dont forget your other factors when choosing a breed too. Grooming, energy level, what kind of fencing do you have, etc.

We only have 2 1/2 acres right now. Neighbors are not a worry. We have a cow pasture across the street and border farm land on the other with no house nearly as far as you can see. Other side has neighbor with 5 acres across a dirt road. They have no animals though, so I'd be considerate of them if needed. We have no restrictions as far as keeping animals here. We don't see stray dogs and our chickens have free ranged for months with no issues. I want to be more proactive then reactive though. There are predators all around us as I see them frequently. I have never owned an "outdoor" dog. I would love one that would be happy with our small property though, and would keep it "critter-free".

 

[johnsons-r-us]

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I would be OK with that!

 

[johnsons-r-us]

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In reading your posts and seeing some of your pictures you must have a beautiful place! Only been through WV a couple of times and never stopped.
Your quote above is my point. I think many different kinds of dogs would be great....and I have such a small area I just don't think a LGD would be happy. I think choosing something else for us would work, granted training/care and the usual. I've had dogs all my life....just not ones that have a purpose other than being a companion.