Pyr owners: 1.5 yr old Pyr...good idea?

[ChickieNikki]

I really want this dog, and I'll have a heck of a time winning DH over on it, but that's another story...

It's 1 1/2 years old, and the owner just divorced and can't keep it in an apartment for obvious reasons, one of which is that it prefers to be outside, which is what I want-an outside-only dog. It is a male, and he is good with kids, dogs and cats. The owner wants him placed in a farm setting where he can be outside with other animals. Well, that's exactly what I want.

My question is: I want to make sure he's not just good with kids, dogs and cats, but that he's also good with the chickens (obviously). I'm considering going to see the dog and bringing my 3 oldest kids and 3 of the chicks with me and see how he reacts to them. Good idea? Certainly I'm going to be cautious and responsible, and I'm not letting the chicks out of their crate unless he is ok with them. I am also wondering if anyone has any particular opinion as to whether a dog that old can be trained to guard the flock if he's not had flock guardian experience before (I don't know if he has, but I will ask). And finally, we don't have our fence in yet, but we will in a few weeks. Are they OK on a long chain temporarily? I'll ask the owner what he thinks, too, but I wonder what other Pyr owners think...Thanks...

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Don't know about one that old ours is only 3 months but she is hugh. She follows us everywhere. If we go into the duck pen she right behind us. Same with the turkey pen She hasn't been in the chicken runs yet. We got her to protect the goats but she is still too young to go out with them yet as she thinks they are chew toys. She wants to play with them which we are discouraging. Has the dog been raised around any animals. This pup came from afarm where it was born and raised right our in the pasture. It only came inside in the very cold. She doesn't seem to have any prey drive yet but again check into how it was raised. I don't think they would do very well on a chain, especially if it was used to having its freedom.

 

[Beekissed]

My GP mix didn't have any flock experience when I got her at 2 yrs of age. She had been chained to a dog house on a 5 ft. chain for most of her life. She has never made a move like she even considers chasing or killing a chicken, cat, cow, etc. She breaks up hen fights and competes with the chickens for food scraps but has never harmed one of my animals in the 5 years I've had her. She also sets a good example for my younger dog.

Not all dogs are the same, but its worth trying as these are a smart breed of dog and don't get too excited about things.

 

[Cetawin]

I would go see him with the kids, I am not sure about taking chicks to him if he is not used to them, you are taking a different animal into his space...they guardian their space and their herds. It may see the chick has something that must leave his territory...so make sure you do any introduction in a relaxed environment and carefully.


Mine 1/2 GP is 7 months old and fine with the birds...he would hurt them bouncing as all puppies do so they are never left unsupervised yet.