Question about dogs

[josephdad]

i have learned that not all dogs are exactly the same

 

[CeceliaD]

Maybe get a pup who's the same breed as your late dog? You don't mention his or her breed, but obviously they were very protective of your chickens, plus you are familiar with how they behave and what worked for them when training.

We don’t really know exactly what either of them were, so it’s hard to know for sure which part of them was the protector. Our first dog was the most protective and he was German Shepherd mix—do you know if german shepherds are usually protective like that? Our latest dog was a chow/maybe husky/maybe shibu inu mix. She wasn’t as protective but still liked to chase things if we asked her to. It was mostly just her presence laying outside (toward the end especially) that kept predators away during the day. She was always outside in the winter because she had a double coat and loved the snow.

 

[CeceliaD]

i have learned that not all dogs are exactly the same

You’re certainly right. I guess I just wanted to know if any dogs had a reputation for being good with small animals like chickens and ducks.

 

[CeceliaD]

all i know is that you should definitely not get a border collie, they are very very very likely to prey on your chickens.

a good dog would be a german shepherd but you will have to get a puppy and have them grow up together or you'll have to really train it but german shepherds are very smart so they'll learn quickly.

Ok, noted: no border collies. Thank you. Our first dog was a German shepherd mix and he was very good with them. He tried to play with them a couple times and gave us a scare but we got him a second dog and that fixed that problem

 

[CeceliaD]

I would shy away from the Spaniels, Setters, Pointers, bird hunting dogs of course. Also your herding dogs Border collies, Healers, Aussies would be hyper focused on them. I would lean more toward the guardian dogs Shepherd's, Pyrenees, Giant Schnauzers. I volunteer at an animal shelter, you cant go wrong with a good mixed dog either.

Thank you so much! That’s all great information. Props to you for volunteering at a shelter. I’d like to do that one day soon.

 

[CeceliaD]

High five for the shelter dog suggestion. You can find all sizes and ages at the shelter. A pup would grow up around your flock so maybe the natural urge to protect will kick in.
Good luck!

Yes I think the response I’m hearing most is that it’s pretty necessary to get a pup and raise it around my flock. Thank you!!

 

[chickentrains]

Get a puppy and train it

Nothing with high energy, or high prey drive. a LGD would be perfect if you have the room for one

 

[KyCoop]

I have the opposite problem with chickens and dogs. I have to protect my dogs FROM my chickens. My dogs are only 6 lbs and the chickens LOVE to charge at the dogs and give them stank eye and then run with them along the fence. The dogs got their noses pecked a couple of times so they know now not to get too close. Because chickens have sharp faces!

 

[CeceliaD]

I have the opposite problem with chickens and dogs. I have to protect my dogs FROM my chickens. My dogs are only 6 lbs and the chickens LOVE to charge at the dogs and give them stank eye and then run with them along the fence. The dogs got their noses pecked a couple of times so they know now not to get too close. Because chickens have sharp faces!

Oh my . Your poor dogs! Chickens can be nasty when they’re feeling powerful.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I've had Golden retrievers (bird dogs) and Shelties and Collies (herding dogs) who not only did not bother my chickens, but actively protected them. Good luck!