Soo..We adopted a Great Pyrenees..Lost 9 chickens...

[heronz]

Can't ask for a better breeder than those people.
They really went out of their way to resolve everything.

 

[4 the Birds]

Great Pyrenees would be my choice as a guardian dog for sheep, goats, and any other large livestock; Yet, they would not be my choice if the dog doubles as a family pet. It is possible to find a dog that will serve as a protector of your chickens but I would not adopt a dog for that sole purpose. You would be better served to have your chickens free range in a fenced in area and separated from your dog(s). They can coexist just fine but have their own space.

 

[llanderson01]

I have owned two Pyrs and not as LGD's. But I don't know of anyone who has or had them to gaurd chickens. Only livestock, like sheep and goats. Most dogs will kill things that run. Some dogs will kill cats that aren't cats that they consider theirs. My female Pyr herds my cats and other 2 dogs one who is a Pyr/Lab mix and a big wuss. Most Goldens and a lot of Pyrs won't kill small animals or chickens but if it runs good chance they will chase unless trained very well and consistently. My 5 yr old retriever would snatch birds out of the sky when under 2 yrs old no matter how much training or how much in trouble he was afterward. He is better now and can listen and follow commands better period. He's a bit on the crazy side but they all have the potential depending on their personality.

 

[Zwolf84]

I have a Great Pyrenees/Akbash mix I get at ten weeks, he is 8 months now and with the flock the whole day. A lot of training and monitoring was needed and is still ongoing but I have a family of seven foxes that have not made off with any birds this year. It's part luck and part paranoia to train a guardian dog for poultry but most books say they dog can't be fully trusted for at least a year, maybe two. Birds are flighty and it's hard for dogs not to want to chase them.