the BEST guard dog breed!

[Howlet]

They don't guard cows, they herd cows. With shepherds there with them. Not alone in a field against predators. I have border collies and they are wonderful herding and watch dogs, but they are NOT guard dogs. Watch dogs alert, guard dogs protect. Big difference. I have nothing against corgis, they are wonderful little dogs (and yes, they are relatively small in the dog world), but they are bred for a purpose and that purpose is not to be a livestock guard dog. Thats great that your foxes wont go after your corgi, maybe my foxes are more aggressive, but I've doctored my 40lb herding dog after a scrap with a single fox, and I doubt a 25lb corgi would have been ok and I think it is naive to think they would be safe against larger predators, and that coyotes don't go into suburbs. Google coyote attacks dog suburbs and see how many hits you get. Again, I think its great that small dogs work in your situation, but its irresponsible to advocate for them as guard dogs. Its a disservice to the dogs.

ETA:

I'm sorry, but a working great pyrenees (working, not pet) has hundreds of years of instinct for protection. One GP would decimate a fox long before the corgis managed to scare it off

Duchess, could you please re-read the last sentence of the origional post? This was meant to help people with SMALLER "chicken spaces" in the suburbs or whatever. and its not "irresponsible to advocate for them as guard dogs". people has used them for a LOOOONNNNGGGG TIME.

@Centrarchid, thank you for your RESPECTFUL feedback

 

[duchess]

Actually, GPs are bred to establish and protect a territory and will often patrol said territory and protect anything in it, not just large mobile herds. Hence the constant barking, which is their first line of defense. And I'm sorry, but you clearly have not seen an LGD in action if you don't think they can't catch a fox, or if the "get lucky once in a while" and catch a fox. They are perfectly capable of catching raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and raptors. If they weren't, they wouldn't be used. Ultimately, the best LGDs establish a territory and predators stay away and any that stray too close are either chased away or killed. And I am keeping the discussion where chickens are involved. There are several people on this site, and elsewhere, who use GPs to protect chickens and swear by them. I am not in the minority. Again (and again, and again) I think its great that apparently everyones small dogs do such a great job protecting their flocks, but little dogs ARE NOT going to stop a determined predator, especially if you live outside the city. In the average city backyard, sure, just the presence of a dog will probably keep away predators (except probably raccoons, which I guarantee are not afraid of your min pin or corgi), but if they have to go up against anything in a fight? Yeah, they're going to be a yummy appetizer before the chickens. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO ADVOCATE SMALL DOGS AS REAL, LEGITIMATE FLOCK GUARDIANS. They just don't have the capabilities to fight off predators. Watch dogs? Sure. Guard dogs? No.

 

[Howlet]

Actually, they are bred to establish and protect a territory and will often patrol said territory and protect anything in it, not just large mobile herds. Hence the constant barking, which is their first line of defense. And I'm sorry, but you clearly have not seen an LGD in action if you don't think they can't catch a fox, or if the "get lucky once in a while" and catch a fox. They are perfectly capable of catching raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and raptors. If they weren't, they wouldn't be used. Ultimately, the best LGDs establish a territory and predators stay away and any that stray too close are either chased away or killed. And I am keeping the discussion where chickens are involved. There are several people on this site, and elsewhere, who use GPs to protect chickens and swear by them. I am not in the minority. Again (and again, and again) I think its great that apparently everyones small dogs do such a great job protecting their flocks, but little dogs ARE NOT going to stop a determined predator, especially if you live outside the city. In the average city backyard, sure, just the presence of a dog will probably keep away predators (except probably raccoons, which I guarantee are not afraid of your min pin or corgi), but if they have to go up against anything in a fight? Yeah, they're going to be a yummy appetizer before the chickens. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO ADVOCATE SMALL DOGS AS REAL, LEGITIMATE FLOCK GUARDIANS. They just don't have the capabilities to fight off predators. Watch dogs? Sure. Guard dogs? No.

ok REREAD IT OR LEAVE and you clearly no NOTHING about small guard dogs. and my Jack russel corgi cross scased off my neighbors pitt thank you VERRYY much

 

[Howlet]

and btw have u ever seen a corgi? good 35- 50 lbs ( if fat liek mine x3 ) and if your talking about speed u need to see her chase my poor cats DX

 

[SavageDestiny]

Worked with dogs for over a decade here. I am well aware of the size of a Corgi. And a Corgi absolutely can (and likely will) get torn apart by a fox, and will be slaughtered by a coyote.

Your JRT mix scaring off your neighbor's Pit Bull was a fluke, and he got lucky. If the larger dog had decided to call him on his bluff and started a fight, your smaller dog would have been annihilated. If he tried that with MY Pit Bull, you likely wouldn't HAVE a dog afterward (not that my dog wanders into neighbor's yards).

The point here is that while so far you have gotten lucky, your small dogs are no match for bigger predators. It puts them and the chickens at risk to rely on them, and it IS irresponsible to recommend them as guardians. Other people might lose their dogs by following your advice.

 

[Howlet]

ok NOW i see it......

thank for your RESPECTFULLY putting that.

 

[Howlet]

~ NOBODY READ DIS POST O_O ~

 

[duchess]

Umm, I did re-read. You said they are great for protecting small city lots or 90 acre farms. My arguments stand, as I did not mention lot sizes. And thats great that your terrier/herding dog cross scared off a big dog. Wildlife is not the same as big dogs, but is still present in suburbia. And another yes, I have seen a corgi. An actual, real-live working corgi, doing what it was bred to do: herd cattle.

yes...your argument for an overweight corgi protecting birds has totally won me over

But whatever, I have said my piece and hopefully people will research different breeds and purposes and consider what is best for them before getting any dog to guard their flock. You do you, Scotty P. I'm done engaging.

Thank you Savage Destiny for being far more eloquent in your point than I was.

 

[Howlet]

Umm, I did re-read. You said they are great for protecting small city lots or 90 acre farms. My arguments stand, as I did not mention lot sizes. And thats great that your terrier/herding dog cross scared off a big dog. Wildlife is not the same as big dogs, but is still present in suburbia. And another yes, I have seen a corgi. An actual, real-live working corgi, doing what it was bred to do: herd cattle.

yes...your argument for an overweight corgi protecting birds has totally won me over

But whatever, I have said my piece and hopefully people will research different breeds and purposes and consider what is best for them before getting any dog to guard their flock. You do you, Scotty P. I'm done engaging.

Thank you Savage Destiny for being far more eloquent in your point than I was.

no i was talking about re reading the sentance which u seemed to have ignored.....

 

[Howlet]

~NO ONE READ DIS BAD IDEA ~