What breed do you recommend to live outside in a fenced yard and protect chickens?

[mama_clucker]

I live in central Alabama and am getting back into raising laying hens. Right now, I'm planning the setup and costs, but I'm struggling to decide on a dog breed.

I've been walking the yard and am planning on fencing in about 400+ feet of my front and side yard (with some of the fence extending into the woods some). The hens will not be free range, but I'd like to have a full time outside dog to keep an eye on them, patrol the property, etc. In the past when we last had hens (same kind of setup), we had two sheltie brothers who were wonderful, so I was thinking maybe some sort of sheepdog, shepherd or collie breed.. since I'm wanting a medium sized dog?

The predators in this area are: stray dogs, coyotes, raccoons, opossum, snakes and hawks. Thoughts on the breeds I mentioned or suggestions? Wanting a breed that will be ok staying outside (will obviously have an area for shelter), aren't prone to trying to escape and wander and can be trained easily enough to be good with chickens. Thanks so much!

 

[nuthatched]

Nothing with a high prey drive, honestly, a dog will only slow down land predators, and most of those operate at night when chickens are secure in their coop.
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[Ilovemychicks08]

Look at a Livestock Guardian Dog specifically meant to guard. Example is a grrat pryness they are large dogs though.
They will guard day and night and kill off predators if they pose a harm. Otherwise just chase them off