what is a good breed of dog to raise with and guard chickens?

[watchdogps]

Quote:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/anatolian_shepherd_dog/

Sorry, I wasnt disagreeing with the actual numbers given, just the term giant. The AKC club states on their paper literature, which is not available on line that it is not a giant breed. It is also in their judges education materials.

Now, rather than continue to argue about something we are probably nont going to come to an agreement about, why don't we get back to helping the OP. Since any breed of dog is fine, why don't you give him some behavioral traits to look for that can help him select an appropriate dog?

 

[Keara]

I've seen it written time and time again and I agree the best breed is a ........."well trained dog"

honestly if you want a good chicken dog you will need to work on it.

By the way I have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, but I had to train him to "leave" the chicks and a few broody hens taught him the rest.

 

[watchdogps]

I have a cheesy-peake too! She's 12 and still going strong!

 

[roni0907]

We have three boxers who appear to be obsessed with terrorizing the chicks through the hardware cloth in their pen. I would never leave them alone with the chicks, although if I am holding a chick in my hands, all they do is try to lick it. Hmm, at some point, I might try to see how they would do in a supervised situation as I would love to be able to let the chicks roam around in the backyard. Good luck!

 

[SentryFE]

I have a german shepard and a giant schnuazer and they both do perfectly well. I promise you aint messing with anything to include the chickens. They will run down and kill any strange animals to include other dogs that enter. Now I can bring a new animal and introduce then properly and they will not bother it. I think any dog with the right temperment and properly trained will work.

 

[Chickmate]

I have three Chinese Cresteds and they all love to watch over the chickens. Versace just takes it to the next level! He loves Momma's chickens and wants to be where they are, so when I opened the coop door one afternoon I should not have been surprised to see where he was! And no, that was not staged, he got there by himself!

It took a lot of "LEAVE ITs!" but they soon learned that these are MY chickens and I am the ONLY one allowed to do anything to them. They were introduced to the chicks the day I brought them home and all three dogs went with me every time I went to the brooder to check on them, so they have grown up with them. They lay on the deck and keep watch over the flock or wander around as they are free ranging. The other day a Cooper's hawk seemed very interested until it saw Jimmy Choo standing next to his buddy Joe the BR rooster, then it flew off. Some breeds are going to be better with chickens than others, but most dogs can learn to interact with chickens without harming them with some positive training.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Now, rather than continue to argue about something we are probably nont going to come to an agreement about, why don't we get back to helping the OP

That's what I've been doing the whole time, by NOT suggesting the LGD breeds

And there's no "argument", just some facts​

 

[seabreeze]

I have raised Tibetan Mastiffs for over 32 years and like other posters here, a LGD needs to be trained but before that, puppies need to be evaluated as to their innate skills to develop. Many LGD breeds have high prey drive and others do not. I have several TMs that will just as willingly kill and eat a chicken as not. I only have a couple that are actually great guardians of poultry, and one who is comfortable and 100% trustworthy around all the other stock as well (horses, goats, cattle).

Raising the puppy with the stock is the best place to start and once they know those are part of your property, family, they usually do an admirable job. But its very tempting for puppies when chickens run, flap their wings, squawk which are actions of prey so teaching your puppy appropriate behavior is an absolute must. You cannot just throw a LGD breed puppy in the midst and expect it to do its job. Herding breeds are the same way so its not a matter of *trainability*, its a matter of working with the pup to instill correct behavior.

Using an older, flock savvy dog is an excellent way for a puppy to learn as well. Sometimes you can find older LGD available in your area (if its rural) or perusing the net, Craigs' List, www.ruralads.com and similar websites. Also natural farming websites where they use dogs instead of traps or poisons for small scale/homesteading type farms.

Assess your situation, where you live, how much time you have to spend, if you decide to go with a purebred, talk to breeders. If a breeder tells you they've placed pups in livestock/poultry homes, ask for references and talk to those people who have their dogs, learn of their successes and failures.

Best of luck!

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/anatolian_shepherd_dog/

Sorry, I wasnt disagreeing with the actual numbers given, just the term giant. The AKC club states on their paper literature, which is not available on line that it is not a giant breed. It is also in their judges education materials.

Now, rather than continue to argue about something we are probably nont going to come to an agreement about, why don't we get back to helping the OP. Since any breed of dog is fine, why don't you give him some behavioral traits to look for that can help him select an appropriate dog?