What is a good breed of dog?

[P-Funk]

Thanks, all. The division of wildlife has removed the problem mutt from across the road after it got ahold of my barred rock

They also told me to just shoot the fox if it comes over again. I have no problem with that. There was a dead fox laying on the side of the road when I was on the way home yesterday. I actually thought "good, that's one more chicken that will live". There are enough animals here as it is, so I don't think a dog could get the required attention. Now if only the cat would wake up during the day

 

[huckleberryfarm]

We had a lovely border collie when we got our chickens. He was so gentle with us but killed every chicken he could get to. We did not raise him with the chickens and maybe that was the problem. I'm going to stay away from any herding dogs from now on. Especially after he got into the pasture and killed 5 of our goats. Was a total shock because he had never been aggressive with any person. Animals turned out to be a different story. Our lab doesn't bother anything. Just walks around minding his own business.

 

[dainerra]

one thing about GSDs (German Shepherds) they are PEOPLE dogs. They don't do well without a TON of interaction with their people, every single day. I'm not talking a few minutes, but several hours.

My youngest isn't trustworthy around the birds unsupervised. He is learning "leave it" but he still thinks the chickens are fun squeeky toys. The bunnies, well, he can't be trusted around them at all.

My oldest? He carries baby chicks back to me if they get out of their pen. He herds the bunnies if they escape. He's fine with the guinea pig and the parakeets too. Wild birds, he hates them. Wild bunnies are snacks as are squirrels, chipmunks, and mice. He hates other dogs being in his yard, but most of the livestock is outside of his fenced in yard. He does alert us to any trespassers though.

I posted this in another thread, but I'll put it here too since you are considering one of these guys

also, if you are considering a rescue GSD, make sure that it has been fostered by a knowledgeable person. GSDs are prone to several genetic diseases and temperament issues if not well-bred. A good dog with proper nerves, however, is almost impossible to "mess up" and can recover from pretty much any experience.

 

[Spires6]

The best chicken protector I ever had was a german shepherd. We allowed our birds to free range. He would lie in the yard and watch them and when they wandered too far, he would herd them up and bring them back to the coop. We never had any problem with predators. The chickens were "his" property and he allowed no animals near. His only fault: When I would raise chicks he would wait until they were about 3 weeks old and bust into the brooder and kill them from time to time. He would only kill them at the age of 3 weeks and only if I wasn't at home. His one weakness. We always knew instantly when we came home because he would slink away from us with his head hung low. But other than that a great dog...Unfortunately the shepherd I have now can't be trusted with chickens.

 

[P-Funk]

After reading 64 responses it doesn't sound like there is such a thing as a 'perfect' dog. There are six girls left and it appears I am the rooster. There is also a loaded pistol sitting right by the front door. I had the best dog in the world once, Bart was a 120 pound yellow lab but he died of old age. He would have protected the chickens and he sure could have been trained to like fox meat. Sorry for getting so emotional, but whenever one of my baby girls gets murdered, I raise hell. The neighbor may actually be selling his house.

 

[equinelyn]

A husky would probably not be a good idea. They are close to wolves and many still have high prey drive.

 

[Firefighter Chick]

I have two lab mixes that I got from the pound. Unkown exact breeds but my 6 year old is a lab mixed with possible border collie, he is black with a white chest with ticking. I got him as a wee puppy. He has killed skunks and chases the cows away from near the house (pasture runs by the house) and makes sure they are nowhere near the coop when i'm in it. He has actually grabbed the arm of someone running unannounced to our house (it was an emergency, he didn't leave a mark) The younger one is a female just under a year old that looks exactly like a small yellow lab. She's by my side and very people oriented. The first time she saw a chicken she wanted to play with it and mouth it BADLY. Now, she follows me in the coop and just watches the chickens when i'm working with them. It will take a while before i can trust her around the chickens. I don't think I'd ever be 100% ok with the dogs around with the chickens unattended but we'll see. Perhaps you can look into a shelter dog with the qualities you want.

 

[SentryFE]

I have a giant schnauzer and she keeps a eye on the chickens when I let them out. She is 100 lbs of chicken protection. I would bet most herd dogs raised and trained right would work.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I've had over 30+ siberian huskies and not a SINGLE one could be trusted with small animals, they have an extremely high prey drive. I have no experience with Shepherds except for the one I have now which also has an extremely high prey drive and will eat anything and everything he possibly can.

 

[Johnboy78]

No prior chicken experience just dogs all my life.
Got two dobies living here and 8 chicks in the basement.
I tried to introduce them but the dogs had no interest.
Four dobies so far and they are all crazed rodent hunters,
mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits. All have been disinterested in
birds. I'm hoping on relative harmony in a week or so
when the chicks go outside.