Hi there everyone,
I have read the posts for the best breeds if you are interested in getting a dog for livestock protection, Great Pyrenees, Anatonlin, and Aussie. I am looking to get another dog to add to our animal family, but I want to make sure I get the right kind of breed for out situation. I don't have any livestock or sheep to herd and I also need a dog that instinctivelty knows to stay in their "workplace" and not wander off or chase things. I live at a Camp/Retreat center, where my husband is on staff, and we do not have any fencing anywhere. Our chickens can't free range, but I would still feel better if I have a working dog to watch over our chickens, rabbits and soon to be goats. I have a Border Collie/English Sheperd and she is great too, but doesn't seem to have the instincts to protect the animals, just eat them. She could be trying to "herd" them, given she is part Border Collie, but I doubt it. Any suggestions?
Also, those of you who have land that is not fenced, do you tie up your dogs when you leave or do they just stay put. When we get in the car, my Border has followed us all the way down through the camp and close to the main road. She has to be tied up or she will follow us. When I tie her up, I do not feel comfortable leaving the chickens in the pen, we have had racoons come in and kill before. Suggestions?
I have read the posts for the best breeds if you are interested in getting a dog for livestock protection, Great Pyrenees, Anatonlin, and Aussie. I am looking to get another dog to add to our animal family, but I want to make sure I get the right kind of breed for out situation. I don't have any livestock or sheep to herd and I also need a dog that instinctivelty knows to stay in their "workplace" and not wander off or chase things. I live at a Camp/Retreat center, where my husband is on staff, and we do not have any fencing anywhere. Our chickens can't free range, but I would still feel better if I have a working dog to watch over our chickens, rabbits and soon to be goats. I have a Border Collie/English Sheperd and she is great too, but doesn't seem to have the instincts to protect the animals, just eat them. She could be trying to "herd" them, given she is part Border Collie, but I doubt it. Any suggestions?
Also, those of you who have land that is not fenced, do you tie up your dogs when you leave or do they just stay put. When we get in the car, my Border has followed us all the way down through the camp and close to the main road. She has to be tied up or she will follow us. When I tie her up, I do not feel comfortable leaving the chickens in the pen, we have had racoons come in and kill before. Suggestions?