Suitable guard dog for fowl

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For those of you who have chickens and ducks. After having my flock attacked by stray dogs, I am ready to get a couple of dogs of my own. I used to have a wonderful GSD mix but she died 9 months ago and that is a whole different story. SO, what do you all think. They would have to be outside dogs but would be able to get into an insulated garage for protection from the rain or heat and cold. Would any breed raised with the flock from pup work, or are there specific breeds I should look for that were "made" for the job? They would also be companion and family to me. Thanks for your suggestions!

-- c.d. (his4ever@mac.com), December 20, 2001

Answers

We have a german shorthaired pointer named Ella. She is an incredible bird dog, so you'd think it would be a bad idea to have her around our chickens and ducks. Not so. She is amazing at protecting them, and will even help me herd them into the coop at night. Once in awhile one of the guineas tries to hide in the tall grass, she goes over and "points" right at them. She helped me catch a duck that got away last week by actually holding it down with her front paws until I could get there to retrieve it. Didn't hurt the bird at all.

She really isn't that smart of a dog, though. She thinks my motorcycle is a monster and is quite determined to make it let go of me. Last spring she succeeded by throwing her body in front of the bike as I motored up the driveway. She's none the worse for wear but she caused $1200 damage to the bike. I've run her over more than once on our four wheeler for the same reason, but she doesn't seem to learn. I have had to get after her for bothering our cats once in awhile, and I think she may have killed a couple of kittens once, but it was while trying to 'herd' them back into their pen.

Anyway, I think a pointer would work very well, also I've heard that border collies are good with chickens.

Whatever you do, DON'T get a Jack Russell Terrier. Ours is a confirmed serial chicken killer. We named him Bongo because I beat him like a drum every time he kills another chicken. Anyone want him?

Chuck

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), December 20, 2001.


Great pyrenese or Anatolian shepard. I had a dear sweet wiemaraner that loved to help me with my chickens but don't think she would have ever "guarded" them. Chuck I love your dogs face.

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), December 20, 2001.

We have a Pyr that guards our poultry and does a really good job with them BUT I have heard that especially with poultry that it can vary from dog to do and it is also important to start them as pups and teach them what is acceptable or not acceptable. Young Pyrs can be very headstrong and may play with their livestock as teens.

I have heard that some bird dogs are pretty good as they want to point at the birds not chase them but I don't have any experience there.

-- Trisha-MN (coldguinea@netscape.net), December 20, 2001.


c.d., I'd think any territorial dog would work for fowl, if the fowl aren't kept a long ways from the house. The dog will defend his home territory and the fowl will be protected because the dog keeps other dogs out. I have had Border Collies and GSDs both. BC's are not in particular territorial, although they don't like other dogs on the property. They herd animals, not protect them as a matter of course. GSDs, on the other hand, hold their own territory sacred, and woe be to the travelling dog who cuts across the yard. Also, they are big and will win the fight. You don't want your small dog mixing it up with a travelling large dog, you'll just end up with a vet bill when you get your dog sewed up at the vet. Much better to have a big dog for his reason alone. Also, they keep people out, too! :)

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), December 20, 2001.

Hi there. I've got a Maremma and she protects our ducks and chickens. We also have meat rabbits that she loves to bits and is just so gentle with them. Maremmas are a wonderful breed for guarding livestock. Whenever we have foxes around, she paces up and down protecting all her stock and she would kill anything that came onto our place and threatened our animals. Luckily we have not had any foxes etc. brave enough to set foot. They can be very playful with the poultry as pups, but not rough enough to injure or kill them. A few stern words and they learn very fast until they can work unsupervised.

-- andy meek (lapine@bigpond.com), December 22, 2001.


I went thru all kinds of dogs untill I learned a little something about all dogs. BE the SMARTER of the two of you:-] 1st,when are they needed for patrol duty? I lock my pryrenees when off duty 7a-7p,let her out,regular. when they learn what expected of them they automatilly are there,now she takes a nap in cage with open door:-]2nd control yourself,if dog hasn't done what you would expect or wrong thing,give them more space,fore they are in training.3rd,never ever get 2 at same time,train one dog at a time:-] GOOD LUCK.

-- Dusty Ross (ourpinkroses@yahoo.com), March 11, 2002.

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