They are also skilled shepherd dogs. Bullmastiff. Training your dog how to herd chickens can be one of the most useful tasks for both you and your dog. . But chicken herding isn't for every dog. Bichon Frise Despite their playful nature . Table of Content [ show] 1. Addy was obsessed by her and would spend all of her time keeping track of the cat. Then give him the 'come bye' command to have him move them in a clockwise direction. You may be able to find a dog that is already trained and ready to work but the price of such a dog will be significantly more expensive . Great Pyrenees. The best guard dogs for chickens include the Akbash, Komondor, Tibetan mastiff, Pyrenean mastiff, and Kuvasz. This dog may be significant in size, but it is very loving, gentle, and affectionate with its family. However, many others are a little more specialized, particularly in the early stages . 1. He chases our rabbits around the deck, my brother's rabbit follows him all day long. On a farm, though, this might not be the ideal breed. Reply Jun 3, 2011 Thread starter #9 mauigirl Breeds that are widespread throughout most of the world include: Maremma,. So you've got yourself a chicken coop. Bearded Collie. Answer: Belgian Malinois are chosen as police and guard dogs so often because they have a high prey drive. German shepherd. Making a coop, the whole nine yards. Overall, they are smart, happy, energetic and athletic animals that need to be active. These breeds were developed . Their thick coat makes them comfortable in colder weather as well. Some talented dogs can herd all of these species. This doggo is purebred from Turkey but can be difficult to come by due to its rarity. They are used as guardian dogs and livestock protectors worldwide. The most popular of the herding dogs representative in the USA today is the German Shepherd Dog. Let's get one thing out of the way pretty quickly: Keeping chickens alongside cats and dogs is indeed possible. READ: Dogs Stung by Bees : What You Need to Know & How to Treat Them. My border collie will herd chickens, rabbits, and lawn mowers. Kuvasz. With the right training, they can help to drive livestock. They can be trained to tolerate and even to herd chickens, but it can be difficult. Some of the best herding and guard dogs for farms include the Great Pyrenees, Australian Shepherd, Maremma Sheepdog, Tibetan Mastiff, and Komondor. Breed Overview American Bulldog. What's a good farm dog? Rottweiler. Assuming you don't want to spend a lot of money on acquiring a dog, your breed options are limited to what is available where you live. Not only do these dogs make excellent herding dogs in farm life, but they're often great at dog sports, and some also excel as guard dogs for family members. Movement training. Havanese. Anatolian Shepherd. The Border Collie ticks just about every box there is when looking for a herding dog. Maremma Sheepdog The Maremma Sheepdog was bred to guard flocks from predators, making them the best dog to protect chickens and not attack them. Posted : 4/22/2008 10:35:36 AM. Cats are typically less aggressive than dogs around chickens, however both can be trained and conditioned such that they can safely co-exist . Kuvasz. Image Credit: Steve Slater They originate in Turkey and have been used by sheep and goat shepherds for centuries. Temperament. He's also deeply attached to his family. See product > Bully Max Nutrition Plans */5 out of 5 (675 . You will definitely want to keep these things in mind. Breed Overview. They remain calm and relaxed when they are not working, but often display their high energy levels in the line of duty. Standard Schnauzer. 1. Above all, use your best judgment. For those looking for dog breeds that get along with chickens, the Anatolian Shepherd is an excellent choice. German Shepherds are high energy dogs who tend to act like medium energy dogs. Bully Max Muscle Builder */5 out of 5 (1622) From $ 29.97. Styles of Herding The Belgian sheepdog or Groenendael is one of the best herding dogs among the four types of Belgian shepherd dog breeds: Groenendael, Malinois, Laekenois and Tervuren. With your pup off the leash, give him the 'walk up' command. This shaggy companion with long, luscious hair originated from Scotland as a versatile herding companion. 1. First, these dogs bark a lot and are very loud. Komondors are dogs that impress all of us dogs and humans alike. Komondor. . As a farm dog, a German shepherd can perform many tasks. With some concerted effort you can certainly train other pets to go along with chickens. Working sheep and cattle looks simple when these pups take over. Herding is what they were bred to do. Pyrenean Mastiff The American Kennel Club notes, "these intelligent dogs make excellent companions and respond beautifully to training . 3. The herding or pastoral group, as the name implies, consists of dogs selected for their prowess in herding and handling livestock. People consistently rank Tibetan Mastiffs as one of the best chicken guard dogs because they're very protective by nature. Read your dog's body language, and know him well enough to determine which precautionary steps you need to take to keep your chickens and your dogs safe. Answer (1 of 2): There are about fifty recognized livestock guardian breeds worldwide. However, the list is not limited to those five breeds. 3. With your pup off the leash, give him the 'walk up' command. Top 10 Best Guard Dog Breeds for Livestock & Poultry Protection in 2021. They are incredibly loyal, highly intelligent, and very watchful dogs. Coming in at 34% protein and 17% fat it's perfectly optimal while maintaining high calories to keep your dog going through the whole day. 2. Group: Herding (AKC) Height: 21 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder (male); 20 to 21 inches (female) Weight: 45 and 55 pounds. Published on Oct 2, 2020; Tagged with: AKC, dog, guardian dogs, herding, livestock dogs, sheepherders . Any large, protective dog can be trained to guard chickens. Best selling products. Livestock guard dog (LGD) breeds are generally large (over 100 pounds), and while they may be devoted and friendly with their human owners, they are often unfriendly with other dogs. Dogs of this breed are known for their physical strength. Swift moving and a never-ending work ethic make this pup a great choice as a herder. Recap. This is a very old breed who has spent centuries herding livestock in the Picardy pastures of France. Herding dogs. Restraint and Contain. If you choose a good dog, they will live and work for a long time. Second, they are considered overprotective. The German Shepherd. The Great Pyrenees. Up until 1983, the breeds in the Herding Group were part of the Working Group. 3. Concerns have been raised over the changing shape of the Shepherd and weakness in the hindquarters of some show dogs. Step. Most doggos will scare away cats without problem, but they may not know how to react to snakes. If you have an older dog who has a strong prey instinct, the safest way to have free-range chickens and this type of dog live together is to either keep the chickens in a coop or the dog chained or inside when the chickens are ranging. While most of their advice works for house training a dog, herd training is as individual as say, training a hunting dog. American farmers and ranchers began bringing Anatolian Shepherds to the United States in the 1950s after World War II, but the breed did not become popular until the 1970s for livestock guardians in America. Bobcats Feral dogs Cats Hawks / Owls Weasels Bears Snakes People Just note that dogs will be more helpful protecting chickens from some of these predators than others. The Akbash. Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years. The Maremma Sheepdog. This is one of the most popular herding dogs in the world. max. Great Pyrenees "Depending on the individual dog, normally you retire them somewhere between 10 and 12 [years].". They are also known for their friendly temperament and getting on with pretty much any other animal. Originally published as "Working Like a Dog" in the June/July 1998 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS. A Shih Tzu, for instance, might be a great choice for a city dweller. 6) Australian Cattle Dog: Another really smart herding breed, not so much a guarding breed to scare predators away. My first thought is Great Pyrenees. When it comes to herding and controlling everything from cows to sheep to fowl, the most capable herding dogs are the Australian Cattle Dog, the Belgian Shepherd, the Border Collie, the German Shepherd, the Old English Sheepdog, the Rottweiler and the Welsh Corgi. Good to Know: Havanese has a hypoallergenic coat that requires brushing 2-3 times a week and regular grooming. Other common herding dogs include the Shetland Sheepdog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Bearded Corgi, Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, Queensland Heeler, Terrier, Sheltie, and Collie breeds. This makes them easy to train, and also makes them likely to chase chickens. 7 Dog Breeds That Get Along with Chickens. Step. Movement training. 04 of 17. Addy was the first dog that Kai had ever met. Herding dogs, also classified as working dogs, share characteristics and physical traits, such as agility, speed and loyalty. Integrating Chickens, Dogs and Cats Chickens, dogs and cats oh my! Once you train them, they'll take guard duty seriously. They are well-known as an excellent flock protector because of their intelligence, bravery, and strong instinctive herding abilities. Concerns have been raised over the changing shape of the Shepherd and weakness in the hindquarters of some show dogs. Not all Belgians will kill chickens. Herding dogs will help you gather and move groups of animals to your desired location. 2. German Shepherd Dog. After the cat died (from old age), Addy . My dad assured Kai that Addy was friendly and loved kids. (A good canine guardian will also keep stray dogs - not to mention your neighbor's mischievous cockadoodle - at bay.) [2] allowing a rooster and dog in the same area. He's trainable, affectionate and sturdy for his short stature. The Akbash, Anatolian Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, Komondor, Maremma Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, and the Spanish Mastiff are the eight best farm dogs for chickens. If you are looking at puppies, however, you should choose a different breed. Temperament. Other non-AKC herding breeds also exist, such as the Australian Kelpie and the English Shepherd. "They will generally live between 12 and 15 years," Jeffers said. Border Collie. Collies are one of the most popular herding dog breeds, most famously depicted in the television show Lassie. Great qualities for a farm dog. Then give him the 'come bye' command to have him move them in a clockwise direction. Australian Cattle Dog (Heeler) These fiercely loyal and intelligent dogs are the ultimate . They are trying to tell you about a predator approaching. Perhaps not the first breed that pops into your head as a farm dog, this bearded pup actually has a long history dating back to 1492. All Herding breeds share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. However, that it doesn't then go to the next stages of kill and then consume their quarry. German Shepherd. These dogs are bold, confident, powerful, and fearless. 1. Life Expectancy: 12-13 years. The Maremma Sheepdog. TEMPERAMENT: Australorps are gentle and tolerant of confined spaces, making them a good breed for beginners and for smaller chicken coops. 5. They were bred to guard and protect livestock. You want a dog that is loyal, friendly, but also fiercely protective. 3. Because of its strong guarding and herding instincts, this breed can serve as an excellent multipurpose farm dog. For horsemen and ranchers with properties that house sheep, goats, cow/calf operation, chickens, as well as horses, working dogs specifically bred to protect livestock such as Great Pyrenees, Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Anatolian . Don't Force Chicken Herding on an Uninterested Dog. The most popular of the herding dogs representative in the USA today is the German Shepherd Dog. 4. He'll always herd silkies, he never bites anything, he just nudges them with his nose. Coat and Color: Straight, coarse, shaggy coat comes in black, blue, brown, or fawn. Initially, they were brought to the US for farm use, which says a lot about the breed itself. What dogs are the best of the best when it comes to herding? Addy is a 'herding' dog by nature. 3 Buff Orpington Hen. Without further ado, here are the 30 AKC recognized herding breeds.
