Looking for a new dog to be around my flock, Options?

[Irishluck09]

Have close to 40 chickens, 15 ducks, 4 guineas, and 3 turkeys.

I currently have a 12 year old Australian shepherd/Husky mix who is fantastic around my birds. Has never messed with them and has no desire too. Stays away from them as much as possibly.

So, he lost his brother last year and Id like to get another dog for him to play with and keep him lively.
I definitely want to find a young puppy because training would be easier in my thoughts to train around poultry.
There are a bunch of shelters around me and Im noticing a good amount of 3 month old terrier/pit bull mix and also Staffy/pit mix with possible Shar Pei due.

Anyone have any experience with these breeds around poultry? Or what are some breeds you have all had around your poultry?

 

[WhiteCollarWeezy]

Really just depends on how you train them
.better if they are pups and know the consequences of their actions if they hurt the birds...but some don't learn...plus some canines are more gentle and some are more aggressive. Huskies were no good for my flock, but that's me. I've had great luck with Labs.

 

[Irishluck09]

Really just depends on how you train them
.better if they are pups and know the consequences of their actions if they hurt the birds...but some don't learn...plus some canines are more gentle and some are more aggressive. Huskies were no good for my flock, but that's me. I've had great luck with Labs.

Im defiantly looking for puppies only so that I can start training at a young age. im seeing alot of these terrier/pit mixes whiles pits would be easier to train, it's the terrier that im more worried about being that they are high prey driven.

 

[chickengr]

I had terrier mixes who were killing rats and ignoring birds (except small ones like sparrows who tried to eat their food). your older dog will help you train the puppy.

 

[Tookie]

Any dog no matter the breed could go after your birds, so it is more up to the individual dog on how they are with them. Raising them from a puppy does help tremendously. But certain breeds are more likely to go after them, while other breeds will be less likely to. So breed definitely does play a part.
Personally, I wouldn't get Terrier/Pit mixes because in my opinion, I think they would go after birds more. Although I have seen here on BYC many Pit mixes that do well with poultry.

 

[Squawkers]

Im defiantly looking for puppies only so that I can start training at a young age. im seeing alot of these terrier/pit mixes whiles pits would be easier to train, it's the terrier that im more worried about being that they are high prey driven.

Any dog with training could possibly be fine with chickens (supervised) but I personally would steer clear of terriers, most of them have a crazy high prey drive. Not saying you couldn’t do it with proper training, I just think it would be way more difficult. I have a golden retriever (high prey drive) that I trust completely with my chickens. He knows he isn’t allowed to mess with them (but I’m still trying to stop is rude way of sticking his nose in their fluffy butts and sending them toppling)

 

[FrostRanger]

As much as I love pitties, they can have a high prey drive. I was able to get my Ranger to stop chasing small animals but he's not very game fortunately. If you got a really game individual, you could have a much tougher time. With a shelter dog there's no telling what genetics you're getting with any breed or mix. If you go that route, I'd gauge the temperment of the puppy very carefully and don't necessarily take the shelter's word on the dog's temperment. As much as they do, they don't have the time to really get to know every single dog and dogs can have wildly different personalities in a home vs a shelter as shelters are stressful environments. You also won't necessarily know what a puppy's final temperment will be until they get older. Just going off breed, none of the ones you mentioned would be my first choice for a livestock guardian dog. Pits and terriers have high prey drives (plus are more likely to be dog selective or dog aggressive, and no, raising them together won't guaranteed they'll get along. My neighbor has 2 pits that aggressive to other male dogs, they don't even like each other and they're from the same litter) and sharpeis are one of the least healthiest dog breeds out there. They even have their own syndrome. They can also have issues with aggression depending on the line. Not hating on any of the breeds - pits are one of my favorite breeds actually - and it CAN work depending on individual temperment, but not every dog is right for every situation and it'd be better for everyone involved to get a dog that's more likely to succeed in this situation

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

In my opinion your best bet is going to be a breed with low prey drive and lower energy, maybe a LGD breed. Keep in mind they can still go after your flock if not properly introduced and trained right, they don't naturally bond to birds so it'll be different then livestock. Any breed can be trained but terriers and pit bulls are known for prey drive and that will make it harder, potentially impossible, to make them trustworthy around your flock.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Any dog can be trained to be around chickens. If possible get one 4 months old or younger. After around 5 months they do have their prey in them.
I have nothing against bully mixes or terriers but they do have prey drive and some have higher than others.
My male golden has a high drive any bird, squirrel or rabbit near him is his.
I have never had a problem with him getting to one because of enclosed runs. He stalks them outside and stalks the chicks inside. I can bring one out and tell him gentle but id rather him not get the chance.
I think its how they are introduced make it neutral. Teach a leave it and teach a gentle and i dont think you will have a problem with any pup.
Take a fake bird with you to the shelter and if they ahve a outdoor area you can go with the puppy set the bird up and see what the puppy does. If its more focused on you id see it easy to train. If it immediately goes after the fake bird then.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Irishluck09]

As much as I love pitties, they can have a high prey drive. I was able to get my Ranger to stop chasing small animals but he's not very game fortunately. If you got a really game individual, you could have a much tougher time. With a shelter dog there's no telling what genetics you're getting with any breed or mix. If you go that route, I'd gauge the temperment of the puppy very carefully and don't necessarily take the shelter's word on the dog's temperment. As much as they do, they don't have the time to really get to know every single dog and dogs can have wildly different personalities in a home vs a shelter as shelters are stressful environments. You also won't necessarily know what a puppy's final temperment will be until they get older. Just going off breed, none of the ones you mentioned would be my first choice for a livestock guardian dog. Pits and terriers have high prey drives (plus are more likely to be dog selective or dog aggressive, and no, raising them together won't guaranteed they'll get along. My neighbor has 2 pits that aggressive to other male dogs, they don't even like each other and they're from the same litter) and sharpeis are one of the least healthiest dog breeds out there. They even have their own syndrome. They can also have issues with aggression depending on the line. Not hating on any of the breeds - pits are one of my favorite breeds actually - and it CAN work depending on individual temperment, but not every dog is right for every situation and it'd be better for everyone involved to get a dog that's more likely to succeed in this situation

Well just to clarify, I'm not looking for a livestock guardian dog. Just a dog that won't eat my birds lol I'm not looking to put a dog outside full time, just like when I let them out to use the bathroom or too go play. They would stay inside or go to work with me the other times. But what you and others have said does give me some more insite and puts my mind at ease about getting anything with a terrier in it. So I will stay away from those and any pittys too. Anything Im looking at will be a puppy for sure, 8-12 weeks is what im looking for. Any thoughts on better breeds that dont have high prey drive?