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

[BigBlueHen53]

Pit bulls are terriers.

 

[DocB]

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?

I would look at the herding breeds. Some of the dogs in the working group are not hunters like the terriers they are more for guarding like Rotweillers. Labs are used to hunt birds so they may be risky although very smart and easy to train. Check out the AKC book on different breeds. Terriers are known to be agressive hunters.

 

[Blue Andalusian]

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?

If your not looking for a Livestock Guardian, You'll need to atleast look into some Herding. Herding or Livestock Guardian, is what your going to need and look for. Probably

 

[LaFleche]

Another option would be a rescue dog that has already proven to be safe around chickens.

Adopting rescue dogs can be very rewarding as they often end up in the shelter through no fault of their own, i.e. after their owner has died and the family does not want them.

 

[Blue Andalusian]

Another option would be a rescue dog that has already proven to be safe around chickens.

Adopting rescue dogs can be very rewarding as they often end up in the shelter through no fault of their own, i.e. after their owner has died and the family does not want them.

Thats a good choice too

 

[atomic]

My full blooded American pit bull terrier was terrific with birds of all kinds, babies, reptiles, etc you get it. But she wasn’t soft she knew when she needed to turn it up, and she’d mean it. My German shepherd is also wonderful around birds and other animals (a herding breed) he grew up with my ducks from the time he was nine weeks old. My Doberman mix of unknown parentage, is okay around the birds but I don’t fully trust him. His prey drive is through the roof and he can’t help himself being overly interested at times.