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

[Bawkbok]

A Great Pyrenees puppy is highly trainable and while they are a LGB, they are great house pets also, which it sounds like you prefer. They are good with older dogs or other pets already in the home if they are brought in as a puppy. If you want to leave them out with your chickens you could after they are trained which would require time on your part, but any dog you bring in is going to require a lot of time with the chickens for exposure and to learn acceptable vs. not acceptable. Your Aussie will provide some training, but you cannot rely on that alone. Bear in mind, any breed can have an individual that is off. We had a Pyr once that could not be trusted around anyone, people or animals. Something was wrong with that dog - very high aggressive kill drive. Unless you go with a breeder, you never really know what you're getting from a shelter. There's obviously a huge cost variance between the two, whatever you get, remember your initial motivator is a friend for your current aging dog, chickens are secondary.

 

[Squawkers]

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 think a better question is what kind of dog fits your lifestyle? How big of a dog do you want? How active are you? Do you want a more protective dog or a dog that will love everyone? I really think pretty much any dog could be fine with chickens and getting a puppy would help tremendously. Some breeds would just be more difficult

 

[Bawkbok]

Something else to consider - puppies are high energy and a ton of work. Depending on what kind of health your current dog is in, young hyper active puppies can stress older dogs. If your Aussie is male, I would suggest going with a female as opposite genders just seem to get along easier. Not that two males won't work, we have two males and they get along famously.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Maybe look for a breed that would suite your lifestyle. And find a specific breed center.
For me im pretty active. Love the outdoors. Wanted a dog to hunt(that didnt happen), a dog for agility. And mostly a friendly dog(which also didnt completely happen). We had labs before, so we tried a golden and she made us want another(he came sooner than expected). If i were going to a shelter j would look for golden retriever specific shelters. Or search around for that specific breed.
Puppies are high energy and as long as your current pup has some tolerance and likes puppies it should be good.

 

[Blue Andalusian]

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?

Great Prynees! Good Livestock/Poultry Guardians, Prefer colder weather. I have a 4 month old one right now, if you need any Tips on Training or More Info or Facts about the Breed. Feel Free to ask!

 

[Bawkbok]

Prefer colder weather.

That's for sure. We can't get him inside at all in the winter. Loves the cold, totally dislikes the high heat and humidity - prefers the AC in the summer months - spoiled pooch.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

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?

We have one full bloodied Staffordshire terrier (pit bull) and one mix that includes pit bull. Both are 70+ pounds and were adopted together from a shelter as adults.

When we got chicks, the dogs sniffed all around the tub and perked up their ears at the tiny peeping sounds. For about thirty seconds. Then they lost interest.

Our chickens don't free range so they're always in a pen but the dogs hang out in the yard with the pens and don't show much interest in the chickens. They sniff around the pens like they do when they're checking out the rest of the yard. Otherwise they coexist perfectly well.

I have no doubt the dogs would defend the chickens against anything/anyone who came into the yard just as they would defend us but they aren't aggressive towards the chickens at all. "Indifferent" is the word I'd use.

My friends with chickens who also have dogs have pit bulls, Rottweilers, bulldogs, shih tzus, and mixed/mutts. All get along fine with the chickens.

I think it comes down to two things: the individual personalities of the dogs and how you introduce them to the chickens. If you make a big fuss about the introduction, if you act frightened or anxious, the dogs will pick up on that and their energy levels will go up. If you act like the chickens are no big deal, the dogs will usually follow your lead.