Are you searching for one of the best farm dogs for chickens? Livestock guardian dogs are wonderful animals which will protect, good at herding your chickens and other livestock.
Dogs for chicken or Livestock guardian dogs are a type of canine bred to protect livestock from predators. Their instinct to protect has been honed over hundreds of years, making them incredibly reliable protectors.
They are also incredibly loyal to their owners and animals, acting more like members of the herd or chickens. These special dogs typically have tall, strong body frames and hearty coats to protect them from the elements.
Their senses are also highly developed, detecting predators before they even reach their charges. With the right training, these dogs can become invaluable to any farm’s security and safety.
The Importance of Farm Dogs for Chicken Safety
As a farmer or homesteader, you know that keeping your chickens safe and sound is a top priority.
One way to do that is by having a farm dog that can guard your flock against predators. Not all dog breeds suit this task, but some instinctively protect livestock.
In this article, we will discuss the 15 best farm dogs for chickens, their historical use in livestock safety, and how they can help guard your flocks today.
Chickens are vulnerable to predators such as foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and even birds of prey. As a result, chicken owners need to take measures to protect their flocks from these predators.
One way to do this is to have a farm dog to help guard the chickens. A good farm dog protects the chickens and helps the farmer by warning them of any impending danger.
15 Best Farm Dogs for Chickens: How These Breeds Help Guard Your Livestock During Herding
Here are the top 15 farm dogs for chicken:
1. Old English Sheepdog: A Loyal Chicken Farm Dog
The English Sheepdog, also known as the Old English Sheepdog, is a large breed of dog that originated in England. It is one of the best farm dogs for chickens.
Bred to work on farms, they were used for herding and protecting sheep from predators. They have a distinctive shaggy coat that requires regular grooming.
Although primarily herding dogs, English Sheepdogs can also make good guard dogs. They are loyal and protective of their families, and their size and bark can be a deterrent to potential intruders.
English Sheepdogs can be trained to guard chickens, as well. With their herding instincts, they can help keep the chickens together and protected from predators.
However, it’s important to supervise the dog and chickens to ensure their safety of both.
2. Border Collie: A Best Chickens Herder and Protector
The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog breed that originated in the border regions of Scotland and England.
Bred to work on farms, they were used for herding and managing livestock, particularly sheep. They are known for their high intelligence, athleticism, and agility.
Today, Border Collies are still widely used as herding dogs, but they are also popular in dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions. They are also trained as service dogs and search and rescue dogs.
For protecting chickens, Border Collies can be trained to do so. Their instincts for herding can help keep the chickens together and protect them from predators.
However, it’s significant to supervise the dog and chickens to ensure their safety of both.
3. Corgi: A Small Dog with a Good Chickens Herding Personality
The Corgi is a small dog breed that originated in Wales. There are two types of Corgis: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. This is one of the best alerting farm dogs for chickens.
Both breeds were originally bred as herding dogs, used to drive cattle and sheep to the market. Today, Corgis are popular family pets known for their adorable, stubby legs and friendly personalities.
They are also used as therapy dogs and in dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions.
While Corgis may not be the best dog breed for guarding chickens due to their small size, they can still be trained to help protect them.
With proper training, they can learn to alert their owners to potential predators and help herd the chickens to safety. As with any dog, it’s important to supervise them around chickens to ensure their safety.
4. Tibetan Mastiff: A Fearless Livestock Guardian Dog
The Tibetan Mastiff is a large dog breed that originated in Tibet. They were originally bred to protect livestock from predators such as wolves and leopards.
They are known for their loyalty, courage, and territorial nature. Today, Tibetan Mastiffs are primarily kept as companion dogs, but they can still be used as guard dogs.
They are protective of their families and property and have a deep, intimidating bark. They require firm and consistent training and socialization to ensure they don’t become overly aggressive.
Regarding the guarding of chickens, Tibetan mastiffs can be trained to do so. Due to their protective nature and past history of protecting livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
However, they must be properly supervised and trained to ensure the safety of both the dog and the chickens. That’s why it is one of the best large size farm dogs for chickens.
5. The Great Pyrenees: A Gentle Giant Farm Dog
The Great Pyrenees is a large dog breed that originated in the Pyrenees Mountains of France and Spain.
They were originally bred to protect flocks of sheep from predators such as wolves and bears. They are known for their calm and gentle nature, as well as their loyalty and protectiveness.
Today, Great Pyrenees are still used as livestock guardian dogs, but they also make excellent family pets. They are patient and protective of children and their families.
As for guarding chickens, Great Pyrenees can be trained to do so. With their history of protecting livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
However, they must be properly supervised and trained to ensure the safety of both the dog and the chickens.
6. Kuvasz: A Hungarian Livestock Guardian Dog
The Kuvasz is a large dog breed that originated in Hungary. They were originally bred to guard livestock, particularly sheep, from predators such
as wolves and bears. They are known for their strength, intelligence, and loyalty.
Today, Kuvasz are still used as livestock guardian dogs, but they also make excellent family pets. They are protective of their families and homes and have a deep, intimidating bark.
As for guarding chickens, Kuvasz can be trained to do so. With their history of guarding livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
However, they must be properly supervised and trained to ensure the safety of both the dog and the chickens.
7. Shetland Sheepdog: A Loyal and Affectionate Breed For Chicken Herding
The Shetland Sheepdog, known as the Sheltie, is a loyal and affectionate breed for herding and guarding livestock. It is one of the top farm dogs for guarding chickens.
They are highly intelligent, trainable, and have a strong protective instinct that makes them great guardians of chickens and other flocks.
Shelties require regular exercise and mental stimulation, making them a great choice for farms with lots of space for them to run and play.
Despite their small size, Shelties are known for their bravery and willingness to protect their families and animals under their care. They are also great with children and make excellent family pets.
When introducing a Sheltie to a flock of chickens, it’s important to socialize them early on and supervise their interactions with the birds.
As with any breed of dog, it’s important to train your Sheltie to understand that the chickens are not prey, but rather valuable farm members.
8. Akbash: A Courageous Farm Dog For Chickens
The Akbash is a large dog breed that originated in Turkey. To protect livestock, especially sheep, from predators such as wolves and bears, they were originally bred.
They are known for their strength, intelligence, and independence. Today, Akbash are still used as livestock guardian dogs, but they also make loyal and protective family pets.
They are typically calm and patient with children and strangers, but can become aggressive when their families or property are threatened.
As for guarding chickens, Akbash can be trained to do so. With their history of guarding livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
But they need to be watched and trained properly to keep the dog and the chickens safe.
9. Komondor: This Dog Protects Your Chickens and Sheep
The Komondor is a large dog breed that originated in Hungary. It is believed that they were originally bred to protect livestock, particularly sheep, from predators such as wolves and bears.
They are known for their unique, corded coat that serves as protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.
Today, Komondor are still used as livestock guardian dogs, but they also make loyal and protective family pets. They are typically calm and reserved with strangers, but fiercely protective of their families and property.
As for guarding chickens, Komondor can be trained to do so. With their history of guarding livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
However, they must be properly trained and supervised to ensure the safety of both the dog and the chickens.
Their corded coat can also pose a potential danger to chickens, so care must be taken to avoid accidental injury.
10. Anatolian Shepherd: Large Chickens Guarding Dog
The Anatolian Shepherd is a large dog breed that originated in Turkey. They were originally bred to protect sheep and chickens from various predators.
They are known for their strength, independence, and loyalty. Today, Anatolian Shepherds are still used as livestock guardian dogs, but they also make protective and devoted family pets.
They are typically calm and reserved with strangers, but fiercely protective of their families and property. They are one of the strongest dogs for fighting predators for the safety of flocks.
As for guarding chickens, Anatolian Shepherds can be trained to do so. With their history of guarding livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
But they need to be properly supervised and trained to keep the dog and the chickens safe.
11. Pyrenean Mastiff: A Best Dog To Deter Predators From Attacking Chickens
The Pyrenean Mastiff, also known as the Mastin del Pirineo, is a large dog breed that originated in Spain. It is one of the best guarding dogs for poultry farm.
They were originally bred to guard livestock, particularly sheep, from predators such as wolves and bears. They are known for their calm and gentle nature, as well as their protective instincts.
Today, Pyrenean Mastiffs are still used as livestock guardian dogs, but they also make loyal and affectionate family pets.
They are typically gentle and patient with children and strangers, but can become fiercely protective when their families or property are threatened.
As for guarding chickens, Pyrenean Mastiffs can be trained to do so. With their history of guarding livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
To ensure both the dog’s and chicken’s safety, they must be properly managed and trained.
12. Hungarian Puli: One of The Best Farm Dogs For Chickens
The Puli is a medium-sized dog breed that originated in Hungary. They were originally bred as herding dogs and used to manage chicken flocks of sheep and cattle.
Pulis are known for their distinctive, corded coat that helps protect them from the elements and predators. They have a unique appearance because of their hairy look.
Today, Pulis are still used as herding dogs, but they also make affectionate and energetic family pets. They are highly intelligent and trainable, but can also be independent and stubborn.
As for guarding chickens, Pulis can be trained to do so. With their history of herding livestock, they can help keep chickens in line and protect them from predators.
However, they must be properly supervised and trained to ensure the safety of both the dog and the chickens.
13. Maremma Sheepdog: A Loyal Protective Livestock Guarding Dog
The Maremma Sheepdog is a large dog breed that originated in Italy. They were originally bred to guard livestock, particularly sheep, from predators such as wolves and bears.
They are known for their strength, independence, and loyalty. Today, Maremma Sheepdogs are still used as livestock guardian dogs, but they also make protective and devoted family pets.
They are typically calm and reserved with strangers, but fiercely protective of their families and property.
As for guarding chickens, Maremma Sheepdogs can be trained to do so. With their history of guarding livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
To ensure the safety of the dog and chickens, they must be properly monitored and trained.
14. Kangal Shepherd: Best Farm Dog For Guarding Chickens and Sheep
The Kangal Shepherd, also known as the Anatolian Kangal, is a large dog breed that originated in Turkey.
They were originally bred to guard livestock, particularly sheep and goats, from predators such as wolves and bears. They are known for their size, strength, and protective instincts.
Today, Kangal Shepherds are still used as livestock guardian dogs, but they also make loyal and affectionate family pets.
They are typically calm and patient with children and strangers, but can become fiercely protective when their families or property are threatened.
As for guarding chickens, Kangal Shepherds can be trained to do so. With their history of guarding livestock, they can help deter predators from attacking chickens.
However, they must be properly supervised and trained to ensure the safety of both the dog and the chickens.
15. Spanish Mastiff: A Best Dog For Guarding Flocks, Sheep, and Shepherds
The Spanish Mastiff dog breed is one of the best large size livestock guardian dogs. They are courageous and love to herd your flocks and sheep.
Spanish mastiffs have a long history dating back to the 10th century, when they were used for guarding flocks of sheep and protecting the shepherds who were herding them.
Spain’s Mastiff is a working dog breed. The breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service group in 2008.
It is considered a giant breed, and there can be weight variations between both males and females.
Most Spanish mastiffs range in height from 26 to 35 inches at the shoulder and weigh anywhere from 140 to 220 pounds.
FAQs on Livestock Guardian Dogs
How to socialize a farm dog?
Socializing a farm dog is essential to ensure it can interact well with other animals and people.
Start mingling your dog when they are young, and expose them to different environments, people, and animals.
Gradually increase exposure and positive reinforcement to help your dog develop social skills and a calm demeanor.
Do you need to train your dogs to protect chickens?
Yes, of course, dogs need to be trained to protect chickens. Dogs require some training to learn how they behave around their flock, while certain breeds will have more naturally occurring traits that lend themselves to being great around chickens.
Your dog’s training requirements will vary depending on what his or her duties will be around the coop.
Regardless of the circumstances, all dogs will need a lot of time, patience, and consistency to learn new behaviors to herd your chickens, with plenty of rewards.
Why should you add a livestock guardian dog to your farm?
Livestock guardian dogs are essential for protecting your livestock and property from predators.
They are trained to detect and deter predators, and their presence alone can help prevent potential threats.
Adding a livestock guardian dog to your farm can increase your property’s safety and security and reduce the risk of loss due to predator attacks.
Can dogs live with chickens?
Yes, dogs can live with chickens, but it’s essential to introduce them slowly and carefully to prevent any potential conflicts.
Start by supervising your dog and chickens when they are together, and provide plenty of positive reinforcement for good behavior.
It’s essential to train your dog to understand that chickens are not prey, but instead valuable members of the farm.
You can begin by teaching your dog basic commands such as “leave it” or “stay,” which can help keep them away from the chickens.
How much livestock guardian dogs costs?
The average cost of a new guard dog for the first year is at least $1000. Annual costs thereafter are approximately $500.
However, the cost of keeping farm dogs for chickens varies depending on feed quality and the state.
