Chickens and dogs

[frias]

Does anyone know what kind of dog is the best to get to be with chickens? I was looking at getting a retired geyhound before I got my hens but now I would be worried that having spent their lives chasing a fake hare, a greyhound might chase the hens.

[shirlthegirl43]

I have read that retired greyhounds want nothing more than to sleep the rest of their days. Whatever dog you get you will need to introduce it to the chooks gradually and train it to leave them alone (collies will spend all day herding the hens). A dog is a good idea though as they help deter foxes.

[milly2306]

hi
i have a jack a doodle, cross between poodle and jack russell and she loves nothing better than playing with the chickens. believe me they can hold their own, if she gets too annoying they just give her a quick peck and then gang up on her. the chicks are definately the bosses, poor dog doesn't stand a chance. great fun to watch though
xxxmillyxxx

[HayleyB]

I'd love to have a couple of chooks but daren't as one of my GSDs thinks she's a retreiver. Couple of pheasants didn't quite make it across the orchard quick enough, Philly looks daft with feathers sticking out of her mouth though, shame for the pheasants.

[HeyWayne]

Some people we know had a retired greyhound - and he was exactly that, retired. He did nothing but sleep, and even going for a walk was a chore.

[scarey55]

Some people we know had a retired greyhound - and he was exactly that, retired. He did nothing but sleep, and even going for a walk was a chore.

I too have a greyhound - his name is Flash but at 92 in huming years he hardly flashes in fact, as Wayne says, he would rather sleep than go for a walk.
Our neighbours have chickens who regularly come into our garden and he would love to chase them if he was allowed

I would say, have a Greyhound and teach him to stay away from your chooks. They (Greyhounds) are a bit stupid but they will respond to a lot of love and a fair hand and, as Shirley says, whatever you get can be trained to leave them alone.

[Polly Fouracre]

Greyhounds are the easiest of dogs to live with though the idea that they don't need exercise is a bit of a myth. They are an uncomplaining breed so won't make a fuss if not walked but they enjoy a walk as much as any dog and ,don't forget, they were born to run and love a gallop, preferably with another dog.
They can indeed be trained to leave hens alone ( as long as you are supervising them!!) and if the hens get used to the dog and don't run and panic the dog's chase instinct won't kick in.
Go to the Greyhound Rescue West of England web-site and see some of the lovely dogs we have for re-homing.

[Sunbeam]

We looked at rehoming a rescue greyhound but was told they weren't good with 'small furries' - I assumed the same was true with birds too...

we had a dog with chickens when I was a child - but we had her from a pup and she soon figured out that you don't mess with the wild featheries that inhabited the garden!