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I would consider Mastiff's or better yet Bullmastiff's. Guarding was what they were bred for, however depending on where you live they may get too cold with their short coats if they won't have a heated place to go. I hope if you are just getting one that you will give the dog some companionship. Dogs are pack animals and don't especially like being alone.
Many huskies are escape artists. I had a huskie and no matter what I did, the tips, professional training etc. She would always find a way out of the fence by digging. She would eventually come back home but it was stressful. I know there are exceptions and all huskies aren't like that but it's more common with their breed.
A few years we had an incident in my area where a purebred (so the owners claimed) Husky got loose and was killed because he was found to be harassing livestock on a nearby farm. His owners wanted to sue, but they couldn't because NYS has that law that says dogs can be shot on sight if they are harassing livestock.
Maybe if he hadn't been tethered/chained in an unsecured yard this wouldn't have happened.
Last edited by ContraPagan; 02-03-2018 at 05:55 AM..
I like Pyrenees suggestion. They sort of even look like a husky.
There is, as usual, hidden plot to this.
Power To Be was for years opposed to any dog. Then she saw a cute little husky girl and now for 2 weeks everyone has to hear chat about how we are buying husky etc.
I looked at Pyr, no doubt cub will be as cute as husky. Certainly, just like any child, right? Aren't they all cute...
I also read more on them. Seems to be the right fit. Protectors to everything.
We had German Shepards in the family before. They don't look much different from Pyr and did fine in even 40C summers outside. Fir coat works both ways as thermal insulator. I can always set up some sort of solar fan to the dog house anyway. But look at it this way. It gets VERY hot in Afghanistan yet, Tazi does there just fine. Same coat as Pyr.
Put me in with the pile saying huskies won't do here. But you've already heard that, and all the good reasons why.
So. Caucasian shepherd dogs are livestock guardian dogs (LGD). So are Great Pyrs, and Maremmas, Komondor, Kuvas, etc. I think Ovcharka is another name for what you have called a Caucasian shepherd, and they are also LGD.
Individual dogs differ, but all of those breeds will tend to be very independent - or not inclined to take obedience lessons well. They will tend to guard animals, not property. If they are bonded with humans as pups, they can be very guarding of their humans, and they can be VERY attached to their humans.
You have chickens. If you get an LGD pup, and raise him with the chickens, the dog should bond to the chickens and protect them. But, to my knowledge, LGD don't really understand property lines. And they are not inclined to be obedient, even though they will love their humans. So they can be good property guardians, if whatever comes in might threaten their "flock", be it humans, chickens, sheep, or penguins. (Don't laugh about the penguins - go on youtube and look for penguins and guardian dogs.)
Most any dog breed or non-breed can live outside, if they have learned as a pup that this is how it is. Dogs who have to learn this as adults have a harder time of it. Of course, you have to take weather into consideration - that should go without saying.
Herding type breeds, from butcher's-dog types (Rottweiler), to driving types (Kelpie, Aus Shepherd), to herding-specialist types (Border Collie) have strong alert functions. And, they "get" property lines. The Belgian shepherds fall somewhere in the middle, I think - more "generalist" in their working instincts. Dobies have Rotties in their background, but the original working dogs were bred, I think, for a stronger human attachment. Which might make them less suitable for living outside. But again, individual dogs vary. I've met hounds who were good watchdogs. Many individuals of those breeds, though, may not do well in a solitary life. And most of them will need plenty of exercise. If they get this by watching the livestock, then you don't have to take them running. Still, take Border Collies - they are bred to be able to chase sheep for 8 hours a day, 365 days in a year, for miles and miles and miles. Lots of energy, and no time for leisure! Aus shepherds and the Belgian shepherds tend to be a little less needy, but often not a by much. Some of the breeds, like Rottweilers, Dobermanns, and English Shepherds are less needy of constant activity, but still need some.
Another thing to consider, is that, unfortunately, a lot of breed dogs today have not come from working lines, and have not been bred for working instincts for a hundred years or more. Rottweilers and Dobies are a good example. So you will want to pay attention to the individual dog. If you go to a breeder, you will want to pay attention to the sire and dam and any further ancestors you can identify.
I like Pyrenees suggestion. They sort of even look like a husky.
There is, as usual, hidden plot to this.
Power To Be was for years opposed to any dog. Then she saw a cute little husky girl and now for 2 weeks everyone has to hear chat about how we are buying husky etc.
I looked at Pyr, no doubt cub will be as cute as husky. Certainly, just like any child, right? Aren't they all cute...
I also read more on them. Seems to be the right fit. Protectors to everything.
We had German Shepards in the family before. They don't look much different from Pyr and did fine in even 40C summers outside. Fir coat works both ways as thermal insulator. I can always set up some sort of solar fan to the dog house anyway. But look at it this way. It gets VERY hot in Afghanistan yet, Tazi does there just fine. Same coat as Pyr.
May I ask where you live? The man I knew who had the Great Pyrenees was in central Arkansas. It can get hot there, but the property had lots of trees and a creek running through it. The dogs were fine, but they did have several places to get out of the sun or otherwise cool off.
Another vote for a pair of Great Pyrenees. You need one of the livestock guardian breeds.
Dobermans are not dogs you can leave outside 24/7, especially in a cold climate.
German shepherds are all about their people and do not do well as purely outside dogs. I've owned German working-line shepherds for 20+ years. They also have a lot of prey drive and will likely kill chickens. In fact most of the traditional guard dog breeds will have a high prey drive. They will be more interested in killing the chickens than protecting them. They will protect their people not other animals in the vast majority of cases.
Do not get a Great Pyrennees because it is only 6 acres. They want to cover big area aand guard animals not necessarily territory. We've had them for 25 years.
You need a breed with "stickiness" meaning stick to the place or person. I would suggest traditional guard dog breeds, but most all need plenty of human interaction & all need training.
Do not get a Great Pyrennees because it is only 6 acres. They want to cover big area aand guard animals not necessarily territory. ...
My family member, who has only 4 acres, has 3 Pyrs and they do quite well guarding that property. I was a dog trainer for 25+ years and can attest that the dogs are not stressed in any way by having so few acres to protect. They love protecting both the other animals and the property and walk the 4-acre fence line regularly.
Get 2 great pyrenees...but get them fixed. They will guard your property against animal intruders and often bark to alert you to people. They will need a dry warm shelter for winter, dry for wet months, but are bred to be outdoor livestock guardians.
No, a Husky is NOT the right breed for your needs. Next.
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