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Post by melco on Oct 18, 2016 18:40:50 GMT
I'm considering getting an Australian Shepard puppy. I have a smaller area with a cow and chickens. I am contemplating housing the dog within those boundaries. Am I asking for trouble with this combo? The owner of the puppy's mom keeps her out with her poultry full time and says she has no issues with her killing birds. My daughter knows this girl and tells me that is the case. I was even thinking of asking the owner to keep the pup longer than the normal time period to have more training with mom. What are your opinions? So you know this isn't a guardian situation, I don't have too many issues with predators. It's more of a housing issue. Thanks.
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Post by shellymay on Oct 19, 2016 12:52:50 GMT
What does smaller area mean??? the owner who keeps the mother of the pups out with her chickens how much land does that owner have??
I am a firm believer that a working breed of dog NEEDS plenty of room and A JOB to do or you will find that the pup will get bored in this so called small area and she/he will make up things to do like KILLING your chickens to keep from going insane, have you read all you can on this breed?
Copied this.................. Like all working breeds, the Aussie has considerable energy and drive and usually needs a job to do. It often excels at dog sports such as dog agility, and frisbee. They are also highly successful search and rescue dogs, disaster dogs, detection dogs, guide dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs.
I am not saying it can't be done but it will take lots of training on your part and giving the dog plenty of exercise to keep it from getting bored, but NO MATTER what breed of dog a person gets to spend time out with chickens if you get a pup then you WILL lose several chickens while the pup is growing and learning as that is just part of puppy hood, so expect that and don't rush into (that dog has to go/that dog is no good) dogs are suppose to be forever, and they take time to train and some losses of other animals like chickens are to be expected. So if your numbers are low and you need all the chickens you have and can't afford to lose any then I would not start with a pup, you might look for an older dog?
Good Luck and I hope it all works out
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Post by aoconnor on Oct 19, 2016 14:59:36 GMT
Hi melco, I tend to agree with shellymay, an Aussie is a serious working dog and needs not only a daily active job, but lots of training and care to keep their minds from getting bored. I would not want one in a small area with my birds, that's for sure. Just saying...
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Post by melco on Oct 19, 2016 18:50:22 GMT
Thanks guys. The area is about an acre. I'm back and forth in my head about housing this way. I appreciate your frank and informative answers. I think you have helped me make a decision.
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Post by willowgirl on Nov 26, 2016 23:54:42 GMT
My Aussie shepherd shares his den with a duck. They're the best of buddies ... in fact the duck is the only critter he'll allow in his food dish (he chases the cats away!).
It stands to reason that the 'sheepdog' breeds probably have a low prey drive, given what they were bred to do ...
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