Herding dog puppies
So I am looking for a working/ herding breed to protect my chickens and ducks. Every breeder I have looked into wants over $2000 for puppies. Rescues have not responded, more than likely due to the fact that they want the dogs to be indoor dogs. (Just an FYI... the dog would come inside at night and kept indoors during inclement weather. The dog would be a family member). Anyway, does anyone know any Breeders, farmers, etc... that may breed any of the herding dogs.
Jesse132 Good luck in your search. It takes time to find a new pet. Watch out for local inexperienced people who breed. Do your homework. One wanted 700 for a dog and they could remember the name of place they got the parents i.e. Breeding puppy mill dogs.
Jhardworker You're actually looking for a livestock guardian dog instead of a herding dog. Try https://bigfluffydogs.com/
they have lots of Great Prynees and mixes of same, however...
If you are looking for a Pyr to guard while you're gone, be aware that they are also known as Dis-A-Pyrnees for a reason... they tend to wander all day. Even the most secure of fences cannot contain a Dis-A-Pyrnees with the wanderng gene )
https://morningchores.com/farm-dogs/
a list of the ten best herding/guardian breeds
Definitely get in touch with the good people at Fluffy Dog Rescue they do amazing things with the dogs in their care, older dogs down to young puppies. If anyone can help, it would be them. Good luck!
Scout I researched livestock guarding dogs, they are not a great fit for our family, plus we don’t have the required fencing. I researched Australian shepherds and they are good herders and good at protecting the home and the property. I am in contact with a breeder who seems really nice.
Thank you both for the input! I will let you know how it turns out!
I have a golden doodle and a mutt from NC and they protect my 24 chickens and 3 ducks with no problems... Why spend all the money on an expensive dog?
JD 4020Aussies are wonderful family pets and herding dogs. We raised and showed them many years ago before they were an AKC breed (Stock Dog and ASCA registered). I did have two, however, that had a high prey drive and would kill chickens. :(
The others were so well trained, hand signals would get them to bring in the critters, herd the ducks in.
Overall, the Aussie is a wonderful breed, just keep them busy, train them (and they love to learn tricks, etc.) and enjoy! (when my kids were toddlers, I had one dog who thought his job was to herd them, and keep them in a certain area of the yard, was so funny to watch them try to run from the dog, and the dog go around and shove them back, eventually grabbing diaper and pulling back to the area he deemed safe!)
We had one from four months on, the other we got as a year old dog. From my friend's breeding, she didn't have chickens, so we didn't know they would go after them, but they did have a high prey drive. Wonderful at herding sheep and goats... not so much with chickens and ducks.
Just get a happy, healthy puppy. Ask the breeder which ones she/he suggests for your purpose, and enjoy your new pup! Aussies are wonderful dogs, train him/her up the way you want, you'll have a wonderful furkid. Love the breed, miss having them, they are so smart and devoted to their family. Socialize, train and introduce them to the chickens and ducks from the start. Now... go get your puppy, and let's see pics of it soon!
So I am picking up this little guy from Connecticut tomorrow! I will expose him to the birds early and hope that he keeps the foxes away! He is so cute! I can’t wait to meet him!!
4catmom 
Calico696 
Boon is home with us! So cute but definitely a handful! Lots of work ahead of us but He is such a sweetie!
Cute as the dickens! Glad you got him! He looks like he has a bit of a mischievous streak :)
he's beautiful! he's an Australian Sheppard?
he looks mischievous!
doesn't you usually get to meet the puppies and pick one that way?
enjoy Mr. Boon!!
Hackresident 
Tracy I find a throwing a small ball in your desired direction is one of the best ways to herd puppies.
strangerdanger 
I have an Australian Shepherd, he keeps all the critters out of my gardens.Very intelligent,easy to train. Make sure he has a job and keep him busy or he’ll get into trouble. Good luck,they’re very good dogs
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