5 Dog Breeds That Get Along With Chickens

Want to know the dog breeds that get along with chickens? Let me tell you, dogs and chickens can be best friends or worst enemies. 

Honestly, the correlation between these two species depends on many things, such as breeds, the owner and his/her capability to train them, the characters of the particular animals, etc.

However, some chicken guard dog breeds are particularly famous for their abilities to keep their poultry safe.

The typesofchicken.com team prepared for our readers an article about the best dog breeds for protecting chickens.

1. The Akbash

A giant breed by nature and originating from Turkey, the size of The Akbash matches their intelligence and ability to recognize friend from foe.

Want to know more about Akbash temperament?

Very friendly towards you and your poultry, they remain calm and enjoy chilling around your property in a quiet situation. 

Very observant, they can fend off most of the predators that can attack your chickens.

With long legs and a white coat, the Akbash Dog is very scary for those who do not understand their peaceful nature.

The Dog’s effect on your flock

As with any dog, it is best to raise them together with your chickens. 

Introducing an Akbash puppy to your flock will make it easier for your chickens to get used to it and gain trust.

2. The Komondor

Muscular and bulky, originating from Hungary, the Komondor is considered one of the world’s largest dog breeds.

With their long white coat, the Komondor can blend in almost perfectly with a flock of sheep.

Want to know more about Komondor’s temperament?

This breed sometimes tends to get overprotective and attack innocent strangers. When people see a Komondor, people may get confused because their fur’s natural look is dirty, but in actuality, no matter how much you groom it, the natural hair will still get “greasy” knotted.

The Dog’s effect on your flock

As we mentioned above, it is best to introduce the Dog at its early stages of life so that the chickens can get used to it and vice versa.

Because of the natural dirty look of the Komondor, introducing a big scary dog to your flock may lead to the chickens pecking at it out of fear.

But if you raise a good and well-mannered Komondor along with your flock, you will never have to be afraid of any predator.

3. The Tibetian Mastiff

The Tibetian Mastiff is not an actual Mastiff, but the name is added because of its large size.

Want to know more about Tibetian Mastiff temperament?

They require a lot of training and patience, but they can be sufficient guard dogs if adequately prepared. 

Their size and natural instincts can make them a massive threat to any predator that can attack your poultry.

What is different with this breed is that they are very active during the night.

The Dog’s effect on your flock

Don’t train this Dog unless you are sure that you can do it properly.

It is essential in this case that you train your Tibetian Mastiff in your chicken’s presence.

But because they are very active during the night, the effort and money you put into this Dog will pay off due to the feeling of safety you get.

4. The Pyrenean Mastiff

Unlike the Tibetian Mastiff, the Pyrenean is actually one of the Mastiffs worldwide.

A white coat with black/grey spots, you can rely on this dog breed to keep you, your family, and your chickens protected.

Want to know more about Pyrenean Mastiff temperament?

Known for their high levels of toleration with the flock and people close to them, the Pyrenean Mastiffs are one of those breeds that if you want to properly train, you need to start that at the puppy age.

This is very important to know before deciding to get your own Pyrenean Mastiff.

The Dog’s effect on your flock

The Pyrenean Mastiffs are known for their tolerance.

This makes them one of the best breeds that you can raise along with your flock of chickens. 

Your curious chickens will be able to take a look at the Dog and get familiar with the small Pyrenean Mastiff.

And just because they are patient and tolerant, that does not make them lousy guard dogs; the Pyrenean Mastiff can be deadly to predators.

5. The Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Unlike their Mastiff cousins, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog has a history of being a guard dog.

This makes it easier for them to adapt to the environment around your poultry. 

Want to know more about Pyrenean Mountain Dog temperament?

They are also very good with small and gentle animals.

Much like the Tibetian Mastiff, this breed is also known for staying aware and awake during the night, which can help you a lot if you have a problem with more adaptable predators such as foxes and hyenas.

The Dog’s effect on your flock

Well, this is the Dog you want to have near your chicks.

I have personally seen a Pyrenean Mountain Dog playing with 6 pullets and 2 cockerels – AMAZING. 

When you introduce a pup of this breed to a well-maintained flock, you will have a great time raising these two species together.

How to train a dog to live with chickens?

As puppies, you need to teach them that the flock is THEIRS to protect and not a food source. 

They will sleep with them and protect them as their own. 

I know a gentleman who was one of the first to bring a pair of Akbash to Colorado. 

He let them out in the morning for their potty break, and instead, they took off into the trees, one going further out than the other. 

Soon he heard a horrible fight, grabbed up his shotgun, and ran out the door to see one of the dogs dragging a mountain lion up the road to him. 

They had hunted the lion together and brought it down. 

Neither Dog was hurt, and his chickens were safe. Be sure you chip your Dog; Pyrs can wonder if they are bored.

How can I prevent my dogs from attacking the chickens?

Ensure your chickens are secure and get a shock collar for your Dog. 

You can train him not to attack or even pay attention to the chickens. 

And you may not have to shock him at all. 

I use them on my dogs, but I use the sound, which will beep when you push the button. 

It has worked beautifully. I never put leashes on them. 

We walk and haven’t had any problems in the past two years. It’s given my dogs freedom they would never have had.

Do you agree with our list? If you enjoyed this article, make sure that you share your opinions with us through the comment section or via e-mail support@typesofchicken.com.

List of sources:

• Wikipedia – Chickens
• Google Scholar –
• Quora – Raising Chickens Section