dogs should not, in general, be allowed to corner chickens and pin them down Thank you for the reference, Linda. I will read that article about Pyrs and chickens. Ombre is our first Grt Pyr and we're still learning what to expect from her.
As I originally said to Janna, Ombre's litter was raised with chickens and she has never touched one or ours. When a chicken escapes it's pen, she maneuvers her body in a manner which causes the chicken to flee in a direction specifically toward the gate of the appropriate pen. I mistakenly used the term "herding" to describe this behavior; which, by the way, came as a pleasant surprise to us.
Although the chicken pens are within the confines of her domain in the fenced area, she exercises this behavior only when a chicken escapes it's pen; but she is not charged with the responsibility of 24/7 flock confinement, which I would consider real "herding". We have 38 chickens and 4 pens. I think she knows which chickens belong in which pen.
I believe that dogs in general, are a lot like people in general; some are just smarter than others, or have more useful skills and talents.
Nancy
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