Mixing Dogs and Smaller Birds

[Stasia]

Hello everyone :)

I would love to hear some opinions from people who own or have owned both dogs and birds.

We have a tiel and a conure and we would like to get a dog (open to the breed but we would love a golden lab or retriever). My husband has a new job where he works from home all day so all animals would have someone there almost all the time.

My first thought was that we would never be able to have a dog since we have small birds (I picture the most horrid thing you can imagine-that the dog would see the birds as toys!) However, I have talked with several people who say they own both. I am just wondering how these animals get along for those of you you have them? Can you ever have them all out together or would you need to close the dog in another room while the birds are out (in which case we wouldn't get a dog).

Thanks so much!!

Stasia

[The Outlaw]

Hmm. Let's see how to most tactfully handle this one. Well, if I were gonna look for a dog, I don't think I'd choose a RETRIEVER (LOL). Just what do you think they were bred to retrieve?

I would assume that hunting dogs and terriers would be the worst choices, but the herding dogs and utility dogs like Swissie's and other worker dogs might be very good choices. Another to beware of are poodles. I have an Aussie sheepdog who is very good with birds, but she's my LAST dog.

[Stasia]

OMG! Outlaw, can you believe that all this thought into this dilemma and the lightbulb never went off about a dog being a "RETRIEVER"! I feel like such a flake! :)

A sheepdog would be a fine choice with us too, so thanks for the input. Do your birds and dogs get to all be out at the same time? Has your sheepdog ever snapped or growled at the birds? Thanks for the input!!

Stasia

[The Outlaw]

You won't believe me, but here's the truth: my birds all land on my Joey and she literally delivers them to me. She'll back away from her food dish if they decide to check it out. Heck, they got into the garbage can that I store her food in today. Here's a photo.
She is excellent with the birds. She tries to herd them, poor dog , and they "do not respect her authority", but she's never aggressive in anyway.

As a matter of fact, my YNA once decided to land on her head and miscalculated the landing. She landed on her nose and grabbed her lip to hang on. I saved the day, but that dog stood stone still and didn't make a sound. She's a one in a million dog.

[Stasia]

Oh that is so sweet! What a good dog :) I can't see the picture though?

Do you have any small birds or are they all larger? Thanks again!

[The Outlaw]

Sorry. I had to edit the post. Try it now. I have 4 BGs, 1 GW, 1 Severe. 1 YNA, 2 greys and a Quaker.

[Stasia]

Oh, how sweet! Thanks for the pics! A Quaker is prett similar to the size of mu little guys, so that's great to hear! Thanks for the input, it's nice to hear there is hope for a dog after all! Now just to convince the husband....

Stasia

[felisdomesticus]

wow. Stay away from terriers (including Jack Russells) and retrievers. I'd also say to avoid anything with a high-prey drive--but this post is by someone who has 3 cats. hehehehe

An adult dog would probably be your safest bet because their personality is evident at that point. Cute, small puppies who "are raised" with birds, cats, children, etc. can develop aggressive tendencies towards them, no matter how thorough the training. Young puppies/dogs (under a year or 2) are wild cards who will require incredible attention and supervision--and even with that effort, the dog may eventually outgrow your family if it develops prey aggression. If you get a baby, you need to be prepared for the fact that the dog may not grow up and fit into the family. If you can do that, and supervise all interactions with dog/birds, you should be able to try out the dog/bird thing.

my own experience--my cats (who have an incredible prey drive) could care less about the bird. I was hesitant to adopt her because I had visions of the cats all sitting on top of the cage, swatting at the bird all day long. The rescue people kept telling me to "worry more about the cats than the bird." They were right. I don't know if Scarlett bit them or screeched at them or just looked intimidating to them--the cats stay far away from her, even when she flies down onto the floor and tries to walk around on their level, next to them.

I realize that I am very lucky. I also realize that I can never trust my cats with her, no matter what their behavior has been up to this point. It's in their instinct to hunt--just like it is a part of dogs, too.

[Monica]

Our first dog here is a lab/chow/assie? mix, and he's great around small animals (though he does have the tendency to chase the cats on occasion). Up until the time he was 6 months old he was not raised around any animals, and when he came here he was VERY protective of me (my own mother couldn't even wake me up in the morning without him going off and barking/growling!). He's never been a problem with the birds, but at the same time he is STILL a dog.

The other two dogs, akita and akita mix, they've seen into my room, but haven't been in there so I can't say how well they'd be. I was told though that akitas are VERY aggressive dogs that are prey driven. Kita, the mother, she is a VERY laid back dog, and although she used to chase the cats, she has learned better (at least one cat is brave enough to scratch back). Kodi on the other hand is still a pup and enjoys chasin the cats (hasn't learned yet!). I might trust Kita, but I wouldn't trust Kodi.


It is easier when a dog is brought up around these animals from the time he was a pup, however at the same time, a pup can be unpredictable and hard to control when you are not right there. An adult could be the same way and may not know how to react, so it may be best to look into a calm breed that learn easily and quickly.

[felisdomesticus]

Originally Posted by Monica

It is easier when a dog is brought up around these animals from the time he was a pup

not necessarily. Any dog can develop a prey-drive just as they can develop food aggressiveness, resource guarding, etc. Having the pup there in the home with birds may make things easier--but the dog may still grow up to want to eat your birds. You can try to expose a puppy to all sorts of stimuli and experiences but you just can't tell what kinds of tendencies they will have until they are grown.