Old WatsonLane had a Farm.....

[watsonlane]

We already have two horses, 9 chickens and three dogs. this idea for a goat has come about because we had a dog pass away. So, the question is.....what type of goat would get along well with a yellow lab? I understand it's best to get two goats but would this companionship work? Give me some ideas of things I'm not considering. I want to get a blue heeler puppy to go with the lab and put two goats all in the same pen....would that work? Don't want them for milk or meat....just something to have in the pen to eat the weeds and grass and for us to play with.

 

[Roll farms]

A blue heeler could possibly run your goats to death if you don't have a large pen. If the goats are young, he could stress them to death as well. They work by intimidation (they herd cattle...young goats wouldn't stand a chance) and they use their teeth (hence the 'heeler' name, they bite heels.)
We put an Austrailian Cattle Dog in w/ our goats and got a hamstrung buck for our trouble...they are working dogs, and goats are what they 'work'...if his herding instinct is strong, he will spend the day 'herding' the goats, whether they need it or not. Keeping him in w/ them is a bad idea, IMHO.

Keeping any dog that's not a TRAINED livestock guardian (not herder, guardian...different breeds / purposes) in w/ your goats isn't a good idea.....again, just my opinion...

 

[freemotion]

Goats are wonderful and a lot of fun, but please don't keep them with the dogs. Separate quarters only. Dogs are dogs and goats are their food and one day there will be tears. Baby goats move in the most tantalizing ways, too.

But don't give up on the idea of goats, just make another pen for them.

 

[Ms. Research]

I have to agree with Rolls Farm and Freemotion. I am NOT a farmer but I know that common sense says you don't mix animals. They have their place and they have their time. Would hate to see a youngin' herded to death. And that instinct can become strong at any point in a adolescent dog. Especially those bred to herd.

I wish you luck with your new goats. Give them a pen to themselves. And keep the dogs together. Although you want your animals to live in harmony, sometimes that's not how the dominos fall. It's not like "Babe" movie. These instincts are hardwired and very strong.

Just my opinion, from a wannabee farmer.

 

[Amp]

We have a yellow lab that is around our Nigerian Dwarfs and he is really good with them but still has to have constant supervision with them. I would never feel comfortable leaving him in a pen with them alone. My dog is very gentle, sweet and loving with the goats but he is a dog and I'm not ignorant to what "could" happen.

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

X4

Goats + non trained LGD dogs are a bad mix. Both labs and heelers are hunting dogs. Instinct will eventually take over and there will be tears. It's just not a good combo. We have a lab who is a total DOLL BABY around everybody. Until it runs. Or squeaks. Then she is on it like white on rice and it doesn't stand a chance. Chickens, rabbits, cats, a chihuahua, if she can get it in her mouth it is gone. (she has yet to actually eat a cat or chi but not for lack of trying)

 

[elevan]

x5...goats should not be penned with a dog that is not an LGD that has been trained.


AND

 

[greymane]

I can't imagine dogs and goats mixing well. (I know our Jack Russells and the goats would NOT be a good mix.) But, some mixes would surprise you. We have a goat, a lamb and a Cayuga duck that are the best of buddies. We have other goats, but these three seem to be a clique.

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

I have a goat and a sheep that are best friends, one of the many reasons we still have said sheep. One of our chickens thinks thought it was a rabbit. There are lots of strange animal friends but dogs and goats are usually not the examples.