I might be getting ~4 acres here shortly, nice house on it and will be nicer once it's renovated. It's more land than I wanted but more is better than less.

Going to look into chickens and some raised beds. With the chickens, any farm/country guys out there have much luck keeping them safe? I was thinking of a Great Pyrenees to look after them. Do I need more than one? Any good/bad on this breed?

My grandma had 2 Great Pyrenees, they lived outside and slept in the barn with the goats. They absolutely kept coyotes away but sometimes smaller predators like skunks would get into the chicken coup. Though the dogs were fenced off away from the chicken coup and weren't able to protect it directly.

Only negatives I can come up with those dogs is they get super dirty being outside with all that fur. Texas summers might be too warm for them. Just my opinion but I think if you don't have goats or sheep you will need two dogs so they don't get bored/lonely as they are bred to protect them. Or maybe consider goats or sheep.

-Incredible guard dogs with a very low octave intimidating bark.
-Gentle with people and tolerant of children
-Not over eaters. You can just leave their food bowl full at all times and they will eat accordingly to their needs. Not very food motivated. \
-Can handle freezing weather no issues, mines loves to go swimming in the ocean when it's -5


Cons:

-Stubborn as fk. Easily the most stubborn dog I have ever seen. 1/10 recall regardless of training. Do not listen to commands don't care just like to wander and do their own thing. This is also a plus as they can happily be left alone so long as your yard is fully fenced in with a 5ft+ tall fence.

-Hair, lots of hair. The brushing is endless when shedding. It's absolutely unreal.I have to disagree. My dog often get's absolutely disgusting dirty but they have some sort of magically "self cleaning" coat that I chit you not works. Dirt clumps up and falls off and he remains white as snow. People often comment on how clean he looks and how often I have to wash him. (never)



They doesn't afraid of anything.