Skip to main content
Live chat will not be available on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor day. We will reply to your request as soon as possible.
Help Center Community Shop

I want a dream dog

tccox
When I was a kid, we had yard dogs that guarded the yard. They did not chase the cats or kill the chickens. They knew the yard was theirs and kept all other varmits away.
I want that kind of dog now. What kind/breed do I look for? Best I can remember our dogs were just hounds of one sort and another.
In other words, I just want a yard dog that will protect my chickens, cats, guineas, and let me know when something is wrong.
What is the best breed for what I need? I really, really hate to go the puppy route but will If I have to. I love puppys but don't really want to go thru the "chewy" stage.
All replys, pro and con will be appreciated. Tom
0

Comments

17 comments

Date Votes
  • iluvguns
    Shetland Sheepdog. I like them above Australians. Lots of aussie's can have a mean streak. Our Shetland is very protective of anything in our yard. Not biting protective, but herding. If he perceives something as a threat, he goes to herding the chickens or the kids or even the cats back toward the house. It comes natural to them. And if someone strange comes in the yard, you would think WW3 has started from all the barking!
    0
  • asphalt cowboy
    Most any breed can be taught what is fair game and what is not. You would have a more difficult time with the sporting breeds though due to their strong prey drive.

    The Norweigan Elk Hound would be a good choice. What's their's is their's, be it children, cats, chickens or even the family car. Their very inteligent (more-so than some of the colledge professors I've met) and easy to train, plus they're loyal almost to a fault.

    Now the down side to the NEH, and this is the only one I ever experienced with Merlin. They're a double coated breed which means they shed. Not only do they shed, they molt (and as far as Doc Wingert could determine, they're the only breed which does that) mid-winter. What that means is, the dence undercoat is changer out with new growth, and beleive me, there is a lot of it for a dog of their size.
    0
  • Jacob2008
    My old lab, before he died didn't miss a chance to chase another animal out, or dig up moles...

    And my grandma's lab, well shes a vicious one. its HER yard. no one elses.


    Dont let the name "Princess" fool you.
    0
  • MVP
    Labs are far from dream dogs.
    I have two and have to keep them locked up or I have to be outside with them.
    They will run off if left unattended outside for 5 minutes and then someone in the next town will call and let me know my dogs are over there running around.
    I want a breed that is content to stay in their own yard.
    0
  • lts
    Should you decide on big or large, check out a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Great Pyrenees. I'd go with a 'pet quality' fixed male. They've been bred for the qualities you're stating and then some.
    0
  • brier-49
    Had a dog like that too,best to get now is what you and I probably both had then: a mutt. A pure bred isn;t going to do the same job.
    0
  • turtles11756
    www.adba.cc
    0
  • Mercury
    Running off has *nothing* to do with the dog. It has everything to do with "TRAINING".

    Look into it.

    Merc (who can leave his gate open, and his three dogs don't even go out it!)
    0
  • buschmaster
    this Working Dog was bred to work with humans, instinctively protects and herds everything including cows, ducks, sheep, even other dogs and humans (large and small), is about the best protection dog there is, is one of the smartest dogs there is, if you have a good working relationship with it you can tell it "NO" once and it knows what you want, is just like a big teddy bear at home, but nobody in their right mind would want to mess with it when it's pissed off.

    one word for ya.

    ROT WEIL ER

    there is no substitute.
    0
  • buschmaster
    and friendly too. at one time they were rated by Dog Fancy magazine to be the #2 companinon dog, right behind the labrador.
    0
  • nyforester
    Growing up on the farm, the best watch dogs were the Chinese Geese. The would holler and chase away every animal and visitor. Great watch dogs. The only problem was they crapped everywhere.

    Chinese Geese
    Chinese geese come in two colour forms: the white and the brown (also called `grey' or `fawn'). The brown is the same colour as the brown African. Both breeds come from China, and were developed from the wild swan goose. The larger African or `Lion Head' was reared as a table bird; the lighter weight Chinese produces more eggs.

    Chinese are light-weight, graceful birds. They have a long, slightly curved neck and a rounded, prominent knob on the head which is much larger in the gander. The function of this is not known. This feature is seen in mute swans, but seems to have developed in the Chinese goose after domestication from the wild swan goose.

    Chinese are the noisiest breed of geese, and have been employed as `watchdogs'. They can be very independent and quite aggressive. But hand-reared, they are tame and amenable. The birds mostly kept and exhibited in Britain now are the lighter-weight `American' exhibition geese which are far more showy than the `English' type of the pre-1970s.

    Ganders are 10-12 lbs in weight; geese 8-10 lbs. Females can lay as many as 80 eggs per annum, and may lay in the autumn as well as spring and early summer. Not all strains are this prolific.
    0
  • buschmaster
    my rottweiler met a goose once. that goose was going to kick his ass.
    0
  • nyforester
    They are not afraid of anything !! I saw them kick the crap out of many dogs. They hated the mailman also. I think they would wait all day for him to come.
    0
  • bamafan
    I am partial to the Catahoula Cur. Have had three of them. The one I have now seems to be the best. Knows what his boundaries are, and takes care of the strays around the house. As far as the chewy stage, didn't have one bit of trouble with any of them with that aspect. I'd go the puppy route though, so it can grow up with you he is to protect, so to speak.
    0
  • sharpshooter039
    I like a good blue heeler,can be taught to do anything from hearding cattle to treeing squirrels,only down side is they can lean just a little to the mean side with someone they dont know
    0
  • oldemagics
    quote:Originally posted by sharpshooter039
    I like a good blue heeler,can be taught to do anything from hearding cattle to treeing squirrels,only down side is they can lean just a little to the mean side with someone they dont know

    ours is that way too.
    as for staying on the property have only ever had one dog that didnt besides the hounds who always follow their nose, and that one was an adult when she wandered in.
    most of the working or herding breeds will fit the bill for all mentioned.
    have had sheps, dobies, rots and now the healer and all are quick learners tho some tend to ACT dumb to get their way, but will guard and protect "their pack" to the death
    0
  • FEENIX
    Since you asked for a dream dog, (I know it's not for everyone but) I like the Karelian Bear Dog.

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a good sense of humor. It is sensitive, independent, intelligent, skillful, tough on itself, and energetic. A robust, persistent, and powerful dog, it is willing to take on virtually any game animal. This dog is very loyal to its owner's family and makes a good household companion when it is extensively trained. This is not a breed for the casual pet owner, the Karelian Bear Dog is a hunter of unyielding bravery and determination. It will put a bear to flight or attack it with great pugnacity. The true outdoors enthusiast and dedicated hunter can look to this hard-working breed with delight and utter satisfaction. Owners must be capable of handling this very forceful canine. Proper training and socialization are absolute musts. It may try to dominate other dogs and are perfectly willing to fight. This dog needs a handler with natural authority. The training should be very consistent with both a firm hand and affection. This is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners. They are affectionate towards people and will announce both welcome and unwelcome visitors. Visitors the dogs knows well will get an enthusiastic welcome while strangers may be treated coldly. This breed is very protective. They will protect you with their life. The Karelian Bear Dog can live with other household animals if the training and socialization is properly handled. This breed has a small appetite for its size.

    Check out this site http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/karelianbeardog.htm
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity