What kind of dog??

I'll 2nd that.
We work with a few rescue groups and most of them specialize in the
larger breeds like great pyreneese and antolians.

Up until we got the great pyreneese all our dogs had been mutts from
rescues. I was more the pleased with all of them.

Randy

I had a border collie/ shepherd cross that was the most intelligent, loving and hard working dog I've ever come across. We now have a chocolate lab/ beagle cross that is wonderful with the kids, gentle with the chickens and keeps the deer out of the garden. She just had pups this morning...want one? Please? Pretty please????

I have a german shepherd/collie cross that is great on our property, but doesn't get the idea of stock at all. OTOH, we haven't had any problems here like the neighbors have, and he killed the last coon I got in the trap in no time. However, I did have to deal last week with our other (30#) dog killing a goat kid and a full-grown Nubian doe. He was a pound pup, and although we have always had pound dogs, my next one will not be. I have an Aussie shepherd pup coming as soon as he's old enough. I am realizing that I should have dealt with the other dog long before it got to the point of having to make a "final solution" and it was unfair for me to expect a dog whose background I was unsure of to be able to deal with stock. I would absolutely take in another pound dog if I was looking for a pet, but for a dog who can run the farm it's not the right fit for me. I guess I would say if you know you're going to need a dog who can be around poultry, kids, and other animals that the breed probably matters less than thorough, early training and the dog knowing EXACTLY where its place in the pack is. I can't really advise you on a breed, but I can advise you on a training standpoint from the view of what happens if you aren't on top of it enough. Caite

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www.ladiesfarmjournal.blogspot.com

Yes, my dogs are in at night. They are House dogs. They have a fenced area, and are never out anywhere without me.

We have a German Shepherd/Akita male, he is wonderful around our free range chickens (he hangs out with them), horses, sheep and grandchildren. He patrols our 8 acres. He does not allow another dog, coyote, or coon to walk on the property, when he is out during the day. He sleeps in the house at night. Very loving, very loyal. I vote for a mutt!

wholeheartdly agree, We have a dane and he is a very sweet and loving boy...I never thought I would like a big dog, but we love him...

He gets along with all the cats and other dogs we have, he is great with kids we often take him to the shop...he loves kids...he does tricks for them and would love to someday be a lap dog again....

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My Motto in life is: Sometimes we change our lives and sometimes Life changes us.

I love lab mix dogs. My first looked like lab/border collie. He easily performed 10 tricks with little training. The second was Labrador/Chesapeake. He was the perfect dog to guard the property and never left his boundaries. They both were watch dogs, yet very gentle and didn't bite. The replacement for the last one is a full-blood lab.

The full-blood lab had some issues around 6 months old. He stole eggs and killed one chicken. We taught him (with advice from Homesteading Today members) that he couldn't steal eggs or chase livestock, so he is becoming a great dog, too. Labrador Retrievers are known as "people pleasers", so I believe they are your best choice for a family.

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Terri

Awww! cowcreekgeeks, your dog looks like she's smiling! Love her out with the little guy too, that is how every little boy should grow up!

One that has had basic obedience training!

We have a nice little mutt, not real big, only 35 #, mother was german shepherd, collie (or sheltie), and husky, father was a springer spaniel. When young, her attitude was run em down, snap 'em up. She got over that after she killed her second chicken. She still quivers something fierce when there are new babies in the brooder, but once they are out she pretty much avoids them... although she does like to run through the teenager birds a little bit now & then & send them scattering! (but only when we are going for a walk & she is so happy)

She keeps an eye out on the birds tho, & if Rusty the banty rooster sounds an alarm, she will race to the coop, circle the free range area, and place herself between the birds and the woods, barking an ever ferocious warning.

Most things we only have to tell her twice. Like the chicken killing, or running after the deer in the field (now she lets them in the garden). Getting into the garbage was a one time NO.

That's her in my avatar, and the screen name comes from an expression of my oldest son "Chickens are cute and tastey too!"

Can I third the Great Dane suggestion! We are on our second Dane and just love them. He has adapted beautifully to farm life (we just bought our farm a few months ago). We also have a Boxer who has not adapted well and has to be tethered when outside, and we just got a Boston Terrier puppy who is 9 weeks old and he is also having a blast! I don't have enough experience with the Bostons though to have an opinion worth passing on yet!

I am sure at some point we will get another Dane. Once we add goats and other livestock we will be getting a LGD but I consider them to be a working member of the family not a pet.

Be aware that Bostons have bulldog blood in their veins so it's not surprising that some of them become dog aggressive.

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Ted H

You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.
-Davy Crockett

Great Dane or Dogue de Bordeaux.
Both large breed dogs, keeps strangers at bay due to their size. Great family dogs.
They are large but are not suited to live outside.

I love Dane's also, but have a hard time dealing with the short life span.

We have 'crunchie munchie' mixes, but also have a 'crunchie-munchie stopper' : our anatolian shepherd Max. He is the smartest dog I've ever owned, never touched our livestock, and is great with our kids. We did need breeder help raising him - as he was a very dominant dog, but if you can find a supportive, knowledgeable breeder and listen to them - you'd probably be as impressed as we are with ours.

I won't be without one as long as I have livestock. Not as barky or as wandering, from my experience, as pyre's. Note - good livestock guardian's have bite inhibition. They sound vicious, ferocious, etc but as soon as the threat is gone - they are done too. On the other hand - our Max won't let a stray ANIMAL onto our property and kills them. Neighboring dogs that he knows, he punishes, but doesn't injure or kill - the first time. If they are stupid enough to come again (which none have) I imagine he would do them in too. Suits me. I lost an entire flock of chickens the year before we got him. We also had a forty pound pitt bull attack our 600lb pony and nearly kill her.

To bad your so far away. We accidently rescued 4 dogs today.
All 4 are nice, 2 of them are pyrs, 2 are pyr something mix. Once we
get them doctored up and some weight on them we will be trying to
find homes for at least 2 of them.

Randy

I know this is getting off topic but my oldest Dane lived to 14 years of age. My other two Danes are 7 and 3 1/2. My 7 year old is old in Dane standards but she is still acting like a pup. She has many years ahead of her yet!
My Bordeaux is a pup.

If people would just educate themselves to what a carnivore [yes dogs are carnivores] should be eating instead of feeding crap in a bag filled will corn and a bunch of other stuff they don't need we can improve not only the health but longevity of our dogs.

No better dog in my opinion for a farm, the animals, and family.

We are looking for another too, we have a black lab, she is older and can't keep up with him...we also had a small dog, and the dane got along good with him too.

The other thing I wanted to mention was, Max walks in public well. He gets alot of attention when we take him out. He has never even growled at anyone, he is always so happy!!!

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My Motto in life is: Sometimes we change our lives and sometimes Life changes us.

We have an English Cocker Spaniel. He is a great dog. Protective but obedient. Loves to herd cattle, horses, etc. Loves to play, he is three years old and you would think he is a puppy.

Doesn't play with others much unless he really gets to know them, and then only a select few, which is an advantage since no one can make friends with him to get past him at night.

Probably about 25 lbs, and we keep his hair cut.

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Growing trees and food in Costa Rica.

I like Catahoulas, although I've got a border collie right now. They're almost as good as the bc for working stock, but a good one has steel in his backbone...they don't back up from much...makes them good hog dogs and decent watch dogs.

More about Louisiana's state dog:

[QUOTE]The Catahoula Leopard Cur, the official state dog of Louisiana, is well known as a working dog. They are energetic and highly intelligent which means that they require a great deal of mental and physical stimulation to thrive. They are best suited for the outdoors, and in rural areas where they are allowed to run and exercise. These dogs are not happy in an urban setting with no place to play.

/QUOTE]

http://catahoulacurrs.com/index.php?...d=14&Itemid=78