Family/Farm dog suggestions

hunterdan

hunterdan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Location
Morganton,NC
I'm looking to get a dog when we move to our new property. My wife raises Pomeranians but I want something that can stick with the kids when they are exploring the woods. Things I would like as it's strongpoints are;

Good with small dogs
Good with chickens and other farm animals like goats, mini horses (if my daughter has her way)...
Enough energy to stick with the kids when they are riding the trails
Enough protective instinct to act when needed

Another consideration is we do have coyotes and I've seen a good bit of bear Scat and tracks right by the house.

So far we are looking at Australian/English shepherd, Pyrenees, German shepherd and a Blue Heeler. Whatever we decide on will be a pup so it will be raised in the environment described. Glad to hear any comments on those breeds and any other suggestions.
 
Any herding dog will do what you want
As long as they can get their energy out they are great if they can't they will destroy anything and everything


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German shepherd. I'm partial bc we have a 3 year old. Run them to train them well as a pup, they do well. The natural instinct to protect their "herd" is awesome bc it's hard to teach, and you don't have to teach that.

Our has been around kids and other dogs her entire life. She is shy of other strangers but is still gentile and not defensive or aggressive around strange new kids.
 
I have a great Pyrenees/German Shepard mix. He is a GREAT dog. Protective when he needs to be but not overly protective, he does good following on the ATV but you can't make him run too fast, definitely not a high stamina dog but he will go wherever at a slow pace (would be fine to follow horses).

I also have a blue heeler and you absolutely cannot wear him out. TONS of energy.... He is VERY protective, anyone that he doesn't know that comes in our driveway are scared of him.

The blue heeler definitely tries to herd anything he can. I currently live on .5 acre and should not have gotten him, he needs more room to explore, but he does alright enough here.


Would I get another heeler? Maybe. Would I get another Pyrenees? Aside from the hair, without a doubt I would.
 
As for bears and coyotes, the blue heeler could chase off a bear I am sure, but may not have the size to fend off multiple coyotes. The great Pyrenees would end a coyote in a hurry. Ours is a big baby but when he needs to be I sure would not want to be on his bad side, I have seen him pick up a 40lb dog by the neck and proceed to shake it (looked worse than it was, the other dog was fine but definitely didn't mess with Sarge again).
 
tknopp said:
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And another note, they are great early warning alarm systems that someone is in the yard or approaching the house that shouldn't be there.

We have full commands by voice and by hand gesture. I can also direct her walking by "clicking" my tongue.

She can read my wife's mannerisms, and can sense when her blood pressure is increasing and will get at her feet at attention. It's awesome knowing that she will defend our family, and it's just instinct.

We also have a husky, that is a friend to everyone. They are great together. They both run and play together during the day if we are both away from home during the day.

It helps her by easing her separation anxiety by having him around. He loves playing with her.

I think it would be even better with a farm with animals that she could "herd" and protect all day. Gives the breed purpose and work all day. Just train what animals are in her "herd" and done.
 
Hard to beat a German Shepherd as said.......other than that any medium bred rescue shepherd mix. You'll near find a more loyal dog. All of our 4 strong four legged family are rescues.
 
German shepherds bark too damn much.

Neighbor has 2 that bark and howl ALL DAMN DAY. I freakin hate GS at this point. Holy freakin cow! Jesus!


Anyway. I've always been partial to Labs. They have tons of energy, almost too much. They are great with the family and other animals as well. They aren't herding but are great all around dogs. Plus you can take them hunting. :)
 
rockcity said:
German shepherds bark too damn much.

Neighbor has 2 that bark and howl ALL DAMN DAY. I freakin hate GS at this point. Holy freakin cow! Jesus!


Anyway. I've always been partial to Labs. They have tons of energy, almost too much. They are great with the family and other animals as well. They aren't herding but are great all around dogs. Plus you can take them hunting. :)
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Sounds like not enough time with the owners.

I believe there are no bad dogs, only bad owners.
 
IMO a Great Pyrenees would be an ideal dog. They meet the majority of your requirements and have excellent temperament as a bonus.

I'm a fan of working breeds and herding dogs when they are given the opportunity to do what they are bred to do. In this case, a Pyr would be in it's element.
 
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I agree Rob, German Shepards seem to bark a lot, one behind us is horrible... Sarge is a mutt and can see some of the shepard temperament (mainly the separation anxiety-which getting the blue heeler resolved that mostly). He rarely barks (we have an invisible fence so he can see everything), only barks when he SHOULD be barking for the most part. GS's are high energy dogs, that's fine if you have plenty for them to do, if you want something laid back but ready to do anything, get a Pyr (or pyr mix).

Sarge came from @UncleWillie , he may have some insight on how his brothers/sisters have done.
 
Mac5005 said:
Sounds like not enough time with the owners.

I believe there are no bad dogs, only bad owners.
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My neighbors must fit this category. I'm as big a dog lover as most but the German shepherd next door drives us nuts too. First time I've ever considered making a dog disappear.
 
Being raised on a farm I have had an aussie, german shepard and a border collie. We had horses, cows, goats and an array of fowl. The aussie was a great herd/follow us around dog but loved to go get in the pond and come lay in the garage which is what ultimately ended his stay with us.The GS was a shelter dog and while being a great dog he was "barky" when no one was outside with him. The border collie was the best out of these being a great follower and protector of all he deemed to be his. I was actually talking to my wife yesterday about another yard dog when our Staffordshire passes away (she is 15 and pretty tired). My vote came back as a rescue Boxer. We dont have as big of a place now and no horses (yet, 10yo daughter loves them) but my old rescue boxer was the most protective and loyal dog I have ever encountered (RIP ole Tony). I fostered several large dogs while i was living at the farm and they all have a unique personality and it ultimately comes down to the bond you and yours makes with them. I am 100% supportive of adoption, I feel shelter pets have seen the rough times and are more appreciative of family and home. Good luck on whatever you decide, it's a big commitment.
 
Jody Treadway said:
IMO a Great Pyrenees would be an ideal dog. They meet the majority of your requirements and have excellent temperament as a bonus.

I'm a fan of working breeds and herding dogs when they are given the opportunity to do what they are bred to do. In this case, a Pyr would be in it's element.
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This is a good choice. We had friends with two of them and they loved them. They basically had the same situation as what you're (OP) looking for.
 
I always recommend the lovable Rottweiler. Loyal to a fault. Excellent with families.
Protective. Always alert but relaxed. Great with other animals but socialization is key. Loads of energy and great discipline.
They were used for farm work originally.
 
Thanks for all the info... keep it coming.

When I was a kid my father bought a GS and it did bark a bunch because it was bored and in a fenced yard with lots of neighbors. It was bored because my brother and I did not like how hyper it was and the fact that it would jump on us non stop. My father had no time to train it and we were 6&8yrs old so....
A friend of mine has a free roam GS that is 16 yrs old and I've watched it grow up. It has never been aggressive and has always allowed buddies smaller dogs to chew on it's ears and such. He also has farm animals and even a free roam turkey at one time with no issues. I believe the GS breed has aggressive lines and lines that are more passive. Studying the parents and puppies for the right demeanor is key along with environment. With a set territory like a small fenced yard ....I believe the GS and other protective breeds lean towards barking and biting. GS is still on the list but Pyrenees and Aussies/heeler/Border terrier are interesting too.
 
I prefer bird dogs may not be best with the fowl but would stick with your kids threw anything
43d74c00b06276866058adcc59a31a63.jpg
these two will bark and alert you to someone but would just assume play fetch with them instead of bite them


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Here comes the flames... I have 6 chickens that free range my back yard( almost 20,000sq ft fenced) my neighbor has 2 quarter horses and 3 small dogs. My other neighbor has a huge gs puppy and a small dog. He has 3 kids 8,7,and 3. We have 5.6 acres total, so about 4.5 behind the fence, some pines but mostly fields. My big dog is good about staying 20 yds ahead of anyone and checking the surroundings for danger. He mostly finds box turtles but jumps plenty of deer and a yote from time to time. He ignores the horses or rather avoids them. He plays with the all of the neighbor dogs except the little pompean that will attack him if he goes in their yard. He runs away like a little girl. The gs and him are best friends already. The neighbor kids love him. He has never been aggressive to people when we are here. He will bark like a psycho when some pulls in the driveway and continue to bark until they leave or he can meet them. I encourage that. When my friend comes by to do a/c service and im not home, he will follow him around the house and bark nonstop even though he has known him his whole life. I could not ask for a better dog for me.
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+1 for bird dogs.

had a springer spaniel growing up. that dog went every where i did. best dog ive ever had.
 
Reid said:
+1 for bird dogs.

had a springer spaniel growing up. that dog went every where i did. best dog ive ever had.
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That's my Brittany my buddy's lab and my parents have 2 springs. I grew up with springers, setters and German short hairs I can't get enough of a good bird dog


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