Dogs: What to get/look for

[WildRoseBeef]

Thanks so much for the suggestions....

I've been thinking...it sounds like it is best to adopt a pup that is 3 or 4 months or older, a year old at the oldest. Lab crosses seem like the kind of dogs that are great around other animals, provided they are properly introduced if they are said to be "unsure" about cats or livestock....

I'd still like to see what I can come up with when I have a chance to go visit a shelter, because I've never been to one before nor have I been through their "screening" process of interrogating wanna-be rescue-dog owners. If I run out of luck and find I'm not getting through, then you bet I will most certainly try out the advertisment thing, thru Kijiji or newspaper ad or some other placement ads...like Craigslist.

Now as for coat, I'm not to particular on coat, although I do agree with you thewife on preference of shorter coats versus the long coats becuase there's not as much need to take the dog in to be clipped once a month or so, and shorter coats are easier to brush too...

Shortcake, beagles are cute, but I've heard they can be quite thick-headed and a bit of a pain to be trying to train...sorry if this offends you, but I'm honestly a bit doubtful about getting a beagle. :/

Again, thanks everyone!

 

[Thewife]

Another breed you might want to look into is the Belgian Malinois.
My sister used to breed them for police dogs, but I am pretty sure they herd! Due to an accidental breeding, I ended up with a lab/Belgian Malinois cross from her.
He was the best dog I ever had!

 

[shortcake1806]

Shortcake, beagles are cute, but I've heard they can be quite thick-headed and a bit of a pain to be trying to train...sorry if this offends you, but I'm honestly a bit doubtful about getting a beagle.

No offense taken at all. Beagles are like any other breed the more you work with them the higher the payoff. I've had beagles that were easy as pie and others that required more time. Like any other animal breeding plays a big part in their personality.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Shortcake, beagles are cute, but I've heard they can be quite thick-headed and a bit of a pain to be trying to train...sorry if this offends you, but I'm honestly a bit doubtful about getting a beagle.

No offense taken at all. Beagles are like any other breed the more you work with them the higher the payoff. I've had beagles that were easy as pie and others that required more time. Like any other animal breeding plays a big part in their personality.

How true. I find it funny that you think a beagle is thick-headed but, are considering a lab cross. Labs can be very thick-headed. But like shortcake said, any dog can be.

 

[wynedot55]

1st off you need to follow your gut.an get the breed of dog that you can deal with an feel comfy having around.weve had quit a few dogs over the years.but for the last 30yrs we stayed with aussies or livestock herding dogs.my aussie doesnt bother chickens.now she chases them but she wont hurt emm.

 

[Thewife]

I always thought it was the labs hard head that kept them going after the cows when I want them too, but it was their wanting to please, that keeps them from doing it when they aren't supposed to.

Dads aussie had been here a million times before she killed her first chicken. A year or so later and another million trips up here, she killed another one? I don't trust that sneaky little ....!
She also ran off all of his cats!

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Well I can tell you one thing...I really really like those GSDs. I dunno what it is...Probably because my dad used to have a couple of german shepherds when he was a kid (as well as those Belgian Sheepdogs, them Groenendaels), and he loved the breed because of thier devotion and loyalty and eagerness to please...or something along those lines. The GSD that the vet owns, she's almost always hanging around me when she gets the chance, usually because she just loves to play fetch all the time lol. I've never actually gotten to work with her like a soldier would with his partner military dog or like any owner would when doing the obedience training thing, but she does listen to me when I want her to come or to go....

Anyway, I am kinda partial to those Malinois as well... and those beautiful Groenendaels...though it has been known that they are cat killers unless taught at a young age to not hurt or chase them...

Speaking of labs, the one lab that my brother had, she was a bit thick headed...she was actually the type that didn't come when called or just ignored you if you tried to get her to come (unless you had food on hand...) She was good around cats though because she was plumb scared of them and didn't want to be anywhere near them. In other words, she'd steer clear of them but would never hurt one...Labs also tend to eat a lot and get overweight easy if not excersized lots....like what I read about golden retrievers...but of course this would apply to every dog...


I heard somewhere, either here or someother place, that one dog owner said if she could work with big cows comfortably then handling a dog would come easily. I think...no I know...that this would apply to me because its a little more "intimidating" to handle a 1000 lb steer than it is with an 80 lb dog. And I do do the growl "Hey that's enough!" thing if I got a bouncy 1000 lb steer gets a little too close and I want him to behave himself...most often they stop after my sharp words....they always can tell the difference between when I'm talking to them calm-like or when I don't appreciate their misbehaviors. Might be a little different when handling a bull or cow that decide to challenge me...I just gotta have a thick stick handy.

So with that I probably seem like the type that can handle a dog like a GSD no problem....it's the learning how to do all the obedience and other stuff that's going to be fun.

 

[Bluemurle]

Have you considered Great Pyranees? I've had German Shepherds growing up, Goldens for years after leaving home, several Chessies a chicken killing St Bernard and a Welsh Corgi. This last year we've been involved with a pair of GP's and I love them. They are a most pleasant dog and known for their livestock guarding talents. AND we just happen to have a new crop of the cutest puppies! Yes, I'm prejudiced If you're interested, check out pictures of puppies and parents on post.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=153893&p=1

They'd make a good pillow at a camp site too, for traveling.
DW

 

[Farmer Kitty]

My St. Bernard wouldn't touch the chickens. I don't think our last one would have either. But, I know one thing with Saint's you really need to watch the breeding due to all the "breeders" that got into Saints when they were really popular.

 

[jhm47]

One thing to remember is that puppies, while cute, can be very destructive, and will try your patience. In my opinion, there is nothing as disgusting and lovable as a Lab pup. The ones I've had were terrible till they turned two years old, and then they became wonderful dogs. I've been lucky to have had the following: An Airedale that was a tremendous coon killer/watchdog. I had a pitbull that was a good dog, and she was great around our kids when they were small. A St. Bernard when we were first married that ate 22 ice cones at the local Dairy Queen without slowing down (the ice cream machine blew a fuse). A Walker coon hound that never quit chasing deer. Several mutts that were great dogs in their own way. But---the best dogs that I have ever owned are the Rat Terriers. I still have one today, and he is the sweetest dog in the world. He is very obedient, never bothers the birds, is great around the granddaughters, rarely barks, doesn't get burrs, kills small varmints, eats little, and is generally the best I have ever owned.

So, I would recommend a Rat Terrier.