Finally seriously thinking about getting a dog

[IluvABbeef]

I've been talking it over with mom, and been thinking about it for quite a while...we especially need one that can scare the deer away (dang deer's been getting too over-confident about coming into the yard every night to nibble on the plants etc). It's just too much to be putting out deer-resistant powder, putting up chicken wire around the bedding plants all the time, blah blah blah. Not only that, but to have one as a good companion and and an excuse to go out walking every day or so, and to guard the place when we're not around. I've been looking and reading in dog books and stuff, but can't seem to put a finger on which is best or worse (just like trying to choose a breed of cattle to go with when you dont really have a favorite lol) for a good outdoorsy-type farm dog.

First off, Mom ain't around all the time, she works 3 days a week and is only home in the evenings, and i'm only home when there's extended holidays or breaks between classes. Most of you know that we got a fair-size landbase for a dog to run loose on, plus cattle (now going to be the renter's in the summer months), and two cats. There's going to be a time somtime in the future when my brother will be bringing his family out (my nieces' first time out to the farm), so have to put that into consideration (training, exposing the dog to children regularly, etc). Oh, I almost forgot, we used to have a belgian shep X female 20 some years ago, but i guess you can consider that time lapse as a reason that we could be classified as "beginner dog owners"

Now for the big questions: purebreed or mutt; male or female; pup or adult??? Which do you think is the best? And what breed?
And does it matter if we adopt a pup/adult dog from an animal shelter or from a breeder?

I have many more questions that haven't surfaced yet that I know will soon come up...i hope i'm asking the right questions btw...

Thanks in advance for your help. :wave:

 

[dieselbeef]

free is best...save one from someone or the demise of that shot....the biggest part of a good dog is the owner

 

[hillrancher]

A pup is not worth keeping if they don't destroy 5 time what they are worth. A dog has energy to burn if you don't direct the energy to your favor it will be use in some other way not beneficial to you.
I just acquired a dog free from my tractor salesman that came to his neighbors home an could not find the owner. She is a real good cattle dog. A free dog is not all bad saves some one from taking to pound. Find a dog you like that will be the right dog.

 

[I luv herfrds]

Now I'm a big fan of the Welsh Corgi's.
You can look at a breed rescue and see what they have that you might like.
There are so many different type of dogs out there.
Good luck on finding one you like.

 

[IluvABbeef]

Thanks, I've been doing a little searching and there seems to be more dogs that don't like cats than ones that do...I guess I shouldn't be surprised :lol:

I think its pretty hard to find a dog that is free, dieselbeef and hillrancher, you two must've been lucky to do so. But I'll keep looking.

BTW, the shep we used to have was a groenendael cross, wish to have another one like her...

 

[1982vett]

Thanks, I've been doing a little searching and there seems to be more dogs that don't like cats than ones that do...I guess I shouldn't be surprised :lol:

My two just love cats. They love to torment them. Being barn cats they can hold their own. My youngest, lab mix was from the dog pound. For all the good rescue and adopta-a-pet type organazitions are trying to do. I think a lot of excess pets could be placed if the organization would be more accomodating. I was more than happy to get my youngest lab mix when I found out all it would cost to adopt would be $10.00 for her first shots. No requirements to get her fixed.

 

[I luv herfrds]

My Corgi loves our cats. Can't say the feeling is mutial. :lol:
He gets into chases with our barn cats and all he does is bump them while they are running and knock them over. Hilarious to watch. The older cats just hiss at him and he leaves them alone.

I would get a puppy rather then an older dog, then you can teach them to leave the cats alone and the cattle.

 

[MistyMorning]

ILB.......labs, labs, labs, Did I mention labs!!!! Love em, great companions. :nod:

 

[J. T.]

Get a standard type or Decker Rat Terrier. They'll patrol the grounds and most are game. I once sold a litter to a man who trained tem for jumps dogs on deer. They worked out fine. A good rat dog is hard to beat for an all around farm dog.

 

[ToddFarmsInc]

wow, no dog prefrence, that's a little like no car prefrence, yugo, ferrari, chevy, ford.


A rat terrier is a great mouser. A lab is an excelent companion dog. A Rotwiller is intemidating. Can't beat a bordercollie for inteligence, and herding. A blue heeler is very territorial, and will guard your place against intruders.

Ever think about getting more than one dog? Why I ask is dogs are pack animals, and they need companionship. Sometimes if they are alone at the farm, they will seek out a buddie, if none exist at the time. I currently have three, and I wouldn't mind more.

I agree with getting a free, or nearly free one. My bordercolle was free, the lady I got her from just wanted to be re-embursed for the spay fee. The black lab was left at my house a few years ago, by a kid who was staying with me. He got the dog for "free" and when I explained to him how much a dog cost, and I started to buy things like vet shots, and dog food, he realized what a commitment the dog was and then gave me his "free dog". The lab and the border collie are nearly the same in size, and age, so they get along like peaches and cream. However they have very distince personalities, and you can really tell them apart. ( did I mention the time the lab as a puppie chewed up a cell phone? :dunce: ) The last dog I got was given to me by a neighbor who knows I love dogs, and would take great care of her. She is a blue heeler, and the neighbor has a wife who is as bad as I am about taking in dogs, but this one was too much of a handful for her. She is a cow dog as well as the border collie, but it really is interesting to see how different they work livestock.

What you are looking for, I think about any dog would be a good canidate. One of the problems you might run into is getting a nocternal dog. Deer tend to do a lot of feeding at night, (as do rabbits) My blue heeler is an outside dog, and she sleeps at night, I never her her bark after dark. She is no good against animals who come in and eat my garden after dark. I keep the other two dogs inside after dark, because if I dont, they will bark at night, usually only between the hours of 2-5 am. so if you want something to chase off deer after dark, be prepaired for the side effect. * bark, bark, bark, bark bark*


best of luck

 

[TexasBred]

I live out in the countryside so I want a big dog that "looks mean" but is totally harmless. Got a female Rottweiller (from the pound) and a 125 lb. female Great Pyrenees. Neither will bite a biscuit but sure act and look furious when a stranger comes up the drive. UPS man has them figured out but the FedX guy won't do anything but sit and blow the horn while Sally and Swiper hackle up and bark. :lol: :lol: For some reason I've always preferred females dogs. Can't remember ever owning a male dog.

 

[ToddFarmsInc]

My neighbor has three rots, (well actually two now, one died of old age) and they are just big pussycats. I love them, but then again, I'm a dog guy. They do look quite intemidating when you pull in the drive, and the walk over and look down at you through the vehicle window.

I too prefer female dogs. For some reason, I find them more "trainable". They don't mark things as often as males do, (and boy they look funny when they do) but you are more likely to have to deal with the whole submissive urination thing. (my border colle did that for the longest time, just drove me nuts!)

:edit: :lol2: I just love the autocensor program on this message forum. "be nice" that's hysterical, especially since I wasn't saying anything bad. OK, hows this, "they are just big kittycats."

 

[TexasBred]

My neighbor has three rots, (well actually two now, one died of old age) and they are just big be nice. I love them, but then again, I'm a dog guy. They do look quite intemidating when you pull in the drive, and the walk over and look down at you through the vehicle window.

I too prefer female dogs. For some reason, I find them more "trainable". They don't mark things as often as males do, (and boy they look funny when they do) but you are more likely to have to deal with the whole submissive urination thing. (my border colle did that for the longest time, just drove me nuts!)

:edit: :lol2: I just love the autocensor program on this message forum. "be nice" that's hysterical, especially since I wasn't saying anything bad. OK, hows this, "they are just big kittycats."

:lol: :lol: ROFLMAO :lol: :lol:

 

[Lammie]

Yes, I think females are easier to train and just smarter dogs. Males do the submissive urination thing, too. I have weenie dogs right now, but I have had rotts, a a doberman. The Dobie would not bite anyone unless she thought you were going to get hurt, then watch out. Good guard, good companion, didnt shed a lot. Kids used her as a pillow. She got snake bit and died before I could get her to the vet.

I'd get a Doberman.

 

[Brute 23]

Do more reading about training and not so much about breeds. Just start looking at dogs and go with your gut.

This is just my opinion but I would stay away from cattle breeds unless you are going all out to train them. Some times the pure bred, working dogs don't do well with free time. Too much drive and instinct... ;-)

Muts, runts, and females usually are a little easier to handle because all they want to be is loved.

My personal favorite dog is a good, female, runt, American Bulldog. They are easy to handle for a begginer and very loyal when raised from pups. They have some what of a sixth sense when it comes to trouble. ;-)

 

[3waycross]

Yes, I think females are easier to train and just smarter dogs. Males do the submissive urination thing, too. I have weenie dogs right now, but I have had rotts, a a doberman. The Dobie would not bite anyone unless she thought you were going to get hurt, then watch out. Good guard, good companion, didnt shed a lot. Kids used her as a pillow. She got snake bit and died before I could get her to the vet.

I'd get a Doberman.

My Sis had a Doberman that the kids used for a pillow also, her girls were 2 and 5 when they brought the puppy home. One evening they were all sitting around watching TV and the 2yr old was using the Doberman for a pillow. The dog by the way was 9 months old at the time. At some point it just raised up it's head and tore her face to shreds. 72 stitches to put her back together.

I wouldn't let a Doberman near my kids, or grandkids when I have them, unless it had been Taxidermied.
'

 

[FarmGirl10]

I don't want to rain on the Rott party, but personally I don't like them. I've been around three; my neighbor has had two different female rotts - one is a car chaser and the other one was food aggressive, but otherwise really nice. My brother and sister-in-law had a male rott that also got food aggressive and liked to growl at another one of my brothers - lets just say he didn't stay long after that.

I would personally recommend a boxer, if your looking for more of a gaurd dog. I love my cousins and one of my friends - none of these dogs are actually mean, but they're mean looking and are very nosey.

 

[Lammie]

Yes, I think females are easier to train and just smarter dogs. Males do the submissive urination thing, too. I have weenie dogs right now, but I have had rotts, a a doberman. The Dobie would not bite anyone unless she thought you were going to get hurt, then watch out. Good guard, good companion, didnt shed a lot. Kids used her as a pillow. She got snake bit and died before I could get her to the vet.

I'd get a Doberman.

My Sis had a Doberman that the kids used for a pillow also, her girls were 2 and 5 when they brought the puppy home. One evening they were all sitting around watching TV and the 2yr old was using the Doberman for a pillow. The dog by the way was 9 months old at the time. At some point it just raised up it's head and tore her face to shreds. 72 stitches to put her back together.

I wouldn't let a Doberman near my kids, or grandkids when I have them, unless it had been Taxidermied.
'

I guess it just depends on the dog. I have had weener dogs that would do that. You just can't tell. Mona, (the doberman) was just really good with kids. Anyone's kids. She was a lot more picky about adults, and that's what I liked about her.

 

[Mosho]

My personal preference is a Rat Terrier (large type). They are extremely intelligent, very loyal, trainable and protective. As with any breed of dog there is the downside. They are head strong and very territorial. For a good companion dog and a mouser, they are hard to beat but I've never had one that was much of a cattle dog.

 

[ToddFarmsInc]

Rat Terriers are good too. We used to have one years ago. Excelent mouser, pretty trainable, but stubburn sometimes. To me though, being around them, they just have a little too much energy for me. I like dogs that just lay there when they are in the house. Rat terries can carry on pretty well. I guess that's good if you have kids.