Researching a new farm dog

47 posts / 0 new

Sun, 2010-01-24 08:45

Farmpunk

I'm going to be purchasing a new dog this spring, a farm dog. But I'm having some trouble finding real owner info on breeds, etc. We've usually just adopted strays or grabbed local mutt puppies. Our last stray, a german shepherd mix of some sort, lived and worked with us for 17 years. She was not good with children, however, and that's one trait I will demand in the new dog.

I like german shepherds. They've been reliable and good companions over the years, but I'm open to suggestions.

The dog will only rarely be tied up. I train our dogs to roam free, kinda like they're shepherding the people on the farm. This will be an outdoor dog, and will probably only sleep inside in the winter.

So if anyone has links or experiences to share, by all means pass them along. I have a friend with an Akita-Shepherd mix that is a very nice dog. A little bigger than a standard shepherd but with a little more character and less reserved than a standard.

I've read that corgis can make good farm dogs. I'm not familiar with these little dudes.

Sun, 2010-01-24 08:48

Le T

Demand a mutt. There is no better breed of dog for the farm.

Sun, 2010-01-24 09:35

G. Muffin

Hybrid vigour.

Our dogs are 1/2 border collie, 1/4 lab & 1/4 pit bull. They are not suitable farm dogs as they chase sheep (border collie) and then kill them (pit bull). However, they are wonderful with children & crazy people.

Stick with the Heinz 57s. There are too many dogs in the world to insist on a purebred for such a general purpose.

And Corgis are poncey, anyway. Who do you think you are, Queen Elizabeth II?

Sun, 2010-01-24 10:03

Farmpunk

Haha, good one GMuff.

I hear you both on mutts - other than a daschund we've only ever had mutts on the farm, with somewhat mixed results: very good to very poor.

I should have been more detailed. I'm not really looking for a registered pure bred dog, cost being a consideration, and I don't "need" to have that cachet.

I would adopt a dog but with little kids around the farm, and tractors and animals and crops, it's not really fair to the dog to try and train them to what is probably an entirely new way of life: leashless and entirely free roaming. I want a puppy I can train properly to stay off the road, not get run over by a tractor, and to be a very safe companion to little kids, while being a guardian, too.

Sun, 2010-01-24 10:25

Sven

Don't get a Bichon Frise.

Your kids would love one but so would the wolves. Besides, they're really hard to find in the snow.

Sun, 2010-01-24 10:42

Boom Boom

My brother has had a farm for over 25 years, has had German Shepherds, Huskies, Collies, and Labs. I think the Labs were probably the best overall dogs. He's also had mixed-breeds, various kinds, no problems. The only problem he ever had with dogs was when he took in a Husky (I think it was) that had been abused by its former owners - took a while to get it to stop snarling and showing its teeth at people.

Sun, 2010-01-24 10:52

Farmpunk

No wolves around here. I wouldn't mind getting a larger dog that I could train to kill raccoons that get into my sweet corn and chase off deer for the same reason.

I've never been a big lab fan. They seem a little dumb to me.

Boomster, that experience with a husky is why I'm not considering an adoption. With kids, especially, dogs make me nervous. And with increasing farm-gate sales, I don't want to frighten customers with a snarling mean dog.

Jesus, I just read that on some mixed farms in the States they're using Anatolian Shepherds. Sounds neat. If it's working for Polyface farms, then it's worthwhile taking a look into the breed.

Sun, 2010-01-24 11:01

Boom Boom

Nothing wrong with adopting a dog - my brother knew he was getting an abused dog, and worked hard at treating it with love and kindness and eventually it was an okay farm dog. I adopted a beagle and it was my daily companion for almost a decade. In the city!

Sun, 2010-01-24 11:14

ennir

I highly recommend looking for border collie in the mix, our dog is a mix with blue heeler and having met some blue heelers I definitely think it is the border collie that brings the friendliness and intelligence. She came to us as a pup when we had a farm and was easy to train, she was so smart that I trained her to stay out of the gardens and she would patrol the edge. These days we live in the city and feel fortunate that she has made the transition and also glad that she got to spend her early years running free.

Sun, 2010-01-24 11:35

#10

Papal Bull

Get a pugle! Half pug, half beagle...soooooo cute!

And you can come up with great names, like Puddles the Puggle or Powerhound

Sun, 2010-01-24 11:44

#11

Boom Boom

Farmpunk wrote:

I've never been a big lab fan. They seem a little dumb to me.

I love Labs, I don't find them dumb at all. I think they're smart, faithful, loyal, hard working, and fun to be around. There are Labradors in this tiny community as well as a really nice German Shepherd acrfoss the road from me, and they visit me every day, and especially when I'm out for a walk (no dogs are tied up here, this is a very rural community).

Sun, 2010-01-24 13:31

#12

Farmpunk

Whoops, I forgot the first rule of dog-talk - avoid implying things about certain kinds of dogs because it'll tend to come back and bite you. That's re. labs, Boomster, haha.

No to the pugle. No doubt a very cute puppy, and probably a decent dog, but I'm not so sure about that particular breed's faming applications.

A collie\shepherd mix is a good one, and that might end up being what I search out. Collies are very bright.

Sun, 2010-01-24 13:33

#13

Papal Bull

Farmpunk wrote:

No to the pugle. No doubt a very cute puppy, and probably a decent dog, but I'm not so sure about that particular breed's faming applications.

Lots of famous people own them. You could be the next one ;)

Sun, 2010-01-24 13:44

#14

oldgoat

Akita's may be a bit more aggressivly protective than you're looking for, though good with their own family. I've always thought the German Shepherd was a good all-rounder, and if you get it as a pup then it's disposition will largely be a result of how you treat it. The problem with the Shepherd is they're over-bred and dysplastic. That's where mutts can be good, as they don't have all those nasty recessives.

I think a collie shepherd mix would be great. Hairyer dogs in the country can be a bit of a problem with burrs and stuff though. I like a low maintainance coat. I'm also a big fan of the golden retriever as an all round dog even though they stink when they get wet.

Sun, 2010-01-24 14:03

#15

Boom Boom

I forgot to mention there's a couple of Golden Retrievers here as well - very nice dogs, good with people, and hard working. But, yeah, they're a mess when they get wet.

I'm retired, and not nearly as active as I used to be, and I live alone, so getting a dog is an insane idea for me (no one to look after it if something happens to me is a concern, also no kennel or veterinary services available locally). If I lived in an area where having a dog made more sense for me, I'd have to consider a small dog that doesn't need much in the way of exercise.

Sun, 2010-01-24 14:08

#16

skdadl

I won't ever say anything really bad about any of them, but the serious working dogs are so happy and so good on farms, and I think that means the border collies first. Shepherd mix ok; some shepherds really are, um, exceptionally sensitive, which makes them good at police work, but maybe not so much on a farm.

Labs and retrievers are wonderful family dogs. They don't have the herding talents of the collies, but they are great with children, visitors, etc.

I understand why people are advising mutts -- we need to stop most of the purebreeding, and most mutts are wonderful family dogs for city people, so that's how it should work. But almost every purebreed has a rescue organization, and you're not contributing to the industry by taking one of those dogs.

Sun, 2010-01-24 14:21

#17

wage zombie

I'd say get a collie shepherd cross or a shepherd lab cross. My experience with labs has been that they're quite smart. We had a lab and a german shepherd and the lab could think circles around the larger shepherd. Other labs seem pretty bright too. But if you're not into labs you're not into labs.

Sun, 2010-01-24 14:33

#18

Timebandit Timebandit's picture

Farmpunk, you might want to reconsider your position on labradors - but you do need to be careful of where you get one given that they have become a much popularized breed, and a lot of people have bred them without enough consideration.

We had labs while I was growing up. The field dogs are highly intelligent and extremely people-focused and sensitive, incredibly good-natured. We trained ours for field trial and had a couple that were regional champs. They were trained to voice command and hand signal - I could get my big yellow dog to retrieve, heel, stop on a dime, stay, sit, lie down, roll over and sit pretty without uttering a word. The labs were also fantastic with kids. Never so much as a growl. I once witnessed a toddler poking Sailor in the eye, hard - all he did was flinch, sigh heavily, get up and walk away. They were also hardy enough to spend most of their time outdoors, provided you had a good doghouse - of course, in a Saskatchewan winter they slept inside, but still spent much of their time in the yard during the days.

One of my current dogs, Kali, is a lab/english setter cross and is probably the most intelligent dog I've ever known. Training her was effortless - I rarely had to tell her something more than a handful of times before she picked up on it.

I have an admitted bias toward the sporting dogs, mind you. I've also heard that border collies are terrific farm dogs, but are a bit more high-strung and really, really need to work.

Good luck with your search!

Sun, 2010-01-24 15:35

#19

ennir

It is true that border collies need jobs, if you do not have one for them they will make one for themselves.

Sun, 2010-01-24 16:00

#20

Farmpunk

We've just never had a large percentage of Lab in any of our dogs, at least not any that was visible. I've nothing against them, and know many, many people who swear by them. There's no doubt they're trainable as I've witnessed "duck" labs working. But I don't think they have the herding and protective\territorial instinct that I like in a farm dog.

Collies do have the coat going against them. Being nearly 24\7 outdoor dogs, ours tend to get burred up fast. A dog leaning towards a collie would probably grow dreadlocks eventually, ditto for a golden. Having things to do is never a problem around here, so a high energy pooch tends to be well mannered.

My friend's Akita\Shepherd mix is a beautiful dog. Bigger bodied than a shepherd, with that distinctive big head that scares the shit out people. She has a very mild disposition. She looks like a really big shepherd with the upcurled tail - more like a husky-shepherd on steroids.

Hmmm, I may take a look into some local adoption places. I'm not against bringing a full grown youngster on the farm. Our very best dogs have been strays that just wandered onto the farm and we've adopted them. I'm going to steer clear of bigger city raised dogs if I investigate that avenue, simply because I have this feeling that a bigger dog that's been raised in the city and then abandoned will come with some habits that can only be broken with a lot of work and forceful training.

Sun, 2010-01-24 16:20

#21

Boom Boom

Departing from the thread topic for a second, I like all dogs, even the "toy" breeds, but if there if one breed I'd rather not have anything to do with, it's those highly-manicured French Poodles. I think it should be illegal to have poodles so freakishly decorated.

Sun, 2010-01-24 16:34

#22

Google

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Shepherd]Australian Shepherd[/url]

Sun, 2010-01-24 17:01

#23

bagkitty

Welsh Corgi (nice idea google, we can suggest other people's anecdotal information, not just our own *grin*)

Sun, 2010-01-24 17:02

#24

bagkitty

Chiming in on the corgi suggestion. Most of what I know is from another co-op member (urban setting) who has a Pembroke Corgi. They were bred to herd, sheep or cattle. They do have a tendency to both bark a lot and nip at ankles (the two things they did to get the stock moving in the direction they were intended to go). Like most herding dogs, they are extremely bright. The individual I know who has one made major efforts to socialize it, introducing it to all the other co-op members (her unit is right next to the mailboxes, lots of foot traffic) and it worked well, not a lot of barking, and unless you are playing toss with him, he tends to keep the nipping under control. Very sturdy, sorry to disagree with GMuffin, but they are anything other than poncey... this is one solidly built dog, and energy to spare, not a lap pet. Given the size, though, I am not sure how it would deal with predation if you have wolves or coyotes in the area. If it wasn't trained out of it, pretty sure the barking would give plenty of notice on people entering the property.

Just a general comment, if you are going to have it "roam" the farm, have you considered a pair of dogs? This corgi I am thinking of is an incredibly social character, guess that applies to a lot of dogs...

[editing to fix spelling in name, Pembroke, not Pembrook, d'oh]

Sun, 2010-01-24 17:18

#25

ElizaQ

Hey Farmpunk. There's some really good info found on the web about different breeds that have been traditionally used as farmdogs if you look up 'livestock guardian dogs' or 'stock dogs'. Here's one link which leads to a bunch of info. http://www.lgd.org/ Of course they all have different characteristics and if you're looking at a mutt you'll get mixes of characteristics which depending on the specific dog.

In simplests characterization they can be divided into three categories. There's your straight herders such as collies and cow dogs and some sheepdogs, the herder/protectors which is where german shepherds fall and the protectors such as great pyrennes and marammas. Generally the herders are smaller and high energy, the herder/protectors medium size and the protectors large size dogs. All of them do make great farmdogs depending on what your after. For instance some breeds, especially the ones with thicker coats are used more as outside dogs. Some such as the pyrannees and the maremmas are used as stock protectors and live right which stock they are protecting such as on large ranches.

As far as getting some of these specific breeds it can be tricky but most breeds have organizations that rescue and help with questions on the specific breed. Of course especially with breeds like german shepherds and other breeds such collies and other sheep dogs you run into two different types of breeders. Those that breed them for 'show', 'looks' and the the 'status' they bring to people factor and those that are breeding dogs for actual working. My advice if you're going for a purebred of any dog is to make damn sure that you're getting them from a 'working' breeder where skills and attitude outweigh any of the prettiness factor. In the case of shepherds you can actually see the difference in how they look. My shepherd though a purebred would not pass the 'show' test because his hind end is actually what it should be and not this godawful extremely sloping angle crap which has been emphazized in the show dogs and led to all of the horrible genitic problems they can have with their hips. Unfortunately many of the old working breeds are now just looked at more through the pretty lens which has led to much of the problems with genetics and dogs that get mismatched with people. Like high energy collies and other sheer herder dogs that don't get to run around a lot and end up going neurotic or in the case with collies that take their herding instincts out with children and thier intentions getting misread by the owners. I know one family that got rid of their collie because they said it kept attacking their young kids and knocking them over. Well it wasn't attacking, it was trying to herd and play with them.

I am of course a big fan of mutts for a basic pet but there are pros and cons if you're looking for some really specific characteristics or specifics in terms of actual help if that's also what you're looking for. They will invariably have some combination of characteristic of whatever breeds they are but it's kinda potluck with what you'll get. For instance there's a lot of stock dog and traditional birding dog combos out there so you may end up with a decent protector but if you have poultry running around the prey instinct may or may not be a headache to deal with. Most dogs however with whatever instincts they have can be socialized and trained to diminish the ones that aren't great and bring out the ones that are but every dog tends to be different and need different things and of course age and previous socialization is a factor if you're talking about getting an older dog so it's really important to know the older dog before you get it. Of course if you can find an older dog which already lives in a similar environment and is already used to what you want then it's not much of a problem.

Even with the purebred breeds there is no absolute guarentee that a herder will naturally herd and in that world many are tested for the instincts really young as in 4 to 8 weeks. Thats why you may come across some breeders that say there pups have been tested. Mutts that are used for work as companion animals are also tested for characteristics at a very young age as some are just better for that sort of work then others.

You brought up kids. Most dogs pure bred or mutts if brought up from the puppy stage with kids around are okay with kids and any issues can be dealt with early on. Since I don't have kids I made sure that our dogs did spend time from an early age around kids so it wouldn't be a problem. Older dogs that haven't' can be a problem but it's not insurmountable, it can be, depending on the dog and particular issue with them a lot of specific work on your part. The same goes for things like living arrangements. If a young dogs starts out living and working outside it will grow up thinking thats normal and be quite content. If you get an older dog that has been mainly a inside dog and start keeping it outside it will likely be very stressful. If being around and/or helping with livestock duties and you want a better chance of getting a good dog the younger the better. Most young dogs will naturally take on livestock as part of the 'pack' and grow up with them. An older dog will do the same and can be trained and encouraged to do so but it can be more work on your part and some dogs just never do. Professional stock protectors are introduced to whatever thier charges are as young as 8 weeks and by six months are basically living with them fulltime. I have a shepherd and started taking him out for chicken duties at that age and he now watches out for them and would even help collect the eggs if I let him. :)

If you're okay with a mutt or an unregistered dog of a specific breed then try to get one from another farm. Especially if it's a pup there's just more guarentee that you'll get one suited for that life plus the owner can tell you all about how the parents act on the farm. I may be getting a maremma next spring from farm that raises sheep. They aren't registered but the parents and their parents have been working farm dogs for years.

Sorry I'm rambling a bit. I hope some of this info helps.

Sun, 2010-01-24 17:24

#26

Tommy_Paine

The thing about Labs is that they seem slow on the uptake, and there might be dogs that are quicker, learning, but they aren't a dumb dog. And, they are famously good with children. I think Labs give us the "stupid" vibe because they love to play so much.

I'd agree about staying away from purebreds. Centuries ago, purebreds were often bred as working dogs, for specific characteristics. However, since things got all technical and codified in the 1800's, they began being bred for looks instead of traits. And, every purebred breed seems to have some accidental health problem bred into them now.

I had a purebred Shepard and I loved her. But she had two twisted bowels and finally succumbed to spinal myalopthia, too many years too early. Sharp as a tack, she was. To train her, all I ever had to do was catch her doing something right and praise her for it. I miss her to this day.

I have no experience with border collies, but hear nothing but good about them. Same with Newfoundland dogs.

I'd look for a dog that has a Shepard/Lab/Collie mix.

Oh, and we might not have wolves down here, but we have no shortage of coyotes, Farmpunk. We had that tragedy in Cape Breton, plus the woman and her dog that were attacked right here in London, at Spetigues Pond-- one of my favorite walking areas. I think that's something to consider. I've even decided to keep my eye out for a good walking stick for my walks now-- even though I hate to be one of those geeks who carry a walking stick on walks. I'm not going to carve runes into it though.....

Sun, 2010-01-24 17:41

#27

RANGER

I sadly had to put down my Austrailian Kelpie/Lab several months ago after 9 years, he routinely chased bears, deer, racoons and coyotes off the acreage as well as the odd kid trying to syphon gas in the middle of the night, yet was trained to stay within his property, loved walking the kids to the schoolbus and ran straight home once it arrived, he loved having a job to do but was ballanced I beleive because of the Lab influence that would allow him to behave in social envirinments the Kelpie pure breed can be very effective for work but a little nuts around kids and social situations,

After looking for a similar type I chose an Austrailian blue heeler/ Lab cross female, she's 5 months now and is trained to do several things but nipping and jumping up to new people is definetly an issue, not sure if this is just a puppie isssue or her personality in general, also both dogs where and are always outside,I would not recommend this mix unless you have enough space and time for them.

Sun, 2010-01-24 17:45

#28

ElizaQ

Tommy_Paine wrote:

I'd agree about staying away from purebreds. Centuries ago, purebreds were often bred as working dogs, for specific characteristics. However, since things got all technical and codified in the 1800's, they began being bred for looks instead of traits. And, every purebred breed seems to have some accidental health problem bred into them now.

I had a purebred Shepard and I loved her. But she had two twisted bowels and finally succumbed to spinal myalopthia, too many years too early. Sharp as a tack, she was. To train her, all I ever had to do was catch her doing something right and praise her for it. I miss her to this day.

That's true to a point but not with all purebreds. I say that the state of the majority of NA bred purebreds have sucumbed to the show trait horribleness. This is definately the case with german shepherds and it's a pretty big deal in the german shepherd world. Now many people that get shepherds for actual work no longer go with NA specific lines anymore for exactly those reasons and now look to Europe and especially eastern europe for dogs that haven't been show breeded for years and years. The rarer or less popular working dogs also tend to be okay as they have been bred for work and not looks but again much of the stock comes from across the atlantic and breeders of those dogs are really quite concientious about genetics and not falling into the mire that the show dog world has created. It takes a lot of research and knowing whats what and whos who to sort through it though. My shepherd though born here parentage is eastern european which is why he doesn't look like a lot of shepherds here. I hear about it from every vet he's gone to. They're amazed and two have stated, now thats what a shepherd is supposed to be like.

Sun, 2010-01-24 17:55

#29

Tommy_Paine

Yeah, I know there are breeders here who are trying to straighten out some of these problems, but right now it's hard to tell who is reputable and who isn't.

Like Farmpunk, I am shortly to be in the dog market. Rebecca West really wants one. I don't, because there will be vet bills, yet another unpredictable element in my life, and in the end, I will be there when it's put down-- hopefully many, many years from now, and once again I will have my heart broken and have to cry in front of another man.

So, I'm thinking border collie with either lab or shepard in the mix.

Cripes.

Sun, 2010-01-24 19:12

#30

ennir

Given the border collie/blue heeler mix of our dog her fur is not as long as a pure border collie, this might be why we never really had any problems with burrs on the farm but it might also have been because she is naturally finicky about getting dirty, given a choice between walking muddy paths and walking on the large stones that ran the centre of the path she always chose the rocks.

Sun, 2010-01-24 20:00

#31

Timebandit Timebandit's picture

Where sporting dogs are concerned, there are two streams of breeding: Show and field. Go with field. If your breeder is into showing, run away - fast. They're more interested in conformation than temperament or intelligence. If your breeder is into field trials, they're looking for the smartest, most athletic beasties they can get and will breed for health and intelligence.

I'm not sure what the equivalent is for working dogs... My main experience is with Labs and Setters. Don't even get me started on small dogs... They are only dogs in the most technical sense!

Every dumb-ish Lab I've ever met has been from show breeding lines. The field dogs are smarter than a lot of people I know. ;-)

Sun, 2010-01-24 20:34

#32

G. Muffin

Ennir makes a great suggestion. A friend of mine has a purple heeler (really) and Reuben is a wonderful dog. I agree with you, Farmpunk, that you're better off with a puppy and training from the ground up. You're so lucky! I recently decided that I couldn't have my dog(s) live with me in town so I'm pretty lonely in the canine department.

Sun, 2010-01-24 20:41

#33

conrad yablonski

Quote:
Collies are very bright.

Lassie put paid to that truism-once Collies became popular they were bred for narrow heads and no brains, plus they live to nip.

Much agree about hybrid vigour but be careful too much vigour=bored mutt.

I see that all the time with the Golden Doodles and Labradoodles around here they need to be run a lot to be truly content.

Sun, 2010-01-24 23:04

#34

G. Muffin

Lassie wasn't a border collie, was she?

Sun, 2010-01-24 23:55

#35

Timebandit Timebandit's picture

No, he wasn't. (True story - the dog was written as "she", but the dog they used was a "he". Funny, eh?)

Mon, 2010-01-25 03:43

#36

RevolutionPlease RevolutionPlease's picture

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbash_Dog]Akbash[/url]

Amazingly bright dog.

Mon, 2010-01-25 04:11

#37

E.P.Houle

It depends on the kind of farm and what the dog is supposed to do. If it's just supposed to follow you around and back you up in a confrontation. My dog could only be on the chain unless kids were in the yard, then he'd stay and guard. He stayed out ALL the time, he loved it and he loved me... of his 5 owners I was the only on the got along with him. I did not choose a Norwegian Elkhound but he sure fit our life. That's a farm in Grizzley country with three infants. The best way to to find a pregnant bitch and have tea with the owner and see if it fits your style. On a farm a dog is a work tool. Borders are what most rural people have and they work their dogs alot but they're best around the house, they announce visitors, chase rats and pay attention if you're a good trainer. And can sometimes stay out of the chickens, not a lot of chickens in bear/cougar city. Spanials can be a good low maintinance dog, good to come along and good to stay home, happier along.

Mon, 2010-01-25 04:33

#38

E.P.Houle

Sheppards, to whom dogs are large part of their life, have two dogs, they share brain. Usually one is a barker(announces territory) and the other is chained up, a smart harrasser, but a Border would do(very smart dogs). All dogs in the country need to be under control at ALL times. It's the obligation to shoot deer or stock chasing gangs; the dead dog's owner owes for the price of the stock and the bullet to kill it. In farming, one needs to cull the problem.

Mon, 2010-01-25 04:56

#39

G. Muffin

E.P.Houle wrote:
Sheppards, to whom dogs are large part of their life, have two dogs, they share brain. Usually one is a barker(announces territory) and the other is chained up, a smart harrasser, but a Border would do(very smart dogs). All dogs in the country need to be under control at ALL times. It's the obligation to shoot deer or stock chasing gangs; the dead dog's owner owes for the price of the stock and the bullet to kill it. In farming, one needs to cull the problem.

Is that you, A? Shouldn't you be asleep?

Mon, 2010-01-25 04:57

#40

G. Muffin

Timebandit wrote:
No, he wasn't. (True story - the dog was written as "she", but the dog they used was a "he". Funny, eh?)

Affirmative action strikes again, I guess.

Mon, 2010-01-25 07:24

#41

Farmpunk

I was reading some farm dog forum or another and someone suggested that corgis make great farm dogs. They're a little small for what I'm after but I've nothing against smaller dogs. One of our favourite farm dogs ever was a little ultra mutt... some kind of terrier\border collie mix that never barked. Ed looked like an ewok. He wasn't much of a pure farm dog but he was a great, smart, low maintenance pet. The minature dashund was another story...

There's not a lot of researchable information on dogs on the net. Not in forum form. This has been an informative thread. I took the Iams dog selector test and my number one dog: puli. Look it up.

Back to labs. There are enough trainers around here that raise and train hunting dogs for a living - you would be stunned to know what duck\bird hunters pay for a trained dog - that I could be assurred of having a good stock selection for a working dog.

Someone brought up Akbash. That's related to the Anatolian Shepherd I mentioned earlier. I was at a farm conference on the weekend and one of the speakers is a rancher\farmer from Virginia. He swears by anatolians. He says they're more guardian that herder but are fast and mean with predators. I think it would be neat to train a dog like that to protect the farm and crops. I have a big problem with raccoons and deer in my sweet corn. I lose probably a thousand dollars worth of produce a year to these pests. The shotgun solution is complicated by their nocturnal theviery and I refuse to try traps\poison.

Ah, traits vs training, nature or nuture. The endless discussion. I think that any dog can be socialized and basic trained if you have it from an early stage in life. The breeding definitely influences how a dog behaves in a macro sense, and I rebel against the idea of a "bad" dog. There are bad owners and few bad dogs.

Mon, 2010-01-25 08:40

#42

Boom Boom

Good luck with your selection, Farmpunk! (great handle, by the way).

Mon, 2010-01-25 09:00

#43

ennir

With that attitude I am sure you will end up with the perfect dog for you.

I am wondering if you have considered the sex of the dog? One reason we chose a female was that we were told she would be more likely to stay closer to home than a male dog, living on a farm we knew that dogs that wandered were dogs likely to be shot and at the same time we didn't want to use a chain and could never have afforded the fencing. She slept outside in the summer and kept the deer from the unfenced garden, also the highway was just a half a kilometre or so away but it was never an issue.

One thing about border collies or at least our particular mix is a degree of intensity and focus that some find unnervng. Friends who adored her offered to care for her while we went away, when we returned they said for the whole time she was at their feet staring, waiting for a job I suspect. LOL

Mon, 2010-01-25 09:27

#44

G. Muffin

ennir wrote:
One thing about border collies or at least our particular mix is a degree of intensity and focus that some find unnervng.

I find this to be true of terriers, too. And to some degree, heelers.

Mon, 2010-04-05 20:27

#45

Farmpunk

Female, shepherd\lab.

A farmer friend just dropped her off unexpectedly. Ten months old. Black, tan, longish fur, white spot on nose and tips of front paws. Currently wandering around my house, whining a little.

Training begins tomorrow.

Mon, 2010-04-05 21:50

#46

Timebandit Timebandit's picture

Congrats, Farmpunk! I hope it goes well. I've met very few lab crosses that I haven't liked!

Mon, 2010-04-05 23:13

#47

Bubbles

We have currently a black female lab here on our farm. It was probably about five years old when we got it from a family that moved into town and had trouble keeping this rather big dog in their tiny garden.

The positves are:

We do not need to tie it up. It does not show agression towards visitors, but her size intimidates those that do not know the dog. It is good with the other farm animals, provided they stay away from her food. We keep it outside year round. I have never seen it chase any wild animals, but the wild animals seem to be aware of her presents because we have hardly any skunks , racoons, foxes, deer or coyoties running around the house and barns. Ocasionally it will have a barking fit during the night, but generally she barks very little, although when she barks she is loud. She loves the daily routines on the farm, if I am late she will remind me with a few scratches at the door.

The negatives:

Always hungry and one has to keep her on a diet otherwise she gets to heavy. Has a good nose to find anything gross to eat. Cat shit seems to be a delicacy, so is the rotten chicken that I burried a foot deep in the manure pile. She is not all that good around the tractor, tends to walk to the side in front of it, but if she smells something of interest can become oblivious of the tractor behind her. Likes to deposite her rather substancial dung close to our cloth line.

It takes a bit of luck to come across a good farm dog. All the best with your new dog, Farmpunk.