Members MrJoshua Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 I'm thinking about getting a dog. I've been thinking about it for years, really, but never really thought I had the time to devote to one that it would need. Well, my parents recently mentioned that they'd like a dog. I live on the edge of my parents' farm, so now I'm thinking of getting a farm dog that we could train to help with the cattle, etc. Either some sort of shepherd or a similar dog. So I'm looking for some suggestions. Breeds? Things to watch out for? We live about a mile away from a four-lane highway but we're at the end of a dead-end road and we have about 35 acres for the dog to run around on, most of which is pasture with cattle, so I'm not too worried about the dog not having enough space. This will not be an inside dog; it will be an outside dog. Or dogs, if I need to have two in order to assure that they don't get lonely at night. I need something intelligent, that can learn basic commands and has a decent herd instinct and preferably one that will be good with the cattle. Thanks for any input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jasper383 Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Good that you mention that dogs are social, pack creatures, and it's good to have two or more of them. I think that one dog on your farm would be fine, but in general, they should have a friend. I know many people with just one dog, and they leave it for long periods of time alone. Dogs go crazy this way. Cats will be fine alone, not dogs. Sounds like a situation any dog would love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ModmanQ6 Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 God? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrJoshua Posted August 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 God? Your slydexia is rearing its ulgy deah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sludgebass69 Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Border Collie:idea: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rpsands Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 You know, I am not sure if you can train non-herding breeds to herd or not, but one of my labradors seems to have a touch of herding instinct. It's pretty hilarious. Anyway, I find labs to be awesome, easy to train, and good natured. Definitely a recommendation if you can get'em to do what you needem to do I think a Lab might be close enough with the working instinct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ender_rpm Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Border Collie:idea: + 1 kajillion. Smartest dogs ever, and perfectly suited to cattle driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Australian cattle dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrJoshua Posted August 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Australian cattle dog I really like the looks of these dogs, but I've heard they need a LOT of exercise and I'm not sure "go patrol the pasture and watch the cows while I go to work" counts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 I really like the looks of these dogs, but I've heard they need a LOT of exercise and I'm not sure "go patrol the pasture and watch the cows while I go to work" counts... We have a half dalmation/half blue heeler. It's a pretty crazy mutt. I'd like a border collie if/when I get room for a bigger doggie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 "You touch master's bass...you die" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 I'd second border collie, or bc mix. And yes, 2 is better, unless there will always be plenty of company for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hawkhuff Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Border Collie:idea: Absolutely the smartest of all dogs and they have {censored}loads of energy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 yephttp://www.petmedsonline.org/top-10-smartest-dogs-in-the-world.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hawkhuff Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 "You touch master's bass...you die" He looks a lot like my Boughzie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 He looks a lot like my Boughzie. Actually a She. Xena was 110 pounds of sweetness and power. Could standing jump a 7 foot fence knock fence pickets out with her head and would occationally bend over the gate latch when she wanted to go outside the back yard. Was friends with every kid on the block and simply terrified anyone who didn't know her. Passed 2 years ago and I just got a new shepherd, Nikitia for my birthday/Father's day. This one is very very sharp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thumper Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Check the local shelters first. They often have good dogs looking for a good home. As for breeds: Border Collie and Australian Cattle Dog are good choices. German Shepherd Dogs and Labrador Retrievers would work, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members perrydabassman Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Be wary of any breed that starts talking to you in your mind and telling you to do things........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hawkhuff Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Actually a She. Xena was 110 pounds of sweetness and power. Could standing jump a 7 foot fence knock fence pickets out with her head and would occationally bend over the gate latch when she wanted to go outside the back yard. Was friends with every kid on the block and simply terrified anyone who didn't know her. Passed 2 years ago and I just got a new shepherd, Nikitia for my birthday/Father's day. This one is very very sharp. She's a beauty! This is my guy that passed 2 years ago. He too was a powerful lad but loved and protected the kids. I miss him terribly. He was a bit over 100 lbs. My new guy, Boughzie, is a teddy bear. The other in the pic is GSD and border collie mix. Smartest dog I've ever had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Ruger approves... By georgestrings, shot with ViviCam at 2009-08-03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrJoshua Posted August 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Be wary of any breed that starts talking to you in your mind and telling you to do things........ I'm not worried about that. All the other voices would put the new guy in his place soon enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JacieFB Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 yep http://www.petmedsonline.org/top-10-smartest-dogs-in-the-world.html +1 on the Border Collie. Although having a lab on that list kinda makes a person doubt it. No offense to the lab owners. I'm sure there are smart labs out there. [/border Collie elitist] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 +1 on the Border Collie. Although having a lab on that list kinda makes a person doubt it. No offense to the lab owners. I'm sure there's a smart lab out there. Fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JacieFB Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 Fixed. I was gonna say "I just haven't ever met one or even heard about one in an unbiased anecdote." But I'm setting off my own smarm alarm today, so I left it at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted August 7, 2009 Members Share Posted August 7, 2009 I've never had a dumb lab... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.