I always have had border collies on the farm. They are a great dog but am kind of getting tired of how they want to herd everything even the cars that drive by the place. Was wondering what everyone's thought were on different breeds. I would like a dog that would keep the deer, rabbits, and raccoon out of the yard. Maybe a breed that wouldn't think it needs to be working 24 hours a day. Something that would hang out in the yard but would keep animals away that we don't want in our backyards.
Lab. Awesome nose. Easily trained. Loyal as you can get. Great with kids and adults. Just be prepared for 2plus years of acting like a puppy. I'd go homeless and sell everything I own before I'd part with mine.
Lab. Start the training early, in real short spurts (short attention span when puppies). Now, if I could just figure out how to keep 'em from rolling in the deer crap............
Lab. My lab does not tolerate any other critters or birds in the yard (unless they want to play...Then it's cool).
Oh man, gooder point Brad. Labs (ours anyway) shed........a lot. Piles of dog hair all over. We have vinyl, tile, linoleum floors, and we sweep a lot to attempt keeping up. I've been trying to use a brush on 'em more often, but I don't do it every day. It might help.
A rescue dog. Or mutt. If you have a family, a pit could pull double duty protect/patrol/love. My three dogs all different mixes all know their yard boundaries the woods (100acres)boundaries. They all run off any intruder other dogs, yotes to grey foxes to rabbits Rescue Dogs Rock NYC
My SIL has a "Labradoodle". I call it a Labrapoodle...it is way more poodle than lab. We've always given our labs a shave in August and February. They love it and it keeps the amount of shed hair way down.
My first choice is always a mutt from the pound or rescue. They tend to be very healthy and low maintenance compared to pure breeds. However, if that doesn't work for you, you might want to consider something from the "livestock guardian dog" breeds (just Google it). These are bred to be protective and chase off / kill unwanted visitors as you mentioned in your first post. Or, best of all, see if you can find a mutt at the pound or a rescue with this type genetics. I have been thinking about an LGD or maybe even donkey or alpaca, now that we have some sheep.
Makes me think of the Russian bear dog. Most lgds are larger and I hate to generalize but due to their size and living outside have shorter life less healthy years. Not a reason not to get one but I want to have my dogs for as long as I can! I see quite a few sheep farmers around here with them. I think it's a must because of the coyote population.
I have a pit a border collie Shepard mix. And a lab boxer mix all mine run everything off that comes in my yard. Sent from my SM-S906L using Tapatalk
really a mutt is what you want.. want a great mutt.. lab mixed with anything protective.. I've had a rottweiler black lab mix.. a Rescue was a great dog! love of a lab with the protective of a rott. yup border collies are all work all the time.. in general, girl dogs will stay close to home and family.. boy dogs like to walk property lines and umm mark their territory so put that in your thought process also.. good luck!
Labs are my favorite, next is the boxer. Labs will drive other animals off, they bark. Mine labs don't bite. Like warned before, they are puppy behavior for at least 2 years. Give them lots to chew on and shave your furniture, shoes, etc. My labs are members of my family. I won't tolerate anyone being harsh with them. I have six indoor cats, Everyone gets along well.
My pit is only 7 months old. And omg do I wanna shoot her sometimes lol. Wouldn't do it but Dam if she ain't inside right on my lap she is not happy. She will Yelp an bark till you let her in. My lab mix is 16 years old so all she does is sleep and eat lol the border collie mix is 4 years old and he barks at anything that moves. Sent from my SM-S906L using Tapatalk
Thanks for the ideas and your input on different breeds. Its been quite a few years since I have bought a dog and was surprised how even if its a mutt they still want good money for them.
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss what you really want and need. They may know someone who is looking to sell/give away one. They also may have some recommendations as to who has quality puppy's and what rescues to avoid. I have a German Shepherd European bloodlines could not ask for anything better except to shed less! My choice was between her and an English lab. I have know both breeders for several years and knew the parents were health, well socialized and very well cared for. Growing up we had several mutts that were great pets I would not have traded them for anything.
