All around farm dog breed recommendations

[cassie]

We recently lost our border collie and are looking for a new pup. We have chickens (of course) and now also...sheep, cows, and are looking into pigs and other poultry (chicken math!!) I'd like breed suggestions for a great all-round farm dog. We want a dog that is highly trainable, very intelligent, and is able to eventually develop a good sense about what is happening on the farm. One that will be a loyal friend and one that will have a watchful eye on the homestead. Our BC had many of these traits. However, as much as I loved our her, there were some issues. Mainly that she was overly friendly with everyone. It was hard to have people over because she just would not leave guests alone; sometimes she'd even get in their cars and try to go home with them! Same with UPS delivery trucks. For our next dog, we're hoping for one that is a bit more reserved/loyal. Our BC was from show lines and was very charismatic, but had zero herding instinct. That lack of herding instinct actually turned out to be a good thing because we spend a lot of time with our livestock and don't need them herded. Some of the breeds I've been considering are: Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and English Shepherd. I'd love to hear others' experiences with these breeds. Or suggestions for others that I may not have yet considered.

You might want to consider a Standard Poodle. They are smart and readily trainable.

 

[Supercow]

Hovawart they come in three different colours, some have less fur

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovawart

(I know I'm late to the thread but) Hovawarts with less fur sound questionable... It is true that they have no undercoat but that goes for all the colors.

There is a noticeable difference in the East-German Vs. the West-German version of the Hovawart breed. The Eastern type are true working dogs with a very strong chest while the Western type has a more balanced build. Our Bellfast was an Ossie and Orianna is a Wessie.

Brilliant dogs. Watchful but not aggressive. They usually act as a repellent for bad guys by looks alone

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sheltie.

 

[BigBlueHen53]