help in picking out a new dog

[gracierooster]

REba is a mixed of something, we didn't know what as she was found on the road. The vet thought she was some sort of hound mix but I saw a picture of a pointer and I thought it looked a bit like her

 

[gracierooster]

A great dane is probably out of our budget!! I hear they eat a lot?

 

[gracierooster]

Thanks for all your support. We will probably go with a rescue as all our animals are rescues but perhaps one with a lab mix.

 

[Firefly1v]

I love my Maremma. They are great with the chickens, goats and other dogs. Mine was 3 when I got her and she is so sweet with everything. Have not had any predator problems since I got her or unwelcome guests either.

They are about the size of a large golden retriever, but white.

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[OurLittlebitRanch]

Just lost my 9 year old hound dog Reba, she had abcesses on her kidneys and we didn't allow her to wake up after exploratory surgery last Sunday. She was a good girl, we found her 8 years ago running down the middle of the road in a snowstorm. We advertised and advertised but no one claimed her. She was a wonderful girl, loved to swimming on our creek and was so gentile around the chickens. She liked to prowl and we felt very comfortable knowing her doggie door went into the chicken yard.
Now that she's gone, we are starting to worry about predators. We live in the woods, fox, weasle, mink, skunk and racoon country. The only reason I think we haven't lost anyone yet is because of the dogs. Nikki, another stray is 14 and hearing imparied and somewhat blind. The other three have passed in the last few years, all from old age ailments. We need a dog to help with the freerange chickens yet they need to be part of the family. (our bed, or multiplle doggie beds around the house, snacks, rides in the car, that kind of dog) Any ideas???

So Sorry for your loss. We lost one of our dogs last summer, she was 17!! Right after she died a bobcat and then a bear got into our hen house and killed all but one hen. almost 40 chickens
She was a standard Aussie. She was great around all of the animals and the kids. She was great inside but really loved to be outside and she HATED coyotes. She kept everything away, even the neighbor if you wanted her to! She was a very loving and loyal dog. After having her in our lives for that long it was really devastating when she died.
Because of her, we actually started breeding Aussies, well Mini Aussies. They are great dogs, very smart. Learn quickly, loyal, and are great indoors and out.............but they are active (as most puppies are) and need a "job" to keep them busy.
I also have a Border Collie. I wouldn't trade her for anything!
Good luck in your search.

 

[centrarchid]

I love my Maremma. They are great with the chickens, goats and other dogs. Mine was 3 when I got her and she is so sweet with everything. Have not had any predator problems since I got her or unwelcome guests either.

They are about the size of a large golden retriever, but white.

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You need to stress cold tolerant which will be important to OP. And well suited to job desired.

 

[gracierooster]

HEChicken, Sounds like the way to go, thanks. I looked today at some websites but I feel like such a traitor, she has only been gone a week.

 

[Firefly1v]

You need to stress cold tolerant which will be important to OP. And well suited to job desired.

Good point but didn't think about it because we are in Florida. They do well in the heat and rain.

 

[nzpouter]

sorry for your loss, we just adopted 2 dogs in the last 6 weeks after losing our 3 old ones in the last six months. Personally I always pick bully breeds for a pet and chicken guard...

The 2 we have now are on full on training mode... and so is the other animals around here as a jumpy prey animal can trigger chase instinct in your not so well trained dogs...

 

[AussieGirl]

So Sorry for your loss. We lost one of our dogs last summer, she was 17!! Right after she died a bobcat and then a bear got into our hen house and killed all but one hen. almost 40 chickens
She was a standard Aussie. She was great around all of the animals and the kids. She was great inside but really loved to be outside and she HATED coyotes. She kept everything away, even the neighbor if you wanted her to! She was a very loving and loyal dog. After having her in our lives for that long it was really devastating when she died.
Because of her, we actually started breeding Aussies, well Mini Aussies. They are great dogs, very smart. Learn quickly, loyal, and are great indoors and out.............but they are active (as most puppies are) and need a "job" to keep them busy.
I also have a Border Collie. I wouldn't trade her for anything!
Good luck in your search.

I have a aussie too but shes horrible around chickens and not the kind of dog that likes to be by herself.My great pyrenees is a better guard dog pertaining to leaving him alone and dealing with the intruders but with both dogs I have to keep hair brushed alot!!Also pertaining to aussie there is only "Australian Shepherd" the ones called minis havent been accepted yet in the AKC.(Just FYI)