Need Ideas for a dog - specfic concerns

[saddina]

First let me say, I am not a dog person, i've had several growing up and well.... not my thing. (this could be due to my sister wanting dogs, and poo clean up being my "chore" never mind that I didn't want the dog because i'd already scooped up hampster poo, cleaned fish tanks, and all of her other animal related tasks).

Hubby and I are looking at buying a place out of town in the fall. We live on the edge of the desert, and coyotes come with the whole out of town package. He is insisting we get a dog (he'll shovel all applicible waste, he does with the cats he wanted now), as he's not interested in free ranging coyotes near our kids. So i need ideas for breeds to look at that are:

1. Good with kids, calm, pacient
2. Not bird dogs (I did have 2 cockers with an ex hubby, loved them, but he kept them when we annulled it)
3. Smart & trainable (I have no qualms putting in training time, I just don't want to try to untrain something a dog is predisposed to.
4. Shorter haired (summer tops 100 most days, I don't want a pooch to get heat stroke)
5. Large enough to do it's job (protect the kids/animals from other 4 legged beasts)

I guess part of the issue is when I look at breeds of working dogs all seem to be of the hairy/fluffy sort, and i'm worried they'll not thrive here. My college roomie had a siberian husky, that dog was darn near perfect, but that coat in this heat would equal misery.

 

[nzpouter]

amstaff.. or american bulldog...

 

[Opa]

You might want to take a look at a Blue Heeler. Smart, easy keeper

 

[BorderKelpie]

My Kelpies do a great job playing LGDs. They are med. sized, smooth coated, high (very high) energy - but very easily trained, and best of all (to me, at least) they don't get their feelings hurt if you don't pet them 24/7. They are loyal and loving without being 'in your face' lapdogs. Independant, but loyal and amazingly smart- perfect.
This is where I got 3 of mine:

http://www.hnrworkingkelpies.com/

 

[scrambledmess]

Smart usually equals "I need a job or I will destroy everything." There may be a breed out there that this doesn't mean this for, but um... yeah, usually means it.

Here is a site that will let you put in what you need in a dog and will give you a couple suggestions:

http://www.eukanuba.com/EukGlobal/G...Selector.jsp?gclid=CNLviczvwJsCFRNinAodtUDXBA

 

[annanicole18]

i second the potential of an amstaff. they are amazingly intelligent dogs have great personalities are protective of their space while letting know people and animals in. i got two new chickens yesterday and my amstaff mix was persuing one of them that got out like it was another predator not prey. he protects our property but lets my parents, hubby's parents, my friends that come over often and my 8 year old neice and 4 year old nephew in. i have a lab and while she is a sweet dog she is lacking in brains no offense to lab owners but she takes four times as long to learn than he does and he is half her age. Really anydog would prolly do what you are looking for but it would really depend on the personality of the dog some goldens and labs are protective but that seems to be rarer in those breeds than in most of the working dogs.

 

[DiVon80]

Quote:
I agree w this kelpie or Aust. Cattle Dog. I would raise 2 (Boy and a girl) Spay the girl keep the boy intact. If you are worring about coyotes. They are generally packs of coyotes. You will need more then one dog.. Smart is just what you need!

Keep in mind the history of the breed you are interested in. You are near the desert hot/dry. these bull type breeds do not do well w heat. Think about the outback of Aust. The dingo!

 

[morelcabin]

I vote boxer...short hair, intellegent, protective but never mean, great with young children, and will guard your hens too, but they need 2-3 years to mature to the point of being all this.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Heelers are fabulous, but they need to be kept busy or boredom in a young dog leads to trouble.

Our Heeler didnt have anything to 'heel' so he would heel our 6 year old daughter and she got so she wouldnt go outside anymore. She did not want to be his herd. Funny now, but terrible then.

Ended up rehoming him to a farmer who was going to work him on his cattle ranch.

JMHO

 

[vicki2x2]

How about a doberman? Short haired, working background, good with kids, easily trained, not hyper. I had similar guidelines when my daughter was searching for a new dog for 4-H to show, though mine also included must be also good with other dogs and I preferred medium sized. She picked a doberman, who met all the requirements except size. She is now 7, and is a wonderful dog, we don't regret getting her.