Thinking about getting another dog..... *UPDATE post 19*

[coreybee]

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But please, oh please don't buy a puppy online! Please visit a reputable shelter or reputable breeder who health tests their breeding stock. JM2C.

 

[NottinghamChicks]

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Totally agree! Poodles are amazing and I have found anything crossed with a poodle is great. Cockapoos for instance are almost perfect animals and I know severeal people with them. Labradoodles are also great animals if you can find one

 

[HEChicken]

How funny - your post is very similar to a thread I started on here just a couple of weeks ago. And what's really funny is that your list of doggy requirements is almost the same as mine too. You can see my thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=526222&p=1
Many people recommended border collies to me and if you scroll through to my updated post, you will see a pic of the dog we ended up with. I am still completely thrilled with her and really appreciated the advice of my fellow BYC'ers. Since our requirements are similar, you might find it interesting to read the thread in its entirety as I think much of the advice/recommendations will be applicable to you as well.

 

[NewMommy123]

You can't go wrong with Boxers! I have two of them and they even let the chicks run in between their legs. Although, you do have to start training them when their young, I have found that they also are great flock guardians. My male dog, Ringer, once chased off a dog about twice his size because the dog was chasing our chickens! I was soooo proud of him

They are loyal and great with kids, cats they will have to grow up with though unless you can find an adult dog that has been living with cats for a while. Hope this helps!

 

[Lothiriel]

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But please, oh please don't buy a puppy online! Please visit a reputable shelter or reputable breeder who health tests their breeding stock. JM2C.

We plan to get one from a shelter - and meet it before committing to buy. No online purchases I assure you!

We actually aren't huge fans of poodles...

Sorry. It's probably because of my aunt's toy poodle who's really horrible... And we don't wany to spend a lot of time and money taking it to the groomer.

HEChicken, that was a great thread! Lots of info. Your new dog is so pretty - she looks a lot like our lab/husky cross Daisy - only Daisy wasn't a BC. I'm so glad you got her and are happy.

NewMommy123, Ringer sounds amazing! I can imagine how proud you were. Boxers are beginning to sound quite appealing to me!

All these choices... Wow... But I'm looking forward to any more replies!

Oh, and the guard dog part would be for both chickens and us - there have been quite a few robberied and break-ins around here, and my dad's a truck driver so he's not home most of the time. We'd all feel safer with a good, brave guard dog.

 

[Lothiriel]

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Right, no terriers, beagles, hounds, etc. We're looking really hard to find some mix of the breeds... Aussie, German Shepherd, maybe even Boxer now.

My dad grew up with Cocker spaniels... They look so nice, but their ears aren't the easiest things to take care of I've read and heard. And some members of my family don't really like them. So I'm afraid they're not a choice for us.

On a side note, it's funny how my opinion of dogs has changed over just the past week and a half! My dream dog was a harlequin Dane. No other dog would suit me. I'm now beginning to change my mind. I used to think Boxers were bad dogs (I was probably mixing them up with the classic bulldog). Now they sound great. Aussies are amazing, and German Shepherds... Ahh.. Decisions, decisions!

 

[misty51]

I have a dog that I rescued a month ago that is up for adoption. I don't know what breed he is but he is chicken friendly and gets along great with my 4 dogs and cat. He is 7-8 months old and is just a happy dog who loves his bell rubbed! We live in north florida but we can ship him!!

 

[Dutchgirl]

We actually aren't huge fans of poodles... hmm Sorry. It's probably because of my aunt's toy poodle who's really horrible... And we don't wany to spend a lot of time and money taking it to the groomer.

Okay.

I understand about that... people who have only met horrible small poodles think they're all bad. Standard poodles have a completely different disposition.

And... ours has never visited the groomer. True, it's a job to shave him, but it's well worth the experience and cost to do that.

Also, they're hypoallergenic.

As an alternative I guess I would recommend a poodle mix or a Portuguese Water Dog. Not to push you, though.

 

[Lothiriel]

Just thought I'd let you guys know... WE GOT A PUPPY!! We'd been going back and forth for weeks between German, English, and Australian Shepherds. We went last week to see ES puppies, and today we went to see some Aussies. It was love at first sight. There was a little (well, figuratively speaking -- he's a chunky guy) tricolor male, and he has eyes the color of blue sky... So we bought him. I LOVE HIM TO PIECES!!! He is 6 weeks old -- mom wouldn't let the puppies nurse anymore so they had to go. He's very playful and spunky, not to mention 100% perfectly adorable...

He's still without a name -- my mom suggested Sky because of his eyes. It'll probably be as bad as picking a name for a heifer! (Inside and long story I won't bore you with.

)

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Aww!

He's adorable! Congratulations!