thinking of getting a dog......breed help required?

[spish]

for years we've talked about getting a dog...more so over the last few weeks...so my research begins with personal reccomendations of breeds suitable for my family


we are a family of 5 ...me, OH, 2 sons (10 and 7) and DD (nearly 5) so have to be a suitable 'family' dog
we live out in the middle of nowhere...its all fields, but we have animals...lots. chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese,guineapigs, rabbits, cats, a donkey etc so it needs to be a breed that can be tought not to chase and kill small animals/chickens (is that something that can be taught or is there certain breeds with a lower 'prey' drive?)
we also want them to deter thieves/burglars. we're a pretty easy target out here alone...the house is big and old and we wouldnt hear if someone came in downstairs to be honest.
we dont want a great big huge slobbery type dog, nor any that require lots of grooming (every brush is no probs but nothing that requires weekly clipping or whatever) nor do we want any small yap constantly little yorky types

I walk, a lot, in the fields and woods, so it would also be nice to have some four footed company on my walks...so a dog that likes lots of exercise.


do such dogs exist? a family friendly, wont chase livestock, will guard the house, likes long walks one?

i know certain breeds are better at certain 'tasks' so thought id ask on here for opinions.
also which would be best...adopting an already adult dog from the shelter or raising a pup to our 'needs'
it will be taken to obiedience classes,training/dog school.
we're looking to add the addition in the new year so i have plenty of time still to research breeds.

i've owned dogs before, but they've always been 'adult' dogs given by someone who was havig trouble looking after them. sadly when i moved to belgium my remaining dog (an old JR) had to be left with family...but although she was a brilliant family dog..she was destructive, yappy, always barking, and tearing things up. And if she saw a cat/rat/bird/anything small, she'd be after it like a shot.
id taken her in when she was around 7 and no matter how hard we tried (i had her for just over 4 years) we couldnt change her ways. my parents ended up surrendering her to the rspca not long after i left. im hoping the rspca tried to find her a home and not euthanised her due to her elderly years approaching

i remember growing up all my aunts/uncles had german shepherds, and i absolutly adore that breed of dog. so my research naturally started with those. but it seems over the years the breed is no longer what it used to be...quite often having problems with their back and legs due to bad breeding?

so really as a start im just looking atpeoples own opinions on breeds and what they can do.......let me hear your thoughts

 

[dainerra]

German Shepherds all the way!

Find a good breeder who works/titles their dogs and does all the necessary health tests. A good breeder will match you with a puppy that fits your needs, be there to answer questions and offer advice for the life of your dog. I own 2 GSDs. The oldest, Rayden, has bad hips and a 'too friendly' personality. He is from a so-so breeder who loves her dogs to death, but I didn't know how to tell a good breeder 8 years ago. My baby, Singe, is from a working line breeder (Czech dogs). Titles, health testing, puppy that perfectly fits into our home and what I plan to do with him. Now, of course, being living creatures, there is always a chance that the most health-tested litter will develop a problem, but it really stacks the deck in your favor! Don't just check the health of the parents; a good breeder should know Grandparents, but also aunts/uncles/cousins etc

I don't leave my GSDs outside; they are a herding breed meant to work closely with their families. My dogs are well-trained. Singe (7 mths old) has finally learned that the chickens aren't for bowling, but I still don't trust him around the bunnies. Again, a good breeder will be able to say "this pup has a lower prey drive" Having kids at home, socialize socialize socialize! Teach "leave it"! I can call Rayden off of any varmint/intruder or scent. Singe, well it's a work in progress

You could easily find a slightly older dog through rescue. You would know if the dog has hip/back problems. You would know that the dog has a history of being good with kids/pets/livestock.

With a GSD, there is a chance that just long walks wouldn't be enough exercise. You've really got to get that brain tired out too! But, it's not that hard if you put the effort into it. A bit of obedience in the back yard, spend some time playing hide&seek with the kids - a tired puppy is a good puppy!!

Rayden knows the difference between the wild bunnies (food) and our pets as well.

 

[justbugged]

Anatolian Shepard, or Belgian Malinois

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

i remember growing up all my aunts/uncles had german shepherds, and i absolutly adore that breed of dog. so my research naturally started with those. but it seems over the years the breed is no longer what it used to be...quite often having problems with their back and legs due to bad breeding?

Backyard bred GSDs yes, this is absolutely true. But there are lots of GOOD GSDs out there if you look in the right place and not the local newspaper. Find yourself a working club. Members there who are breeders will test for everything under the sun. Good site http://www.shawlein.com/c_the_breed/shawlein_standard.htm to help you educate yourself about the different types of GSDs being bred and how to recognize a good one. Working dogs http://www.germanshepherddog.com/ site with lots of good information. There are lots of good GSDs being bred today BUT you have to educate yourself to recognize them.

I've have competed in schutzhund with GSDs and Dobies for many, many years. I have never bred; however, I never had a problem acquiring good puppies. They ARE out there.

BTW, you will find problems in MOST of the breeds today due to poor breeding/overbreeding/backyard breeding. Whatever breed you finally decide on, go to a reputable breeder via the breed club or a working club. And expect to pay for quality. Most good breeders test their own dogs and ask you to follow through with testing for the pups since this is usually done around 2 years of age. At the very least expect to have to complete the OFA testing on any puppy you buy.

HTH


Rusty​

 

[Peaches Lee]

Doberman!! I had Dobies growing up and they were the best dogs. Good with the cats, horses (and chickens before the neighbors dog wiped out the entire flock when I was little). They are fantastic with children. Just their 'look' deters people, they don't have to anything for that effect.

After they passed on we went to English Mastiff and have been disappointed with the breed--they don't hold a candle to the Doberman. Our Dobies really took to being farm dogs. They would follow the hay baler all day, loved runs in the woods, I would take them into the woods on horseback and they had excellent obedience and recall. My next dog will be a Dobie but I have been looking at the Beauceron simply because they have a longer coat, our winters are harsh for the thin coated Dobes.

Good luck with your search and I hope you find the dog you are looking for!!

 

[yinepu]

My vote would be for German Shepherds, Dobermans.. or possibly a Labrador.. but just remember.. a lab puppy must have EVERYTHING in it's mouth... which is one way to teach your kids to pick up their shoes and put their toys away!

 

[carolinagirl58]

Living in Belguim, you should have access to some great working bloodlines of GSD! For low prey drive, consider any of the livestock guardian breeds. They are great watch dogs, wary of strangers, no prey drive and love children. I chose Anatolian Shepherd dogs for my family/sheep guardians but I am not sure if that breed is available there. There are many other LGD breeds abailable though, since most all countries have their own version.

 

[dainerra]

Quote:
Those are 2 VERY different breeds of dogs. An anatolian is bred to be independent; a livestock guardian that stays out alone patroling. A mal is bred to work one onone with their handler.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

I thought immediately of a German Shorthair or Wirehair pointer.

 

[arabianequine]

A saint bernard is what I picked and recommend.