What is Your Idea of the Perfect Farm Dog

[reallemons1]

Our best farm dog was Daisy, a 3/4 Collie 1/4 lab. She alerted us to anything unusual or that didn't belong like other dogs, hawks, wild animals, and injured or excaped livestock. She protected our animals, us and our kids and was always on the job. She was with us for 12 years and though I have looked for about 10 years now (and continue to look) for another like her, I think she was exceptional and cannot be replaced.

 

[love-my-wolves]

My best farm dog is Lucy. She is a classic mutt. I think she has some doxie in her. She never even sniffs at the chicks, as a matter of fact, if I let them free range, she goes in the run and sleeps!!! She barks at strangers, guards the house, keeps out pests, and is a great dog, but she is not an indoor dog. She is very fear aggressive if cornered. She was highly abused as a pup. We got her as a rescue. She is highly attached to my middle DD. Oh, and she is very Alpha around other females!!!! But, my yard would never be the same without her!!!!

Steph

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

border collieXshetland sheepdog
I love border collies but they are too hyper for me. I also like shelties but they are really small. So (even though I've never met a breed of that cross) I think that would be the perfect farmdog.

 

[greyhorsewoman]

Pembroke Welsh Corgi. My current one is my 'best buddy' and is easily blending in with the farm. She really is responsive and wants to do please. She loves the goats and horses, get the geese off the road or away from strangers. She cuddles with us at night and keeps a watchful eye from her 'perch' when in the house.

Willow ~

 

[Florida chick]

Our Great Pyrenees brothers take the cake and the icecream too! THEY are the best dogs we have ever had. They have saved countless birds! We have 9 dogs total BTW

Their names are Leo and Orion. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/DSCN1043_193.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/DSCN0845_004.jpg

 

[glowworm]

Get another Aussie! I have 3 aussies ranging in age from 14 to 2. They are great with other animals ( I even have a couple cockatiels and they can be on the floor together) and one of them is a great herding dog. If not a aussie, a border collie would be another good choice.

I think the key, in any breed of dog that you choose, is get one from lines that the parents/grandparents etc. have all been ranch dogs. They will not hurt your animals but make it their job to protect.

-Elise

P.S. Not sure if your boy Jake was intact, but intact males are know for roaming and leaving the property. If you get a male make sure you neuter.

 

[fowltemptress]

Great Pyrenees or Anatolian Shepherds are fantastic guards with giant hearts. I doubt you could force them to molest a chicken. With other dog breeds it tends to depend on the individual and the training, but you'd be hard pressed to find a Great Pyrenees without the great farm dog characteristics already ingrained in them.

 

[Beekissed]

Florida, those are beautiful dogs!!!!! You know, when I got my Lucy (lab/pyrenees mix) the vet told me he felt she was a pure bred lab. The more I see pics of GPs, the more I feel she has more of that than Lab in her! However, she does go on point....not particularly a GP trait, I don't think.

I think everyone will have different opinions about what breeds make the best farm dog, but they all seem to agree on the best and most desirable traits:

Protects livestock
Does not harm livestock
Good guard dog
Good family/kids dog
Stays on duty, doesn't traipse off for days at a time.
No deer chasing, sheep chasing, cattle chasing, chicken chasing for fun!
Smart, easy to train, obedient to commands.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

As much as I love them and can't live w/o them, I highly recommend AGAINST Great Danes! I have 4 of them, and #1 had a HARD drive to kill (lost count of the # she's killed) #2 used to just want to play, but killed his 1st the other day #3 Has just picked up the drive...but it's mostly a want to play and play too hard til their dead #4 WAS scared to death of hurting them and has picked up the bad habbits of the others.
So, go w/an aussie, our aussie lab is a great herder of birds when they escape. BUT my collieX is a duck killer.
There's my 2cents.

 

[Carole AM]

Here's our perfect farm dog. We've had other breeds and mixes, and by far, she is the best! She is a rescue--part collie and part Belgian Tevuren.
Brandi just turned a year old.