Which dog breed?

[Kat2141]

My Standard Poodle is great with my chickens.

he is beautiful - and very photogenic

 

[Conan]

Having finally settled into our “forever house” (after 22 years and 15 homes while active duty military) we are ready to get a puppy. For years I’ve been wanting a standard size poodle (had some great experiences with them growing up), but after a few hikes around our 11 acres I’m doubting the wisdom of a curly-coated dog in an area full of sticktights (not sure what the real name is, they are tiny oval burrs that stick to fuzzy stuff, they wipe right off jeans and our slick coated miniature pinscher).

A little about us: we are a family of three and our daughter is 17. We have a min-pin (8yrs. old) and a cat (3) both of which live indoors. We will eventually have chickens, dwarf Nigerian goats, and bees. We live on 11 acres approximately 2 of which will be fenced off as a “yard”. We specifically want a puppy because we feel like our min-pin would adapt better to a puppy than an adult dog. We want something easy-going, snuggly (min-pins are fun, and funny, but not snuggly!), friendly, with a low prey drive, and easy to train. We are open to all sizes but would prefer something larger than the min-pin but not much bigger than a golden

I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Everyone has their favorite... which is why you should go with yours. Get that standard poodle! Invest in a really nice dog grooming kit and you'll be good to go.

OR, get a Doberman. Talk about people pleasers. They'll do anything to make you happy. Completely ignore the chickens walking under them, let the cats harass them, let the ducks noodle their toes. While an active breed, they tend to exert themselves appropriately (playing with other dogs or just running in circles). Give them boundaries and they have the finest house manners of any dog (other than that standard poodle you so covet).
I'd never recommend a pit. I've had mine for 13 years. Never again. I love my girl, but I wouldn't wish her on anyone. I know that there are good ones, but a pack animal bred to fight its own is not a dog I trust as far as I can throw it.

 

[Folly's place]

My one Doberman showed me that it's not the breed for me. It was like a very needy toddler, always wanting to be a large lap dog. Nice, but just not independent enough. They have health issues to avoid (who doesn't?) but can be wonderful for the right person.
I think medium to large will be a better choice for a farm, so safer from coyotes at least.
Mary

 

[Clubber1234]

Daisy is adorable

thanks

 

[we3ernes]

Congrats on your forever home!
Down in Texas you have access to some really awesome Aussie breeders. I'm on my second one, and he is from working lines. He is laid-back/lazy, never needs grooming and stays in his territory. I stress, study the breeders and get working lines and don't get a mini Aussie! they are cross breeds with a lot of physical problems. Visit ASCA to help find breeders. Asca.org
Who could resist?

I’ve always heard that Aussie were “one person” dogs, that they might extend their graces to a whole family, but not beyond that. Have you found that to be true?

 

[we3ernes]

My current boy, Ben, is not trustworthy around the chickens. He's also the most dominant dog I've ever met in my life. VERY different from the other 4.

This is what concerns me about Dobies, I might be able to handle a dominant dog, but I know my daughter could not. She has trouble getting the min pin to listen.

 

[we3ernes]

But I really love the smarts of a poodle. Just don’t cut him like a marshmallow on a stick okay??
Best wishes

No problem! The only way I could get my husband to look at poodles was by showing him lamb cuts, he was much more impressed then!

 

[we3ernes]

My boxer is amazing with my chickens and NG goats
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We had a boxer, man I loved that dog. She passed away early (only 5) and she still was a puppy at heart. How do you think they’d do with the Nigerian dwarfs and the chickens? Our boxer never met a cat (or dog or kid) that she didn’t love to chase. She just loved that game. She wasn’t mean at all and when she “caught” you she’d turn around and run off for you to chase her.

 

[we3ernes]

Maybe if your looking for an energetic dog, you should get a border collie. These dogs are very energetic and love to play.

It is funny you should say this. I was looking locally at breeders and there is one that breeds her standard poodle with her border collie. The pictures are adorable, but I’d love to see some grown ones. The smaller size would appeal, but I’m not sure about the level of energy.

 

[we3ernes]

Collies are fabulous!! This is Beau. He is great with chickens, very gentle with chicks, and is very well behaved for the most part. We never had to teach him not to jump up on people or the couch. He’s quite obedient, and, as collies are, very smart. He is a smooth coat (as opposed to rough coat, which is long, like lassie) and so no worrying about being all scraggly and full of burrs. He is also a great protector of our home and of my chickens. He keeps deer (and thus deer ticks, for the most part) off of our property.
(The sable collie is his “girlfriend” that comes to stay while her family is out of town, her name is Sadie and she is a great dog!)
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Beau is beautiful! I’ve never seen (or heard of) a smooth coated collie. I’m going to do some research on them....