Looking for the best breed for our family
- Thread starter merob
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I understand where you're coming from - I grew up in a very rural setting and know how it's a lot different from those that grow up in cities/towns.
I grew up with outside dogs. We only had 5 acres, but my parents fenced in about a 1/3 acre for the dogs. We lost both dogs by the time they were 3 - one to a truck on our road, and the other to an ice patch and a hard fall.
I would never own an outside dog again - I get too attached to pets and want them to be inside. Unfenced yards are an accident waiting to happen.
If you are set on an outside dog, you need to get a breed meant for that specific purpose, one that doesn't place the importance on you, but the herd it lives with. I would do some research on livestock guardian breeds and possibly find a working breeder of the sort that has proven dogs.
Good luck with your search!
I grew up with outside dogs. We only had 5 acres, but my parents fenced in about a 1/3 acre for the dogs. We lost both dogs by the time they were 3 - one to a truck on our road, and the other to an ice patch and a hard fall.
I would never own an outside dog again - I get too attached to pets and want them to be inside. Unfenced yards are an accident waiting to happen.
If you are set on an outside dog, you need to get a breed meant for that specific purpose, one that doesn't place the importance on you, but the herd it lives with. I would do some research on livestock guardian breeds and possibly find a working breeder of the sort that has proven dogs.
Good luck with your search!
Are you opposed to invisible fencing via an electric collar? Just something... anything... to keep a dog from crossing your property line and going toward the highway? Why spend the money and time on dogs over and over again just to watch them die? It seems like with what you've spent on dogs who have been killed, maybe you could've put in some fencing. 
Personally, I think the best farm dog in the world is a Collie, all around. Very sweet and gentle, yet protective, loyal and with a good alarm bark. However, Collies also have plenty of herding drive and would be very prone to chasing cars. They also want to be with their family 24/7.
Personally, I think the best farm dog in the world is a Collie, all around. Very sweet and gentle, yet protective, loyal and with a good alarm bark. However, Collies also have plenty of herding drive and would be very prone to chasing cars. They also want to be with their family 24/7.
^^That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Anyway, to answer the OP. First off, Buster was an absolutely adorable Australian Cattle Dog mix! I think the only genes he got from his Cocker mom was the drop ear.
Second, you can train dogs to stay away from the road. My grandmother had a farm while I was growing up and all of her dogs were outside only, never tethered, etc. She'd had everything from random mutts, to an American Eskimo, to a Border Collie and a Lab. The Border Collie was the only one to actually make it long enough to die of old age though. The Eskie came close, but slid on the ice one year right out onto the road and just the wrong time. So you have to understand that while you can train a dog to stay out of the road, you're always going to have that risk that one time, they'll break their training and that will be the one time they get hit. You can minimize the risk by installing an invisible boundary fence along the front of the property by the road and training them to that, assuming the dog won't one day try to follow the fence to it's end point.
It's a calculated risk, having loose working dogs and living by a busy road. I'm sure that the OP and their family will be outside most of the day like any farmer, so the dog will have plenty of attention and interaction?
I would stick with either herders (easy to train, less likely to go wandering off) and livestock guardian dogs like Pyrenees, etc. They stick with their charges for the most part and aren't usually too inclined to go wandering about. They can, however, misinterpret things, like cars, as threats and move to deal with it in their way. In the case of dog vs. car though, car will always win.
Anyway, to answer the OP. First off, Buster was an absolutely adorable Australian Cattle Dog mix! I think the only genes he got from his Cocker mom was the drop ear.
Second, you can train dogs to stay away from the road. My grandmother had a farm while I was growing up and all of her dogs were outside only, never tethered, etc. She'd had everything from random mutts, to an American Eskimo, to a Border Collie and a Lab. The Border Collie was the only one to actually make it long enough to die of old age though. The Eskie came close, but slid on the ice one year right out onto the road and just the wrong time. So you have to understand that while you can train a dog to stay out of the road, you're always going to have that risk that one time, they'll break their training and that will be the one time they get hit. You can minimize the risk by installing an invisible boundary fence along the front of the property by the road and training them to that, assuming the dog won't one day try to follow the fence to it's end point.
It's a calculated risk, having loose working dogs and living by a busy road. I'm sure that the OP and their family will be outside most of the day like any farmer, so the dog will have plenty of attention and interaction?
I would stick with either herders (easy to train, less likely to go wandering off) and livestock guardian dogs like Pyrenees, etc. They stick with their charges for the most part and aren't usually too inclined to go wandering about. They can, however, misinterpret things, like cars, as threats and move to deal with it in their way. In the case of dog vs. car though, car will always win.
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OP, I really don't think you're going to get a lot of help on this subject from this forum... this topic is just not our speciality.
I'd suggest talking to some people in a similar living situation as you, about what kind of dog they have and what temperment qualities to look for in a dog. Don't focus on what breed they have, as there are differences even within breeds, but really focus on what personality of dog will fit for you and go from there.
Personally, I would never be able to train a dog to stay out of the road 100% of the time the rest of his life. And, IMO, if you find a dog that might be able to do that, he will not be a good herder/guardian.
I'd suggest talking to some people in a similar living situation as you, about what kind of dog they have and what temperment qualities to look for in a dog. Don't focus on what breed they have, as there are differences even within breeds, but really focus on what personality of dog will fit for you and go from there.
Personally, I would never be able to train a dog to stay out of the road 100% of the time the rest of his life. And, IMO, if you find a dog that might be able to do that, he will not be a good herder/guardian.
This forum, in fact, has been very helpful. If I knew better place to go with questions who understood our situation better I would be glad to take my questions there...any suggestions?
Can invisible fencing be put on only one side of the property? I thought it had to be a closed circuit. That would be a possibility if the dog does not have a wander lust! I will check on that the next time I'm in town!
I'm not concerned about my children and biting with sharp puppy teeth. That is a temporary and certainly a dog can be trained not to bite. Least of my concerns really. I just don't need a breed that is aggressive toward small children.
We thought he might be a blue/red healer mix. I think you must be right I didn't realize how distinct the markings were! Those ears really is what made us think beagle. He was so sweet! And he loved to obey. He would hold a treat on his nose and wait for me to give the word.
I realize it is a risk for even a trained dog. But life and loving is a risk. I risk losing my husband each day as he goes out to work all I can do it is ask him to be careful and come back to us. And leave him in the hands of the God I have learned to trust.
Thank you for all your help. I feel better prepared to look for a dog and if the fence will work to protect a dog. I will keep researching both dogs and solutions.
With much appreciation to all!!!
Can invisible fencing be put on only one side of the property? I thought it had to be a closed circuit. That would be a possibility if the dog does not have a wander lust! I will check on that the next time I'm in town!
I'm not concerned about my children and biting with sharp puppy teeth. That is a temporary and certainly a dog can be trained not to bite. Least of my concerns really. I just don't need a breed that is aggressive toward small children.
We thought he might be a blue/red healer mix. I think you must be right I didn't realize how distinct the markings were! Those ears really is what made us think beagle. He was so sweet! And he loved to obey. He would hold a treat on his nose and wait for me to give the word.
I realize it is a risk for even a trained dog. But life and loving is a risk. I risk losing my husband each day as he goes out to work all I can do it is ask him to be careful and come back to us. And leave him in the hands of the God I have learned to trust.
Thank you for all your help. I feel better prepared to look for a dog and if the fence will work to protect a dog. I will keep researching both dogs and solutions.
With much appreciation to all!!!
Yes, we take many risks every day. However, we are humans and we know better than to put ourselves purposely in a dangerous situation. 'God' isn't going to protect your dog from running into the road and being hit by a car.
My advice to you is either fence in your property or don't get a dog. Why do you even want a dog if you're okay with killing them over and over again?
My advice to you is either fence in your property or don't get a dog. Why do you even want a dog if you're okay with killing them over and over again?
Obviously you did not read all the posts. Not going to go into it again, but thanks for the advice. I will however state again that the reason I'm researching and asking question is to avoid this happening again to the best of our ability. And you are wrong about God not protecting.
New Living Translation (©2007)
What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matthew 10:29
A farmer is in Iowa during a flood. The river is overflowing, with water surrounding the farmer's home up to his front porch. As he is standing there, a boat comes up, The man in the boat says "Jump in, I'll take you to safety."
The farmer crosses his arms and says stubbornly, "Nope, I put my trust in God."
The boat goes away. The water rises to the second floor. Another boat comes up, the man says to the farmer who is now in the second story window, "Jump in, I'll save you."
The farmer again says, "Nope, I put my trust in God."
The boat goes away. Now the water is up to the roof. As The farmer stands on the roof, a helicopter comes over, and drops a ladder. The pilot yells down to the farmer "I'll save you, climb the ladder."
The farmer says "Nope, I put my trust in God."
The helicopter goes away. The water comtinues to rise and sweeps the farmer off the roof. He drowns.
The farmer goes to heaven. God sees him and says "What are you doing here?"
The farmer says "I put my trust in you and you let me down."
God says, "What do you mean, let you down? I sent you two boats and a helicopter!!!"
Please fence your yard or don't get a dog.
The farmer crosses his arms and says stubbornly, "Nope, I put my trust in God."
The boat goes away. The water rises to the second floor. Another boat comes up, the man says to the farmer who is now in the second story window, "Jump in, I'll save you."
The farmer again says, "Nope, I put my trust in God."
The boat goes away. Now the water is up to the roof. As The farmer stands on the roof, a helicopter comes over, and drops a ladder. The pilot yells down to the farmer "I'll save you, climb the ladder."
The farmer says "Nope, I put my trust in God."
The helicopter goes away. The water comtinues to rise and sweeps the farmer off the roof. He drowns.
The farmer goes to heaven. God sees him and says "What are you doing here?"
The farmer says "I put my trust in you and you let me down."
God says, "What do you mean, let you down? I sent you two boats and a helicopter!!!"
Please fence your yard or don't get a dog.
umm.. trusting God really isnt enough.
with the right precautions, invisible fence and lots and lots of training, I do believe it CAN work but you are going to have to work very very hard with it. trusting God really is NOT enough. This is NOT the safest situation for any dog to be in, with no fence and a road right there.. its honestly an accident waiting to happen if you not willing to put the work in to make sure another dog doesnt die.
with the right precautions, invisible fence and lots and lots of training, I do believe it CAN work but you are going to have to work very very hard with it. trusting God really is NOT enough. This is NOT the safest situation for any dog to be in, with no fence and a road right there.. its honestly an accident waiting to happen if you not willing to put the work in to make sure another dog doesnt die.
As I'm sure many of you do; I no longer feel like this forum is helpful. It has been, but we are receiving the same comments that we have a already gone over so I will be unsubscribing. There is no sense in arguing which is what this is becoming. Thank you for all you who gave helpful suggestions without demanding that I think and live the way you do. I look forward to using the suggestions I have gained and "working very hard" to have another dog. The rest, whether we like it or not, is up to the One who created us.
Proverbs 11:12 and 14
"He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace. 14 Where there is no counsel the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."
I will hold my peace on the rest and take the good counsel I have received.
THANK YOU!
Proverbs 11:12 and 14
"He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace. 14 Where there is no counsel the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."
I will hold my peace on the rest and take the good counsel I have received.
THANK YOU!