We recently lost our border collie and are looking for a new pup. We have chickens (of course) and now also...sheep, cows, and are looking into pigs and other poultry (chicken math!!) I'd like breed suggestions for a great all-round farm dog. We want a dog that is highly trainable, very intelligent, and is able to eventually develop a good sense about what is happening on the farm. One that will be a loyal friend and one that will have a watchful eye on the homestead. Our BC had many of these traits. However, as much as I loved our her, there were some issues. Mainly that she was overly friendly with everyone. It was hard to have people over because she just would not leave guests alone; sometimes she'd even get in their cars and try to go home with them! Same with UPS delivery trucks. For our next dog, we're hoping for one that is a bit more reserved/loyal. Our BC was from show lines and was very charismatic, but had zero herding instinct. That lack of herding instinct actually turned out to be a good thing because we spend a lot of time with our livestock and don't need them herded. Some of the breeds I've been considering are: Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and English Shepherd. I'd love to hear others' experiences with these breeds. Or suggestions for others that I may not have yet considered.
All around farm dog breed recommendations
- Thread starter Straw Hat
- Start date
I was going to say McNab, until I saw the don't want them herded part, lol. I would say your best bet is ACD, most of the ones I've known are one person dogs or one family dogs.
- Thread starter
- #4
Your dog is absolutely beautiful. You really lucked out!
I agree about the purebred herders. Originally, I was thinking about another BC. I really do love their intelligence. So I was thinking about one from working lines. I guess there have been a few occasions when herding would have been helpful. But mostly, I just want a dog to accompany me around the farm and not trying to round up everything all the time. I raised a big batch of broilers on pasture in poultry netting and left my BC in with them during the day. It was nice that she kept the arial predators away and yet I didn't have to worry about her trying to herd the chooks or eat them. I also have kids (7 and 12) so I'd like a dog who'll keep an eye out on them as well when they play in the woods.
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- #5
I had never heard of the McNab until I saw your post. I'm intrigued. I really love their shorter coats! We have a time with cockleburs in late summer. It was a job trying to keep our old dog's longer coat in good shape during that time. As I say, some herding is OK. I just need the dog to have an "off switch" so they don't feel the urge to herd 24/7. I've seen that with some BCs. I haven't spent much time with ACDs, but there's a lot that appeals. And they have the shorter coats as well.
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How about a Sheltie? @BigBlueHen53
- Thread starter
- #7
Now that's a breed I hadn't thought of. Thanks!
Golden X Aussie/ miniature American shepherd. You could get a golden retriever, “loyal, gentle with small animals, protective, generally well rounded,” but you’ll need to find someone breeding the old lines that aren’t prone to short lifespans, hip dysplasia, and cancer like many sadly are now.
Aussies and MAS’s are decent options, but again look for breeders with dogs that are issue free and preferably from a breeder with a farm, farm animals, or lots of kids.
If you can find a Golden Aussie you’ll get the best of both worlds, a smart, loyal, protective dog that isn’t as high energy as Aussies can be. Sometimes when you mix the breeds you get a throwback to the breed the golden originated from, like we got with Bailey.
Bailey’s parents were our male golden retriever and our female mini Aussie, “technically they’ve been reclassified as “miniature American shepherd.” Sometimes she can come off a little buffoonish but she learned her jobs really quickly, is an excellent ratter, keeps a good eye on the yard and birds, doesn’t react to the neighbor dogs barking, is friendly with company, barks at strangers but isn’t uncontrollably aggressive. She’s an all around great dog.
She’s getting on in years but inherited her dad’s longevity, at 13 she’s only now getting silver in her face.
The other dog is our Boerboel Tuck. While Boerboel technically means “farmer’s dog” I don’t really recommend them unless you have a large farm or ranch that doesn’t have guests popping in unexpectedly. They aren’t as difficult or aggressive as some make them out to be and their prey drive isn’t as strong as other breeds but it can be nurtured if need be and they look for a job that fits with what they’ve been bred for generations to do, protect their family from large predators.
Tuck gets along just fine with my geese and ducks but he is not the kind of dog that I’m comfortable leaving unattended with them like I can with Bailey or her parents. The main issue with Boerboels is you have to be repetitive with them, you have to be stern with commands and remind them often because they really have the molosser stubbornness. Most of the time they have to stop and think for a bit wether they want to do something or not, and socialization is a lifelong work in progress. They actually remind me of pugs quite a lot, the difference being a boerboel is a large athletic dog without breathing issues slowing it down, so just imagine adding that to a pug’s goofy stubborn, and drama loving personality.
Aussies and MAS’s are decent options, but again look for breeders with dogs that are issue free and preferably from a breeder with a farm, farm animals, or lots of kids.
If you can find a Golden Aussie you’ll get the best of both worlds, a smart, loyal, protective dog that isn’t as high energy as Aussies can be. Sometimes when you mix the breeds you get a throwback to the breed the golden originated from, like we got with Bailey.
Bailey’s parents were our male golden retriever and our female mini Aussie, “technically they’ve been reclassified as “miniature American shepherd.” Sometimes she can come off a little buffoonish but she learned her jobs really quickly, is an excellent ratter, keeps a good eye on the yard and birds, doesn’t react to the neighbor dogs barking, is friendly with company, barks at strangers but isn’t uncontrollably aggressive. She’s an all around great dog.
She’s getting on in years but inherited her dad’s longevity, at 13 she’s only now getting silver in her face.
The other dog is our Boerboel Tuck. While Boerboel technically means “farmer’s dog” I don’t really recommend them unless you have a large farm or ranch that doesn’t have guests popping in unexpectedly. They aren’t as difficult or aggressive as some make them out to be and their prey drive isn’t as strong as other breeds but it can be nurtured if need be and they look for a job that fits with what they’ve been bred for generations to do, protect their family from large predators.
Tuck gets along just fine with my geese and ducks but he is not the kind of dog that I’m comfortable leaving unattended with them like I can with Bailey or her parents. The main issue with Boerboels is you have to be repetitive with them, you have to be stern with commands and remind them often because they really have the molosser stubbornness. Most of the time they have to stop and think for a bit wether they want to do something or not, and socialization is a lifelong work in progress. They actually remind me of pugs quite a lot, the difference being a boerboel is a large athletic dog without breathing issues slowing it down, so just imagine adding that to a pug’s goofy stubborn, and drama loving personality.
I love my Sheltie(s) but you need to know they can be horribly annoying barkers.
Greater Swiss Mountaindog
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grosser_Schweizer_Sennenhund
Appenzeller
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appenzeller_Sennenhund
Hovawart they come in three different colours, some have less fur
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovawart
And last but not least, the extremely versatile Airedale Terrier
We have two males and they leave our poultry alone, kill vermin, watch out for all kinds of predators, love children and are very loving and intelligent while at the same time fierce protectors and watch dogs.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airedale_Terrier
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grosser_Schweizer_Sennenhund
Appenzeller
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appenzeller_Sennenhund
Hovawart they come in three different colours, some have less fur
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovawart
And last but not least, the extremely versatile Airedale Terrier
We have two males and they leave our poultry alone, kill vermin, watch out for all kinds of predators, love children and are very loving and intelligent while at the same time fierce protectors and watch dogs.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airedale_Terrier
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