All around farm dog breed recommendations

[BigBlueHen53]

Book smart, but not street smart

Courage overcomes the smart. Gracie, my late great Sheltie, once ran off three coyotes, but then kept going after them, not realizing they were turning the tables on her, luring her into the woods... I about screamed myself hoarse at her before my panic penetrated her brain and she turned around. Whew!

 

[Pigeony]

100% recommend a Great Pyrenees. They're large, friendly, and tolerant dogs that can do very well as livestock guardian dogs. I think they're a great addition for anyone who wants a family and livestock-friendly dog. They're very intelligent, and I've met so many fantastic ones and love mine to death. They do tend to be more reserved with strangers and more focused on the individuals they're bonded with. My girl was an outgoing pup, but is now much more standoffish as an adult with strangers, although just as affectionate with me. They're not herding dogs, but they're protective of what's theirs and often grow to consider your livestock to be in that bubble of protection. These are my breed, I don't think I'll ever own any other again.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

They're not herding dogs, but they're protective of what's theirs and often grow to consider your livestock to be in that bubble of protection.

I think LGD naturally protect anything they grow up around. I never taught mine to protect chickens, she just grew up around them and now considers them family. Took zero effort. Wonderful type of dog

 

[lomine]

Whatever dog you pick it's going to take a lot of work. Even the most well breed dog is going to need training and time. I don't think I'd ever leave a dog along with young kids. If they were young teens and you were 100% comfortable that everyone was safe together, maybe. Not because I think dogs are naturally unsafe, but because most people, and kids worst of all, have no idea how to read a dog's body language. Even the most even-tempered dog can be pushed to snap if it is always being ignored and becomes too uncomfortable.

If you are looking for a specific breed, you'll need to find a reputable breeder that is breeding for the traits you want. Even then it's not guaranteed.

There are lots of dogs that don't follow their breed traits. I have a neighbor that had LGD, I'm not sure of exact breed but they were large white dogs. I noticed they were never on the side of the fence with the sheep so I don't think they were livestock safe. They eventually started getting out. They came after me and my dog while walking, they were aggressive with kids at the bus stop, and they barked constantly. My friend has a McNab that was adopted as an adult. Her dog chases cats and has killed neighbor chickens. I would not trust her dog around my animals. Just a couple of examples.

A few things on the breeds you mentioned... ACD are very loyal, but they are also known for nibbing at kids to "herd" them and can be aggressive with strangers. An Australian Shepherd will probably be a lot like your Border Collie. Belgian Malinois are not recommend for most people. They have crazy high energy. They need several hours a day of intense physical and mental stimulation. I don't think they would be a good fit for someone that is going to spend time building up a homestead. Of course that's just my opinion.

As far as my dog, he's a rescue mutt. Mostly American Pitbull Terrier and Boxer, but lots of other stuff too (DNA tested). Luc joins me for barn chores. He plays with the horses and lays in the sun with the goats. He did kill a couple birds during his teenage stage but that was my fault for leaving him alone with them too early. He hasn't harmed a single bird since then (about 3 years). He is extremely gentle with chicks, ducklings, and goat kids. He will bark and chase off predators but hardly ever barks otherwise. He is good with visitors, but I don't think he'd go off with strangers. He's also been through a couple hundred hours of training. We did obedience up till he passed the canine good citizen and now we do rally. He doesn't have a farm job but he has become a great farm dog.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

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.

You didn't mention details about how you plan to treat the dog. Meaning, do you want a barn, outdoor dog? Or will it be a family member that just needs to be good with farm animals, sleeps in the house, is mostly with you as opposed to alone with farm animals? I have Leonbergers. They meet your need of being slightly stand-off ish, they size humans up from afar. They are not at all aggressive but when raised in the country as country dogs typically are, they will be somewhat on the shy side. They're good with all other animals. All of that said, they can't ever be outdoor only dogs. Their whole job is human companion. No breeder will let a pup go to an outdoor only situation.... I also LOVE Shelties! Herding dogs might be what you're after, not sure....

 

[Pigeony]

Belgian Malinois are not recommend for most people. They have crazy high energy. They need several hours a day of intense physical and mental stimulation.

I used to work as a vet tech, among people in the vet field around here Malinois have the unflattering nickname "Malligators" because they can be very stubborn and aggressive when not trained or exercised properly, (and that's most of them) which is real fun to have to deal with when they need x-rays and you're a complete stranger to them .

 

[pac]

If I missed it, Location?
It would be nice to know the weather in your area.

And, inside or outside dog?

Your BC sounded like a well socialized dog. Can't fault her for that. I've seen many who were not well socialized and would not trust them around anything. People or livestock.

 

[febane]

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 and Polaris Ranger 1000 Filp Up Windshield. Or suggestions for others that I may not have yet considered.

Hello. What dog breed is best for a dairy farm? I've had collies but they run after next-door sheep, had Jack Russell but too small as I lost one being run over as she was running after the cat over the road.

 

[NatJ]

We recently lost our border collie and are looking for a new pup.

Our BC was from show lines and was very charismatic, but had zero herding instinct.

Maybe start talking to breeders of show-line border collies?

If the only real problem was your old one being overly-friendly, you might be able to find one of the same breed that is less friendly but shares the same good qualities that you liked.

Since you don't want herding, obviously you don't want a working-line border collie.

The differences within a single breed are big enough that you could probably find both "right" and "wrong" dogs within the same breed, even the same type of that breed (like show line border collies) or within some of the other breeds as well.

You could also start watching what puppies are available in your area, mixes and purebreds, and for each litter of puppies think about what traits they are likely to have. If that breed or mix seems like a possibility, talk to the owner about the traits of the parents, then try to visit the mother and maybe the father also, and see what you think. If you expect to fall in love with every puppy you see, obviously that would not be such a great strategy, and it would be safer to only talk with & visit people who will have puppies but they aren't available yet. You don't want to end up with an unacceptable dog because it was so cute you weren't able to think clearly about the traits you need. (I am able to visit a litter of puppies and walk away again to think about the matter. My mother refused to ever visit puppies under any circumstances because she does not trust herself to come home without one.)

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.

Part of that can be addressed with training. I used to have an over-friendly Labrador Retriever, but I trained her to a very good "stay." So I would put her on a down-stay in the corner of the room, which let her be with us but kept her from harassing visitors. Of course that only helps when you are present to give commands, so it doesn't solve the problem of the dog trying to go away with the UPS driver.

 

[febane]

Maybe start talking to breeders of show-line border collies?

If the only real problem was your old one being overly-friendly, you might be able to find one of the same breed that is less friendly but shares the same good qualities that you liked.

Since you don't want herding, obviously you don't want a working-line border collie.

The differences within a single breed are big enough that you could probably find both "right" and "wrong" dogs within the same breed, even the same type of that breed (like show line border collies) or within some of the other breeds as well.

You could also start watching what puppies are available in your area, mixes and purebreds, and for each litter of puppies think about what traits they are likely to have. If that breed or mix seems like a possibility, talk to the owner about the traits of the parents, then try to visit the mother and maybe the father also, and see what you think. If you expect to fall in love with every puppy you see, obviously that would not be such a great strategy aplicativo de download, and it would be safer to only talk with & visit people who will have puppies but they aren't available yet. You don't want to end up with an unacceptable dog because it was so cute you weren't able to think clearly about the traits you need. (I am able to visit a litter of puppies and walk away again to think about the matter. My mother refused to ever visit puppies under any circumstances because she does not trust herself to come home without one.)



Part of that can be addressed with training. I used to have an over-friendly Labrador Retriever, but I trained her to a very good "stay." So I would put her on a down-stay in the corner of the room, which let her be with us but kept her from harassing visitors. Of course that only helps when you are present to give commands, so it doesn't solve the problem of the dog trying to go away with the UPS driver.

thank you so much for your suggestion