Advice on what breed to get !

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ticker

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I shall try and keep this short, basically OH has his lab gundog who is a complete daddies boy and goes to work on the tractor with him. This leaves me at home most of the day alone and would like a bit of company. Ideally I would like something to take with me on hacks, off lead round the farm so no worries of traffic. I was looking at larger breeds, we have owned a few collies etc. in the past but I am looking at something bigger than them. Was thinking Mastiff, dog de Bordeaux or something similar. Dog will never really be alone, if we do out they both will spend it outside in the kennels all sheltered with an attached run for them. Can anyone advise on a breed they think would suit our lifestyle, I have had a quick search but im still left pondering ! Thanks.
 
Or maybe a GSD, they would definitely be good out hacking. They would follow you to the end of the world. Mastiffs may struggle with joints etc running after you on a hack but i love them too.
 
My best hacking partner was a gsd x Rottweiler, so I like the thinking of the other posters. I only know one dogue de Bordeaux and he wouldn't keep up with such an active life.

Do you think a boxer or ridgeback would suit you if you want a mastiff-type dog, or too scanty?
 
You want something with endurance for hacking (not sure of a large, slow maturing Mastiff), able to live and weather well out (thin coated), but not with so much prey drive as to tank off after something small and furry when you're out hacking, also a breed or type which is human-orientated and wants to stay with you when hacking (obviously you'll have to train the dog to do this) as opposed to chasing or hunting things or being aloof.
Work backwards from these guidelines and then choose looks/personal as a secondary thing...pick the horse for the course!
 
CaveCanem said:
You want something with endurance for hacking (not sure of a large, slow maturing Mastiff), able to live and weather well out (thin coated), but not with so much prey drive as to tank off after something small and furry when you're out hacking, also a breed or type which is human-orientated and wants to stay with you when hacking (obviously you'll have to train the dog to do this) as opposed to chasing or hunting things or being aloof.
Work backwards from these guidelines and then choose looks/personal as a secondary thing...pick the horse for the course!
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Hmmm good idea. This makes me think of Shepherds again.
 
Well I would say GSD :p but def something from several generations of hip and elbow scored parents if it's going to be doing a lot of riding out, and something from nice calm lines, not very high prey or chase drive.
Belgian Shepherd might also be an option, also thought Rott like yourself and I see a girl out jogging with a Ridgeback sometimes.
 
thought about rescues but what's the chance of finding something that is good off lead, good with cats, other dogs, good off lead etc ?

I like the idea of a rott, or ridgeback must admit would rather have something with a short haired coat. Thanks everyone will do some more research.
 
i have a GSDx (1/4 rottie) who was re-homed by me as a 2yo on october 1st this year (directly from a family who couldn't keep him). he is super. i know every dog is unique, but think the breed are very loyal and love human company. also perfect size in my opinion as big enough for the horses to notice it is there and not step on! he does have a chase drive, and will occasionally zoom ahead when he sees a flapping pheasant, but he has been out on a few farm hacks with me, and is getting better at staying close. he is still a giant puppy really and hacks are very exciting! but he tries so hard to please, sometimes you see he spot something exciting and then look back at me and stop himself chasing it!
he is not long haired, molts, but not too bad with a regular brush.
enough about my big baby!....
getting from a rescue is a great idea as often they have tested dogs for things like cats and off lead, so you know. many have ended up their because of owners changes in circumstances rather than because they have behavioral issues, especially large dogs as they are more expensive to keep and not as easy to house.
 
He sounds like a lovely dog Pipp, I have been looking at rotties and think they are probably most practical for what we want to be doing. But GSD's are also an option although clearly I will spend a lot of time finding one that has been hip scored etc.
 
pippixox said:
i have a GSDx (1/4 rottie) who was re-homed by me as a 2yo on october 1st this year (directly from a family who couldn't keep him). he is super. i know every dog is unique, but think the breed are very loyal and love human company. also perfect size in my opinion as big enough for the horses to notice it is there and not step on! he does have a chase drive, and will occasionally zoom ahead when he sees a flapping pheasant, but he has been out on a few farm hacks with me, and is getting better at staying close. he is still a giant puppy really and hacks are very exciting! but he tries so hard to please, sometimes you see he spot something exciting and then look back at me and stop himself chasing it!
he is not long haired, molts, but not too bad with a regular brush.
enough about my big baby!....
getting from a rescue is a great idea as often they have tested dogs for things like cats and off lead, so you know. many have ended up their because of owners changes in circumstances rather than because they have behavioral issues, especially large dogs as they are more expensive to keep and not as easy to house.
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Agree. My old shepherd was a rescue, got him when he was 7yo. Total dude around the horses and completely obsessed with me, he hung of my every word. Savage with the postman though...
 
The dog de Bordeaux drool an awful lot then shake their heads and you get sprayed ! Look for a rescue dog they will repay your kindness time over.
 
ticker said:
thought about rescues but what's the chance of finding something that is good off lead, good with cats, other dogs, good off lead etc ?
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Better than you'd expect! Especially if you are looking at rottie types or other large breeds, they are more difficult to rehome and lots of good ones are languishing in rescues. You would probably have a few options at my place at least.
If you want short haired a ridgie or boxer sound like they would fit. Rotties look short haired but their coat is actually pretty thick and they moult like anything! I do like them though, cracking dogs.
 
Have you considered Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund? Even though they're a larger dog, they're bred to be agile enough to be a functional farm dog, pull carts in the mountainous terrain, guard the farm etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grosser_Schweizer_Sennenhund

Otherwise, if you want a dog that you can take with you out on hacks, I would have thought that a Dalmatian would be an obvious breed to consider, since they're originally bred to follow horse carriages. To me, it doesn't seem to be that much difference between following a rider out hacking, or following a carriage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatian_(dog)
 
Wouldnt like to come across a mastiff or any breed guard dog off lead in a public path or right of way.!Please think of other people unless you are staying on your own private land.
 
Mister Ted said:
Wouldnt like to come across a mastiff or any breed guard dog off lead in a public path or right of way.!Please think of other people unless you are staying on your own private land.
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Wow.... A dogs behavior is down to how it's brought up i certainly wont be 'thinking of other people' when choosing my dog if they are that narrow minded to be alarmed by a bully type breed. We live on a 2600 acre farm, i hack round our private tracks so very slim chance of meeting anyone else... if i did it would be OH or employees.
 
On a lighter note ( last comment riled me some what) we have contacted a local shelter with our details and what we want, they said they have 3 dogs in mind. two Staffs and a GSD X lab who we are hopefully off to visit some time next week :)
 
Mister Ted said:
Wouldnt like to come across a mastiff or any breed guard dog off lead in a public path or right of way.!Please think of other people unless you are staying on your own private land.
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:confused3:

I don't understand your reply. Do you presume that ticker intends to ride around the "world" with a badly trained, out of control dog off lead? Do you have a problem with meeting any dog of guard dog breed off lead, even if they're well trained and under control? Or are you saying that if ticker gets a dog of guard dog breed, please train it and keep it under control when off lead "unless you are staying on your own private land"?

I must admit that personally, I have never considered any other people's opinion, other than my own family's, when I've chosen a dog breed, and I have no intention of changing on that.

ticker said:
On a lighter note ( last comment riled me some what) we have contacted a local shelter with our details and what we want, they said they have 3 dogs in mind. two Staffs and a GSD X lab who we are hopefully off to visit some time next week :)
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Good luck :)
 
Mister Ted said:
Wouldnt like to come across a mastiff or any breed guard dog off lead in a public path or right of way.!Please think of other people unless you are staying on your own private land.
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Lets hope you don't bump into me next time your out and about, you would be quaking in your boots! I have four dogs all off lead and one of them is ....a ROTTWEILER. OMG danger! - if you confront him you may be licked to death - what a nightmare!!!

p.s You should take comfort in the fact that it is actually generally accepted that it's 'the little ones' you want to watch not the guarding breeds
 
ticker said:
On a lighter note ( last comment riled me some what) we have contacted a local shelter with our details and what we want, they said they have 3 dogs in mind. two Staffs and a GSD X lab who we are hopefully off to visit some time next week :)
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Great news, good luck. It doesn't always work out for everyone but I've have had some cracking dogs out of rescues, including a GSD and a Rotti. They were better behaved/healthier than the few I have bought from breeders.
 
Glad to see i was not the only one shocked at that comment, I shall let you know how it all goes by Friday we will meet each dog first and then bring the mad lab to meet whoever we gel with the best.
 
I cant see how the average rider can fully control their dog with other people and horses and often children around while on horseback.I have been at three yards and the dogs have either made the horses nearly bolt,attacked other dogs and caused total annoyance to the innocent walkers who happened to be passing.Its simply a selfish "Look at me I have a horse and control fancy dogs too"attitude.
When a dog lunged at my horse nearly causing it to take off the owner grabbed it and sensibly kept it in the car and she has the sense to do this each time even though it is a very friendly dog at the yard.
As for the comment about rottweilers I would be reporting that to the police for having them unmuzzled in a public place. Many children these days are scared of dogs through the stories of dog attacks and will give off signals of fear.A pack of dogs off lead unmuzzled beggars belief.
Its not to do with the training its what the breed was bred for in the first place that has to be taken into account and the outlet to fulfill that need.If a rottweiler did decide to attack certainly a human with a lead couldnt stop it.I would rather have a bite from a terrier thank you.
I am a dog owner and lover and of course have whatever dog you wish but read Ceaser Milan dog books and you will get a good idea of dogs and their lifestyle needs and how you can be the best "pack leader".
 
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