Dogs- which to choose!!

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youngfarmer

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So I'm thinking ahead by a few months, but soon I will be renting a barn conversion (only 1 bedroom, but fairly spacious, house not a flat) on a farmers land. I will, hopefully, be permanently working on a yard by May as well. However, I'm looking into what breeds are best to suit this purpose.

I'm 22 years old, fairly fit and healthy and have always loved dogs. My partner regularly goes beating (during season) and attends cockdays, so would be good to have something that meets his needs for this too. Not specifically looking for a working dog, but something that could potentially be dual purpose. I've always liked bigger breeds (GSD, rottie, husky etc etc) but realise these may not be the best types to have for these purposes. I don't particularly like smaller breeds (as in toy breeds, and even some Jack Russell's) although I realise terrier breeds are good dogs for beating and shoots(not that kind of beating :p). Neither of us like greyhound, lurcher, saluki etc type dogs too.

What breeds do you all have? What breeds would you recommend? Spaniels/ collies seem to be an obvious choice, but what other less obvious breeds are there?

(Sorry for the long post, brownies and ice cream for anyone who got this far):)
 
A Bavarian Mountain Hound would suit your needs, but you'd probably be best starting with a Lab if it's your first dog.
 
Rescue centres are full of collieX dogs that come in all shapes and sizes but universally love the active life and can be wonderful dogs to have around
 
I didn't really want to post in the dogs section as, from what I've seen when looking, it doesn't tend to get many responses. Plus, I'd assume most of you either have horses and dogs, or are on a yard with at least 1 dog.

I have been looking at labs, and they seem quite a good choice. It would be my first dog that is only mine, but have some experience of dog training and looking after dogs on my own (for friends, family, neighbours etc etc) for long periods of time.

Anyone has experience of rescue dogs on yards?
 
Our lab rescue came from a puppy farm - she was used to breed labradoodles and had 4 back to back litters before we inherited her.

She ended up on a puppy farm as although very well bred, was severley gun shy. Her teats dragged on the ground and several were infected, so had to have them removed. She was very nervous of men and had never lived inside, but is now unrecognisable and her 'turnaround' has been hugely rewarding.

She is great with people and horses, and never goes near livestock.

Another one to throw in the ring - a pointer?

We had one years ago and he was equally wonderful - very obedient and gentle, but did need a lot of excercise.
 
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youngfarmer said:
I didn't really want to post in the dogs section as, from what I've seen when looking, it doesn't tend to get many responses. Plus, I'd assume most of you either have horses and dogs, or are on a yard with at least 1 dog.

I have been looking at labs, and they seem quite a good choice. It would be my first dog that is only mine, but have some experience of dog training and looking after dogs on my own (for friends, family, neighbours etc etc) for long periods of time.

Anyone has experience of rescue dogs on yards?
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That's true... Lets hope TFC keeps it here so we can talk dogs for a bit...
 
Thank you for all the replies too! Looks like a few of you beat me to it on the rescue subject :p my partner and I have both said it would be best to look into rescuing instead of only looking at puppies etc. My only worry is how some of these dogs respond on yards, and how they would potentially respond if taken on shoots and beats etc. As you can imagine, it is usually very loud and I could imagine this being daunting to a dog, especially one that has been rescued? Obviously correct me if I am wrong!

Are rescue dogs fairly adaptable dogs to these needs? Are there any rescues people can recommend around the Essex area?
 
I have a Pyrenean mountain, great guard dog but never stops barking and can't be let off lead on the yard as he stomps off and keeps on going. Also have a Dalmatian who is good with the horses, but thinks manure is an all you can eat buffet, not very much brain but always comes when called - once his stomach is full...
 
Sidney said:
Another one to throw in the ring - a pointer?

We had one years ago and he was equally wonderful - very obedient and gentle, but did need a lot of excercise.
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I do really like pointers, and obviously they are working dogs! Also weimaraner's. Obviously both these breeds do need a hell of a lot of exercise. Would being on a yard from say 7.30-5 every day be enough? Also living on a farm, where although there is garden fences, they could run around as much as they wanted? I realise running around and actual exercise are 2 totally different things- as they are with horses!

Living on a secluded farm, it would be nice to have something that I can also rely on if something awful was to happen. Although this isn't a requirement for a dog, as I know any dog can be protective and defend if it feels you/ its home are in danger
 
Recommendation for rescue - I got my first Dalmatian from Gemini in wick ford. Really straigforward people with good knowledge. Think they are still going.
 
youngfarmer said:
Thank you for all the replies too! Looks like a few of you beat me to it on the rescue subject :p my partner and I have both said it would be best to look into rescuing instead of only looking at puppies etc. My only worry is how some of these dogs respond on yards, and how they would potentially respond if taken on shoots and beats etc. As you can imagine, it is usually very loud and I could imagine this being daunting to a dog, especially one that has been rescued? Obviously correct me if I am wrong!

Are rescue dogs fairly adaptable dogs to these needs? Are there any rescues people can recommend around the Essex area?
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Well, actually, there are breed specific rescues and you may find younger dogs that need good homes and will be trainable.
 
I have two dogs, a Collie x German Shepard and a rescue Border Collie.

My rescue Collie is the most agile thing I have ever seen, he leaps 5 bar gates and hedges with ease, as well as being fast so he never has any trouble keeping up.
Also in being a Collie he is highly trainable and loves to learn, they thrive on mental stimulation! Believe it or not the biggest problem you may encounter with a rescue Collie is not how they are out and about but how they are indoors! To say that mine was feral is an understatement, I had a bit of a nightmare trying to get him used to living indoors however after a few toileting issues he is now good as gold! He is still a little wary of people however he was a very severe and extreme rescue case, most everyday rescues come in much better mental and physical condition than Desmond did!

However he is now successfully rehabbed and loving life, he was hard work but he is incredibly willing, agile, loving and intelligent so he is well worth the difficult few months at the begginning!

He is great round the yard and I've never had a single problem with him, the same rule applies to having puppies as it does to any dog which is that you just have to expose them to new situations and surroundings, eventually they get used to it :D
 
Our pointer used to come out with me when I rode which helped - he would take as much excercise that he was given, but wouldn't go 'silly' if only had a few hours out.

He also was a good guard dog as would always bark at strangers, but knew full well he would never attack.

Like horses, whatever breed you go for, they still all have different personalites.
 
Angus' yard said:
Recommendation for rescue - I got my first Dalmatian from Gemini in wick ford. Really straigforward people with good knowledge. Think they are still going.
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I had a look at Gemini website. They have a few dogs on there just now- one that has been with them for 11 years!! If I could have a dog in the house I rent now, I would have taken him home. Even if it isn't a breed I like (greyhound) :(
 
youngfarmer said:
I do really like pointers, and obviously they are working dogs! Also weimaraner's. Obviously both these breeds do need a hell of a lot of exercise. Would being on a yard from say 7.30-5 every day be enough? Also living on a farm, where although there is garden fences, they could run around as much as they wanted? I realise running around and actual exercise are 2 totally different things- as they are with horses!

Living on a secluded farm, it would be nice to have something that I can also rely on if something awful was to happen. Although this isn't a requirement for a dog, as I know any dog can be protective and defend if it feels you/ its home are in danger
Click to expand...

Based on the pointers and Weimaraners I have know yes being on the yard from 7.30 to 5 would be plenty of exercise because they would be at least five miles away by 10 am.
If you want a yard dog the most important thing is that you get a dog who would not go walkabout .
My OH's first lab was a strayer thats why he was given to him , after he was picked up twelve miles from his owners home his wife had had enough and gave the dog away although we got him 98% sorted he was never completly trustworthy , it makes life very unrelaxing if you always worrying they are going to slope off.
It's great having a dog friend on the yard you never feel on your own.
 
I've gor a Patterdale terrier, wouldn't swap her for the world.
She's a good working dog on our farm, and a cuddly house dog in the house.
Love her.

We also have a Collie, I don't like Collies.
 
LollyDolly said:
I have two dogs, a Collie x German Shepard and a rescue Border Collie.

My rescue Collie is the most agile thing I have ever seen, he leaps 5 bar gates and hedges with ease, as well as being fast so he never has any trouble keeping up.
Also in being a Collie he is highly trainable and loves to learn, they thrive on mental stimulation! Believe it or not the biggest problem you may encounter with a rescue Collie is not how they are out and about but how they are indoors! To say that mine was feral is an understatement, I had a bit of a nightmare trying to get him used to living indoors however after a few toileting issues he is now good as gold! He is still a little wary of people however he was a very severe and extreme rescue case, most everyday rescues come in much better mental and physical condition than Desmond did!

However he is now successfully rehabbed and loving life, he was hard work but he is incredibly willing, agile, loving and intelligent so he is well worth the difficult few months at the begginning!

He is great round the yard and I've never had a single problem with him, the same rule applies to having puppies as it does to any dog which is that you just have to expose them to new situations and surroundings, eventually they get used to it :D
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Wow, he sounds like he was a handful! I do really like collies, and they have always been a favourite breed after I fell in love with one when I was about 4 years old. Can't say I have ever met one that wasn't a nice dog either. Will definitely look into a collie, or a collie cross. 1 of the things I find hard to get around though is a lot are farm bred (which isn't so much as issue, as these are usually working lines), but how do I know if these 'breeders'/ farmers are just simply having litters as often as they can off these dogs to make extra money? I don't mean as in a puppy farm, as in a proper farm that grows crops/ livestock farm etc.

If I bought from a breeder instead of rescuing, it would definitely have to be a reputable breeder who isn't just breeding as many as possible, and is instead breeding quality dogs. KC registered is not something I particularly want or need, as I know of the issues with many KC dogs.
 
We currently have two labs, both rescues, who are great dogs and great on the yard. Both of them had a bark at the horses when they arrived, but they get used to them and are fine.

Previously had a GSD - found on the road, had been thrown out of a car as a 7 week old. The most loyal, soft dog, not bright but really soft. Kept people away from the house and yard too - nobody would even walk past if he barked. Moulted for Britiain though!

Also had a collie x lab - really nice dog when we were kids.

And a Heinz 58 - bit of everything, staff, JR, lab, you name it! The brightest dog we ever had, so switched on.
 
I agree that Labs are great all rounders. I would say though, that as a first time owner I wouldn't recommend a rescue dog, too many come with "baggage". Bitches are usually more biddable than dogs.
 
Rhodesian Ridgeback ... Stunning, very outdoors and full of stamina, hard working dogs but quite lazy too. Very clever and protective (in a good way!) and fab around people, horses etc... I can't rate them enough and far too many people overlook them.
 
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