Puppy suggestions

A

angellauren

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 October 2012
Messages
211
Location
Shropshire
Visit site
I'm just looking for some advice or suggestions please as we can't really decide what dog to get!

At the beginning of the year we moved in the countryside. It's a lovely spot, with stables, about 7 acres and very secluded (apart from a couple of other cottages across the lane). To me, it feels very, very safe until it gets dark or I'm by myself and I know that's probably just the girl in me!

My partner can't always be around due to travelling for work sometimes and things and being there alone at night I can't stand especially in the Winter when I have to run from the house to the yard to do late night checks and back again and then convince myself somebody has entered the house whilst I was on the yard ha!

My boyfriend has a little black field spaniel which is completely mental all the time, he doesn't stop, ever and only occasionally listens to my boyfriend let alone anyone else, he lives outside and sleeps in one of the stables so you don't know he's there really. He uses him for shooting. Anyway! We'd both like something for a bit of protection if anything and GSD has been a pretty popular option for us both. I would love a malamute but I fear it'd be on a permanent killing spree with the amount of rabbits and pheasants we have on the estate. We're going to have to kill some because they are taking over the place. We'd also like something that will take care of any rats etc so then we thought a terrier but their not exactly intimidating.

Completely open to options but I don't know enough breeds to get a good idea of what might suit us. We both work full time but OH can take the dogs to work with him as he works outside all day.
 
I have a great alarm system in the form of a chocolate labrador. She can hear someone approaching my house very well and has a bark that sounds like a cross between and grizzly bear and a rottie. She is great company but perhaps not good for the terrier work.

Are you looking to re-home?
 
I'd happily rescue, the only thing that puts me off slightly is that I know we'll want children, perhaps not in the immediate future and I know some can be a little iffy when it comes to introducing new members to a family!

Somebody else suggested a lab. They are lovely dogs and good with kids too. I suppose it's just not a breed that I've ever found intimidating? A house across the way from us have two and one of them found it's way in to our big barn and I went in and he was stood their growling and barking but it didn't really bother me? If it'd been a GSD though, I probably wouldn't have told it to shut up!
 
Malamute is not a guarding breed.

There are quite a few GSD rehoming places and the BIGGSD forums are a good place to register.

If you are looking for a pup or older youngster PM me your requirements and location and I can steer you in the direction of reputable breeders in your area :)

What about an Irish Terrier or Airedale? Pest controllers with a bit of oomph if you require it.
 
Second the definately no to a Malamute.
GSD, Belgian shepherd, Airedale, Giant Schnauzer are all worth a look and worth talking to breed rescues about.
Why not visit a show and see some breeds & meet owners?
 
To add not all rescues and rehomes have issues - I have a show breeder on FB who is moving on a lovely young female raised with children, horses, ducks, chickens etc - she simply doesn't have the time and space at the moment - lots of breeders get returns when homes haven't worked out etc. You just need the contacts and get yourself on a list :)
 
Sounds like you want a guarding breed AND a ratter

They dont generally go hand in hand. Was going to suggest a Staffy- but they are good at letting you know someone is about, effing useless at protection- more likely to be wiggling around waiting for belly rubs !!
 
lexiedhb said:
Sounds like you want a guarding breed AND a ratter

They dont generally go hand in hand. Was going to suggest a Staffy- but they are good at letting you know someone is about, effing useless at protection- more likely to be wiggling around waiting for belly rubs !!
Click to expand...

I was thinking about the possibility of 2. Little and large! Getting 2 dogs just sounds worse.. like horses. What's one more?!
 
My gsp will guard, he barks and any car entering the yard and if a man walks on the yard and only i am there he goes mad but conteolled, its a deep bark too which immtindates people. At home he hears a slight sound and he wakes. Also we used to have rats at the yard now we dont, he catches any animal he can. But likes to be around his family too and amazing with kids.
 
My 3 staffords work better than any alarm and make a lot of noise. Doubt very much anyone would be foolish enough to enter my house if my dogs didnt know them and make me feel safe if late at the yard on my own. Also the youngest does catch rabbits failed (thankfully) with pheasants but we don't seem to have so many now. A good rescue will have properly assessed their dogs, will be able to advise which dogs would suit your lifestyle AND you have the chance to trial it and ensure the new dog gets on with the one you already have..
 
Two of my springers are fab burglar alarms, one doesn't bark but as a working bred, I would hope not!

I'd say springers unless you want to work it in which case you won't want a noisy one, obviously. :p

GSD or mastiff, maybe?
 
Not all rescues have issues, and also if you do want one with a big bark, the advantage of a rescue is that you won't have to wait for its voice to break;):D

I wouldn't rule out a Lab, they have good big barks on them and they're not all that soft. You might not have worried about the dog just barking at you, but I suspect if he'd charged you might not have been so laid back about it;) To be honest, a lot of nefarious types would be put off by the bark alone as it alerts people.

A friend has a GSD x Golden Retriever who is gorgeous - a brilliant family dog, but she has GSD colouring and a HUGE bark. I wouldn't recommend supporting the deliberate breeding of such a cross but if a similar mix turns up in rescue, I'd definitely take a look.
 
Jojo_Pea4 said:
My gsp will guard, he barks and any car entering the yard and if a man walks on the yard and only i am there he goes mad but conteolled, its a deep bark too which immtindates people. At home he hears a slight sound and he wakes. Also we used to have rats at the yard now we dont, he catches any animal he can. But likes to be around his family too and amazing with kids.
Click to expand...

I think the size of them is scary too... Certainly my window cleaner isn't too keen!!!

Other girls up the yard praise H when he barks at strangers too. They know he is protecting them. He is funny if someone new who is "allowed" turns up he goes from barking, to grumbling to "you are my new best friend aren't you? Throw my ball please!".
 
no help on the dog front as I have cocker spaniel(s)
but if you cant find a dog that will suit both jobs then consider a cat for the rabbits and rats, I have a 1/2 oriental cat, he's just 1, he's the second I've had with that breeding in (he's black so doesn't look unusual).
he's the best ratter/rabbit hunter/mouser ever. I get about 2 rabbits a day, lots of mice and a few birds (sorry birds..) if introduced together then would be fine with the dogs as well (I have no problems and he's good at escaping next doors dogs if he needs to) in fact he thinks he's a dog most of the time.
Then you could chose a dog like GSD as well?
 
I also thought Airedale as they are good house dogs as well as vermin catchers.

Both my Dobes are great guards and they are also pretty nifty at taking out the rodent population, I realise though they dont all come with vermin catching abilities.
 
Dobiegirl said:
I also thought Airedale as they are good house dogs as well as vermin catchers.

Both my Dobes are great guards and they are also pretty nifty at taking out the rodent population, I realise though they dont all come with vermin catching abilities.
Click to expand...

My dobe was a rescue as he was a failed guard dog :-DDDD and while the border terrier tries to catch the rats, he sticks his nose down the hole and sneezes them out....:-DDDDD
 
From your description of your lifestyle and what you are after in a breed, I think a working line GSD might fit the bill. Mine has strong nerve, a fantastic temperament, will bark when necessary and look the part but is actually very sociable. He also helps keep the rat and rabbit population down.

He is also pretty blooming gorgeous too :D (and is fabulous with my son)

055.jpg
 
I would also say a german pointer or Weimaraner type breed - they are exceptionally loyal and they have a very loud very deep bark sounding much more intimidating than they really are.

They're great fun also!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top