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Finally seriously thinking about getting a dog

I

IluvAltaBeef

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Joined
Jan 3, 2007
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271
Location
Alberta
I've been talking it over with mom, and been thinking about it for quite a while...we especially need one that can scare the deer away (dang deer's been getting too over-confident about coming into the yard every night to nibble on the plants etc). It's just too much to be putting out deer-resistant powder, putting up chicken wire around the bedding plants all the time, blah blah blah. Not only that, but to have one as a good companion and and an excuse to go out walking every day or so, and to guard the place when we're not around. I've been looking and reading in dog books and stuff, but can't seem to put a finger on which is best or worse (just like trying to choose a breed of cattle to go with when you dont really have a favorite lol) for a good outdoorsy-type farm dog.

First off, Mom ain't around all the time, she works 3 days a week and is only home in the evenings, and i'm only home when there's extended holidays or breaks between classes. We got a fair-size landbase for a dog to run loose on (1 quarter section), plus cattle (now going to be the renter's in the summer months), and two cats. There's going to be a time somtime in the future when my brother will be bringing his family out (my nieces' first time out to the farm), so have to put that into consideration (training, exposing the dog to children regularly, etc). Oh, I almost forgot, we used to have a belgian shep X female 20 some years ago, but i guess you can consider that time lapse as a reason that we could be classified as "beginner dog owners"

Now for the big questions: purebreed or mutt; male or female; pup or adult??? Which do you think is the best? And what breed?
And does it matter if we adopt a pup/adult dog from an animal shelter or from a breeder?

I have many more questions that haven't surfaced yet that I know will soon come up...i hope i'm asking the right questions btw...

Thanks in advance for your help. :wave:
 
I don't believe it matters a damn if your dog is from the spca or a certified genuine purebred whatchyacallit. Personally, I would try to avoid the puppy stage if I could...... house training (if you let it in) and chewed boots, messed up flower beds, etc. etc. etc. don't necessarily offset the puppies 'cute' factor.
There are lots of good breeds, you just gotta find one that's right for you.
Make sure you choose a breed that compliments your daily energy buget. Some breeds are pretty high energy. Neutered / spayed is important. It keeps the males home and the females from killing your grass and attracting un-neutered males.
 
I agree with Silver and I would definitely get a female.
We have had female dogs for years and were really happy with them.
This last dog is a male, and he's good as far as males go,
but we just like females better. Less of a lot of things. :P

I'd sure tell you to check out the animal shelters. There are some
wonderful dogs there. And I think a mutt would be just fine...maybe
a shepherd (farm dog) of some type. I'd stay away from bird dog
and bird dog crosses because of their energy level. I have some friends
who have rat terriers and they are really nice dogs. Heck, they even
work cows with them!!! :shock:

Just go down and visit the animal shelter. A dog there might just find YOU. :wink: Let us know what you come up with and ...

GOOD LUCK!!!
 
We're new here but have been haunting the site for about a month or so and thought I'd post.
We have 5 acres and 2 cows 100 or so chickens, 2 dogs.
1 dog is a coonhound/Shepard mix from the pound and is the best guard dog, likes to herd (cows got out and we didn't know it and he just kept putting them back where they belonged) and listens to the kids is welcome everywhere we go.
2nd dog is a purebred Anatolian Shepard dog and has been banned from going camping and visiting any of our families house that has rabbits or small furry animals.
Loves kids, but won't listen to them they are to be guarded not alfa.
She likes to digs trenches and will decide whether or not she should guard, has eaten 5 of our chickens and is my first female (I'll never have another female again EVER)
Go with the pound, we found ours on line.
 
A lot of folks who move in around here...the first thing they get is either an Aussie, a Heeler or Border Collie. THEN...when they realize that PuppyDog Poochie Poo is BORED out of its skull with only the back yard or living room to roam in....the people freak and take the dog to the pound.

I've saved about 15 or so ' death row' dogs that way.

They are turned in for biting.....chasing the kids ( herding the kids more like it) or chewing up things...all because they are bored and the people don't realize that their lifestyle and the dog isn't matching....the dog just looks good in their new CLEAN truck etc.

I've taken these dogs...retrained a few with some better manners and kept a few and found most EXCELLENT homes where they can be the dog they were intended to be.

ALWAYS go to the pound first..ALWAYS
 
I have been looking at the different animal shelters around here and so far I've found a few dogs i've liked. The mutts seem to be a better choice (or the only choice with what i've seen) because there's variability I guess, whereas with purebreeds you know what your getting.

So far I've found a belgian shepherd female in the Cochrane animal shelter and boy is she a beauty! I've emailed the folks there on some more details about her, but I have a feeling that I'll probably be going to a more local shelter (around the barrhead-athabasca-edmonton area) to find a suitable pet.

Thanks for your advice so far. :)
 
If i were you i would get a somewat advanced puppy and when nobody is there have him/her in a kennel with food and water. The reason to get a "Advaced" puppy so it can bond to it's owners and not want to runaway( without a lot of the younger puppy stages).
I would go for a crossbred between some herding dogs(example: Border collie, Heeler(of any sort), And austrailian Cattle dog or shepard) (They are good gaurds and good at scaring away deer and such)

-Tay
 
JB, here she is: http://www.cochranehumane.ca/html/adopt/dogs.htm you'll have to scroll down a little to see her.

Thanks Tay for the suggestions. :)

I should've mentioned that I'm not in a real big hurry to get a dog, sure takes a lot more research to find the right one than I thought. I will get one sometime soon though, and I will keep these suggestions you folks gave me in mind.

Thanks again! :)
 
I spent years working in a vet clinic where we were also the town pound. Let the people at the shelter know what your situation is, and what type of dog you're looking for. Then tell them to keep their eyes open and keep you in mind. We used to have a list of people who wanted dogs, and we got pretty good at matching them up. It was such a good feeling to see them get good homes.

I bet the perfect dog will find you. :lol: :lol: :lol:

If the dog is going to be home a lot on it's own, I'd stay away from a super active breed that needs entertainment, or else you may find that the dog makes it's own. :? :? :?

As far as the deer are concerned, as long as the dog barks, that will do it.

As far as kids are concerned, my favourite dog in the world for kids is at least part Scotch Collie. We've had more than one, and my brother has had a couple, and they are amazing with little kids. Our old dog used to actually go and stand in front of little kids and block them so they couldn't get to the car to go home! This was a dog who had never even seen a little kid, but just instintively knew how to behave around them. If grooming is not an issue, and you want a dog that has a heart of gold, a Collie is a good way to go.
 

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