The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: jacob and Georgina on June 13, 2010, 05:43:54 pm
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Me and my girlfriend are thinking about getting a dog for our smallholding. We would like to get a dog which is good for the family and is quite easy to train so it can be with us whilst we tend to the animals. My girlfriend likes the idea of a cocker spaniel whilst i like beagles and collies. If anyone has any advice about these breeds or other breeds that we have not thought about it would be much appreciated as it is a big decision to make. :)
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I have 3 cockers and have always had cockers, but only as pets and think they are super and friendly. I did have a notion for a Beagle but friends who have one visited the other day and they were forever wiping his slavery mouth which I didn't like.
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We have a Miniature Dachshund, hes very good with the animals, hes very wary and respectfulof the sheep and lambs (does like to play with them, but then slinks away if they get a bit rowdy lol), good with horses and quite wry of the chooks too.he loves ambling about with our Molly lamb and the goat Kidlids, he s a brilliantly nosey dog keen to check out new noises and passing walkers, so great for security, even though he is only 3 1/2 inches high, he thinks hes a big dog :) Active when out with you, but equally love to snuggle up with you too :)
However, they are not the most obedient breed, he will listen unless on a scent, then he s got tunnel vision and goes to ground, but hey thats his nature so thats ok.
So yes id go for a small un :)
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thanks so much for ur advice my girlfriends mum has always had cocker's too and i think that is why she loves them. They are very good pets and are very loving. I did not know tht about beagles so tht is very interesting thanks. Thanks Hellybee did not think about a minuture dachshund but they sound a lovely breed my girlfriend definatly prefers smaller breeds and by the sounds of it they are still fine with the animals so thanks for that info.
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My cockers are excellent with all my animals, I should have mentioned that and I have hens, ducks, geese, ponies and goats.
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You'll be forever looking for the beagle - they are hounds and follow trails for miles.
The collie will want to herd everything - fine if you have sheep, and being a working breed will be hyper unless it is given work to do.
The cocker depends on they type - a working bred cocker will be as hyper as the collie, a show bred one will be super with all other animals and people - but go for a parti colour not a solid black or a solid golden as they can be very possessive (sometimes aggressive too) They can be very hairy and will need regular grooming/trimming
Try these websites to assess which breed is best for your needs.
http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breeds/find/
http://hubpages.com/hub/Dog-Breeds-Extinction-Danger
http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_6330123_right-dog-breed-me_.html
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I agree with the last post. Two years ago i was on the forum looking to rehome a working cocker. He was fabulously enthusiastic but from working stock and all he did was chase the chickens and wear them as a nose muff! This made life with the animals and children very stressful. We did rehome him to a shoot and he is having a blast being trained by experts.
Since then we have bought a show cocker who is just great with the chickens and is baffled by the pigs (they multiplied from four to twelve overnight!!). We also recently introduced six sheep and he plays with them in the field. He loves the five children so has been tested on all fronts!
He is a content and happy dog relaxed with the animals but loves the occassional fun. And he is always the one snugged up on the duvet so gets the best of all worlds.
Have fun chosing but don't introduce more stress than you need.
Salx :pig:
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we have a large yorkie and he is just the best. not what we've have chosen if we had the smallholding before the dog, but that's the way it goes sometimes. he is great. very respectful of all the animals (horses, sheep, chickens, cats, ducks) and doesnt disturb any of them.
the only thing i'd add is that not only do you need to take breed into account, you also need to consider the dog's personal temperament.
take your time, better to take a while and get it right than jump into a decision and then end up having to try and rehome
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We did rehome him to a shoot and he is having a blast being trained by experts.
Salx :pig:
Shoot and having a blast! - Thats very good ;D ;D
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Problem is working dogs are bred for just that - and not all puppies can go to working homes, and unless you know how to keep it occupied it can become a nuisance. That covers gundogs, sheepdogs etc that are bred for work.
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Try your local rescue kennels, alsorts end up as strays and need homes (not just aggressive,ill, hyper).
About 3years ago we had a Leonberger in as a stray, if i have my facts right they are a named rare breed? :dog: :dog:
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Lots of breed clubs have rescue dogs looking for homes.
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Lots of breed clubs have rescue dogs looking for homes.
But the question was what breed, not what dog. or where to get a dog ::). Decide on the breed first then go to the rescue societies - we have a Brittany on rescue just now but I wouldn't recommend that for a first time dog owner. I have had them for almost 30 years and still find them hard to control. They just want to hunt.
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i would jst like to say thankyou everyone for all ur help and advice it has really helped ;D we will definitely keep researching all possible breeds and take great care in deciding as it is a big responsibility. Thanks again and if anyone has anymore advice it would be great to hear it. :)
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I have a smallholding.Lambs,a sheep,Pigs,Free Range Chickens and Geese and a pony.I also have Working Cocker spaniels,Dogs and Bitches,Youngesters and Oldies.Never,Never have any of them ever chased any of my livestock.
Please do consider a Working cocker for your small holding.If you get a pup from genuine working stock that has a FEW Field Trial Champions back in the pedigree.Train it well Go to dog training classes.you should have the most loyal fun loving friend you could wish for.
Please dont take on someone elses problem !
If i can help you, or if you have any questions,I will answer them if i can.
Good luck with what ever pup you get.
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Its not the breed of dog but how it is trained. I have two german shepherds and a jack russell. We have ponies, chickens, pigs and lambs in the past. The three dogs know that chasing the animals is a no no. I can walk them all in the fields, right past the free range chickens without any problems. I made sure each dog was trained well as a pup and they all know mum is the boss :) :dog:
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Its not the breed of dog but how it is trained. I have two german shepherds and a jack russell. We have ponies, chickens, pigs and lambs in the past. The three dogs know that chasing the animals is a no no. I can walk them all in the fields, right past the free range chickens without any problems. I made sure each dog was trained well as a pup and they all know mum is the boss :) :dog:
YES thats right :)
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Have you thought about a corgi, a heeler, or vallhound? All on the smaller side, intelligent, bred for cattle herding, easy to train, and great little family dogs...
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like the sound of the heller, they seem ok with children and animals from what i have read, does anyone here have one?? definatley like the look of them and a smaller dog would be more suitable to us
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I am not breed loyal and have had lots or different breeds. One breed owners will swear by their breed over all others. It's hard to get an unbiased view. Out of all the breeds I've had personally, some were good at some things and bad at others. My lurcher was a superb pet but would chase everything an go temporarily deaf while doing so. My English bull terrier would only come when he felt like it. My Fox terriers have had the odd chicken and duck. The best all round dog we have had is a Wire haired Dachshund.
Good luck with your search and take your time
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I have had many breeds over the years boarder collie, mix breeds, danes, terriers etc both pedigree and rescue but for your situation I can heartily recommend a lab.. good working breed, not as intelligent as a collie but they are very trainable and doesn't have a natural tendancy to herd. Is good with animals and due to it's thick set and coat very good in all weathers and situations and most love water. They also make great family pets, are bred to be submissive, willing and will service as a gundog if trained. A very good all rounder for most situations.
Sam
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Just to confuse you even further, ;D I have (in size order) Pyranean(rescued) Gsd(rescued) beardie/border collie(deaf) Greyhound(rescued ex racer) working collie,and jack russell !! ::) They are all great with all the livestock,given that the rescues were all older and hadn't been used to any livestock they have
been great just took a little bit of education, so its really up to you and the dog, obviously if the working types have nothing to stimulate them they will find something for themselves which prob will be mischief,at best!!! good luck ;)
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samoyeds tend to herd and they also get lost in a flock of sheep from a distance you cant tell which is which.
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;D ;D ;D ;D Except when they open their mouths - the 'yip' is a tiny bit different from the 'meh' ;)
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recognisable to the breed,as anyone who has one will testify... ;D ;D :dog:
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And anyone who has ever been to a dog show will also testify - see Sammies and get your ear defenders on! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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but one look into the smily face makes up for the noise....and the hair..tons of it at the moment need sheep shears..and the puppies look like polar bears. ahh :)
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samoyeds tend to herd and they also get lost in a flock of sheep from a distance you cant tell which is which.
Years ago i parked up at a sled dog race right next to a team of sammys, they were cracking looking dogs but they didnt shut up at all, not even when they were running, they just yap, yap, yaped all the way away from the starting area.
i left the rally at the end of the day with a splitting head ache and vowed never to park near them again.
got to say though that they do look great and really enjoyed there race
kn
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but one look into the smily face makes up for the noise....and the hair..tons of it at the moment need sheep shears..and the puppies look like polar bears. ahh :)
I used to know a lady up in Aberdeen who made jumpers and hats with her Sammy's wool. And yes they do have that lovely characteristic 'smile', don't they?
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I think that most of the sled dog breeds are noisy. My Malamute howls and whines incessantly in the morning to go for his walk. Does a full head back throaty howl if the emergency services go by with their sirens on..............I Love it when he does that! 8)
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my lot tend to let rip for breakfast and tea, but the rest of the time they tend to play quietly. when they do let rip i love it but it is hard to think, 11 sibes screaming and howling is amazing.
kn
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penny has only howled once in 11 years ,on the beach one evening at a full moon, spine tingling!!
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my lot tend to let rip for breakfast and tea, but the rest of the time they tend to play quietly. when they do let rip i love it but it is hard to think, 11 sibes screaming and howling is amazing.
kn
Looked on your website. Loved the video!
Was that you on the rig? If it was were you gee'ing to the left? Couldn't quite hear very well. Once again, I LOVED that video.
Ian
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I loved that video too -great to see dogs doing what they were bred for.
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hi ian
if you mean the video on the home page that is me on the rig, the other videos with the dogs running will also be me on the rig.
if you heard the word gee, then i would be turning right, haw is for left. do you work yours.
hi doganjo
i love to see dogs doing what they were bred for, not the fighting breads though of course.
we are lucky here as from our back window we can see a copse, so in shooting season we are able to watch how well behaved the labs are and how good they are at retrieving, some of them are fantastic. it does make you laugh though when they have a young over enthusiastic dog running riot amongst them.
kn
ps. thanks for the nice comments about the video
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hi ian
if you mean the video on the home page that is me on the rig, the other videos with the dogs running will also be me on the rig.
if you heard the word gee, then i would be turning right, haw is for left. do you work yours.
ps. thanks for the nice comments about the video
Hiya mate, I run mine, rather than work......I run my Malamute with a Leonberger........The Leo is lead dog too (don't ask ;D ;D)
I just thought that I heard gee when turning left on the homepage video, I know haw is left so thought you had a 'cunning plan' :)
If you compete, our Mal breeder is Lorraine LeFerve (Kegluneq). She is fairly loud at the events ;D ;D so you may know of her.
Nice to see them in harness!
Ian
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If you compete, our Mal breeder is Lorraine LeFerve (Kegluneq). She is fairly loud at the events ;D ;D so you may know of her.
Nice to see them in harness!
Ian
hi ian
yes i know lorraine, havent seen her for some time though, we tend to race with a different organisation (BSHRA)
i may have made a mistake on one of the corners but its unlikely as the dogs would have gone the wrong way, i will have to listen to the video more closely again
kn
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Was probably just me kn, don't worry about it.
Anyway, going back to topic ;D I would suggest that Mals and Huskies' are probably not good as smallholding dogs................unless you use 'em to get you around the place in which case, you would probably have a large holding :)
Ian
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might be a large holding but you wouldnt have much livestock left.
not with my lot anyway.
kn
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might be a large holding but you wouldnt have much livestock left.
not with my lot anyway.
kn
;D :) ;D