The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: UK Fisher on February 11, 2010, 02:59:00 am
-
Without opening a can of worms, in your opinions what is the best breed or xbreed to have around your smallholding with your livestock,,,,,i personally have a really old collie x (best dog ever,,,great temperment, and soooo loyal) ,,loves the outdoors but is in his 15th year,,,was thinking of maybe another collie / x and possibly a jack russel.
Your opinions would be great though.
Andy
-
I should think any of the pastoral breeds would be ok.
I'm having 2 German shepherds and some golden retrievers around my stock, the sheps will be herders and the goldens will just look good. ;D or give the poultry a nervous breakdown!
They will all be stock trained though.
When I was first married the only new (apart from our bed) thing we bought was 2 Samoyed pups and they were great later on with our kids they herded them and rounded them up all the time. Each child learnt to walk holding onto a sam.
Wonderful breed but horrendous coat care.
-
As a kid we always had labradors or lab x, but they never really had much to do with the livestock (beef cows)
I've got a big daft German Shepherd, Boris, who just loves playing with the pigs. I do like collies and if we had sheep then I'd definately have one, but don't know that I'd trust it with the kids the way I do Boris.
I suppose it depends what stock you've got and whether it's to be purely a 'working' dog or family pet.
-
I always had collies, but my OH likes GSD, and we are on our second of those. Also have a labrador x. Personally, I still prefer a collie, but once these 5 dogs go, we are not having any more. We travel a lot to shows round the country with the ponies, and whilst the other livestock can cope all day, its not fair on the dogs to be shut in....although they are outside dogs.
-
I think if I had livestock probably a border collie, although shetland sheepdogs are good too. For a family pet, I've always been partial to big, flumpy dogs like neo mastiffs or rotties, or a cane corso. If I wanted a small toy one, it'd be a mini schnauzer or a scottie ;D
There's this website, that's pretty good if you're looking for (a rescue) one:
http://www.dogsblog.com
-
Whatever you do, don't get a Brittany :o - neither you nor your animals will ever manage to keep up with it! ;) My four have me run ragged. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
Will second the recomendation for Dogsblog - its where I found our beautiful, bonkers German Shepherd!
She's too disturbed to be let loose round anything, but having the goats has helped calm her down as they seem to accept her as part of the 'herd!'
A Shep with a good background (not like our girl) would be great, as a herding, guarding, good looking burgular deterrant!
A JRT would be a great ratter, and my neighbours' jrt chases foxes !
-
Is that where you got your dog Littleblue? :) I always think we ought to get rescue dogs, and not buy one, but Annie will go out of business if we all do that ;D
-
I have a parson russell and a jack russell x. We had a couple of mishaps early on but they are great now. Mind you a hen actually flew into Ambers mouth one morning - she couldn't really be blamed for biting it.
Personally I would always want to have a JR. They are so lovely and lively and fun. Ideally I would have an alsation x labrador and a JR for contrast but with so many kids I cant get a big dog in the car for holidays.
Also JR have little poos and don't eat much which is good in terms of clearing up outside and saving money.
:)
-
yes, dogsblog list them by breed, or age, or rescue centre, its like a national data base!
We'd asked at local centres for a gsd but not v helpful. I saw her and that was it! She had a really rotten start which has left her with a lot of problems... but she's the most affectionate dog in the whole world & as my o/h is agrophobic it doesnt really matter that she cant cope well outside either!
Yes, shes abit big and has an enormous bark (currently directed at poor old Barney - my late parents in laws' poodle!) but we love her.. and she knows it.
Our house is like a submarine - you cant open one door without knowing the next one is closed - because she chases the cats, cant be off lead outside, and frightens the postman! But we have a good system, and at the end of the day, its not her fault - she didnt asked to be chained up & rarely fed.
Dont mean to offend, or be contraversial, but wouldnt it be fairer to limit how many dogs (and other animals) are actively bred, until rescue centres are cleared? Particularly breeds like gsds, staffies, etc (not Annies rarer Brittanys!)
Sheba is a gorgeous pedigree who was bought by people who couldnt cope with her and left it rather than admit it, so had little socialisation, no manners and finds life just abit too much for her. Its just such a blooming Shame!!
(*shut up now, woman... thats enough ranting!!*)
-
Is that where you got your dog Littleblue? :) I always think we ought to get rescue dogs, and not buy one, but Annie will go out of business if we all do that ;D
Don't worry, I'm just about at the end of my breeding life - and you don't make money at this anyway. Not unless you have Labradors that is ;D ;D ;D
-
I agree Little Blue. It's heartbreaking to see so many dogs in rescues, and then there are the breeders who don't care about their dogs and just use them as little money making factories, and then dump them at rescue centres after they can't breed any more :(
Annie, if all dog breeders love their dogs as much as you, and socialise them etc, there wouldn't be so much problems rehoming them. And what was that about Labs, do they make a lot of money?
-
We have labs and would happily keep them all. Labradors are so layed back, ours do not flinch at chasing anything, Ben, our rescue boy would go into feilds just to eat the poo, thats what attracts him NOT the sheep or the chickens. Ben is a treat to have but hard work too, he loves his pups. I love the pups too and find it easy to clean up some poo and wee, the benifits they give you is much more than any rewards money could buy!!! we love our pups so much that we have bought another to grow up with ours, that labrador was brought up in a purpose built unit and did not see people except thier owner, ours see loads of people, have experienced lots of differents sounds, dogs barking, hoover, general household noise and so should not be shy when they go to thier new homes they also mix with our other dogs and they go outside to play and get daily cuddles not like some breeders who just feed, and clean them, the example is where we got our chocolate Lab from, well looked after but no real affection. Our dogs are a part of our life and pack and all the owners who have bought them will remain in touch and will meet up for a professional photographer, as long as I have enough money to repay the money I have spent I am OK, to me they have been better than nights out, pubs, Bingo or shopping trips. People breed dogs for all different reasons, it is not right that people should judge without fully understanding why an indivdual may breed?? we have seen that the new owners/pack leaders are going to experience a richer life with our pups and we are very happy to give them the oppertunity, how much fun can you have for free with a dog? LOADS..!!!!!.
-
I think labs are great! We actually wanted to start an autism service dog charity and labs were of course our first choice, but the charity didn't work out because of funding and kennels were a problem etc. I hope I didn't sound like I was judging Sandy - I'm sure you provide a great service, but I do think there are lots of people out there who breed with no thought for their breeding dogs, and it's really sad when that happens.
-
We understand and its a bonus we love our dogs and our at home, we were very propared to give any we did not sell to RNIB but we have had so many phone calls and it gives us a very warm glow to know we have given some joy and love to others...Labbs are so adaptable, ideal dogs but they can destroy things very quickly if boared...I thank our dogs all the time for enabling me to enjoy where I live!!! No offence taken!
-
It's got to be a Jack Russell, keep the rats and rabbits down.The last one we had was a brilliant gun dog too ,she would sit at hubby's feet watching till he fired the gun and she was off bringing back even the biggest of rabbits even though they were the same size as her. The one that I have now (Daisy), is great at rounding up the hens and the sheep.She tried the pigs too but they wouldn't stand for it.
-
Annie, if all dog breeders love their dogs as much as you, and socialise them etc, there wouldn't be so much problems rehoming them. And what was that about Labs, do they make a lot of money?
No that was a joke - just shows that what you write on a forum isn't always how it coems across when youmread it. :-[
-
;) ;)I know, talking one to one is OK but the forum can make you sound the opposite to what you mean.....a bit like TEXT and some phone calls!!
-
Have I phoned you and offended you? I don't remember doing that. If so I'm sorry. Or have I mis read that now? ::)
-
No no no...don't be silly billy, we think the world of you!!!!! I take a LOT of offending,........I live with Steve...bless him!!
-
Not at all offended
Not at all offended
Not at all offended
Not at all offended
[/font][/color] BY ANYONE!!
-
No no no...don't be silly billy, we think the world of you!!!!! I take a LOT of offending,........I live with Steve...bless him!!
Thank goodness, wouldn't want to lose the best friends I've got down here! ::) Can't wait to meet Rhum ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
We are in all tomorrow....she is so sweet, her eyes are on us all the time,think it's due to her not seeing many people. A little girl came to collect her bitch and she was the hyper of the litter but still cute...well the little girl picked up Rhum and said I will have this one, shes quiet!! Rhum just sat and looked at the little girl for ages...it was charming....We love Rum
-
How did you hear of her and was she bred locally?
-
We have been looking for a chocolate lab for ages so trawled the adds, Gumtree, Ad trader, Free Ads, Sun, pets4 homes etc etc and found her on one of the above, she was from where Steves brother lives, Leven around 19 miles away so great to collect her from...the man was nice and as I said goes beating with her mum, he has had a purpose built shed that was very nice...her pedegree includes loads of FTCH and some show champions, when we register her you can have a look with pleasure.
-
I hope her parents eyes are clear and they have has a good hip scores, at least under breed average.
Sorry Sandy I have a bee in my bonnet about working dogs breeders not doing as they should for the breed with the relevant checks ("only applies to the show ring").
FTCH are all well and good IF they are fit enough to work.
-
Hip score was below the breed avarage, fourteen, not too sure about eyes, we never got Isaly tested as she came into season but her dad had clear eyes and an excellant hip score, her mum was not tested,,islay's hop score is below the breed average as well..On lady who brought a Lab from us had a lad recently put to sleep, he was thirteen and he had no hip joints and was on pain killers all his life...just like me...I had no hip joint either but had a replacement put in 6 years ago, no looking back but it has left me with some over stretched muscles in my bum...I have torn them several times causing me more problems that the hip operation..OK now though...One note,many breeders are irrisponsible, we hope we provide good, heathy dogs, we give them lot's of attention and try to do our best for them...I worked in Child protection and a lot of humans should not be allowed to breed but they do costing everyone loads of money.....
-
We've got flatcoated retrievers( trained and experienced for hunts,to retrieve after the shooting), a shepherdmix and a west highland white.
All of them get along with the ducks, chickens and the cats.Sometimes a chicken comes out of the fenced area...well the dogs only go to that one to tell me "there is one on the loose".
We even walk the pigs together with the dogs.
-
:) i have a border terrier she has come into the chicken runs with me since day 1 and only once got a little excited so i took her in with the big boy (nasty cockerel ) he had a little go at her and now she can walk through the chicken runs without bothering them, she has more about her to go in with the cattle and much prefers to waite for me at the gate, the goats & pigs she much prefers to roll in the s**t than bother them :o.
mum has a staffie cross atm but she has had labs, rough collies and plenty of x breeds running with all the above it all about geting any dog used to the livestock you live with and visa versa.
-
It's not actually as simple as that. I have ducks and chickens. My working Brittany male was taken into the poultry pen since he was 9 weeks old, but the minute I took him on a duck shoot, where he had to retrieve not only shot dead birds, but also runners (winged, but had to be retrieved to avoid suffering to them) his attitude to my own birds changed. He then saw them as game in the proper sense of the word and if they get out he is honour bound to retrieve them and bring them back to me. ;D ;D If I am quick enough with the stop whistle then I can get to them first though, and he is extremely soft mouthed, (as are all four of my Brittanys), so they are none the worse for the experience of being carried over to me. ;D The hunt instinct is stronger than anything for Brittanys - they won't even stop for food ::)
-
We have 2 border collies - Tess now 16, our first dog is an angel so loving - doesn't bother the pygmy goats, the duck, the hens or the cats. Blue was a re homed dog now 14 and is nuttier than Tess, even though he loves us and we've had him about 10 years he still doesn't like you to hold his collar - with a lead on he's fine but no lead and he's not happy (must be a past memory there). We lost a Collie/Retriever Cally who was a fantastic, friendly and really good natures - very bouncy - to save on dog bed space Allen made bunk beds for the dogs - Tess on the bottom and Cally on the top - she loved it bouncing into her bunk!!! The came Sash, I didn't want a Cally replacement so thought we would offer a rescue GS a home and after inspection etc surprisingly we ended up with a 16 week old pup - Like Little Blue's post we've and times when we've lived in a submarine which is fine if your used to it but it's such a worry with guests - Sasha was fine for 4 years and then one day out of the blue attacked Tess - she was bleeding and crying it was awful - things calmed down but I realised it could happen again and about a week later it did - throwing a bucket of water on Sasha only meant the kitchen floor was slippery and added to the confusion - now maybe i didn't deal with it correctly but now Sasha and Tess never come into contact with each other and at least we know things will be OK. Sasha is great with people - one bark and she's told them she's about, a few sniffs and she lies down - I should have known really as I was determined to do well with her at puppy classes and she hated it - when wee dogs were happily playing she would hide under a seat. As I say I don't know what I did wrong - probably spoilt. So one day if we were ever to get another dog that would be happy with the livestock I would probably go for a collie - Taken a long time to get to that!!
-
I have the same problem with my GWP - doesn't like other bitches, fine with the boys and absolutely brilliant with people especially my grandchildren! She's got worse as she's got older and at 13 I won't change her now. But I have found a solution whereby she can run with all my other dogs now. She wears a well fitting, comfortable, cloth muzzle put on as soon as she comes out of her kennel. Absolutely no problem now, and if she gets a wee bit uppity with one of the others I just need to get a hold of them and reprimand them if they start anything as Hester can't do any harm so doesn't retaliate. Life is so much calmer now, Hester doesn't mind her muzzle at all since she can still pick up chicken poo ;D And I can walk her in public without any looks from other people since she is dark coated and the muzzle doesn't really show up unless you are close up to her. All 5 will be running together again as soon as Freckles is better.
-
we have an Airedale (always wanted one as my grandparents had one and you don't see that many nowadays) and a Cocker Spaniel which was rescued by my son and passed to us. They are both lovely, Airedale is gorgious temperament, and a great character. CS is greedy, but loving and fun. Neither are good around the chickens though. Score so far is Max the Airedale 2 chickens 0 (they are better fenced in now in a very large plot and he seems to leave the others alone knowing he can't get to them). If you can put up with having to watch an Airedale around stock they are gorgeous dogs. Yes, I know I should be able to chicken-train him but whenever I try to take him in the chicken area on a lead, all the chickens run for cover under the camelias and rhodies so there's no chance to train!
-
wise chickens?!
-
We have a cardigan welsh corgi (the corgi with a tail). we have found him to be loyal, friendly with other dogs, a good guard dog, excellent herder (sometimes with the children ), obedient, low maintenance. The only thing it took awhile to get him to stop ankle biting, teaching him to herd the cattle stopped that.
-
On a Smallholding or farm there is only one dog for the job.
Always alert.
Always ready for work.
Cannot be still for a moment.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Working%20Dogs/100_2677.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Working%20Dogs/100_2551.jpg)
-
Lovely Pics Castle Farm, but I wouldnt be without my 3 spaniels. Okay, so they retrieve the chickens and barked at my orphan lamb but I still wouldnt swap them for the world!
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e21/MrsJ1/Dogs/thetrib1a.jpg)
-
You know Im sitting here reading all these posts and looking at the pictures and wishing I could have oh so many more breeds than I do.
Id love a corgi and have wanted one since my best friend at my grandads house was a beautiful little corgi bitch. Grandad lived in the country so animals had to be my friend as there was no other human kids around for miles.
Id love to see how I could work one or two of Annies breed, the Brttanys. They sound a lot of fun (and hard work) but at my age my figure and lungs wouldnt keep up.
Ive always wanted a spaniel or two, simply cos they wiggle their whole back end when they are happy and are so funny. I was very serious about having a spaniel at one time and studiied the breed group and lines etc to find out the problems etc. I still dont know after all that study just why I didnt get one. I supsect it was that I couldnt decide exactly which spaniel to have, although I was offered an american cocker bitch for my daughter to train for the show ring. A friend is a top breeder for these.
Oh and a mastif or two would be great, lollopy and slobbery great things that flop down and fill a room.
Oh and dont airdales look sooo good when they are strutting?
Flat coats and labs are just the best house dogs (along with Goldens of course), as long as there is an endless supply of food and cuddles.
I have promised myself a lap dog breed for many years, a bichon or something like it.
Recently I have been looking at and studying Otterhounds, a rare and interesting breed and am very drawn to owning a small pack, but then sense kicks in and I back off. So far!
Oh so many breeds so liitle time/room.
Thank goodness we have just bought a boarding kennels so I can love the dogs without having to be the 'wierd old lady in the village that has millions of dogs' ;D
-
Id love to see how I could work one or two of Annies breed, the Brttanys. They sound a lot of fun (and hard work) but at my age my figure and lungs wouldnt keep up.
And what makes you think mine do? ;D ;D ;D
They aren't going at 100mph 100% of the time. Sometimes they sit on my knee, or curl up on teh conservatory settee together. ;) I couldn't cope otherwise!
-
In my dream world, I'd have a whippet (a silvery grey one), a Cavalier King Charles (one without any medical problems) and a wolfhound, plus our two collies (who would be calm and "normal"). Hey ho, one can dream.
-
Collies, every time. Though I do appreciate a Jack Russell for the ratting benefits.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b340/ballingall/DSCF3420.jpg)
-
It has to be lurchers. They are very easy to stock train, you also have no problems with rabbits around as they go straight in the pot, and the foxes seem to have disappeared???
I have 3 of them so an completely biased, but doubt I would have any other breed now.
-
The problem with lurchers is they aren't a breed, they are mongrels and can't breed true to type - that's why they aren't registered with the KC. They can be just about anything mixed with anything else so vary quite a lot. I've never seen the attraction myself till I met Sandy's daughter's one last week. She is an absolute sweetie, I've been converted ;D
-
I'd love a border collie one day - unfortunately we had a dalmatian a few years ago and the experience has put Tony off of dogs for life ::) I'm sure there's good and bad in all breeds but we certainly picked a classic!!
-
Funnily enough, I was contemplating putting on a reply to say 'whatever you do don't get a dalmatian', but refrained as it was a bit negative and unfair to all those many perfectly well behaved dalmatians that I am sure exist in the world, all of which I have failed to meet!
We have one, and a collie/lurcher (ok, mongrel of dubious breeding but that's the about the closest description) and to be honest they are like chalk and cheese. Not that the collie is perfect, but he has proved somewhat easier to train and live with!
-
Whippet (Working)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Working%20Dogs/IMG_1124.jpg)(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Working%20Dogs/Oct08063-1.jpg)
Mac.One of the best ratters I have ever had.
-
siberian huskies for me, i have 11. they are naughty, independent and mad. not for everyone
(http://www.zabalaz.co.uk/photos/More%20Puppy%20Power/Pic020.JPG)
this is my last litter trashing the dog settee.
(http://www.zabalaz.co.uk/photos/On%20The%20Trail/Reece-Long[1].jpg)
and this is them working in sherwood forest
-
11 Huskeys!!! - i have one and i can just about cope with him, he's calming down a lot now, no more disappearing acts (well not often) but he still 'talks' to me and tells me off if i'm a bit slow taking him out, or when i've been out wiithout him
-
Wow!!! just love all these photos....I read a book about a distant cousin who lived witht he Inuit and had Huskeys, he wrote that you could leave them with your children but they can fight to the death for leadership, he bought a new lead dog on it killed 30 dog's one after another so he had to get rid of it!!! Love them though, I could harness my 4 Labs to a truck and they can pull me through the forest!! That whippet is very pretty and nearly down that hole!!!
-
hi s7ephanie
i wouldnt recommend letting them off lead as they like to disappear into the distance (a natural trait of the bread i am afraid) loads of info and chat on
http://sibespace.co.uk/forum/index.php
hi sandy
those dogs were probably eskimo dogs they are much more feisty than sibes who have to get on well with each other as traditionally they work in very large teams
kn
also loads more photos of my lot on my website
www.zabalaz.co.uk
-
Beautiful markings and your site is very interesting and well put together!!!
-
thanks
my wife and i are both really proud of our dogs
kn
-
We have a lurcher on our place he is half collie half whippet, he helps with the sheep and cattle and at night with lamp keeps down pests ie rats fox and rabbit, bloody good guard dog as well :dog:
-
Jez mine goes after the foxes as well.Collie type Lurchers are the best all round dog to have on a smallholding in my opinion.
Guard the your land,stock and car, work all day and are very well behaved.
-
we have 3 rottys and there great with the animals ... they chase and sometimes kill the rabbits but never any of our animals... but then i could just be lucky... they have such a bad name but all round there great dogs.. our 3 are rescue dogs ... will have to add some pics..
-
I asked my partner who has dyslexia!! what sort of dog he would have if we did not have Labradors, he said a King Edward Spanial ;D I am trying to post a pic of what that may look like ;)
-
Where is the PINK Sandy where's the pink ;D :D :wave: :farmer:
-
Could not find a real King Edward spud photo!!! ;D
-
AH well I'll let you off then :D :D :D :D :wave: :farmer:
-
:wave: ;D
-
I MUST come and see that software you have! Brilliant!
-
I'm probably biased but I've got a GSD (rescue). She's completely fine with chickens, cats and sheep (though she's a bit afraid of the sheep since one of them gave her a playful headbutt), but will chase rabbits, and even stop chasing them if told to.
mab
Having written that I've just discovered why she's been looking guilty all afternoon - she's stolen a half packet of Maltesers off the table. BAD DOG!!! >:(
-
we have a GSD. She's good with kidz, people (friendly), horses, rabbits, cats. Am I just lucky? ....
-
After stewarding in the next ring today I would say yes! And I do hope they aren't like the banana backed, cow hocked ones that were there today!
-
I had a gsd and loved her sooooooo much, loyal but a bit of a worrier!! Not at all like me
-
Well as I have just posted a for sale notice.... I have 2 working cocker spaniels who are brilliant with the sheep, chickens, horse, cows.... absolutely useless if you want a hand rounding up but temperament wise you can't get better.
... and if you like a bit of golf they are excellent and finding the balls!
-
We will stick to our Labs, lovely dogs and easy to train!!!
-
I have a husky cross labrador, he's a lovely boy, i got him from a rescue centre when he was 7 months old, he's just over 1 year now. He's brilliant around chcikens and very gentle with newly hatched chicks. He's finally calmed down around the pigs and just lies down outside the pig pen( he can clear the electric fence easily but chooses not to)and waits for me to finish seeing to them. He's fine with the cats and wonderful with other dogs but unfortunately he got in with the sheep and thoroughly enjoyed the chase not once but twice(entirely my fault) and the second time he brought down a sheep and sat on top of it pulling out its fleece. needless to say I've been very careful not to let him in again unless he's on a lead in fact i tie him to a piece of bailer twine which is fixed to my waist so that there's no way he can get loose. I feel so cross with myself that this happened as i don't think i'll ever be able to let him loose with the flock. He is however a fantastic ratter.
The attacked sheep, by the way is absolutely fine has had good size twins and shows no fear of the dog, amazing!
-
Take him in a pen with a ewe with lambs at foot. She will see him off and he won't try again. Make sure you don't get between them though - hell hath no fury like a mother sheep ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
Thanks for the advice I'll try that. I had him sitting quietly by the hay rack while i loaded it, he'd been calm for a month so i stared taking him in off the lead and he was fine, (this was with some shearlings not the in lamb ewes)then one day something spooked the sheep and they ran and that was it he was off and obviously not lisening to my calls so had had to just walk away and leave him to it, eventually he tire of it and came to the gate. I made a mental note to myself to NEVER let that happen again. I moved my in lamb ewes to a fresh field and forgot I'd done it and casually wondered through said field with Billy (my dog) half way across the field i noticed the sheep, too late, billy was off, he grounded a ewe very quickly and i caught him staight away.
anyway i will try putting him in with a ewe and lamb.
-
Better still a tup if you have one, but make sure you can handle it - keep the dog on a lead.
-
i can only tell you which dog is not a favourite: german wirehair pointer! had two of my chickens and is still not giving up... GRRRRRRRRRR
and my other one is a X breed- english pointer x springer. she is the best dog in the world. she would do the washing up for me if she could!
-
Yeah still reckon the only good one is a dead one ??? :farmer:
-
i can only tell you which dog is not a favourite: german wirehair pointer! had two of my chickens and is still not giving up... GRRRRRRRRRR
and my other one is a X breed- english pointer x springer. she is the best dog in the world. she would do the washing up for me if she could!
My GWP did this on Saturday - but to be honest not her fault. The German breeds are sharper than most as a rule, and my dog sitter seemed to think as Hester is such a 'lovely friendly little doggie' (She's NOT little for a start! Yes, she is friendly - with people!) it was all right to let her out the front to 'play' with the ducks and chickens. She was in tears when she phoned me to say Hess had got on of my ex batts. I ask you!
-
My GWP did this on Saturday - but to be honest not her fault. The German breeds are sharper than most as a rule, and my dog sitter seemed to think as Hester is such a 'lovely friendly little doggie' (She's NOT little for a start! Yes, she is friendly - with people!) it was all right to let her out the front to 'play' with the ducks and chickens. She was in tears when she phoned me to say Hess had got on of my ex batts. I ask you!
[/quote]
oh man, nightmare, isn't it? so sad when this happens. my dog was in an awful lot of trouble afterwards, doesn't deter him though... they are hunting dogs and all people say it's in their blood- fair enough, not a good consolation after you lost one of your favourite chickens though, is it? he's got quite a knack for getting my favourites as well, god knows how he does it... little sod. still love him... god knows why- i think it's their beard and lovely temperament with people; he loves everybody and they love him back. :P
-
Just found this thread and had to add my tuppence hapenny! I have had other breeds, but I am now completely addicted to Briards! They are such characters, hugely loyal and very, very funny. My 2 current ones are Sadie who is black, and Gordy (10 months) , a fawn. They are both fascinated by all the farm animals, but not allowed to 'play' with them. Yet.!!
First pic is Sadie and my gorgeous boy Chewy in Cairns-I lost him tragically to a paralysis tick.
Second pic is Gordy, the pup. A joyful, naughty hairy bundle of mischief who I adore.
-
My GWP did this on Saturday - but to be honest not her fault. The German breeds are sharper than most as a rule, and my dog sitter seemed to think as Hester is such a 'lovely friendly little doggie' (She's NOT little for a start! Yes, she is friendly - with people!) it was all right to let her out the front to 'play' with the ducks and chickens. She was in tears when she phoned me to say Hess had got on of my ex batts. I ask you!
oh man, nightmare, isn't it? so sad when this happens. my dog was in an awful lot of trouble afterwards, doesn't deter him though... they are hunting dogs and all people say it's in their blood- fair enough, not a good consolation after you lost one of your favourite chickens though, is it? he's got quite a knack for getting my favourites as well, god knows how he does it... little sod. still love him... god knows why- i think it's their beard and lovely temperament with people; he loves everybody and they love him back. :P
[/quote]
This is an old thread. I lost Hester last year - think it was April/May, still miss her loads. Have been offered pick of litter in both Wireys and my other Breed Brittanys this summer. Think I'll go for the little 'un. ::)
-
I suspect it probably won't be too tricky guessing what my favourite is!
-
Sad seeing Wizards post, such a wonderful man, how things change but still love the Labs and miss my little pups, cannot waite for the next litter, we will be all ready with a new room to use as a nursery as well!!!!
-
After Sheba chased off a potential thief & definitely trespasser yesterday ... my vote is still & always German Shepherds, all the way! :thumbsup:
-
For me, any dog can make it's home here and will be loved, but the german shepherd has a special place in my heart. It is truly loyal. It is not excellent at any one thing but is very good at most things (training permitting). Herding,tracking,guarding,retrieving, . ( except 6mth old 'obi' who is only good at disobedience and has forgotten all his puppy training!! The adolescent dog!! ::)
-
Having had German Sheperds in the past they are my favorite breed, an all over good dog to have around. We have also had Red Setters, now have a collie and jack russell. All my dogs have been trained to be well behaved and to me that is the key training. Taught well from the start and most dogs behave and are great . I know that our Jack Russell would like nothing better than to grab a hen but he hates being in my bad books so controls the urge. Our setters loved to find them bu never chased, neither did the German Shepherds. ;D