[macgro7]

Why a dalmation? They are running dogs, not livestock guardians.

Dalmatians traditionally used toxlive in stables together with their pack - the horses. They were imprinted on horses and would run with them along the carriages.

Thought they could imprint on goats or sheep 

[Fleecewife]

Why a dalmation? They are running dogs, not livestock guardians.

Dalmatians traditionally used toxlive in stables together with their pack - the horses. They were imprinted on horses and would run with them along the carriages.

Thought they could imprint on goats or sheep 

Ah!  If the dogs imprinted on the horses it was so they would run behind them; if the dogs imprinted on sheep then ran behind them, they would be chasing the sheep, or hens, or geese, or goats.  The difference is that the latter are all prey animals, so being chased is not something fun, but a risk to their lives.  So not protecting the animals, but persecuting them. I think a bit more  needs to go into that idea.

[macgro7]

Well, they used to run along or in front of horses to warn the people to go off the road

[Backinwellies]

Not quite sure what you really want M7 .
.......  you state you have too many foxes then say you are moving (where foxes may not be such an issue) .
........ You want a guard dog to live outside dog but also a pet.

I agree with others .... move first then rethink needs/wants

What livestock are you planning to have on your smallholding?

[macgro7]

I'm planning to expand my goat herd firstly. Then add sheep. I'd love to have dairy cows but that's a long term plan...

[Steph Hen]

It may be more of a hassle introducing a dog to the goats. My goats were bottlefed alongside the dog, who dutifully curled up beside them, cleaned their faces and went for walks altogether. After a year or two the goats turned on the dog and decided he wasn’t for them anymore. I could shout and they wouldn’t headbut him but thereafter had to keep them separate there after unless I was present. Same with the geese, started off well, but ended up bullying the poor dog.
If spaniels are silly, Dalmatians are idiots. Maybe two hundred years ago they were quick witted and loyal but I’ve yet to meet a sensible one today. I’ve also posted on here for dog recommendations, I need more time to dedicate to a dog, my children take up 99% of my time and energy at the moment!

[landroverroy]

Macgro 7 - you are never going to get a dog that does everything you require. They are living feeling creatures, not automatons. It would be nice, I must admit, but remember the phrase - "Jack of all trades. Master of none"
To me, if you get a dog that you can relate to and that is on the same wavelength as you - can you ask for more? Such a dog will always do its best  for you, even if it sometimes gets it wrong.


Sounds like at the moment your main problem is foxes. So get a lama! they are really good at chasing foxes, and some donkeys will also. I had one once that almost killed my own dog when he went into the field.
Most dogs are good guard dogs. Even when living inside they will sense or hear anything wrong outside. You can have your perimeter guarded well by sensors or cameras.


There are alternative solutions for most tasks you would like your ideal dog to do. So  just get a dog that you get enjoyment from - it doesn't have to be any special breed. It s said that the right dog will find you, and I have certainly found that to be true in several cases.

[macgro7]

We have automatic night lights (with movement sensors) that just keep flashing the whole night just outside my bedroom - 2 sometimes 3 foxes fighting.
Unfortunately the property we were hoping to buy was sold... ridiculous when you think that it was only a 3 bedroom house with the acres. It sold for over £800k 

Maybe we should move somewhere like Wales or Scotland. I dream of Orkney - a 300 acre farm for sale for £500k 
But what would I do for living? Parcelforce doesn't even go there...

The llama idea is fantastic I must say! I heard alpacas have the same effect on foxes - an so is the smell of their poo???

Well, dogs will have to wait for a while longer... I always wanted to have one, but my mum said nom then I moved out. Got married. And my wife said no...

[in the hills]

Sorry about the property. Hopefully others will come along soon. Wales is great!!!!


Once you've found your country property and things are back to 'normal' you could maybe visit some dog shows with your wife and family. Look at different breeds, talk to breeders, get a feel for what might suit you. I think that taking on any animal is much better if it's a family decision with all on board .... especially if it's a dog.

[Backinwellies]

Maybe we should move somewhere like Wales or Scotland. I dream of Orkney - a 300 acre farm for sale for £500k 
But what would I do for living? .

With 300 acres .....  i think you would be farming for a living!

you could buy a reasonable smallholding for £500K in mid wales ....   pre covid this would have bought you a reasonable smallholding nearer the M4 but not anymore.

[macgro7]

I have still seen beautiful smallholdings for sale in Wales for that kind of price.

The one that was sold in Leicestershire was managed as lawn. 6 acres and not a single weed - no nettles, no brambles, no hedges around the ditch bordering arable fields - a blank canvas.
The entire 6 acres was regularly cut with a ride on mower.
There is another house with 7.5 acres around for sale but they want £835k for it, and it's not as good as the above one...

[in the hills]

In Mid Wales you would probably find a property to run as a smallholding/farm, plus holiday let's/campsite for that amount. So a farm with diversification.

[macgro7]

Yes. What I'm looking for really is a smallholding, to grow elveg for the family and have more space for animals than here. I gave up on my dream of a farm as a full time job and now just want it for my family.
Instead what I'm looking for is a property with buildings suitable to storage (i.e. a warehouse) and in a place where courier companies deliver from or to, for a standard UK price (I.e. Highlands of Scotland or Orkney unfortunately are a no 👎), so we can run a business from home.
The property that I was talking about earlier would have been perfect - 5 minutes for Leicester, 6 acres, 11k Square ft of former agricultural buildings, divided into 12 units - all rented out 
And of course beautifully 4 bedroom bungalow that was in a perfect state, ready to move in tomorrow.
Sounds like a perfect property for retirement, with rental income. No wonder the old owner used to cut the grass to perfection

[Fleecewife]

South of the Central Belt of Scotland is fine for deliveries, especially if you found somewhere near the M74.  It's also within striking distance of some of the most beautiful countryside there is.

[HappyHippy]

South of the Central Belt of Scotland is fine for deliveries, especially if you found somewhere near the M74.  It's also within striking distance of some of the most beautiful countryside there is.

Ditto! I'm in South Lanarkshire, Lesmahagow to be exact. 10 minutes from the M74 motorway, less than an hour to Glasgow or Edinburgh but in splendid isolation in beautiful countryside. Downside is that it's cooler and your growing season is slightly shorter than down south - but adapt your planting and acquire a polytunnel and it's totally do-able 

We had loads of foxes when we had our pigs and they never caused a problem for our chickens or turkeys - the smell of pig poo is supposed to keep them away, I can't say for certain that it works all the time but it seemed to for us.

Farm dog versus pet dog is a tricky situation IMHO. Farm or working dogs are a very different beast to a loving family pet as others have already said. That's not to say working dogs aren't loving or friendly.

Get a dog you like, aim for it to be a pet and if you get it as a pup and socialise it with all your livestock, giving firm training as you go and it should respect them as it grows  The cleverer the dog, the quicker you'll train it.

We have two German Shepherds - great big barky scary guard dogs. Except they're not (well, they DO bark, a lot) but they are great family pets, will walk for miles or lay at your feet in front of the fire. Clever and easy to train and great big loveable lumps. Everyone has their favourites  Good luck with your search - pet and property.
HH