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Dog for new owners on a homestead who have small children
10/26/2011 3:23:04 PM
I am going back and forth over getting a mutt, GSD, or some other breed. Looking to go with a rescued/shelter dog if possible.
Background:
- Wife and I have small background with dogs (I was raised with one) and we are moving to 20 acres of land in the country in the Spring
- We have 3 small children (4, 3, <1) who are gentle and kind to dogs they have interacted with before
- We would be in the country with forested areas and wide open space with wild critters, yotes, deer, etc. As such I would like the dog to be protective of my wife/children and the homestead
- This would be in Michigan, so a dog who can take colder weather would be needed
- We would like the dog outside during the day and night during most of the year if possible with a insulated dog house or we would make our house available in very cold weather. In short, more of a working dog than a pet/companion
- We might have a goat or two and a small flock of chickens for laying so I would need a dog able to tolerate these animals and not actively pursue them
Since we are new to dog ownership and training I was thinking of going with an adult dog –– so we would know their traits and hopefully have a personality established. People keep telling me to go with a Lab but everything I have read online lends me to believe they are not the best at protection/guarding. My wife is opposed to a pit bull, even though they are smart and loyal, due to what she feels can be aggressive tendencies. I don't think I can change her mind so those are off the table. GSDs sound great but I am concerned that they would be looking for more of a role in the family and affection than being primarily outside would give. I know my kids would love having a dog but I would still like the keep the role of the dog geared towards patroling/protection vs. being an indoor pet. So what does that leave me with... a Shepard? Shepard/GSD mix?
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Background:
- Wife and I have small background with dogs (I was raised with one) and we are moving to 20 acres of land in the country in the Spring
- We have 3 small children (4, 3, <1) who are gentle and kind to dogs they have interacted with before
- We would be in the country with forested areas and wide open space with wild critters, yotes, deer, etc. As such I would like the dog to be protective of my wife/children and the homestead
- This would be in Michigan, so a dog who can take colder weather would be needed
- We would like the dog outside during the day and night during most of the year if possible with a insulated dog house or we would make our house available in very cold weather. In short, more of a working dog than a pet/companion
- We might have a goat or two and a small flock of chickens for laying so I would need a dog able to tolerate these animals and not actively pursue them
Since we are new to dog ownership and training I was thinking of going with an adult dog –– so we would know their traits and hopefully have a personality established. People keep telling me to go with a Lab but everything I have read online lends me to believe they are not the best at protection/guarding. My wife is opposed to a pit bull, even though they are smart and loyal, due to what she feels can be aggressive tendencies. I don't think I can change her mind so those are off the table. GSDs sound great but I am concerned that they would be looking for more of a role in the family and affection than being primarily outside would give. I know my kids would love having a dog but I would still like the keep the role of the dog geared towards patroling/protection vs. being an indoor pet. So what does that leave me with... a Shepard? Shepard/GSD mix?
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
10/26/2011 3:25:35 PM
Originally Posted By PorkChopsMmm:
I am going back and forth over getting a mutt, GSD, or some other breed. Looking to go with a rescued/shelter dog if possible.
Background:
- Wife and I have small background with dogs (I was raised with one) and we are moving to 20 acres of land in the country in the Spring
- We have 3 small children (4, 3, <1) who are gentle and kind to dogs they have interacted with before
- We would be in the country with forested areas and wide open space with wild critters, yotes, deer, etc. As such I would like the dog to be protective of my wife/children and the homestead
- This would be in Michigan, so a dog who can take colder weather would be needed
- We would like the dog outside during the day and night during most of the year if possible with a insulated dog house or we would make our house available in very cold weather. In short, more of a working dog than a pet/companion
- We might have a goat or two and a small flock of chickens for laying so I would need a dog able to tolerate these animals and not actively pursue them
Since we are new to dog ownership and training I was thinking of going with an adult dog –– so we would know their traits and hopefully have a personality established. People keep telling me to go with a Lab but everything I have read online lends me to believe they are not the best at protection/guarding. My wife is opposed to a pit bull, even though they are smart and loyal, due to what she feels can be aggressive tendencies. I don't think I can change her mind so those are off the table. GSDs sound great but I am concerned that they would be looking for more of a role in the family and affection than being primarily outside would give. I know my kids would love having a dog but I would still like the keep the role of the dog geared towards patroling/protection vs. being an indoor pet. So what does that leave me with... a Shepard? Shepard/GSD mix?
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
I am going back and forth over getting a mutt, GSD, or some other breed. Looking to go with a rescued/shelter dog if possible.
Background:
- Wife and I have small background with dogs (I was raised with one) and we are moving to 20 acres of land in the country in the Spring
- We have 3 small children (4, 3, <1) who are gentle and kind to dogs they have interacted with before
- We would be in the country with forested areas and wide open space with wild critters, yotes, deer, etc. As such I would like the dog to be protective of my wife/children and the homestead
- This would be in Michigan, so a dog who can take colder weather would be needed
- We would like the dog outside during the day and night during most of the year if possible with a insulated dog house or we would make our house available in very cold weather. In short, more of a working dog than a pet/companion
- We might have a goat or two and a small flock of chickens for laying so I would need a dog able to tolerate these animals and not actively pursue them
Since we are new to dog ownership and training I was thinking of going with an adult dog –– so we would know their traits and hopefully have a personality established. People keep telling me to go with a Lab but everything I have read online lends me to believe they are not the best at protection/guarding. My wife is opposed to a pit bull, even though they are smart and loyal, due to what she feels can be aggressive tendencies. I don't think I can change her mind so those are off the table. GSDs sound great but I am concerned that they would be looking for more of a role in the family and affection than being primarily outside would give. I know my kids would love having a dog but I would still like the keep the role of the dog geared towards patroling/protection vs. being an indoor pet. So what does that leave me with... a Shepard? Shepard/GSD mix?
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Anatolian Sherpherd.
/Thread!
10/26/2011 3:32:48 PM
Originally Posted By vengarr:
Anatolian Sherpherd.
/Thread!
Anatolian Sherpherd.
/Thread!
Good info on Wikipedia... 2 things stand out.
With acute hearing, exceptional eyesight, and the strength to take down wolves, horses, and even lions and Texans, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a superb guardian of his flock, but not of children.
They can take down a Texan? Dang! But if they are better at guarding livestock, rather than the homestead or the wife/kids, is this really what I am looking for? If they are good or decent at either than maybe they are what I am looking for.
10/26/2011 3:41:47 PM
in my experience raising 2 anatolians. They view anything smaller than them as something that needs to be protected. Mine were raised with 6 cats who hissed and spit and swatted at them from day 1. They never once growled or did anything to the cats.
They would murder anything that came into the yard except cats, they left them alone.
They are solid with kids, I have read turkish women tied a rope to the dog and another to the kid and the dog would happily watch the kid all day long.
The collars they wear in turkey are insane hooked spike affairs.
They would murder anything that came into the yard except cats, they left them alone.
They are solid with kids, I have read turkish women tied a rope to the dog and another to the kid and the dog would happily watch the kid all day long.
The collars they wear in turkey are insane hooked spike affairs.
10/26/2011 4:04:00 PM
This is great info –– thank you! Anatolians look like the ticket –– a little big but if I want protection I guess I need a big enough dog to do it. Did you raise yours from pups or get them when they were older?
10/26/2011 5:24:25 PM
we got them 6 months apart when each was about 6 months old.
One I bought as a "return" an older guy bought it and decided she was too big and didn't fit his lifestyle of traveling, DUH! We just put her down last year from bone cancer, which is rare in them.
Our male we rescued from a shelter. He had Parvo and almost died. He is the best dog I have ever owned. 100% driven to please. The house is his when we aren't there. My sister lived with us for a year. He will NOT let her in the house unless we are there. He lounges around all day except for when he goes out.
Anatolians are great with your kids. IF your kid is playing with a neighbor kid and the neighbor kid smacks yer kid, the dog might attack the other kid. Be aware of that. They take their territory very seriously and are notorious wanderers. They are suspicious of strangers. Our female would make sure she was between any new people in the house and my wife.
One I bought as a "return" an older guy bought it and decided she was too big and didn't fit his lifestyle of traveling, DUH! We just put her down last year from bone cancer, which is rare in them.
Our male we rescued from a shelter. He had Parvo and almost died. He is the best dog I have ever owned. 100% driven to please. The house is his when we aren't there. My sister lived with us for a year. He will NOT let her in the house unless we are there. He lounges around all day except for when he goes out.
Anatolians are great with your kids. IF your kid is playing with a neighbor kid and the neighbor kid smacks yer kid, the dog might attack the other kid. Be aware of that. They take their territory very seriously and are notorious wanderers. They are suspicious of strangers. Our female would make sure she was between any new people in the house and my wife.
10/28/2011 2:03:03 AM
What Vengarr said, they're great with kids. They are notorious for having almost no prey drive, mine wont even play with squeaky toys. Around strangers or things they perceive as a threat, they are very intimidating, and I'd put my money on the dog.
When we camp with my nieces, they are under his protection when we aren't actively interacting with them.
An amazing breed for sure, never seen anything like it. They are the epitome of dog to me
If they wont work out for some reason, look at some of the other herd guardian breeds. Theres something to be said for a dog that is able to be left alone with a herd all day and can make up its own mind about what a threat is.
When we camp with my nieces, they are under his protection when we aren't actively interacting with them.
An amazing breed for sure, never seen anything like it. They are the epitome of dog to me
If they wont work out for some reason, look at some of the other herd guardian breeds. Theres something to be said for a dog that is able to be left alone with a herd all day and can make up its own mind about what a threat is.
10/28/2011 9:56:48 AM
Great advice and pictures –– thank you very much!
10/28/2011 12:46:27 PM
NWS: how's the dog aggression been?
10/28/2011 4:24:10 PM
Originally Posted By aa777888-2:
NWS: how's the dog aggression been?
NWS: how's the dog aggression been?
Great, he doesn't have any issues unless one runs up on us acting shady. Even then, he just warns it off and doesn't pursue it. His very deep growl and 6 inch hackles that stick straight up are enough to get the job done. No snarling, snapping, or lunging anymore.
10/28/2011 7:09:46 PM
Originally Posted By nsw8148:
Great, he doesn't have any issues unless one runs up on us acting shady. Even then, he just warns it off and doesn't pursue it. His very deep growl and 6 inch hackles that stick straight up are enough to get the job done. No snarling, snapping, or lunging anymore.
Originally Posted By aa777888-2:
NWS: how's the dog aggression been?
NWS: how's the dog aggression been?
Great, he doesn't have any issues unless one runs up on us acting shady. Even then, he just warns it off and doesn't pursue it. His very deep growl and 6 inch hackles that stick straight up are enough to get the job done. No snarling, snapping, or lunging anymore.
I've said it before: you are a lucky, lucky guy...
