Need help selecting a breed of dog

[whitney]

Must be BIG

Must not DROOL

Must be HAIRY

Must be able to stay out year round in the barn, I live in Michigan.

HELP!

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]Whitney, do you want a guard agianst people intruders or animals? Ddry mouth and big dont usually go together but the Marema and Anatolians are fairly dry mouthed. Mastiff breeds arenot usually but Sterling would know better . A good GS can do both and is fairly dry mouthed.[/SIZE]

Lyn

 

[whitney]

Thanks Lyn

I would like it to keep people and small wild animals(skunks, possum,racoons) away.

I've had a shepard as a child and will go that route if I can't find anything more suited to horses.

Do you have any knowledge of the Bernese Mountain Dog?

 

[Sue_C.]

My mini-guard, is an Australian Shepherd, and he has done a fine job. I pity the fool, human or otherwise, who thinks he's gonna have himself one-a-HIS horses. He is much larger though, than the usual Aussie...even his breeder calls him a mutant.

I have decided that my next dog will be a Great Pyr. I have met a few and just fell in love with them. Their beauty, size and disposition, is just what I am looking for, to replace my old Kodi; as I feel I will never be lucky enough to find another Aussi with his atributes.

Edited to add, I do know of Bernese Mountain Dogs. They are beautiful dogs, but not what I would want for a herd protection dog. They were originally used as rescue dogs, in the mountains; much as the Saint Bernard, and aren't really known for their herd protection instincts. As a matter of fact, my friend who raised them, had to fence her sheep in terribly well, after one of her ******* got into the herd and slaughtered half of her spring's lamb crop. That was the first time I ever witnessed an animal other than "man" who killed more than he could eat...for the pure pleasure of it.

I know, I know...all dogs are not that one...but it put me off the Bernese as a herd protection animal...that day.

 

[kaykay]

i would go with a great pry (cant spell it lol) i have heard wonderful things about them and we almost got one last year

 

[Just Us N Texas]

The only Bermese Mountain Dog I have ever known belonged to a man I worked for several years ago. He acted vicious, but was a real coward!

 

[whitney]

I was set on a Great Pry but after meeting one and discovering the copious amount of DROOL, I just can't.

Its about the ONLY thing I can't stomach. Don't like it when guys hack on the sidewalk EITHER.

So the search is back on..................................................

 

[Sterling]

I really can't suggest one for you because I have'nt used any specific breed for what you need to use them for. I can say however, altho my Lakota, being that of the Cane Corso breed is good with horses, chickens, ducks, cats and my other dog, she was taught from day one when she got on the property that these critters were not playthings, and was supervised (and still is...she's only 8 months old) when she out with me.

I guess I'm fortunate .....she does'nt drool like a Mastiff is known to. Her lips are not that floppy she's pretty clean when it comes to things like that....LOL.

And this breed of dog definitely needs constant human companionship. They are not a dog that should be left tied up or out in a fence/kennel with just evey now and then going out to check on them for food or water. This little girl is joined at the hip with me. She goes pretty much everywhere I go, if I'm on the computer like I am now she's laying right there snoring away, if I get up to go to the kitchen she will get up and follow me there even if it means her flopping down on the floor and continuing her snooze. Can you tell I'm really a fan of the breed?

 

[Laura]

Hmm..My Pyr/Anatolian dogs are anything BUT guard dogs against people. Animals they do keep away. My jack russell is the guard dog of the place!!!

Surprisingly, my Pyr/Anatolian/Shar Pei (whoopsies) dogs were GREAT guard dogs, loved the horses and were great with kids.

Also, the breed gets bad press, but I had a Pit/Rhodesian Ridgeback cross that was honestly the best dog I've ever owned. He was VERY protective, great with all animals that BELONGED and the best child sitter you could ever ask for. I saw a lab/ridgeback cross up for private adoption in TX last year. If I had ANY business having another dog, I would have brought him home

 

[runamuk]

Not all pyr's are super drooly......keep looking.....you could go anatolian or akbash.....the akbash come with two types of coat one is hairier the other is more like an anatolian......akbash will keep everything out that doesn't belong or isn't invited.......they are not an easy breed and do need a fair bit of socializing..they do well with most stock ......however they often do NOT do well with other dogs unless they are other akbash.

here are some links

turkish dogs

LGD

 

[Jenn]

Maremmas are awesome.

 

[Jill]

My resident 7mos old watch dog is our rough coated blue merle collie, Kelsey. She is furry, beautiful, smart, protective, good with livestock, and loyal!

(pictured momentarily confined to the dog kennel)

​

 

[Narrow Way Farm]

I have to disagree on the drooling of great pyrs... we have one and I don't think I have ever seen her drool.. She is a great guard dog against people and animals. If someone comes on our property she doesn't know she will let us know

She will definatley go after an animal that isn't supposed to be in the field, and if they are where she can't get to them, she will bark till we come out to see what is the matter.. I am not a big dog person, when I was young I was attacked by a large dog, so this was a huge step for me last year. She is a year now, and we just love her... she loves the animals, and our children. I can trust her with all my kids from 4yrs - 13 years.... she is great!

This is our Daisy, she is a year old this month.

 

[Lauralee]

My Anatolian drools.

 

[Robin1]

I would look for a medium coated Anatolian Shepherd.

Robin

 

[tifflunn]

English Mastiffs Drool, pass gas, welcome most strangers with open paws- don't know about live stock , but they can be lazy

 

[Sue_C.]

None of the Great Pyrs that I met have been droolie either. It does make a difference, what the drooly types of dogs eat.

 

[Sonya]

Kim - you know you want a GP...I remember seeing YOU drool at the one at that dental clinic. He was a real cutie, wasn't he? I'd say GP - you know you want one...if they do drool - who cares, he/she will be outside, right?

See you Saturday, I'm very excited...Doug is not so sure about all this