What is the best dog for the listed requirements?

Question

I would like to get a canine that serves multiple purposes. I would like it to protect my family and home. I also have milk goats and I would like it to be able herd them in from the field. It should be a breed which is a good pulling dog for helping transfer the milk, bottled and in a cart, from the barn to the home. Finally I will take the dog hunting and have him gaurd the camp while I'm out in the field. . . it will not participate in the actual task of hunting. It should also be good with young children as we have a 3 year old granddaughter. Can I find a well rounded dog breed that can meet these requirements in one dog? If so, which one and if one sex is prefered over another, which would be better.

Answer 1

This is a very good question.
I would suggest a Rottweiler. Alot of people have forgotten that originally Rottys were used specificly for hearding. They are one family dogs, very loyal, and if socialized trained and treated well, they are great with kids and the family. If you consider this breed, make sure to socialize the puppy with whom ever visits often so they recognize "good" people as this breed is very protective of it's family. Alot of people would suggest Bermese and other large long haired dogs, if you live in a warm climate these are not the breeds for you . Do your research!!! good luck

Answer 2

Go to YAHOO! and type in "dog breed selector" Several questionnaires will come up. They will ask you about your lifestyle and preferences. This should give you a good idea about the breed good for you. Once you get it narrowed down, go to akc.com and look at the breed standard. then you may want to volunteer at a shelter or rescue so you can meet the dogs in person and see if you connect. Another resource might be to go to a dog show. Whatever you do, don't go to a pet shop or a backyard breeder.

Personally, the Doberman is my favorite. Contrary to popular belief, if well socialized, Dobermans are WONDERFUL!!!! They are good with kids, and fine with strangers if shown they are okay. However, if needed, will protect your family with their life. However, they do need to know that YOU are in charge. Once you have that covered, they are extremely affectionate, loyal, and obedient. They are also not overly active like a lab, although they are up for a good exercise session at any time. They can be trained to do just about anything, from pulling a cart, hearding, to hunting. Because they are so smart, they need to have their brains stimulated, or they may become destructive or aggressive. If you live in a cold climate, they may not be the best because they have such short fur. They are also not suited to live only outside. They are VERY social and NEED to be inside with the family

German Shepards would also be a good choice. They were bred to heard sheep, have very strong prey and protective drives. Just as with the doberman, they can be great with kids if socialized with them from a young age. They are also VERY VERY intellegent, and can be trained to do a variety of tasks. They are more cold tolerant than the doberman because of their thick double coat which will shed and shed and shed and shed and SHED twice a year. They also have a dominating personality.

I prefer male dogs. They seem to have higher protective instincts, more affectionate, concentrate more on the task at hand and and they dont pout as much. However, it may be more difficult to earn their respect.

Happy Hunting!!!!

Answer 3

A Greater Swiss Mountain Dog sounds like the right dog for you. They are breed of dog that is used for pulling heavy carts, and there are even cart pulling competitions for these dogs all across the U.S.
A neighbor of mine had one (a female) and she to this day is the most loyal, kind hearted, hard working dog I've ever met. What I like about the Swissies (their nickname) is they don't have a big shedding problem as their cousins the Bernese Mountain Dogs do.
Lots of luck to you, and don't forget that if you decide to get a puppy no matter the breed it would probably be a while before the dog could do all your requirements. You might want to check into a local breed rescue in your area for an adult dog once you've decided on a breed. Contact breeders and get references!!

Answer 4

Wow, you want the all around dog. I will give you some idea, and you can then do some more research on the breed. I know border collies, australian cattle dogs, and australian shepherds are great herding dogs. But they are more of a medium sized dog, i'm not sure how well they would do at pulling carts. I have also heard of a beauceron which is a little larger of a dog. Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs might also fit your requirements. And Great Pyrenees have been known to work with sheep, but i'm not sure about goats. And German Shepherds are also all around great dogs.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/beauceron.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/herding_group.cfm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatpyrenees.htm

i hope this helps

Answer 5

The Great Pyrenees is a good breed for what you have listed. They are large white dogs that are protective and are fairly strong. They are good with children and will guard your family and property as well as strong enough to do the duties that you have listed. I would recommend a male they are better tempermented toward family and territorial protective. Females can be a little testy and not as strong or as territorial protective. By the way I love you screen name,

Answer 6

A Rottweiler would be wonderful for home protection, pulling and guarding; it's what they've been bred to do. If socialized at an early age, they will defend young children in their "pack" with their life. Our female Rottweiler wouldn't let strangers anywhere near "her" three-year-old human child, and our male wouldn't let strangers near me. He'd position himself squarely between me and the stranger, and wouldn't relent until I told him it was okay.

I don't know what to tell you about herding... the ones I've seen aren't much for that. I grew up with Rottweilers and a female Shetland Sheepdog who made a good team; on group walks, the Rottweiler stood sentinel in the front and ensured the "pack" didn't come to harm, while the Sheltie ran back and forth to ensure that no one had been left behind.

If you're in the market for more than one, it'd be a good combination.

Answer 7

Bernese Mountain Dog.

Answer 8

Wow! You have allot of 'Burmese' dogs...but I gotta tell ya..
A Labrador..for sure.
They meet all of the requirements that you have listed and are good physically for the endurance of thier lives. No big health problems.
And they LOVE what they do...and they do everything that you want and need. Especially for your granddaughter, I would trust nothing less than a Lab.
It is fairly easy to find a good reputable breeder and are moderate in cost.
Please re-post after you have found your new furry best friend so we can all find out what you've chosen.
Have fun!

Answer 9

A Burnese Mountain Dog is a perfect breed for waht you are looking for. They were origionally bred to meet all of those requirements.

Answer 10

well i think jack russell terrier will closely fit this breed i am not sure if they are goo around young children but they are the coolest dog's ever they are very intelligent and just awesome dogs, and also very bossy at times the only part is that they'll want to go alog too hunt, labs are also great lovely dogs and i think they'll guard from intrudors but my dog always wags her tail when they come in because she wants to play and they were bred to retrieve fallen items but i think they'll get sad when they have to guard the tent i think both dogs would also be great for herding