best dog breed for the woods

If its a companion dog that you are looking for, you can stop at the Blue Heeler aka Australian Cattle Dog. I promise if in good shape you will not out hike one. I had one that would run beside the truck from my house to my father in laws 2 miles down the road, I would be doing around 20 mph and the she would not even be breathing hard when we got there.
They are one person dogs tho. Mine did not even like it when my wife would hug on me out in the yard, she would get in between our legs and try to push my wife away. They are decent with other dogs, my female was an alpha and did not like my neighbors lab mix which was an alpha as well, but other than her I never had any problems with other dogs on the trail. If you chose to get one establish dominance early or you will pay for it later, but if you do you will not find a more loyal or loving animal to have.
 
rockspyder - I was agreeing with everything you said up to this point:

So what it comes down to, IMO, is pick the dog based on what you like, something between 60 and 110 lbs., and enjoy your companion.
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I have had dogs less than 60 lbs., between 60-110lbs., and over 110lbs. and some of my best companions have fallen outside of that 60-110lb. range. From my experience the breed traits, temperament and training are what matters, not the size. Some small dogs have more backbone and fight in them that dogs twice their size and some large dogs are far less destructive and easier to care for than much smaller dogs. For some time I never thought I would want a dog larger than 100lbs. and now I'm not sure I ever want to be without one.
 
My best companion dog has by far been my heelers, both red and blue. I've had many of them, ranching cattle in the California mountains and whatnot. I'd say they posess the most fight pound for pound of any dog breed I know. But a 40 pound heeler can't compete with a 115 pound Akita for brute strength AND protection. As the hot rodders say, "there's no replacement for displacement". A small dog with a lot of heart will only get you so far with wild animals. A mountain lion can ambush anything, a wolf has the most powerful bite of any canine (including pitt bulls and rottweilers), and a bear can whoop anything. So, really, any domestic dog doesn't stand a chance against any of these animals. Then again, badgers are famous for being able to run any of them off. I would say my pick would be the Akita, specificly for the thick coat which would help prevent serious bites.
 
I would suggest a Doberman. They are very protective, intelligent, and can run farther and faster than most people can ride a bike. Unless you live in a really cold climate, then I would recommend an Akita.

Docking a tail is not a surgical procedure. You simply tie the end off when they are a puppy and it falls off. A lot less invasive then circumcision.
 
Merost said:
I would suggest a Doberman. They are very protective, intelligent, and can run farther and faster than most people can ride a bike. Unless you live in a really cold climate, then I would recommend an Akita.

Docking a tail is not a surgical procedure. You simply tie the end off when they are a puppy and it falls off. A lot less invasive then circumcision.
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I have a Doberman, 126 pounds. I agree with you on their traits. When I grew up in the San Joaquin valley in California my neighbor had a very active Akita, that dog was everywhere. The heat there is horrible, about 3 straight months in the triple digits. This dog is the reason for my recommendation.

Oh yeah, I love my Doberman. He's a blue and his name is Elvis.
 
Was it yours or someone else's? This says a lot about a dog. Your's should never attack you. I've never heard of it happening.
 
If ya can afford one and find one, the Erdelyi Kopo or Transylvania Hound were used for huntin' and takin' down bears and wolves but they are extremely expensive and extremely rare.

agi6_kopo_met_varken02.jpg


Click here to read a little about my namesake dog the Erdelyi Kopo
 
Hoodcanal5 said:
Im really likin a rottweiler without a docked tail. Strong, tenacious, loyal, bulky, and fearless
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Watchful said:
2. There is no medical or practical reason to amputate a dog's tail.

Many vets won't even do it, so that leave you a meat cleaver in a basement without anesthetic. Don't do it. It's extremely painful for the dog, and the only reason to do it is for your own idea of what looks tough.

The more I re-read your two sentences, the more convinced I am a rottweiler is NOT a dog for you. And I think nearly every legitimate rottweiler owner will agree.
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If you will reread his post he did say WITHOUT a docked tail

The meat cleaver in the basement comment is overly dramatic...

any docked tail I have ever seen was done as a puppy with a rubberband.
 
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Quirt said:
Check out the Black Mouth Cur.
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+1 on the Curs.

I lost my Mountain Cur, Molly, in July of 2009. You won't find better dogs than any of the Cur varieties. They're well-tempered dogs that are great with family and they can be very protective (Molly kept an intruder out of the house one afternoon while my ex-wife was home alone doing laundry in the basement - she heard Molly going crazy like she'd never heard before and when she came up, she saw a guy running out of the side door & out of the yard). They're great treeing dogs & capable of hunting pretty much any animal you can tree. The also have a unique history that's tied in with the settlement of the Colonial Frontier, and they're just beautiful dogs in general. I sure loved watching Molly run.

I'm still not ready to get another dog yet, but when I do it'll be a Mountain Cur or three.

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ETA: More Molly

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Rhodesian Ridgeback. Game wardens in the Kruger Park use them for protection. I've seen footage of them charging and stopping elephant. One brave Ridgeback even sacrificed himself and saved the warden when lions were unoticed. There are many records of them saving the day in the park by being observant. They don't fight just warn you and distract the dangerous game.
They're not too good in the cold but people in Norway do have them out in winter with booties and covers.
 
Hoodcanal5 said:
Im not much of a fan of heelers after one attacked me when i was little for no reason
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I don't blame you but, you can't blame the breed for one bad apple or you would have to throw out every breed mentioned. I too have heelers. The behaviors one of the posters mentioned is an exact description of my blue. Only thing with them is I don't recommend one for someone without smart dog/herding dog experience. Some of these will get ahead of the owners and you have a problem dog.

Edit to add. The heelers should be associated with everything you want them to like very young. Ours loves kids, cats and some other dogs. Not all dogs but, if they are willing to play so will she.
 
the heeler that bit me was a neighbors. Was out in the yard and the thing was loose around the neighborhood and came to my yard and started growling at me. Being a little kid, I ran and the thing grabbed my leg and threw me on the ground my dad was in the back yard and herd me screaming so he beat the dog with an axe handle sending it running down the road. The dog was later eathenized.
 
August West said:
Thank you, he might be the best dog I ever owned and pure hell on squirrels and coons and a great companion to boot. One more pic, maybe my favorite.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l258/bisleykid/Picture081.jpg
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Great picture. :)

I can't help but wonder how many times a similar scene played out 200-250 years ago, as a longhunter paddled his canoe along some tributary of the Ohio or the Cumberland.

I recall reading in the Journal of Nicholas Cresswell (an englishman who was travelling in the frontier areas in 1774) who went out with a party of hunters in canoes. There were 11 people in the group... and 9 dogs. Each hunter brought his best dog along with them. I'd love to know how many were what we now call "Mountain Curs". :cool:
 
rockspyder said:
So what it comes down to, IMO, is pick the dog based on what you like, something between 60 and 110 lbs., and enjoy your companion.
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Brisket said:
rockspyder - I was agreeing with everything you said up to this point:



I have had dogs less than 60 lbs., between 60-110lbs., and over 110lbs. and some of my best companions have fallen outside of that 60-110lb. range. From my experience the breed traits, temperament and training are what matters, not the size. Some small dogs have more backbone and fight in them that dogs twice their size and some large dogs are far less destructive and easier to care for than much smaller dogs. For some time I never thought I would want a dog larger than 100lbs. and now I'm not sure I ever want to be without one.
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I think you misunderstood me. The size range was to account for the only opponent any single dog would have a chance at really engaging and doing anything with it. Nothing more or less. Other than that factor, we are in violent agreement (as highlighted in blue). And i'm not sure we disagree on the size factor, since it appears you misunderstood why I put that size in there.

The only other thing I would say about the size is again strictly w.r.t coyotes. I have heard of coyotes taking small dogs out of their owner's yard, even here in parts of MD. I don't think a coyote would do that with a dog 60 pounds or more. Too big a risk. Even smaller would be risky for a coyote, to a point. But since I think the record for a documented coyote was about 75 lbs, I don't think any coyote would go for a 60+ pound dog.
 
August West said:
Another mountain cur lover here, Rusty the wonder dog and foot warmer.

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I'm really liking the looks and sound of the Cur. I might have to investigate those more before the next dog we get (which was going to be a Doberman).
 
i'm partial to rough coated herding breeds. and have had a Belgian Tervureen, an Australian Shepard who may have been mixed with Border Collie and now another Belgian Tervureen. all have been rescues.

i've only had the current dog for about six months, and have not had her out in the booonies yet. she's gotta learn to listen a little better first, but we're working on that.
 
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