Wilderness Dog Companion???

[smersh]

Pulling back from my own choice, I think you're seeing some consistencies in a number of the recommendations. Most of what you're talking about seeking is pretty reliably found in field dogs of a variety of breeds -- a strong emotional bond, good intelligence and trainability, confidence and good judgment, off-leash working skills, possible SAR, etc.

That's not to say you can't find/encourage those things in a GSD or a hound -- but a retriever/pointer/hunter of some sort is a great place to start. I'm obviously sold on Weims -- but there's a reason why Labs are as popular as they are.

Someone earlier suggested a female, which is my first choice in a big dog, too (two weims and a dobie, all female). Every bit as protective as a male, but less likely to be dog aggressive -- or people aggressive, for that matter -- and usually less inclined to wander. I also like knowing that my dog hasn't peed on my tomato plants.

;- )

(btw, great looking dogs, all!)

 

[Jeckyl]

I love Dobermans very loyal, easy to train and could be used for tracking. Good looks and short hair. Very protective. I own two myself but I'm kinda partial. When I was younger we had a Red Bone and he was great just never stayed close when out in the wilderness always out chasing something.

 

[akthor]

LOL You don't wanna but you can't help it can you. Sorry the opinion of 99% of people that know ANYTHING about different breeds will tell you that German Shepards are not good family dogs. Neither are they hunting or retrieving dogs which makes them about 99% useless to a hunter.

They are not bad dogs but they are not family dogs. They are great one human or couple dogs. Not always great around kids. Especially not always great around other animals.

By traineable I guess I should say useful I don't see shepards flushing birds or retrieving ducks.

I see a lot more labs in agility and obedience exercises than German Shepards too BTW but there are more lab owners than shepard owners so it could be a numbers game. I wasn't saying shepards are dumb by any means.

Supposedly Jack Russel Terriers are amazingly intelligent yet I haven't met one that seemed smarter than a stump and didn't yap 99% of the time. If a dog isn't smart enough to NOT bark when you tell it to I am not thinking it is smart.

All dogs have good and bad traits, even the loveable Lab.

I don't say things willy nilly. I understand you have owned German Shepards for 35 yrs and maybe you are just a great dog trainer and yours have all been wonderful. It doesn't mean the breed isn't what it is tho.

I worked in a German Shepard Kennel for 5 yrs she had at any time 8 - 15 adults and she had puppies a lot and she boarded shepards also as I said I have personal experience with about 200 different adult Shepards. From all walks, full on champion showdogs, police dogs, pets, the lady even took in abused and seized shepards and would rehabilitate them to go to police depts.

One of the best dogs for children of all ages, kindly, good-natured, and take most things in stride. I believe these are traits of a fun loving family dog. If you HAVE a family you MUST get a family dog.

The above traits CANNOT be used to describe 99.9% of German Shepards.

Labs are as protective as you want for a family dog. Any more protective and you tread dangerous territory. Like if a neighborhood child pushes your child and your dog bites the offending child. You then have a lawsuit and most likely have to put your dog down. Ect. Ect.

That is why German Shepards are one of the 11 breeds of dogs that are regularly listed that can RAISE your homeowners ins. premiums.

I am not hating on Shepards I have seen good and bad examples in every breed INCLUDING Labs. I am just saying they are not the IDEAL family dog as a breed as a whole but I am sure they are thousands of wonderful family shepards out there.

I have met several wonderful friendly pitbulls. But would I recommend one as a family dog? Absolutely not.

So BRO I understand you have had one breed of dog for 35 years. In that same amount of time my mother has bred:

Saint Benards
Newfoundlands
Golden Retrievers
English Springer Spaniels
Pomeranians
Cairn Terriers (current)

During that time we also owned as pets:

Pekingnese
Shitz Tzu
Poodle
Commodore
Bulldogs
Labs

AND during that time I WORKED with Shepards and Rotties and I still go to friends of my mothers with her in the past two months I have been to a woman's house who bred Collies (and British shorthair cats) and a woman who has Welsh Cardigan Corgies.

SO I have had a lot of exposure to a lot of different dog breeds thru the years whether I like it or not.


The 11 breeds regularly listed as ones that raise homeowner ins premiums are BTW:

Akita
The Akita is a powerfully built dog originally developed to hunt bears in Japan, where it now is primarily used as a guard dog and police dog. The Japanese view the animal as a symbol of good health; upon a baby's birth, its parents often receive an Akita statuette to signify the giver's wish for the child's long and happy life. Helen Keller is credited with bringing Akitas to the United States and the breed was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1972. It is a member of the club's working group.

Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are among the oldest Arctic sled dogs. They were named after the native Inuit tribe called Mahlemuts, who settled in the upper western part of Alaska and who are thought to have developed the dogs to serve as a pack animal. The Malamute is an incredibly strong breed and puppies begin sled training as young as three to five months. The American Kennel Club first registered the Alaskan Malamute in 1935 and it is a member of the club's working group.

Chow Chow
The Chow Chow lineage dates back more than 2000 years. The ancient Chinese bred these dogs to hunt, herd, pull freight and protect homes, but today the Chow is primarily a companion dog. Owners extol the animal's intelligence, dignity and loyalty. Even non-dog folks know this breed because of its distinctive blue-black tongue. Fuzzy Chow puppies become powerful and independent dogs in just a few months, so it is a breed best suited to an experienced owner. First recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1903, the Chow is member of the club's non-sporting group.

Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers combine a graceful appearance with a sharp intelligence. They are strong, quick-thinking dogs with an ability to respond immediately to danger, making them one of the most reliable of all dogs. While the canine is easy to teach, breed specialists warn that owners who do not have time to properly train a Doberman should consider a different pet. First recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908, the Doberman is a member of the working group.

German Shepherd
This breed is known for its courage, steadfastness and keen senses. German Shepherds have proved to be canine companions that delight in joining their owners on long drives, fishing trips, swimming or hiking. The breed generally exhibits a self-confidence and aloofness that doesn't lend itself to immediate friendships. However, say owners, once a Shepherd gets to know you, it is a wonderful addition to any family. The American Kennel Club, which first recognized this breed in 1908, places the German Shepherd in its herding group.

Pit Bull
Commonly called the American Pit Bull, these dogs are loved by their intensely loyal owners but feared by many who know them mainly as fighting animals. The dogs share some characteristics of the American Kennel Club-recognized Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds. The Pit Bull makes the hard-to-insure list in part because of what some owners cite as its history of being selectively bred specifically to create the ultimate canine gladiator.

Presa Canario
The American Kennel Club does not officially register the Perro de Presa Canario, but the breed has been accepted for recording in the AKC's Foundation Stock Service. A medium sized, well-built dog, the breed originated in the Canary Islands. Fans of the breed say its powerful shape and low deep bark make it a natural guard dog, but that is also is a loyal, eager-to-please pet who is quiet and subdued in his own home.

Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is an intelligent, steady friend, but is rather aloof, which contributes to its strong guarding instinct. The breed's actual origin is not documented, but it is believed Rottweilers are descended from one of the drover dogs indigenous to ancient Rome. It is a medium-large, robust and powerful dog, with a black coat defined with rust markings. The breed loves exercise and thrills to the challenges of any outdoor sports. A member of the American Kennel Club's working group, Rottweilers were first recognized by the AKC in 1931.

Siberian Husky
As its name denotes, this breed is native to Siberia, with the first North American Huskies brought to Alaska in 1909. They are outgoing, fun-loving dogs with a nature to roam as their Arctic ancestors did. That means the breed needs an alert owner who stays in control -- and who has a fenced yard. The Husky resembles the Alaskan Malamute, but is lighter in build and also less bold. The Siberian Husky was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1930 and is a member of the club's working group.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a highly-intelligent dog, looks forward to daily exercise to maintain his characteristic lean-muscled look. The breed generally is a sweet-tempered and affectionate, but its tenacity and strength, including powerful jaws that demand heavy-duty chew toys, require an experienced owner. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1974 and is a member of the terrier group.

Wolf hybrid
Owners of these canines prefer the term Wolfdog, noting that dogs were reclassified in 1993 as a subspecies of wolf so wolves and dogs are the same species. Critics of the breed, which is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, argue that the animals are unpredictable, dangerous, make poor pets and are impossible to inoculate against rabies. Fans say the Wolfdog is a good companion and helps educate the public about wolves. Ownership of the animals is illegal in some areas.

I do not want to start a flame war but

LABS ARE NOT MORE INTELLGENT THAN GERMAN SHEPHARDS BRO

They are NOT more protective or trainable as you stated.

http://www.petrix.com/dogint/1-10.html

German Shepherds are #3--LAB#7

Nor is a LAB a good choice for a protective dog

"One of the best dogs for children of all ages, Labrador Retrievers are kindly, good-natured, and take most things in stride.

Most Labrador Retrievers are very friendly with everyone, though compared to Golden Retrievers, many Labs are just a bit more conservative with their affections"


Read to the bottom about the GOOD and BAD of LABS

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/labradorretrievers.html

The Police use them for a reason--the reason???

No other breed can do all the shepherd can do as well

 

[SurviveAl]

I've owned 3 GSD's over the years. All have been exceptional family dogs. Naturally protective, super intelligent and yes they couch cuddle ( I grew up with one sleeping on my bed.) I've also worked with them in both law enforcement & SAR. I can't recomend them enough.
I also dearly love my Labs. I don't however think they are right for all the things you want.
That being said,the best dog I ever owned was a Black Lab / GSD. This dog was rescued as a very young pup during the inauguration day storm ( when GOD punnished us for electing Bill Clinton President... ) We named him Storm and he was teriffic !
Good Luck with whatever you choose.
Allan

 

[grunt soldier]

i am just gonna throw this out there for a heads up as i doubt you will be looking at them but the Presa Canario are a very very prey driven dog, meaning even as a owner if you slip and fall and become injured, they may just see you as food. i know a good amount of breeders and most gave up on them as they are hard headed and aren't a very friendly dog


my recommendation lol though i am biased is for a good cane corso. they are a mastiff from italy but bred to be a sporting dog. they were used to hunt and kill wolfs also were a war dog so very protective. mine runs like the wind and can jump a 6' fence with no start. he is extremely protective of my 3 y/o and yet will let her do anything she wants to him. she regularly opens his mouth and pulls on his tongue. he also does fine with little exercise if you get busy. and he doesn't have a ton of hair which is what puts me of GSD. yet he does very well in the cold. awesome breed. if i didn't have him though it would be a rotty anyways here is a picture

 

[PayetteRucker]

German Sheperds fag out fast, especially here in the arid high country. They are very active and physically capable large dogs but they run out of energy. I see so many yuppies carrying their Sheperds on their backs down trailheads because they simply refuse to go any farther, foamy saliva covering their chests. After 3-4 miles, they're done. You need to consider some alternatives...

Let me introduce you to Sadie, she's my landlord's dog. Part Aussie Sheperd, part Border Collie, she is the best tempered dog I have ever seen-no other has compared. I have put maybe 150 miles on with her, up to 30 at a time, and she hangs right beside me. She often crosses streets on her own, stopping, sitting, looking both ways before crossing. She's exceptionally polite, does not beg, and listens to every command promptly. She is very quiet and tends to keep to herself, she sits unleashed on the front lawn unsupervised and patrols up and down the block to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary. I live 3 blocks away from the empty foothills and 6 blocks away from the Boise River. I've seen everything from otters, raccoons, skunks, possums, mule deer, foxes and coyotes in the neighborhood-she keeps them all at bay. We have wolf dogs, Belgian Malanois, burmese mountain dogs and many other large dogs in the neighborhood. Even at 35 pounds, she easily dominates the rest of the dogs in the neighborhood. If she gets pissed off (which is hard to do, and when it happens it's always appropriate) she's more aggressive than even the Belgian. I've seen her take him to the ground on multiple occasions. Her only fault is she has separation anxiety something fierce, if she can't find her owner she'll trot a miles wide perimeter in frantic search for him. Oh, and she's FAST. She can clear a city block in 3 strides, a few seconds... easily outruns the foxes and squirrels around here. I'm more of a big dog person but I have to say if you're living in a smaller house with a medium sized yard, you won't find more dog in 35 pounds than a border collie/aussie sheperd. That said, let me give you a rundown on other dogs I think you should consider.

Norwegian Elkhound- 35-75 pounds, they are a natural breed of working dog that is quite possibly 5,000 years old. Vikings used them to track large game and keep wolves from livestock herds. their tracking ability, endurance and superb eyesight, hearing and sense of smell make them an unbelievable tool for search and rescue. When tracking large game, they tend to herd them in compact circles til their masters can catch up and make the kill. They also tend to work well with horses.
Canaan dogs-another natural breed, these large dogs have been used by Israelis since biblical times. They make superb watchdogs, and are very vigilant.
Wolves/wolf hybrids also make superb search and rescue dogs, but whether or not they are trainable to the level you want is another story. They have way more endurance than a German Sheperd, and have unparalleled tracking abilities. They tend to be quiet and shy, and unless you really piss them off or screw with their territory they will tend to keep to themselves.
Belgian Malanois-Used by the US Air Force and most LE agencies as attack, bomb sniffing and drug sniffing dogs, these dogs may look similar to a German Sheperd but tend to be much more aggressive in a fight, and due to their smaller size, tend to have longer endurance than a Sheperd. They like to shred-instead of grabbing and locking their jaws in an attack, they will continue to bite and gnash causing viscous repeated puncture wounds. These are no BS fighting dogs. However, the couple that I have known that lived in families with children do fine around them.

Hopefully this gives you a few more ideas in your search for a SAR/backpacking buddy/watch dog.

 

[HandofCod]

This thread is going to have me pulled in 9 directions at once because I'm a big dog guy with no dog (can't bring myself to keep one in a small urban flat and lost my beloved retriever to a previous relationship).

I think you are going to have to compromise on a few of your checklist items because no dog will do it all and if they do it's the luck of the draw.

My take on it, breeds to consider:

Golden retrievers - great for outdoors due to gun dog heritage. Watch out for hip scores from your breeder! Great family dog, intelligent (but not scary intelligent like some dogs), loyal, can track (and point). But not going to be very high on the guard dog capabilities unless you like to put strangers off with boisterous licking and wagging etc

German Shepherd - intelligent, trainable, family dog, capable of guard duties but also very high maintenance and the best ones that are the most trainable are generally also the ones that are a bit 'mental' ie very high maintenance. Also need a fence higher than 6 foot as they'll jump anything lower with apparent ease.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier - VERY loyal, loves to be part of the family, great for personal guard dog duties because they look the part and are alert to outsiders. Low maintenance dog (short hair) doesn't need a huge backyard unlike a Collie. But not very high on the trainable side I don't think.

Weimaraner - very trainable, can track and guard against outsiders, loyal and intelligent. Also needs exercise all the time unless you like destroyed furniture/garden/lawn etc.

I guess you have to make do with whichever breed you choose. There are no perfect breeds, just perfect dogs.

 

[SouthernCross]

Australian Fox Terrier :thumbup:




Kind regards
Mick

 

[Jim Craig]

We are awaiting the arrival of our Leonberger puppy. Easy to train and reportedly the best breed around kids. They are great for water rescue as well. We did endless research and finally settled on the Leo.
We had an Akita and he was wonderful but could not be trained to tolerate other dogs. At six years old he growled at the baby a couple times. The breeder took him back thankfully. Not the best family breed but we knew that when we got him.
Newfs are great if you don't mind drool.
Chesapeake's might be worth a look too

 

[Lost Rover]

Have you thought of a Giant Schnauzer?

Geoff

 

[SuicideFO]

I have a Border Collie/Black Lab mix. He has the brains and the body of the Border Collie and the coat of a Black Lab. I don't think I will ever be able to replace him. Very intelligent and protective. Yet as a family dog he is so gentle even with our baby.

 

[dalefuller]

I agree with wesinND about the GSD being everything you want except for the shedding part. Yes, you'll have to groom a GSD more frequently, but there is absolutely nothing in this world like living with a GSD. I've lived with a lot of dogs in 61 years, but my GSDs were always the best "companions".

If protection is a concern for you I'd forget about a hound of any kind. That's not in their temperament in most cases. A better choice would be a Doberman with natural ears & tail. They "look" a good bit softer than traditional American Dobermans with cropped ears and docked tails, but they are still Dobermans with a Dobie's temperament and traits. Just make sure you go to a reputable breeder and have 3 good long detailed looks at their breeding pairs' health records. CA, cardiac problems, vWD and a few other issues plague this breed.

If it were me, I'd still try rescuing a mixed breed that has the size and possibly some of the breed elements that you're looking for. GSDs or Dobies mixed with some other breeds can be great companion dogs.

 

[pitdog]

Supposedly Jack Russel Terriers are amazingly intelligent yet I haven't met one that seemed smarter than a stump and didn't yap 99% of the time. If a dog isn't smart enough to NOT bark when you tell it to I am not thinking it is smart.

You are bang on about JRT's all being nuts buddy, LOL !

Problem is that they are too intelligent, mine see's my Bull terrier being all obedient and doing everything I tell her and just looks at me as if to say " C'mon d'ya really think I'm gonna do that !".
They are super crafty dogs and like cats know what you want them to do but just think F*ck you !

 

[pitdog]

If someone was asking for a loyal dog that's great with kids and protector of the family I'd say get an English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, these were called Nanny dogs because of their temprement with kids.
Everyone that meets mine comments on how loving she is with kids !
But as you want a dog that can track etc then they are pretty useless, mine will run straight past a rabbit etc without seeing it or smelling it, sometimes nearly knocking them over as she runs by !!!!!

 

[akthor]

LOL I could see that.

You are bang on about JRT's all being nuts buddy, LOL !

Problem is that they are too intelligent, mine see's my Bull terrier being all obedient and doing everything I tell her and just looks at me as if to say " C'mon d'ya really think I'm gonna do that !".
They are super crafty dogs and like cats know what you want them to do but just think F*ck you !

 

[Kismet]

Ask the SAR folks.

 

[jnanson]

I have a female JRT and a Male Min Pinn and the JRT runs the house. She also is the best to take on walks and doesn't run away. I love my wifes two chihuhas sp? too. I've been a big dog person but my JRT has been easy to train and with just a look she knows what I want it's wierd but pretty cool. JRT is not what you want I would guess because they are not for everyone. Good luck with your search and I'm sure the dog you get will be the one you should have. BTW I do vote for a border collie assie mix except for the shedding. I grew up with blood hounds and a few other hounds and I think they all hounds have a smell that is not good for a house dog (they stink) but are great dogs.

 

[Calebklyne]

adopt a mutt you find they will bond to you better than a pure bread, they will have less health problems, and depending on the dog will have way nicer tempements

 

[333rm]

I'm going to throw in either a black or chocolate lab, female. First females are much more protective for self defensive purposes and seem to be a little more loyal. I've had labs my whole life and cannot cay enough about how smart they are and how well they do out in the woods/ camping/ SAR. They are very fit and can keep up with any pace of SAR that you might need it for. They almost seem to take you on as you are their child and treat you that well and will protect you as any mother would her child. If you go about training them at an early age they are extremely well disiplined and will stick right by you on a hike or out camping. My labs have all been extremely smart, being able to understand short phrases or sentences as commands as oppossed to just a single word or signal. They do shed a little, but nothing on the scale of a German Shephard which shed like crazy. They also have a very keen sence of smell, much better than most people would think.

 

[Billy516]

adopt a mutt you find they will bond to you better than a pure bread, they will have less health problems, and depending on the dog will have way nicer tempements

I agree wholeheartedly with this. Check out petfinder.com and look at all the dogs in your area that need homes. Some purebreds, and lots of mixes. I bet you could easily find the best dog you could ever want in a local shelter.

Plus, it seems to be a running theme that dogs that are rescued and given that second chance usually seem to be amazingly thankful for it and turn out to be great family members.

Here's my two rescues:

Good luck with your search!