Wilderness Dog Companion???

IMy wife and I are in the exact same place as you. except that we have a two year old to consider. we decided on a mountain view cur. they are great family dogs, have set records in SAR with the police in tenn. and are small enough to fit in a smaller yard. They are intelligent without being hyper. Check them out. I bet you will like them. Mike Bloodgood in Kentucky is the guy to call. Just google the breed and you will find his name. He is good folks and tel you all you need to know about the breed. (He breeds them part time, but helped to develop the breed about 30 years ago.)
 
That's about the most inane uninformed statement I've read.

Calebklyne said:
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
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From what i've read I would strongly recoment a Fila Brasileiro or a Dogo Argentino, both were bred to be tracking/hunting and protection dogs. Also check out molosserdogs.com they have tons of info, and the book- Pitbulls & Other Tenacious Guard Dogs by Dr. Carl Semenic. He goes over both breeds and many others that would be good candidates.
 
Calebklyne said:
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
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Completely with you on the temperament and personality of mutts but got to disagree with you on the heath side. If you only buy from reputable breeders who have champion and disease free breeding pairs then you have a much betters chance of getting a healthy dog.

I've known plenty of dogs in my time but nearly every one of the mutts had some specific health problem that cost their owners thousands over the years. I was speaking recently to one of my staff and she has one dog with asthma and another with epilepsy, both were rescue mutts.
 
akthor said:
That's about the most inane uninformed statement I've read.
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why would you say that

my wife is a vet tech and has been for a few years now, her clinic specializes in dogs and cats and has one of the biggest breeder client bases in the area, many of which have some of the top dogs in canada and america, she has worked with a ton of animals and they find that pure breads are the most problematic as far as diseases go. Her clinic also deals with 2 major rescues in our province and they find the mixes are much better to work with have way better temperments and generally have less problems to fix

between the two of us we have had 6 dogs and we both agree that the adopted mutts are by far the most well tempered, not to mention they have bonded to us much faster and stronger

so if you still think it is uninformed then maybe you could provide some facts or experience saying otherwise
 
I have already written a book in here but think about what you are saying. There are breeds that are good tempered and not. There are breeds with no health problems and ones that traditionally have some issues.

Sure if every mixed breed dog was a mix of the good natured always healthy breeds like say lab/golden, spaniel/pointer whatever then yes your argument would hold true. BUT mixed breeds are also pitbull/akita and bulldog/sharpei ect. You can have mixed breeds that have traits from breeds that aren't always good natured or always healthy. You can have a pitbull/lab that even though it's part lab acts all pitbull and vice versa. And you can have a mixed breed that can have the health traits, hip displasure, bad eyes, whatever that is a trait from one of it's ancestors. See?

So you can't say ALL mixed breeds have a better temperment and are healthier. It's scientifically impossible.

Between the two of you you've had six dogs you say? As I've said I have lived in houses up till I was about 21 yrs old where we never had less than 8,9, 10 dogs at once. And we always had one or two "mutts" in there that me or my brother would drag home from some "free puppies" place we passed on our bikes. And I worked in dog kennels and I went to dog shows and trials and all that until I was in my twenties and now I'm in my 40's and my mom is older and needs help with things I once again find myself escorting her to shows and matches and agility trials and I drive her to her friends houses who all breed different dogs. Plus throughout my life all my friends have had different dogs usually mutts. It was a good friends Lab/Rottweiler mix "bear" that inspired to own my dog again.

What I am trying to say is that I am not trying to put down or dis ANY dogs or breeds ect. I have just spent a lifetime around them and have a good idea from practical experience, not from reading on the web or just because I owned ONE once. I would be hard pressed to think of a breed of dog that i haven't spent some time with. People who breed and show dogs are a weird bunch, I always preferred the dogs to the people so I have always roamed around and met the dogs instead of hang out with the people. I have at least petted and played with just about every breed and a lot of mixes, I have bathed, brushed and cleaned the kennels of more of them than I care to remember as well.
 
Quirt,
after all this,
maybe you should just get a cat! :D

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akthor said:
I have already written a book in here but think about what you are saying. There are breeds that are good tempered and not. There are breeds with no health problems and ones that traditionally have some issues.

Sure if every mixed breed dog was a mix of the good natured always healthy breeds like say lab/golden, spaniel/pointer whatever then yes your argument would hold true. BUT mixed breeds are also pitbull/akita and bulldog/sharpei ect. You can have mixed breeds that have traits from breeds that aren't always good natured or always healthy. You can have a pitbull/lab that even though it's part lab acts all pitbull and vice versa. And you can have a mixed breed that can have the health traits, hip displasure, bad eyes, whatever that is a trait from one of it's ancestors. See?

So you can't say ALL mixed breeds have a better temperment and are healthier. It's scientifically impossible.

Between the two of you you've had six dogs you say? As I've said I have lived in houses up till I was about 21 yrs old where we never had less than 8,9, 10 dogs at once. And we always had one or two "mutts" in there that me or my brother would drag home from some "free puppies" place we passed on our bikes. And I worked in dog kennels and I went to dog shows and trials and all that until I was in my twenties and now I'm in my 40's and my mom is older and needs help with things I once again find myself escorting her to shows and matches and agility trials and I drive her to her friends houses who all breed different dogs. Plus throughout my life all my friends have had different dogs usually mutts. It was a good friends Lab/Rottweiler mix "bear" that inspired to own my dog again.

What I am trying to say is that I am not trying to put down or dis ANY dogs or breeds ect. I have just spent a lifetime around them and have a good idea from practical experience, not from reading on the web or just because I owned ONE once. I would be hard pressed to think of a breed of dog that i haven't spent some time with. People who breed and show dogs are a weird bunch, I always preferred the dogs to the people so I have always roamed around and met the dogs instead of hang out with the people. I have at least petted and played with just about every breed and a lot of mixes, I have bathed, brushed and cleaned the kennels of more of them than I care to remember as well.
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i agree with what you say but i was saying that most mix breeds tend to have less problems not that they have no problems.

i also have a pure bread pitty we adopted because she was left at my wifes clinic by the owners, she had a history of being aggressive but i can say i have yet to meet a more gentle loving dog. My friend also has a husky/wolf mix that is a sweet as ever when he stops barking which was also adopted, these are to examples of extremely aggressive breeds that are not so. So what i am trying to say is the vast majority of dogs that have been abandoned by owners and then adopted seem to be more well tempered
 
I had a Kuvasz growing up. I'm not sure about tracking, but as a protector, and for looks, they can't be beat, imho.

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If you want smart, try a Boarder Collie or an Australian Blue Heeler. Both are smarter than most 6 graders these days and loyal as the day is long. I have a boarder collie springer spaniel mix mutt and he is so darn smart. Always has been.

you may also like a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Tough, smart, loyal and protective.
 
I am a big fan of herding group dogs for all around smart, trainable dogs. Most are fairly protective, in terms of being bred to protect the flock, but not generally aggressive. They are also usually fairly capable physically, again for the same reasons.

Make sure you get dogs from a working line, though - many of the show standards have become so ridiculous and exaggerated, that dogs from show lines have lost most of their herding instincts. Dogs bred specifically to be in working lines will generally be much better suited to the task, physically and mentally.

Australian shepherds, border collies, pulis (with the long coat kept cut short), belgian sheep dogs, malinois, etc all come to mind.

About the only ones from the herding group I'd stay away from are the Corgis. They are awesome herding dogs, and great "alarm systems" because they love barking at intruders, but their short legs and long backs make them poorly suited for covering distance. Trust me, I have two of them, and they are phenomenal dogs but they do NOT go hiking with me.



Edited to add: A herding dog from a proper working line NEEDS a job. If you don't give him a job, in the form of extensive regular training, exercise, and play, he will find his own job, which might be dismantling your sofa or removing your wife's new rose bushes or making sure that one of each pair of shoes you own meets an untimely demise. They are energetic dogs, and I strongly dislike when people keep them crated all day beyond the house training stage - so that means you've gotta give them enough to do that they don't find their own things to do. A short daily walk or 10 minute game of fetch probably won't cut it - regular long hikes will certainly do the trick, but you might want to look into something like clicker training to keep the dog learning new tricks and useful behaviors.
 
Australian Cattle Dog (Blue, Red, or Queensland Heeler) = super smart, trainable, athletic, goes all day on the trail and then some. Protective. Probably not big enough to do alot of damage to an adult, so maybe not what you want, more alarm than attack. Here's a pic of mine:

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One word of advice, if you go with a lab, look into the English Lab. I have had many of both, and the English is an amazing breed.
 
I love my Labs and they have been good companions. However, I could not recomend them as watchdogs as they love everyone. I have no doubt that if someone broke into my house while I was away, my Lab would meet them at the door with a ball in her mouth wanting to play.
 
Wow, this has turned to be quite the post! Thanks for your input, biased and not. This has been most helpful. My wife and I are now alone so we no longer have children in the home. So those of you concerned about children while apprecated, it is not one of my critera.

I did find this blog that researched this question around a very similar set of criteria as I've outlined. Thought many of you would find it interesting. Here it is....

http://www.srvive.com/blog/2009/01/5-dogs-that-can-help-you-survive.html
 
ROFLMAO, All three of the dogs I have are on that list and most of my previous ones as well. They all seemed to make good family pets in my opinion. Interesting.

akthor said:
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.
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I was in a similar position about 2 years ago while I was looking for a K9 companion for the family. We wanted a breed that was active for hiking, a breed that loved the water due to our river property we have on the Stillaguamish River, a breed that would protect the house yet be great with the kids, and most importantly, a breed that doesn't have a lot of known health issues.

After researching for a year we decided on a German Shorthaired Pointer and never looked back. Their personalities are so aloof and funny and they can go all day long. The coat is short and dense which is great for the shedding issue that we didn't want to deal with.

hogan_970


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And finally this is Cooper, our GSP
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