Wilderness Dog Companion???

I've really enjoyed reading this thread.

What I'm impressed with is how many people reccomend German Shepherds.

I've always owned either Great Pyrenees or Border Collies but I wouldn't consider either great woods dogs.

However I've been around a LOT of German Shepherds that were really good dogs.

Told my wife that if I ever got another dog it might be a German Shepherd. (I have 2 Pyrs and 2Border Collies right now.

I had 2 border collies that were great woods dogs but the 2 I have now are only soso. The Pyrs of course are not an obedience type dog.
 
MHill said:
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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Cousin!

Great looking dogs -- and I agree 100%.
 
Cancel the idea on the redbone or any other hound breed. I had hounds and were around hounds up into young adulthood. I love good hounds and wish I lived a lifestyle that could still include them.

Hounds were bred to track/trail and as a result needed to act and think independently at great distances from their handler. They just are not cut out for obedience type training. They just don't see the need for the obedience foolishness.

Seeing as you are into SAR, I would seek out the best SAR people and let them guide you as it is a specialized activity. Maybe it is my hound background but I would look at a young dog from sires with proven SAR backgrounds. You just can't trump genetics! Picking a dog to work outside of its breed specific purpose is a crap shoot, get a dog that is most likely to excel due to its breeding.

I think you will be led toward a GSD or retriever.

Good luck a good dog is a great joy.
 
Stray Round said:
Picking a dog to work outside of its breed specific purpose is a crap shoot, get a dog that is most likely to excel due to its breeding.

I think you will be led toward a GSD or retriever.
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... or a Weim (alt., GSP)....

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(ducking back out....)

:D





ok, back in: just want to urge you again to rethink the hound idea. They're really not as inclined to the close handling and interaction of SAR work -- they're free spirits, and probably major stoners, to boot.

ok, back in, again: you haven't said where you live, or I've missed it. If it's on the warmer side, that's a nudge toward the sleek coat of a GSP, Weim, or similar, since they have fewer problems staying cool. Labs aren't really a shorthaired dog -- but the upside is their double coat gives them a lot of warmth in cooler temps. I got my first Weim when living in Wisconsin, and she definitely appreciated her fleece coat in the winter.
 
Well, what better topic to end my lurking on this forum? Picking a dog is a whole lot of fun and I hope you're enjoying the process. I'll throw out my best advice. I've got two dogs: a Doberman from non-working lines and a Malinois from excellent working lines.

For picking a dog:
1) Make sure you know and like its parents.
2) Consider getting an adult or at least a year old dog. Many pups, even from excellent litters, have deficiencies in some areas. With an adult, at least you have a better chance of knowing what you're going to end up with.
3) Do not compromise on what you must have for something you might like. A dog that will be a good pet, hang out in the wild, bark at strangers, and back up most bad guys is not too hard to find. SAR work and reliable protection in the face of real danger are game changers, and at least doubly so if you still want a good pet.
4) Do not consider a dog from working lines unless you really know what you're in for.
5) Appearance counts for a lot. People are much more shy about my Dobie than my Malinois and the Dobie is harmless.

Best of luck,
Dave
 
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smersh said:
... or a Weim (alt., GSP)....

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ok, back in, again: you haven't said where you live, or I've missed it. If it's on the warmer side, that's a nudge toward the sleek coat of a GSP, Weim, or similar, since they have fewer problems staying cool. Labs aren't really a shorthaired dog -- but the upside is their double coat gives them a lot of warmth in cooler temps. I got my first Weim when living in Wisconsin, and she definitely appreciated her fleece coat in the winter.
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My god that puppy is cute! I've always wanted a weimaraner. They as just beautiful. When I retire on some farm somewhere I'll get all the dogs I ever wanted but couldn't bring up in the city.
 
Doberman_Dave said:
...

4) Do not consider a dog from working lines unless you really know what you're in for.

Best of luck,
Dave
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:thumbup: :thumbup: to this. Our Dobes are all from European working stock and they are entirely different dogs than those bred for show or house pets. Don't misunderstand me... our guys are great companions, but they require far more of a firm and consistent hand in managing the pack, they require much more in terms of work (exercise), and they absolutely must have a job to do that is theirs and that they have to do regularly.

Higher education and a career are essential for dogs bred from working stock. We've had to take several pups back from their original families because the humans thought they were getting a 70 lb couch potato that would be happy laying around all day and catching a ball in the back yard for 30 minutes twice a week.
 
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This little fella should provide you with ample protection; Caucasian Mountain Dog.
 

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Well im in the Dobe camp. Great on hikes and backpacking trips. and we been on multi day trips never on the leash. Never felt alone with him around.
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The funny thing is that no matter what pup you would get. They tend to grow up and learn from you and what you like and want. So go out there find the one that makes you feel good and take him home. Its not the breed but you personaly that would make him what he would be. As a point you had a mutt and you said your self he was the best. There is no bad dog, there is only bad care taker of the dog.

Sasha
 
Remember when Dobermans used to be the dog everybody had?? (1970's)

They used to be around everywhere.

Now I seldom see one. Pit Bulls and Rottweilers seem to be the big favorites now.

The Dobermans seemed to be less of a liability risk to the owners I think cause they had less of a tendency for unprovoked attack like a Pit Bull.
 
My mutt will do all of the things you are looking for, she is lab/chow/pit mix, and serves as a gaurd dog while camping. She has defended me from another dog before, and is very smart. The chow and pit make good for protection, but chow is hard to train, and the lab makes her cuddle up beside you at night.
 
Troop, I know I wouldn't go in to any mountains that contained that Caucasian Mountain Dog! You sure that isn't a chupacabra?



Anyone ever have an airdale? I know that long ago many considered them an ideal all around dog, even used by the military. Never had one, just wondering?
 
August West said:
I have 2 mountain curs and don't think I will ever own anything else. Great hunters and great pets, for me they are perfect do everything dogs. Chris
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I had been thinking about a black mouthed curr when I was looking for a dog this last time. I hope that's how you spell it. I have never seen one around here in Kansas. Ended up with a pound puppy. Rotty lab mix. Good dog. Now well trained and seems to like to hunt. I have had Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Labs. I have found the lab to be a great all around working dog. Hunting, tracking, playing, protection, companion.
 
I love my Bordie Collie - Lab mix, great woods dog.
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In my opinion, for an all around dog, it is hard to beat a mutt. Why? Because they are more instinctual. While many believe traits are bred into a breed, I believe that in reality, it is instinct that is bred out. Just my $0.02.

Thus, my next dog and one you may want to look at will be a American (Dixie) Dingo for their nature and tolerence of climate extremes...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Dog
http://www.petsdo.com/pets/carolina...-dingo-north-american-native-dogs-and-puppies
 
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