incahoots

Hi, new to the forum....thought you all might be able to help me choose the best breed for my daughter and I. We have been dog free for five years and are now purchasing a five acre property in the country and would like to add to our family. I have quite alot of animal experience (dogs in the past, cats and horses now) so I am up for a bit of a challenge if need be. I am going to have ducks and chickens and possibly some bunnies all in about 1/2 acre fenced and I would like a dog that would be somewhat of a guardian over my flock. I like a more aloof animal, not the type that jumps and barks incessantly. Indoor and outdoor, large-medium or x-tra large, grooming is OK, wary and aloof to strangers is ok, needs to be somewhat independent as I work full time, can be walked daily and long run-walks on the weekend. So far I am thinking Newfoundland, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bernese, collie, german shepherd. What do you think? Any other ideas? Thanks!

natenqen

First of all, welcome to the forum. Second of all, the barking and jumping thing is more of a training rather than a breed issue. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Somewhat independent? A dog that is both a companion and working dog right? How old is your daughter? When working, do you work from home or an office of sorts? I like how you already told us what you would like in a dog.

MyValentine

Those questions natenqen asked are very good, please answer those so we can help you out more.

But from what you have wrote, a Siberian Husky sounds like the perfect dog to me.

They are energetic, they don't bark (well, hardly at least), they love to run, they are good inside and out, they like people, and are all around great dogs!

Consider that breed

GSDlover

I have a GSD, and you're going to have people saying their favourite breed from the start.

But since you're considering a German shepherd, that'd be my vote.

Bernese are lovely as well.

alfi

A GSD or a Rottie (YouTube - Breed All About It - Rottweiler) sounds really great to me!!

johnsonspetservice

I would recommend a herding dog... Collie, newf, shepherd, or pyranees. Huskys are amazing dogs but they don't really do super well around small animals like chickens and ducks. And they tend to be easily distracted and give chase to everything regardless of the danger. I have one, and off leash isn't much of an option around smal animals. I'd recommend a pyranees if you want a good guardian dog. That's their breed purpose, to guard flocks. Good luck!

Sarah

I think a collie or newf would be a great choice. I'm going to have to second that a siberian husky probably wouldn't be the best choice in this situation.

Criosphynx

my first intinct was to get a Pyr or another LGD (livestock guardian dog)

Mikey

Welcome

Exactly-people think Husky=big=farm dog. But there is a reason you don't actually see huskies herding sheep. They hunt, they are easily distracted ('ohhh a butterfly' is something all husky owners know) the are stubborn, they are escape artists and wanderers. You cannot have one that is not fenced in-and if it's six feet or less-well have your runners and housecoat by the door-you'll find out how high your dog can jump at inopurtune times

Ditto Crio Also herding dogs breeds like bc/acd/asd etc

Alba

I was thinking rottie or GSD