Cali

Reading your post the dog breed that comes to mind is a great pyranees. Actually your description sounds exactly like one

kmes

I agree with a Great Pyranees!
It was the breed that automatically popped into my head.

Also what about an Anatolian Shepherd???

MyValentine

Have you decided?

xie

Pyrenese is what jumped out at me right away. It actually sounds perfect for you as long as you have some good fencing, a nickname for them is disapyrs. They can never really roam off-leash outside of a fenced area because if they can see it they think they should patrol it and they will wander off.

I wouldn't do a newfie or a bernese, they are both very people oriented and it doesn't sound like you want a velcro dog.

Lonewolfblue

You say you are up to a challenge? I know this may be a little smaller, but how about the Australian Cattle Dog? They are awesome for on farms, ranches, etc, and are very protective and take care of your family and livestock. They are also fearless when it comes to intruders or other animals coming in to try and take your flock. They may be smaller, but definitely gives 100% devotion to their person.

HeatherAndHarley

i'm very biased but american bulldogs are good as they're udes for working on farm and guarding live stock, mine hardly ever barks but does need alot of excercise. Also they're great with kids.

Here's a link to a page that has all the basic stuff about them without havin to trawl through loads of info:

http://www.american-bulldog.co.uk/breedprofile.html

alfi

I have to say that ACD are very high energy dogs and need vigorous exercise!!...I just throw this out cause I own two ACD puppies and I find them more energetic even from a Mal or GSD.

Lonewolfblue

They are very high energy, I had one myself. She didn't do too well in town, she was more the working type and I finally found the perfect home for her. She's now on a 450 acre cattle ranch with 150 head of cattle doing very well. All her issues disappeared with the change.

alfi

I agree! If you want a dog to work in farm/ranch then an ACD is perfect! Their ability to drive cattles are amazing...nothing to compare with any other breed! My little babies are 4 months and do as much as my uncle's Border Collies

Lonewolfblue

Not only cattle, but anything else. I had Betty in some herding classes before I rehomed her to see how her herding was. We went over to the Seattle area for the classes and worked with sheep. She also got to herd some ducks as well. Betty herded them just fine, where that ranch owners Border Collies killed them if they didn't keep an eye on their dogs. They are a great all-around farm dog that can do just about anything, including protection of flocks.