pixie_meg Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 A cattle dog with a softer nature - with the added bonus of no coat to catch burs, farmers friends etc. Innately snake savvy, visual deterrent to intruders, loyal to an inch of their lives, lots of drive for training but just as happy chilling on the couch, oh.. and did I mention almost zero grooming :D OMG you called them farmers friends. I always called them that but everyone up here calls them cobblers pegs and have never heard of farmers friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budgiew Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 A Whippet or Fox Terrier would be a good match for the Jack russell.Also depends on if you need the dog to do other work apart from rabbits and being a companion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fit for a King Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 If they had had schnauzers what about a standard or a giant schnauzer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leelaa17 Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 A cattle dog with a softer nature - with the added bonus of no coat to catch burs, farmers friends etc. Innately snake savvy, visual deterrent to intruders, loyal to an inch of their lives, lots of drive for training but just as happy chilling on the couch, oh.. and did I mention almost zero grooming :D OMG you called them farmers friends. I always called them that but everyone up here calls them cobblers pegs and have never heard of farmers friends. I call them farmers friends too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RosieFT Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I have a smooth fox terrier and she is a gorgeous dog. Great with my kids, loves every body and has not yet found a dog she didn't like. Tough as nails, amazingly tough! Probably sheds the same as a jack russel ??? And is very prey driven but lives amicably with our own cat. Has had the opportunity to encounter rabbits and took off like a shot after one - my parents were looking after her and they had a rabbit infestation at their local river/oval where they walk their dog. The surprise i have found with her (as i was expecting a very independent nature) is that when nothing is going on, she loves nothing more than to hang out with her 'people'. She is a lap dog when we let her and always appears at my feet when i sit at the computer etc. She doesn't dig or bark at every little thing (i was expecting that after researching terriers!). She is quite little, but the boys i have met are quite muscled up and a good size dog. She is 'off' and lies around when nothing happening, but is 'on' in a shot if there is something to stick her very long nose into! LOL Super quick, super tough, super friendly :-) . My only complaint is her zest for water esp, hoses LOL, and really that is a quirk, not a problem :-) I do agility with her and loves to have a job to do as long as she gets her ball as a reward afterwards :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 My dally and wei were a very formidable rabbiting team, eaten many for breakfast So either would suit. My cattle won't chase bunnie's, even when they run straight past him to get away from the dally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothieGirl Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 (edited) Smooth Collie suits until you talk about killing rabbits, they are more likely to chase, catch and cuddle. Personally I wouldn't want to recommend any of the herding breeds to do that job as they may just translate it to larger sized animals, like your neighbours sheep or cattle. They won't exercise themselves either, just living on land doesn't mean your dog is going to go out there and wander the property to exercise itself for you. They closely bond with their humans and will want you to be out there interactive with them, otherwise, they'll be lying next to your feet or nudging you to get off the couch and go outside and play. Do they want a pet or do they want to do any kind of more formal activities with the dog? Edited May 20, 2011 by SmoothieGirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazyWal Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 A greyhound!Almost zero grooming,no smell,couch potatoes,loving,easy to train(HHHMMMM)but OMG can they catch a rabbit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkhe Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 A greyhound!Almost zero grooming,no smell,couch potatoes,loving,easy to train(HHHMMMM)but OMG can they catch a rabbit I second this! I think the 'easy to train' bit depends on the individual dog, but greys fit the other requirements perfectly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazyWal Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 A greyhound!Almost zero grooming,no smell,couch potatoes,loving,easy to train(HHHMMMM)but OMG can they catch a rabbit I second this! I think the 'easy to train' bit depends on the individual dog, but greys fit the other requirements perfectly! The "HHHMMM"bit about training only applies to my two.Not their fault,mine.My friend has the best behaved grey.Mind you my Stan would do a cartwheel for a liver treat!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlingdog Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Pointer....drip dry, no grooming ( but they do shed little white hairs) really fast for rabbits and LOVE being with their humans. Only downside in my experience would be you have to REALLY put some effort into training the re-call ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I was in our little orchard with two of my dogs one day. A rabbit (that I think had been eating my strawberries) bolted across the grass with two Aussies in hot pursuit. Rabbit got away but the way the dogs strutted around afterwards, you'd have thought they'd singlehandedly dealt with the entire local vermin problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr_inoz Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Aussie Shepherd. Not too much grooming, very trainable. agree.... in regard to shedding - most double coated breeds only shed once or twice a year, not all year round like some of the short coated breeds can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry's Mum Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 (edited) So my parents want a medium to large dog. They would prefer low grooming needs - but my parents have had schnauzers before so are capable of doing grooming(Mum used to clip and groom schnauzers herself). They want something loyal and responsive to training. They are not first time dog owners, but a breed that will be easily trained would be best. They live on property so exercise is not an issue. Something that will chase and catch rabbits is a bonus(but they do already have a Jack Russell who catches rabbits) Hit me with your ideas :D There is an 8 year old Koolie Kelpie cross in the non urgent rescues - ideal for life on a property, chases cats so would probablly happily chase rabbits, and he would be happiest with a man since his previous owner has recently died. He is already desexed and trained so is ready to go and is likely to live an active life for another 10 years. Edited May 20, 2011 by Perry's Mum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 If they had had schnauzers what about a standard or a giant schnauzer? My suggestion too. Don't moult. Easy to train (if not being repetitive) and work in many different fields from general farm dog, guard/police dogs, gundogs...... My Giants have caught rabbits before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayly Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 In regards to Aussies and shedding, it really comes down to the individual dog. I have two entire half sisters here with two very different coats, one sheds bucketloads (all year round but worse before seasons) and the other hardly sheds at all, even when coming into/during her seasons. Mine don't get brushed unless we are going to a show but some need brushing occasionally behind the ears and through the pants as these areas can knott up, or when dropping coat a whole body brush occasionally is a good idea. You can trim ears and feet to keep them tidy looking if you like. They get dirty but once they dry the dirt falls out, usually all over the floor of course. Takes a while for my girls to get any sort of doggy smell about them and if I wasn't showing I wouldn't be washing for months and months at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrotpea Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 So my parents want a medium to large dog. They would prefer low grooming needs - but my parents have had schnauzers before so are capable of doing grooming(Mum used to clip and groom schnauzers herself). They want something loyal and responsive to training. They are not first time dog owners, but a breed that will be easily trained would be best. They live on property so exercise is not an issue. Something that will chase and catch rabbits is a bonus(but they do already have a Jack Russell who catches rabbits) Hit me with your ideas :D Inside or outside dog? Will it leave the property for socialisation and training? What sort of fencing/containment will there be? Their current dog is wherever they are. My parents are very active and do lots of gardening, farm maintenance etc. Yes it would leave the property for socialisation (they also have a lot of visitors who bring their dogs with them). They don't have their dog contained unless they are going out for more than a few hours - she is either inside, or locked in the orchard. Do they want a pet or do they want to do any kind of more formal activities with the dog? Just a pet. I think they will be better off with something that has a short coat (as they are more likely to have it inside then if it's not dropping lots of hair) Some good suggestions and food for thought there- a whippet or greyhound sounds like it would fit the bill well - I would be concerned about suggesting a GSD for them as I don't know that they are experienced enough - or willing to put in the effort to train one - my perception is that GSD's need a fair amount of physical and mental stimulation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 A curly coat retriever would be worth considering. I think they would fit just about every requirement. Great low shedding coat although it can be difficult to find ticks in the curls. I had one many years ago and lost her to a snake bite - so yes they are very inquisitive and very intelligent and she certainly chased rabbits. She never caught any but would retreive shot ones. If there is a dam nearby then it would be in 7th heaven. Fantastic swimmers and their coat is sort of self cleaning and dries immediately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkrai Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Standard Poodle...!! Easy to train, low grooming needs if clipped back, will chase bunnies etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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