Breed consideration

[Amazetl]

Hi everyone, I’m soon hoping to get some land, a small farm and I’d like to consider getting a guarding/protection dog with natural instinct (no training). I don’t want an aggressive dog. They need to get along well with other dogs. I’m looking for a dog with lower energy levels, happy to stay near the house and (live inside), go for walks around the farm and will be heavily socialised as a pup out and about. 

 

I have thought of the German Shepherd but I really think I’d prefer a more laid back breed. I have retrievers and kind of looking for a big dog who will be loving and affectionate, loyal and kind but will make us feel safe without actual aggression. 

 

I have also thought of a Rough Collie and hope to still get one one day but I’m looking for something that will physically be deterring. 

 

So the dogs on my list so far are:

 

St Bernard

Newfoundland

English Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiff

Irish Wolfhound

Great Dane

 

IF anyone has experience with any of them or thinks one would be way better than another or just not at all right I’d be really curious to hear. 

 

I have thought of some of the livestock guardian breeds but I don’t want them to wonder too much, I’d prefer them to stay closer. Most likely it would be a male (so big) and whatever I end up choosing if I go down this path will go to puppy and obedience class and have ongoing manners training and lots of socialisation at pet shops and markets and the like. 

[Deeds]

Black Russian Terrier.  Lovely dogs ( I have one) and they were bred for guarding.  My dog gets along with all the other dogs in the park especially small dogs.

 

He is very tolerant of our pup and is a great guard dog.  I would get another one in a heartbeat.  

[Amazetl]

What are they like off leash? I would have a secure enclosed area for the dogs but I also would like them to be able to go for off lead walks around the property. 

[Deeds]

Good off leash and obedient.  He never strays away from me even if I'm standing in the park talking with other people  My dog has never tried to escape but he is in a inner city back yard.  Definitely doesn't chase birds or possums etc.  

 

Perhaps ring my dog's breeder Natasha at Tvorimir.  She is an expert on BRTs and she lives in Toowoomba.

[Amazetl]

Thanks for that. I hadn’t considered them before but having a look at them I’m going to put them on my list. 

[Amazetl]

What is their grooming like? 

[Deeds]

The Tvorimir dogs have excellent temperaments.

[Rebanne]

Half of the dogs on your list have short life spans. Lucky to get past 8 or 9.

[Amazetl]

Yes. I’ve read thoroughly about them all. At the moment I’m leaning more to a Saint or a Dane. I have had experience with Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds. I helped to raise one in extended family as a pup and he was one of the most beautiful things I’ve met. So big but such a baby. 

 

I know the giant breeds have health issues and lower life expectancy but if they are more what I am after than a more high energy dog then so be it, I guess. 

 

I don’t mind drool or slobber, don’t mind cost of food etc. I’ve heard how messy some can be. The only thing I do worry about is if they get sick or injured and about moving them to go get help. 

 

I just would like a laid back dog who is loyal and gentle to his family including his dog family. 

 

I met a 7 month old Great Dane not too long ago and he was so beautiful and well behaved but I love so many different breeds so I want to try to narrow it down to what might be the best for our situation. 

 

Reading more about the Mastiffs has me concerned that they may become too protective… 

[coneye]

Had TWO dogs , that would of got 10 out of ten for everything you asked ,, both  did'nt wander , both were super freindly both just natural gaurd dogs , both seemed to have a switch in there head  when to gaurd and when not too   especielly at night that switch came on aotomatic ,,, i spend a lot of time on  the river murray on a housboat  cruising up and down ,mostly  its fairly remote ,, also spend a lot of time travelling in the caravan mostly , where its remote ,  my wife sometimes gets a bit worried us out there alone  ,     she often says wish Naz or ebony were still alive , they were perfect dogs for that scenario , Both were perfect dogs  without any formal training ,  they just never seem to do anything wrong ,, were very aloof with other dogs , never run over and bothered with them  , but very freindly when dogs came to them , , both very people freindly , but both  could  turn in an instant if   they sensed things were not right , , ,, I know this for a fact because  one of them actually attacked an intruder  in the early hours , he bolted out the doggie door  ran and attcked him   bit him but did'nt savage him , GREAT DOGS  ,, been thinking of getting anther  big dog because were spending more and more time on the river  just ctruising ,, so i thought this time , i may go for a Mastiff or a boebeol   both seem to have the ingrediants you want ,, BUT i don't like slobber so i'll probably go for  3rd time  , and hope i'm lucky to get  the same has the last time ,  I know your waiting for the dog ,, i'm just keeping you in suspence ,  they were

 ROTTWEILERS

 

[moosmum]

11 hours ago, coneye said:

Had TWO dogs , that would of got 10 out of ten for everything you asked ,, both  did'nt wander , both were super freindly both just natural gaurd dogs , both seemed to have a switch in there head  when to gaurd and when not too   especielly at night that switch came on aotomatic ,,, i spend a lot of time on  the river murray on a housboat  cruising up and down ,mostly  its fairly remote ,, also spend a lot of time travelling in the caravan mostly , where its remote ,  my wife sometimes gets a bit worried us out there alone  ,     she often says wish Naz or ebony were still alive , they were perfect dogs for that scenario , Both were perfect dogs  without any formal training ,  they just never seem to do anything wrong ,, were very aloof with other dogs , never run over and bothered with them  , but very freindly when dogs came to them , , both very people freindly , but both  could  turn in an instant if   they sensed things were not right , , ,, I know this for a fact because  one of them actually attacked an intruder  in the early hours , he bolted out the doggie door  ran and attcked him   bit him but did'nt savage him , GREAT DOGS  ,, been thinking of getting anther  big dog because were spending more and more time on the river  just ctruising ,, so i thought this time , i may go for a Mastiff or a boebeol   both seem to have the ingrediants you want ,, BUT i don't like slobber so i'll probably go for  3rd time  , and hope i'm lucky to get  the same has the last time ,  I know your waiting for the dog ,, i'm just keeping you in suspence ,  they were

 ROTTWEILERS

 

My pick too, but I've never known a Black Russian Terrier. 

I'd like to, they sound pretty good too.

Edited September 4, 2022 by moosmum

[Dogsfevr]

I groomed a BRT lovely dog with a very savvy owner who respected what he was.
I have watched BRT at shows be feral whether breeding or lack off owner respect in setting up the dog for success i dont know .

There coat is work even if you wish to keep it short it took me as a professional 3 hrs to do a pet length groom aka Beach length .

A giant Schnauzer may be a more practical choice out off the 2 .

A giant breed is only as fun as the effort put in , i have boarded a few Newfs & groomed them who are just trainwrecks that the owners cant enjoy as they never too k teaching them manners as pup seriously .

I have over the years helped show Newfs & well trained are lovely but yes there size is a massive factor not only for home life even too the car one owns,they need regular brushing & the collect will collecet everything & anything in the bush .

Bullmastiffs we have boarded & they have all been gems,lived a good age ,fit in there senior years & they where all family dogs .

Loving breeds & what is reality is very easy to narrow down a breed doesnt want you as an owner because you love it ,the breed wants you as an owner because you respect it for all the pros/cons that come with them 

Strangely enough i would sooner walk into a yard witha Mastiff than a Rough Collie meet to many nippy ones & wouldnt trust them .

[Amazetl]

I think a Giant Schnauzer would be too much dog for me, from what I’ve read. 

 

That’s interesting about the Rough Collie - I’ve never met one before but I’ve liked what I’ve read about them. 

 

I have met some Rottweilers and even though they have been nice I feel intimidated by them. I feel a bit that way by the German Shepherd too. Another breed I really like but feel like it would be too much dog is the Rhodesian Ridgeback. 

 

I feel most comfortable with the Irish Wolfhound, perhaps due to experience. I would also with the Newf or the Saint and I understand about the shedding and mess, though I’ve not experienced it firsthand. I do worry though a bit how I read most of these breeds can have aggression in some lines. 

 

I used to be really interested in the Leonberger and have been looking at them again. I’ve not met one before though. 

 

My Lab is protective but I know that’s not really usual. I thought about a Chessie since they are a bit more protective but again worried of aggression or overly dominant behaviour. 

 

 

[Jetta]

I moved from suburbia to our farm about 4 years ago. I got a Rhodesian Ridgeback for the exact reasons you are after a dog. Our Ridgeback has been fantastic. She is great with our other dogs. We own working kelpies and a Cocker Spaniel. She is good with all our stock- chickens, horses, goats, sheep, alpacas. We also have children who she is great with also. If people enter our property she will bark until I let her know it is ok. She spends most of her day lying in the sun on our verandah. She enjoys zoomies with our other dog but has nowhere near the energy of our Kelpies and Cocker Spaniel. She is happy to to follow me around the farm and sleep close by whilst I do my jobs. She is very gentle and affectionate and does not wander even though she can easily get out of our house yard as the fence requires some repairs. I prefer the short coat as grass seeds aren't such an issue compared to a longer coat plus ticks are easier to locate. I have now owned 5 Ridgies during my life among other breeds and have found them all to be very similar in temperament and energy levels. Hope this helps and good luck with your move

[Boronia]

.

Edited September 5, 2022 by Boronia

[coneye]

9 hours ago, Amazetl said:

I think a Giant Schnauzer would be too much dog for me, from what I’ve read. 

 

That’s interesting about the Rough Collie - I’ve never met one before but I’ve liked what I’ve read about them. 

 

I have met some Rottweilers and even though they have been nice I feel intimidated by them. I feel a bit that way by the German Shepherd too. Another breed I really like but feel like it would be too much dog is the Rhodesian Ridgeback. 

 

I feel most comfortable with the Irish Wolfhound, perhaps due to experience. I would also with the Newf or the Saint and I understand about the shedding and mess, though I’ve not experienced it firsthand. I do worry though a bit how I read most of these breeds can have aggression in some lines. 

 

I used to be really interested in the Leonberger and have been looking at them again. I’ve not met one before though. 

 

My Lab is protective but I know that’s not really usual. I thought about a Chessie since they are a bit more protective but again worried of aggression or overly dominant behaviour. 

 

 

Rough Collies . when i was a kid  my uncle always had rough collies , not just one but quite a few over the years  and every one of them were known to be a bit nervy and biters , not one had the lassie temperment we thought they should have ,,, What would concern me is your comment the rotty and shepard intimidate you , i think any of the large gaurding breeds would probably do that them IF they were   real gaurd dogs ... Another dog that would be worth looking at is the blue heeler , not has intimidating but can do the job ,, ... I ride motorbikes , love nothing more than to get out on trails , and just  toss a coin left or right ,, lost count of the amount of trails i've been on in the country ,  come to a dead end with a gate  and then  turned and bolted when i've seen half a dozen kelpies and blueys come charging out at me LOL

[Amazetl]

I have read many stories of Rough Collies being scared or timid and running to hide when someone comes over etc. But I’ve read some good ones too. It is a bit of a worry.

 

Big dogs don’t intimidate me. Just something about the Rotty and Shepherd in their looks do. Perhaps growing up I was conditioned to think they are aggressive… 

 

I think they are two of the most cutest puppies though. Funny that. 

 

 

[Amazetl]

What are blue heelers like with other dogs? I always thought they were more of a one dog situation. I’d prefer to have a dog that is happy to laze around a lot of the time and then go on big walks around the property off leash as well as into town to do plenty of socialising to sights and sounds and people etc. Don’t they have a lot of energy? Thanks. 

[Deeds]

Spanish Water Dog?  Komondor?  

[Purdie]

Italian Spinone.   ?