| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| GRITSgal |
Posted - Dec 09 2006 : 09:15:51 AM
need your feedback and opinion, we consider getting a big dog someday.
which is the right breed for farm dog ?
Thanks!1 
Give
Live
Love
~jamie lee~ |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lamamama |
Posted - Dec 14 2006 : 10:45:45 AM
Hi!
Another good working dog is the Newfoundland. Like the Great Pry, they love snow - not so fond of hot weather. My best advice would be to talk with a reputable breeder, & make sure you have all of the health stuff checked out in advance. A good breeder will really help you in deciding if any particular breed is right for your family & your needs. Also, animal rescue is another option. With Newfoundlands, for example, you can get an absolutely amazing dog for a very good price. And again, the Newfoundland Club of America will do everything possible to make sure that the dog & the family are a good match.
Wishing you the best of luck in your search,
Melanie |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Dec 14 2006 : 04:58:06 AM
Thanks Sandy! Sounds like a good book to read. I'll hunt for it.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| ponyexpress |
Posted - Dec 13 2006 : 7:56:00 PM
Hello ladies -
I had a Cavalier King Charles spaniel -- most definately not a farm dog (although she did come from Nebraska) but the sweetest, most loving dog I have ever known. She's been gone about two years now, and I still miss her. DH says, no more dogs - can't take the pain of the loss.
There is a book titled, THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU, that gives very good, practical information on all breeds beyond what the AKC will tell you. This book goes into temperament, exercise requirements, whether the breed is a good "problem solver", good learner, good protector, etc. It also states whether or not the breed requires an experienced owner versus a "beginner." If nothing else, it is an interesting book to read about the different breeds and their characteristics. |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Dec 12 2006 : 09:35:26 AM
Funny bat story, Grace! One of our dogs experienced a hot air balloon several times, and was hysterical--well, so was I, she was so funny.
I never had heard about feeding before and after the sun is in the sky--but it does make sense. And, the ice cube treat is a great idea. We'll be thinking about the pyrenes breed for sure.
Thank you!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 12 2006 : 09:11:04 AM
I have seen many pry's get a hair cut in the summer and they are just fine. I have found that if you brush them nature will lower the amount of hair they produce to be in balance with the weather. Lowering their protein intake in the heat will keep them able to regulate their temp. We also feed before and after the sun is in the sky to help all my animals in the summer. The one and only toy my pry's get is Ice Cubes. When they are puppies it is great for teething issues (instead of chewing on a lambs leg), it does not hurt them such as rawhide bones do, the other animals can play along and it will not hurt them, finally the best one of all is when the pump freezes they will eat the ice for a water source. In the summer icecubes are also a great way to cool them down and keep them hydrated. Speak of how funny these dogs are - they hate birds but last night the pup's were going nuts and I ran out the door with flood light and rifle in hand. As I am watching them run in circles looking up and shined the light up and their was four bats fly over head. We have had bats all the time but these four seem to have been confused. The pups where not understanding why they were circling in the driveway but they sure did not want them to stay. This morning I left a message with the "Bat Guy" to find out what's up and how to help. As I have said before, we are a little bit BATTY around this Funny Farm.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
htpp://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
htpp://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com |
| GRITSgal |
Posted - Dec 12 2006 : 06:24:08 AM
wow thanks alot for alot of feedbacks.. I m leaning more to dogs who are not bird dogs.. I had beagle dogs and lab before.. they kill animals fast and whoa!! I don't want a dog killing my ducks or chicken which I plan to get for my farm. Your Pry Cosmo reminds me a lot of my old dog when I was young girl.. My parents have a Pry mixed dog and that dog is wonderful protector of our farm geese..wow. amazing of that dog.. One time, that dog informed my dad about the coyote out in the field which my dad didn't see. That dog barks like crazy and My dad got the gun/killed Mama coyote and her pups. whew.. I forgot what that dog's breed is called.. now I read your blog and know the name of the dog.. Thanks!!
I am concerned about that dog's coat being hot in the South like here, Georgia. my house have a lot of tree shade around.. is that okay if you take your dog to groomer for shorter trim ?? only for the summer time ??
Give
Live
Love
~jamie lee~ |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 11 2006 : 3:16:07 PM
Ann great question - The breed came from the French Alpine country but are now found everywhere. Since I live in Colorado at around 8,000 feet we get heat in the 90's but we are dry. I do recommend that they have shade, we give ours baby pools to wade in (My goats and llamas love to play in the pools too) and I would make sure they are kept brush but do not shear them. What Pry's love almost as much as their owners is SNOW! You will find them tunneling, running, eating and rolling in it every chance they get. Mine will only go in the barn when the temp is in the teens otherwise they love to stick their nose in the wind and enjoy the bite of winter cold. Maybe someone else has them in hotter climate but I do have breeders in New Mexico, Arizona, Kentucky and even Texas (Infact my first pry came from Texas)
Hope that helped.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
htpp://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
htpp://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Dec 11 2006 : 2:29:30 PM
Thanks, Grace, for all the information! I really like they way they're described. (and I don't do pics or anything remotely computer savvy myself, either ) Frannie, it's so heartbreaking to hear all your baby had to go through before she had a good mom. And, I still think she's very pretty! My dog (who came originally out of a pet store, so who knows what she went through; the manager then bought her but couldn't keep her) has developed GI problems, and it's helped her to have canine digestive enzymes mixed into her food. Before this, she was in agony after every meal (lots of vet visits), whereas now she is usually comfortable, and has gained much needed weight.
Grace, do the Pyrenes make out okay in heat and humidity?
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 11 2006 : 08:49:02 AM
Good Morning Ladies
Sorry I have not been sending to many emails but I have been trying to get a blog and esty site done and I am not the most computer savy person. Hope to get more of my products out there on the sites soon. I do however know alot about Pry's and have riased them for going on sixteen years. A couple of points for these dogs - first I explain to people that you must watch their diets when they are under 18 months because too much protein will give them growth spurts that will harm the joints and will increase their bone issues for later in life. Second, I limit how much they get to work and run. Too much running is going to seperate their joints and will injury their hips. I had a neighbor who thought she would make her pry a running partner and the poor dog ended up with three hip surgeries and finally had to be put down. That is not love to me. We also require the pups to spend more time with their charges then with me. My oldest lady (Kasha) in only in the house because she needs to put on weight and is having trouble doing that when she works so hard outside and is getting up their in age. She is sooooooo devoted that she would run her self into the ground if she felt the goats, sheep or llama needed her. Our other Pry Girl(Sophia) is three years and is a fatty, but she is my porch baby, she guards the house, shop and keeps those mean planes away from our airspace. With our three year old male (Chief) brother to Sophia is a perfect weight and works the pastures next to the road and neighbors. He is just the biggest love machine but if we get univited guests those pearly whites show and his voice echoes thru the farm. I can not stress enough that all dogs are wonderful but I know we would have never made it these ten years with no animal loss if it were not for my wonder dogs.
I am glad to answer any questions you might have if possible. I will also try and get a couple of pictures taken from my pry's and post them. Yes, I finally learned how to use the camera and get it on a post. I told you I am learning. I may not understand the tech stuff but I am real good a stitching up a ewe when I had to give her a C-section to save a lamb or spin up a skein of Great Pry fur into a yarn that will delight my customers with a one of a kind hat. We all have talents just some of us are alittle out of the box. Have a great day ladies.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
htpp://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
htpp://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com |
| frannie |
Posted - Dec 11 2006 : 06:49:19 AM
thank you phils ann, we think cosmo is beautiful too, but the truth is as this breed goes she is not a fine example of how beautiful they can be, in spirit, yes but physically, no.
the great pyrenes is a bigger and more filled out dog than our beloved cosmo. she does have the beautiful face, but as a pup she was born on a working farm with a man who sells animals in our county and really views animals as ways to make money.
when i had decided to get a pyrenes or komodor i had promised myself that i wouldnt buy an animal from him, but i cant believe it, i went to the local trade days, he was set up with his dogs, goats, chickens , ducks etc. and i glanced over at the pups and i was done for life.
anyway, i believe, no i know that she had been fed chicken feed and looked like a healthy roly poly pup. and her face, i just melted. but the truth is cosmo is a skinny pyrenes and she has always had problems putting on weight.( not a problem i have, but then i was raised as a pup on chicken feed.) i do believe however that this did some permanent damage to her gi tract. she just never has been able to be a filled out pyrenes. 
but what she does have is a loving spirit to share. and i think that is the big plus with these dogs. they have their work to do, but they really love being a part of the family and they so want to please you with the work they do.
i dont know ho big they are really supposed to be, i think grace could help us out with that info cause i am sure that her pups and dogs dont have to suffer through any of the things little ms. cosmo has lived through. it would be interesting to hear what she thinks this could do to a dog. some people tell me that people do this to dogs when they are gonna sell them because it does "fatten" them up and makes them look "healthy " and well fed.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Dec 11 2006 : 04:20:20 AM
Frannie, Cosmo is beautiful. I didn't know what pyrenes looked like so went to your blog (what fun!) How much do these dogs weigh? I'm also thinking ahead to having a guardian dog for the hoped for chickens... Our toy fox terrier is good only with cats w/in the animal kingdom. I wouldn't trust her (and she's 14 years old) for a minute with the chicks. Our experience is with retrievers mostly, and no way would I want to hope for one to do well among the birds! My inlaws had guineas for a while, and their German shepherd killed them off, one by one... so that doesn't leave me with much trust for the breed.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| frannie |
Posted - Dec 10 2006 : 5:59:32 PM
libbie,
we tried to get a new pyrenes to give cosmo a rest and break in a new pup and it was kind of a disaster. i'm sure every incident could be different, but the new pup just drove cosmo crazy, she lost weight she got worn out, she was miserable.
the new pup cheyenne was a different critter than cosmo. cosmo as a pup was very laid back and she has continued to be so, my dh says she is the most zen doggie he has ever known. but i think we made a mistake when we tried to introduce cheyenne. she was such an energetic pup and she loved cosmo, but she wanted cosmo to be like a pup with her and she just couldnt do it. our mistake. neither dog misbehaved but it was a real mistake on our part.
i think it is cute to hear how your dog protects the injured chicks. we didnt have that experience with maggie the bird dog, but she did learn not to kill chickens, cause i think she wanted to please us more than she wanted to bag the chickens. if you would like to see a pic of cosmo the wonder dog, click on my blog, she is really a sweetheart.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
| Libbie |
Posted - Dec 10 2006 : 4:31:44 PM
I've consistently had golden retrievers for almost my whole life it seems. I love, love, love them. My current gal, Seamus (I know, it's a boy's name...), is about 9 years old. She's so good with the animals and the kids - she'll catch escapee chickens and pin them to the ground with her mouth, never hurting a feather - scaring them, yes, but hurting them? No. Also, she's learned to be a big help herding sheep - nothing like she could be if she was actually trained earlier in life, but as for teaching an old dog new tricks - she's good as gold!
It DOES really depend on what you want out of your animal - a pet? a farmhand? a guard? All of the things that you all are discussing here are so interesting to me. I'd thought of getting another pup pretty soon - but not TOO soon! - and I was leaning toward a border collie or australian shepherd, but now, I've added a great pyrenees (sp?) to the short list...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| frannie |
Posted - Dec 10 2006 : 09:09:21 AM
grace,
good to hear from you, i have been sick so maybe i have missed something, but seems i havent seen many post from you lately. i really have to second the praise for the pyrenes, if you have animals to herd and a suitable farm for them. we couldnt do without cosmo, and even as a pup she has been nothing but a pleasure.
we have chickens, that free range, goats, cats, kittens, grandchildren and she has accpted and protected all of them.
she is now a senior citizen and comes in the house more and has impecable manners as a house dog. we bring her in a lot more now because she wears herself out "working " day and night guarding the perimeter of the property and we feel she needs a rest that she seems unable to take. so now she spends alot of the day inside snoozing and helping me with my crafts
i do think it is important for folks to look at their situation and study the dog breeds before they decide which one to get.
we had a beloved english birddog that was my oldest daughters dog and she came out her to retire. lived with us for 6 years. she was great with the grandkids, she was good with the cats, but she was afraid of them. and she killed a chicken or two. she also would get a scent and be gone at least overnight in to the hundreds of acreas that surround our little farm(of 16 acreas). the first time she did this i cried and drove and scoured the countryside looking for her.
i wouldnt recommend a bird dog for anyone with chickens. but we loved our little maggie and she was a great companinon and a great bird dog, but she was not a herder. she didnt herd and cosmo wont retrieve a ball.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 10 2006 : 08:09:17 AM
Good Morning Jamie
Picking the right dog is what I get asked alot when people visit our farm - I raise, love and would die for my Great Pry's. But I have found that unless you understand what your farm will need you might be matching a wrong dog to a wrong task. Pry's are the best for guarding your flocks, watching your kids and being the most loyal friend you can have in this world. Just yesturday my two youngest male pups 8 months old worked as a team to corner and attach a coyatoe in my female goat pasture. To date they have killed six foxes and two coyatoes, we have never lost an animal on this farm due to preditors. My top female has gone after bears and mountain lions. I have three grown pry's (two females and one male) and five pups (1 female and 4 male) looking for working farms but they are the heart of this farm. They are raised with llamas, goats, sheep and American Eskimo's. This breed will put their life on the line daily for those they are in charge of including my family. I have had alot of breeds in my life time including some that have been mentioned above but my Pry's have taken my heart. Good luck on the adventure and remember doing your homework is important. Also, I have had too many people get a large dog thinking they can just put them out their and they will do everything - time, training and you being the alpha dog will ward off alot of problems. As I am typing this the two male pups are sitting at my feet snoring - their reward for there brave work, time inside with me and tons of hugs and kisses.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
htpp://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
htpp://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Dec 09 2006 : 11:21:34 PM
I like to get mutts from the pound. It depends on what type of dog you want. If you are concerned about a dog that could possibly kill fowl like chickens, I wouldn't recommend a lab since hunting birds is one or the tasks they were bred for. Also consider that heelers and some shepherds were bred more as working dogs not family dogs so they often need a job to do. Some heelers will nip kids because they are trying to respond to their instincts to herd. Some Shepherd breeds were bred to be companion dogs more heelers so if you are looking for a family dog that is still tough enough to be a farm dog I might suggest looking down this branch of the doggie family tree. I love aussie shepherds but they can be almost a flighty as heelers. Personally I would recommend German Shepherd or possibly a Belgian Turvern.
Also consider coat consistency- do you want to do a lot of grooming or not? Maybe with a bit more info on what your life style is like we could give some more pointed suggestions? :)
Alee |
| MsCwick |
Posted - Dec 09 2006 : 8:43:11 PM
Blue heelers are great. They are happy fun dogs. They are pretty hiper, but can be trained well, and are great herders. |
| doglady |
Posted - Dec 09 2006 : 5:35:05 PM
I would choose a dog with a purpose in mind to train it to do. Dogs get bored and into trouble if they aren't trained. Keep in mind the full size of the dog, any grooming required, purpose, if the breed is friendly with children, and most important -- the types of health problems that run in each breed. Then choose an established breeder to get your puppy from who will help you with additional information, guarantee their puppy, and get you started on the right foot.
Our Miniature Schnauzers - Terriers - were originally bred to go under ground and kill varmits. They would probably do it today if trained but most just watch TV with you. They are great people dogs and love children if raised with them while they are young. They do require professional grooming every 6-8 weeks though. They also think that they are a big dog in a little body and they will protect you. Good luck in your search. There are so many great breeds out there.
Tina
The dogs own the house but the people pay the mortgage!
www.kennelcreations.com |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Dec 09 2006 : 10:17:24 AM
We have English MAstiffs and I think they are perfect! They make GRAEAT watchdogs and WONDERFUL companions. They are gentle with all of our other animals (cats and horses). I think the key is getting a young puppy and exposing them to the animals at a VERY young age.
Mastiffs can get upwards of 150 pounds though! We have three - Lily and Hagrid were a breeding pair and we have kept one puppy named Thunder. Lily and Hagrid are both 140 pounds and thunder is already 150 and he is only 9 months old. They are so wonderful and ALL three sleep inside in our bedroom. (I keep a flashlight by the bed so I can navigate if I need to use the bathroom in the night). I have never had such loving, cuddly dogs before. And they have wonderful personality! Each one has its own quirks. I have had retreviers and sheepdogs before as well but the mastiffs are BY FAR my favorite dogs EVER!
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com |
| frannie |
Posted - Dec 09 2006 : 09:45:36 AM
hi jamie lee,
one way to find the right breed i think is to go to the akc site and they have all kinds of info on the right breed for your life style and family, etc.
but in my opinion if you have animals and kids you cant go wrong with the great pyrenes. i just cant say enough about this wonderful dog. if you click on my blog site you will get to see a pic of our dog, cosmo the wonderdog, she is just a bundle of love and is about 9 years old now. she is a protector, but has never really hurt anything, she just barks when she thinks she needs to protects us. and she is a gentls giant and loves the cats, kittens, goats, and grandchildren.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
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