Our old, old black lab mix just died at the ripe old age of 103 (14-1/2). What kind of dogs make good country dogs? We know our lab was good with the kids. That's our number one consideration, but we don't want a car chasing, roaming dog either. Any suggestions of a good country, family dog? We're only interested in med. to large dogs.

Bob & Laura (Buck Snort Resort)

-- Bob & Laura (Buck Snort Resort) (buksnort@mwt.net), July 19, 2001

Answers

A purebred American mutt has always been our favorite breed! :-) Mixed breeds are generally healthier than are purebred dogs - and of course, much cheaper! We've had good luck with lab mixes, and border collie mixes. We have a terrier mix now that is mostly an "inside" dog. He's a funny, smart little mutt, and he sure can make us smile! Good luck with whatever pooch you decide upon!

-- Cheryl McCoy (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), July 19, 2001.

We have a Shepherd/Sheltie cross and she is WONDERFUL. I think the Sheltie in her makes her very eager to please. She is very bright, loveable and energetic and loves to "help" my husband down on the back 20. It sure has been a good mix for our house.

-- Laurie (laurie@folkarts.com), July 19, 2001.

We have a pure bred Canadian mutt that we got from the shelter last summer and her most awful flaws are that she chases my chickes and digs. Not too bad eh? She is the most lovable gal ever and we are super lucky to have her even if we have no idea what she is..some say husky cross..some say border collie cross. We love our sweet Blossom to pieces.

-- Alison in N.S. (aproteau@istar.ca), July 19, 2001.

We have had, and still have, lots of various dogs of all types over the years, and by far the best dog for rural folk is the purebred or almost all purebred German Shepard in the black and tan variety, like the police use. German Shepards bond to their owners like no other breed, and are quick to figure out what consitutes "their" territory, and don't require being tied up all the time, but will constantly "patrol" the borders of their territory on guard and on watch against both four legged and two legged predators.

They tolerate small children and small animals well, especially so if you get them as young pups and introduce them to the animals then. They are by far the smartest and easiest to train dog there is, and are extremely eager to please their owner, whom they will protect with their life if necessary!

There are many large dogs who excel in animal herding and animal protection, but the German Shepard is the only one who excels in people protection too.

You can purchase one quite reasonably from a breeder if you make an aggreement with him/her that you have no intention of breeding the animal and are going to have it spayed/neutered as soon as it comes of age, usually under 200 dollars. You want to have the dog spayed/neutered because the best guard/farm use dogs should only have ONE thing on their mind at ALL times, their job, not who or what is in season nearby.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), July 19, 2001.

Annie, I am curious to know why you specifically say the black and tan variety? Something wrong with, say, the black and silver variety, or any other color? I'm not arguing with you, just wondering why you mentioned that particular color. I know it was the most popular when we were kids and watched shows like Rin Tin Tin and Roy Rogers (he had a GS, Bullet). The dog that I recently adopted from the shelter appears to be purebread GS (about 2 years old). She's white. She is one sweet-tempered, people-loving dog and very smart (sometimes, too smart). Her dearest wish is to chase and hopefully catch a rabbit. I have one arm longer than the other to prove it!

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), July 19, 2001.

I personally think the golden retriever makes a great country dog. But all dogs are not created equal even amongst their own breeds. I always found getting a dog around one year of age makes for a great pet. They seem to be grateful you have taken them in. I have had many dogs over the years. And the golden retriever is still my favorite. I think it is a personal decision only u can make.

-- paul miller (millerclan@alltel.net), July 19, 2001.

I would get a Black and tan German shepherd, crossed with a collie-Black Lab, some combination as my next dog. I had a shepherd-black lab mix and he bonded well (allright Ann says he would have turned himself inside out for me) anyway he always let me know he was number two dog around the place. He was aggressive with strangers for 5 or 6 years, and then mellowed to most strangers.

-- rick K (rick_122@hotmail.com), July 19, 2001.

My border collie mix is the sweetest, most eager to please, most obedient dog I have ever owned. She is the only dog I have who can be left off a lead and won't leave (I've trained her that going to the road is BAD!). She stays OUT Of the garden, even though its mostly overgrown with weeds this year. She was easily trained not to mouth/nip (a natural instinct for a herding dog) merely by me making a high pitched yelp every time she did it. Only took a couple of weeks. She sits, lays down, and comes when she's called, all from about 30 seconds training sessions once in awhile when I get out of the car upon coming home.

Did I mention she comes when she's called? She is happy just to lie down somewhere nearby and watch me worshipfully. The only bad thing is she insists on herding the cats.

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), July 19, 2001.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER..GOLDEN RETRIEVER..GOLDEN RETRIEVER..GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Wonderful, wonderful dog with kids. Very intelligent (used as leader dogs for the blind). Easy to train. They live to please their owners. Sweetest disposition you could ever imagine. I love them.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER..GOLDEN RETRIEVER..GOLDEN RETRIEVER..GOLDEN RETRIEVER

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), July 19, 2001.

Well, there are lots of wonderful dogs - our 3/4 border collie, 1//4 red aussie shepherd - Josie is the best dog I've ever had; but I had a great purebred rough coated male collie also- just couldn't consider one of those on this place - too many burdock (like cocklebur) and other weed seeds to keep their coat a mess. That is one thing to consider - short or long hair depending on your situation (climate, weeds, etc.). I already know many will argue with me; but I've watched several PBS programs that act like border collies and border crosses are the smartest dogs - no contest. After owning Josie over 9 years, I just have to agree. She's a good 'un. I dread the day when I have to start the search you are on; cause I don't think I can think about owning another dog until after she's gone. Good luck on your search - hope the right pup crosses your path (the younger the better, will bond with you and your family more. Cynthia

-- Cynthia Speer (farmsteader@gvtel.com), July 19, 2001.

I'm a Border Collie fan. I have two now, one purebred the other a BC/black Lab cross. Both are wonderful dogs. They both work the cows fine. In the past, and I want one again, I've had German Shepherds as well. The GSDs keep people away from the door--need that when you live in the country. GSDs are prone to a lot of different genetic diseases, so be careful of where you get one from if you are interested in that breed.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@imcnet.net), July 20, 2001.

We live in the country. We love our Golden Retriever. He is great with the kids, and deosnt chase the livestock or cars. He is just happy to be with us. He isnt kept on a chain or in a kennel. He stays home. He is always by our side when we are outside, and near the door when we are inside.He deosnt bark much, and without reason. He would protect us if he was put in the position to. He is very loyal. In the winter when it gets cold we let him in. He is very smart. Has always been easy to train. He weighs 80# but is very gentle.I also have a childcare and he has never been a problem. A Golden is perfect for the country. Not good for in town or people with very small yards.Goldens like to run and play. That is how we got ours. The people who owned him before had a very small yard in town and he was very bored so he chewed a lot. Now he is content with us. We have had him for 4 years. He is one of the best dogs I have ever had. Everyone should have a dog like my Jake.

-- mindy poole (mpoole@link2000.net), July 20, 2001.

We have a collie/shepherd/lab mix and he is the best dog! He is not neutered (i don't recommend this for most dogs, so don't yell at me), knows his boundaries and is very good with & protective of our family. He doesn't bother or ignore our livestock although he has friendly spars with Bob the rooster. He rid our place of destructive squirrels. He was pretty much trained with the children - they were trained to stay on our property (5 acres) and were only allowed to go so far down the driveway, so that's where he stops too. Always pick the pup that loves you! Good luck!

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), July 20, 2001.

American Working Farmcollies are my breed of choice. Closely related to the border collie, aussie, english shepherd and rough coat collie, they are a true all-around farm dog. The AWFA (American Working Farmcollie Assn.) is dedicated to reconstituting the old farmcollies of by-gone days and we're seeing some truly wonderful dogs with the ability to herd, guard, hunt and be an exceptional companion. There are several litters now available and some planned. If you (or anyone else) are interested contact me and I'll get info to you.

Good Luck on your search...

-- Amy Dorsch (gshep@aeroinc.net), July 20, 2001.

I agree, Golden Retrievers are great, friendly dogs, but are TOO friendly, I've never had one so much as growl at me, and they tend to be too "woosy" about protection matters, or even driving off predators like racoons, which can be very aggresive!!! But, it depends on what you need in a dog!

Joy, I recommend the black and tan variety due to the least amount of inbreeding compared to the "color" varieties, specific color varieties require incredible amounts of inbreeding to make the color run "true". For example, palominos are the most stupid, to put it bluntly, breed of horse out there due to the inbreeding required to achive the color, also dalmations fit this example well too! To breed just for color causes terrible faults elsewhere in the breed. The black and tan color is the original type of German Shepard and what seems to appear the most frequently or is dominate color of the breed.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), July 21, 2001.

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS! As my dad told me (who has a yellow lab) the dumbest aussie is smarter than your average dog.

I have had three total, two now. They were easy to housebreak, mellowest pups indoors I've ever seen, natural herding instinct. Border collies are THE BEST sheep herding dogs, but AUSSIES are the best GENERAL herding dogs....they can handle anything if you get a good one. They have natural herding instincts, are protective of home and family....but in general not too much so, if you know what I mean, seem to like other animals in general, like to please, they smile at you (really!), will guard your herd and home too, and still be a great friend and companion.

-- marcee king (thathope@mwt.net), July 22, 2001.

Aussies.......I agree with everything that Marcee said. I never liked dogs untill I was introduced to Austrailian Shepherds, and I have had quite a few and different breeds in my life. They are very smart, want to please, naturals at herding, protectors of people and animals, easy to care for, smart, quick learners and just plain fun to be around. You will not be dissapointed if you get one of these great animals.

Suzanne

-- suzanne wilson (mtsuz@hotmail.com), July 22, 2001.

I think that it does not matter so much what breed of dog you get, as how much time, and what traits you put into it. I believe that most dogs are so willing to please, that they become what the owner (family) puts into it, both on purpose, and inadvertantly. We have had many wonderful dogs, but each one has it's own special traits and characteristics. You learn to appreciate the special qualities that each dog has, and they become great dogs. Ok, I admitt that a lot of training and time is needed too. Each breed will have tendancies so of course you need to research those aspects. To decide what dog would work you have to truely be honest about what qualities are important to you.

-- Joan Tytor (JTYTOR@pressenter.com), July 25, 2001.

I actually just wanted an opinion about border collie v's australian shepherds. I do not know much about the aus... I am have always had border collie X kelpie and gind them to be a great dog. But I would like to eiher get a pure border collie or try another breed of similar temprement. From the little that i know about aussie they sound like a border collie..

Any tips, comments would be great

-- renee (renee_holden@hotmail.com), September 12, 2001.

Austrailian Shepards are smaller, in general, than border collies. A long time ago I had 2 litter mates of Aussie Shepard mix. They were the greatest companions one could hope for. They were smart, easily trainable, and always loving. I could leave them at home without any concerns. They never touched anything they weren't suppose to. Messed up covers on my bed was all I would come home to. They never chewed past the first few months of puppyhood. The first 2 years I was in a rental with no fence - no problem - I taught them their boundaries and they never wandered, even unsupervised after about 10 months old. We walked without leashes; they were well voiced trained. The male dog would watch out for me. Best of all, they were only 35 pounds and their backs came up to my knee. They were friendly to all, people and pets, and Smart, Smart, Smart! My male had no health problems, My female had a few, but all easily controlled. I loved them and missed them so much, that last week I finally got 2 more pups - 2 9-week old male Aussie Shepards. In six days I am making very good progress in training. They know their names and almost always come when called. It took 5 minutes to teach one to Come & Sit. The other took about a half hour. They know my property boundaries (one-third of an acre in suburbia) and only the stubborn one tries to slip away from time to time. Inside, I am making good progress in the "chew" dept. and already have taught them not to chew on my clothes or my hands. The most important factor is your training. Spend lots of time with positive reinforcement and your payoff will be huge. I can because I'm a stay at home mom. Get to know them personally to figure out what makes them tick and how best to respond.

-- Sandy (kraliks@juno.com), September 29, 2001.

I have a German Shepard/Border Collie cross who is the most kind, pleasing dog ever. He is energetic and loves water (but not baths), he will do anything to please you but does not grumble. He has his own personality and can take one human characterists that will leave you laughing! He loves little kids, doesnt like chasing cars, doesnt bark, will NEVER start a fight with other dogs and loves playing chase with sticks. Only thing he has yet to learn is how to fetch. He prefers to just chase the stick, grab it and then make you chase him with it. I would highly recommend this breed.

-- rachael (rachael@rattlebrain.com), October 11, 2001.

I would recommend either another Lab or a German Shepard. I had both growing up as a child and they were wonderful. They both have loyal personalities and make wonderful pets. Our Shepard was protective and our Lab was like our teddy bear, so we had a playmate and a protector. They were both very tolerant of "childish" behavior (like hooking up our "sled dogs" to the sled and being pulled around the yard). I have 2 German Shepards now and wouldn't trade them in on any other breed. They are both great family and country dogs!

-- Rebecca (equestrian_77@yahoo.com), February 01, 2002.