Dogs on the homestead

[Pal334]

I did a search and did not see a discussion of dogs on the Homestead (assuming I did the search correctly) So here we go...........

Again, an opportunity to pick the brains of some of our learned members. This is not a “bug out” scenario question.

My question is, for folks that live in rural areas, semi isolated to isolated, or those that have given this any kind of thought.

How do you view the value of having a dog or dogs with you / on the property?

Are they a companion only? Or do you view them as a detector or defender or working dog?

Are they outdoors all the time (weather permitting) or in with you at night.

What general type of dog do you prefer in this scenario? I have had great luck with “mutts”.

What size dog? And why you settled on that size.

Do you encourage it or them to hunt for at least part of their food? Or use them for hunting (if that is legal where you are)?

My thoughts are to have two dogs, one possibly a small terrier type (generally a good detecting dog), and another larger type (mostly because I like big dogs). One to write the check and the other to cash the check I would view them as companions and detectors / defenders. And they would reside on the porch, living on the food I give them (as in not required to hunt for their chow).

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

We just have the one attack 13" beagle he is inside day and night and outside afternoons through the week. He is protective if the family is in the yard. More of an alarm system than an attack dog though. Not sure if listens out when inside with the family or even when were gone. He is loose in the house and has made very few mistakes. I like the easy keeper he is as i don't have alot of time to train dogs. If I get another he will be an outside dog and probably pretty stealthy like a shepherd or a larger hound for a louder alarm system.

[Rick]

I don't put much value in dogs. They are more of a drain on resources than anything. That's not mean, just objective. That said, we've always had a dog of some kind. Not because they were of value, we just like having them around. CS is right, they do make a good alarm system but little else.

They offer no deterrent to crime and no defense that can't be overcome if someone is intent on entering or doing you harm. There are ways around all of them. I spent over a decade working in peoples' houses and came up against all kinds of dogs. Some pretty darned aggressive, including a military canine at night (that was a really special moment in my life !!) Still, I was never bitten or tree'd.

We keep them because we want to keep them. For companionship. And then there's always the roast option.

Let's see, Yorkiepoo. My wife's. Inside dog. Her friend needed to give the dog up so we adopted it. Doesn't shed (PRO!!)

I found a vole a few days ago and pointed it out to the dog who went nuts!!! I may actually have a mouser on my hands. She was on that thing in a heart beat and trying to eat the wire fence when the varmint got away and ran into our neighbors yard. First time she had seen one.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Well my first choice (if I understand the scenario correctly) in Full breed dogs, would have to be the Rhodesian Ridgeback AKA the Lion dog. They are brave,loyal and just all around good dogs. They are defensive of their family while being a fairly docile breed. Like what you had said is I would also like to have some type of small dog as an "Alarm System"( The joke/story I heard about the chihuahua and the Rottweiler comes to mind, The chihuahua barks when an intruder comes,wakes up "Big Brother" to deal with the problem...) You wouldn't have to train a dog very much to be an outside dog as you are suggesting, just some basic commands. "Come, sit,Stay, quiet,etc."
As far as mixed breed I would probably look for a sheperd, rottweiler Dobie, or some such "Guard dog" mixed with a working / sports breed like Lab,Retriever,Hound etc. depending on the dog/disposition a lot of "Heinz 57's" are also good choices. Like people each has their own personality and that's what I would pay attention to.

[Winnie]

I've had several types over the years. The best guard dog was a border collie cross, she would have protected the family and in particular wychwood jnr when he was young to the death. I've also had several greyhounds, my favourite. Loyal, friendly, they earn their keep by hunting and are great indoor dogs too. Don't ask them to guard or expect them to be your alarm system tho, absolutely useless at that!
But as Poco remarked, the main thing is temperament and personality go and have a look at a dog show, see what takes your fancy and talk to the breeders. Then you're in a better position to make an informed opinion. Even if you go for a Heinz 57 you'll have a good idea of how the dog will turn out if you know about the breeds that went into the mix.

[MrsCowboy]

Dogs are great companions and can be good alert systems. I'm surprised at how fast our little dog started barking whenever strangers come near our property. It didn't take him long to learn that this is HIS home and HIS yard and only a select few belong here. lol

I'm not sure how good they would be about attacking people, should the situation arise. (ie. dog vs. bad guy with gun.... who would win?) but I have heard of dogs helping their owners out when being attacked by bears, etc.

Growing up I always had outside dogs and I've always loved BIG dogs (Shepherds are a favorite - and never had a Rottie but I like them too). I have had experience with Dobies, but the ones I know aren't too fierce. I guess they are good if you want to keep them inside in that they don't have long hair. My sis does search and rescue with her dogs, so they can definitely be put to good work!!!!

I heard the Ridgebacks are nice.... in fact just read in the paper that one got stolen out of someone's fenced yard. That's another problem with some common breeds .... thieves have been known to take your stuff... AND your dog!!!!

My Dad hunted a lot with dogs when I was a kid. I think that would be great for living in the wilderness. He had a Spaniel type, but down here in the south, everyone is crazy about Labs. I'm not a fan. We once had a Lab/Chow mix and let's just say he had to move on to greener pastures. That dog was NOT right in the head. I would never own a Chow because of this (stereotyping? yep! But that's fine with me!). I am ALL for mutts..... but after that experience, I do prefer to know a little bit more about the dog, temperament of the parents, etc. If the dog fits in well with the family, they will stick around for 10+ years possibly, so I want them to be an asset.... not a pain in the a$$!

[rebel_chick]

Well, I have 5 big dogs, 50-120 lbs. With all the theives and idiots around here, I told my neighbors that my dogs bite and to stay away from them. They are the drug dealers for the area so everyone knows that they bite now, LOL. Nobody is getting back to my horses, the dogs run loose with the horses. As for the rest of my stuff on the outside of the fence, it hasn't been touched. When we first moved in my akita kept jumping the fence bc the neighbors female mutt kept coming over here. So they also know that the dogs can easily jump the fence. The only way to really get past them if I am not home is to shoot them, And, well, thats is not a good idea. I would really have to kill somebody if they did that. I already know that when my dogs need their own food, they will kill it. I have seen them in action. They catch mice all the time. And have caught other things. So, if in a survival situation, I know that my dogs would be self sufficient and also possibly good for us too. Now to get the skiddish one used to gun shots...

[Rick]

Ladies, no offense but I can walk past most dogs with little fanfare. They might bark initially but they soon lose interest when presented with something to eat. I always carried dog treats on the truck. The ones with the highest fat and sugar content I could find. Those mean old nasty dogs would change in an instant when you tossed them a treat. Very few stood their ground. If you rely on your animal to protect you, then have someone the dog doesn't know give it a try and see how they act. You might be surprised and enlightened at the results.

I won't say that about trained guard dogs. That's a different subject. The military dog I encountered was probably a me or him if the owner didn't happen to show up when he did. I was in trouble with that dog and he and I both knew it. But house pooches react on instinct, not training, so you just have to pick which instinct you want them to act on. Food is a very powerful motivator. I should know. Oooooh, twinkies, gotta go.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Rick you probably wouldn't make it in a REAL survival situation- you'd be fantasizing about food so much that your shelter would collapse and your fire go out!!! Do you EVER stop thinking about food?????

[2dumb2kwit]

Ladies, no offense but I can walk past most dogs with little fanfare. They might bark initially but they soon lose interest when presented with something to eat. I always carried dog treats on the truck. The ones with the highest fat and sugar content I could find. Those mean old nasty dogs would change in an instant when you tossed them a treat. Very few stood their ground. If you rely on your animal to protect you, then have someone the dog doesn't know give it a try and see how they act. You might be surprised and enlightened at the results.

I won't say that about trained guard dogs. That's a different subject. The military dog I encountered was probably a me or him if the owner didn't happen to show up when he did. I was in trouble with that dog and he and I both knew it. But house pooches react on instinct, not training, so you just have to pick which instinct you want them to act on. Food is a very powerful motivator. I should know. Oooooh, twinkies, gotta go.

Rick, I agree with what you said, but I have to add this.
For a companion, and early warning system, a dog can see better than you, hear better than you, and definitly smell better than you....I mean....well.....you know what I mean. (Snicker,Snicker.)

[rebel_chick]

Rick, I agree with what you said, but I have to add this.
For a companion, and early warning system, a dog can see better than you, hear better than you, and definitly smell better than you....I mean....well.....you know what I mean. (Snicker,Snicker.)

I can agree with both of you guys here. My akita and my mutt I know would hold their ground if I was in trouble or not there. But the others are kind of panzies, but if one dog will attack, they all jump in. That is just how it goes. I rely on them for their sight and smell, I rely on my guns to protect me. But I don't know about my mutt pup. My bf and I were playing around and I thought Oreo was going to eat him. LOL. Hes my dog all the way. I want to have two of my dogs attack trained, I just don't have the money, yet. I want to be able to go sit by the river by myself and not have to worry about where my gun is at all times, I don't know if any of you have tried to stick a .45 or .357 in the side of your bikini, but it don't work.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

I don't know do you have any pictures I don't have a bikini and was wondering what it would look like?

[SARKY]

Yeah.... what poco said!

[2dumb2kwit]

Yeah, I agree. More information is needed, for us to be able to give good advice. Pictures would be a big help!

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Boy did you open a caan of worms!!!

[DOGMAN]

Dogs are a large part of my life. I usually have between 20-30 of them at any one time. specifically I have the most experience with huskies, (I've owned lots of Alaskan Huskies, Siberian Huskies & Alaskan Malamutes), pointers (GSP'S and English), Labradors, Beagles and most recently Karelian Bear Dogs.

Also, I live on a very rural, remote homestead in the mountains of Montana, and have lots of wild animals (grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions) as neighbors. So, I value dogs in my lifestyle incredibly. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can

How do you view the value of having a dog or dogs with you / on the property?

For me, most of the winter I use my dogs to access my home. So, I view them with high value. Also, they are an incredible alarm system, burglar deterrent and keep predators at bay.

Are they a companion only? Or do you view them as a detector or defender or working dog?
Defender, protector and hard working dog. Companions last.

Are they outdoors all the time (weather permitting) or in with you at night.

Outside all the time, be it 30 below zero with 50 mph winds, or 100 degrees in the summer. They never come in the house

What general type of dog do you prefer in this scenario? I have had great luck with “mutts”.

I don't care for mutts, generally they are not cut-out for real work...
It depends on how specialized the task is that your wanting the dog to perform. If you want a work dog, its best to get a breed that was bred for the job. If you want a companion, get a mutt

What size dog? And why you settled on that size.

I like dogs that are the appropriate size for the job they are being asked to perform. Most breeds are a certain size for a reason.

Do you encourage it or them to hunt for at least part of their food? Or use them for hunting (if that is legal where you are)?

No, my dogs aren't allowed to hunt on their own. They eat plenty of wild game, but I harvest it and feed them. I do like dogs that help with hunting (hounds, pointers and retreivers) but allowing a dog to hunt on their own, generally speaking is not a good thing to develop.

[Rick]

For a companion, and early warning system, a dog can see better than you, hear better than you, and definitly smell better than you.

I absolutely agree. As I said in my first post...." they do make a good alarm system..."

@ Rebel-Chick - Good for you. You have the right idea IMHO. Use them for their abilities. They will alert much faster than you (waaaaay faster than me) but rely on your own resources for defense.

Now, I'm having some trouble visualizing the .357 in the side of your bikini. I don't understand how that works. Pictures, from different angles, would be highly beneficial.

[DOGMAN]

I don't put much value in dogs. They are more of a drain on resources than anything. That's not mean, just objective.

I don't think your opinion is objective. I agree with this assesment for the majority of "pets". But, true working dogs are a huge asset. Have you ever seen a working cow dog, or sheep dog in action? What about a working hound, or a Karelian Bear dog? The work these dogs perform far out weighs the expense of the dogs. A real working hound, bear dog, or cow dog is worth its weight in gold in some parts

[Rick]

Absolutely agree, Jason. No argument for the working dog. They earn their keep. My comment was to the house pooches that we simply keep for companionship.

[ClayPick]

I consider my dogs invaluable for just about all the said reasons. Rarely do I go into the woods without my dogs. Come to think about it, I seldom go anywhere that I can’t take them. It gives me peace of mind knowing that they will go home on command if I get in a jam.