I'm moving onto 13 acres of land.I need a dog,The dog must be able to cope with sheep, cats,chickens and a horse.The dog must also be good with kids.The dog must not shed too much on account of an asmatic child.The dog will preferebly sleep out in a dog house. Have any suggestions?

-- Stephanie (Abaker02@maine.rr.com), September 09, 2001

Answers

A traditional black and tan German breed German Shepard, spayed or neutered at the appropriate time, best gotten as a young pup to correctly bond to you and your animals is by far the best all around homestead type dog there is, in my opinion anyway! They are fairly cheap, you can even get them from the humane societies for very cheap at times, even the pups.

They shed very little when kept outside, and can take the worst weather extremes from hot to cold, and are the best guard type dog to have around even very young children safely.

We have had German Shepards for over 20 years and have never had any problems of any type with them. They are also the only type of dog we have been able to train to stay in their territory and not need to be kept tied up at all.

They are also the best dog for personal protection going, that's why the Armed Forces and all police departments use them almost exclusively. Their intelligence is unsurpassed also.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), September 09, 2001.

female lab mut, crossed w/shepherd or retriever...spay...the BEST!!

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), September 09, 2001.

Annie sorry but the armed forces exclusive general purpose K9 is the Belgian Malinois and has been since at least 1989 (the year i first joined)

-- Pops (cindy556@devil-dog.com), September 09, 2001.

Thanks for the update, Pops, the last year I was real familar with Armed Services protocol was pre 1977, it's been a while! I hadn't realized they had changed their type of dog used!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), September 09, 2001.

Stephanie - A Lab would be a pretty safe choice. German Shepards are great - but unless you get very good bloodlines, they can be horrible. And where kids are involved - a shepard may be ok with your kids, but get too protective toward any other kids that may come over. You might consider one of the herding breeds - they are less apt to bother the chickens and sheep. And if I were you, rather than a doghouse, I would teach this pup to sleep in the barn.

-- Dianne (willow@config.com), September 09, 2001.

australian shepherds.

-- marce king (thathope@mwt.net), September 09, 2001.

Is your land near a fast moving road? I would be careful about your dog if the house is too close to the traffic. We had a wonderful lab and it was great with the kids, only it was hit out on the road. When I told the landlord, they said they could only keep a dog nine months at that house! Wish I knew!!We have moved to our own place. I now have a lab, and it sleeps in a kennel, and goes out when I keep an eye on her, and she is inside all the time I am. Keeps them from chasing your stock, finding a skunk in a neighbors field, getting bred by a wandering mutt, getting into a fight, etc. They still go potty outside and mark the property as "theirs" and chase things when you are watching, but they live a lot LOT longer! Also, the kids play with the dog more. When they are out on a chain or in a kennel or whatever, they get wet and muddy, and somehow always get their paws right on your nice shirt. (chain would scratch a kid) And feeding in the winter is "Quick, here is your food and water, stay warm, you look fine, bye". If they are inside they get lots of attention and bond much more. ~Brenda~

-- Brenda (brenclark@alltel.net), September 09, 2001.

Smooth coat Border Collie.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), September 09, 2001.

I have to second the motion for Australian Shepherd. Kept outside, the long coat shouldn't bother the child. Make sure it's a nice enclosure with insulated house and shade in the summer. These dogs are great with kids and livestock, terrific to take along on horseback rides, loyal, smart and protective. They bond with you. Did I say already tell you how smart they are! I'm sold!

-- Debbie Trimble (debbie_trimble@ssmhc.com), September 10, 2001.

This may sound funny but i live on 22 acres and have a standard and toy poodle.. They're so protective and great around kids.. I also have 2 pigs and chickens and they donn't bother them at allllll...Good luck Maureen

-- maureen (onemaur@yahoo.com), September 10, 2001.

Maureen, our standard poodle must have been an exception because I've always heard they were such good, smart dogs. We had to get rid of ours because she started killing chickens, and after she had puppies with our border collie male, she tried to kill them! She would take them down our 3km driveway and run home, leaving them behind in the dead of winter! Poor things; they were so cute! I don't think we will every have another standard poodle.

-- Rebekah (rebekah_swinden@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

Thanks guys you helped alot I'm checking out your suggestions right now

-- steph (abaker02@maine.rr.com), September 10, 2001.

best bet all around is an English Shephard (not English Sheepdog). For loyalty, herding, loving, playfulness and gentleness, you can't find a better dog. Only distraction on your part may be the shedding twice a year. They are a medium sized dog, 20 - 23 inches to the shoulder, anywhere from 40 to 60 lbs. Our first one got to be quite hefty as all the neighbors loved her and fed her! She was light and dark brown with white markings. Our second one looks more like a border collie (the two breeds come from the same background, but the English Shepards are a little more laid back). Raised our children with both dogs with no problems. email me if you have more questions...great family and farm dog.

-- amy (amy_tarr@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

The correct spelling is German Shepherd Dog. I just found out, check out site www.yourpurebreedpuppy.com and find out all youll ever need to know about the breed. Including info if the breed is wright for you. Ours , we rescued shes 2yrs and wonderful with children. But was mistreated and is aggresive towards men. But me and my stepsons father she loves. And I must say she is the smartest dog Ive ever owned, (to smart sometimes) and I have not seen her even bark at another child or woman. I just wish I could have found her earler. I cant imagine getting another breed after only 4 months with her, and knowing her history NO bigger heart in any breed!

-- Richard Dutton (litlmules@sbcglobal.net), March 13, 2002.