Soon I will be moving to a place in the country.

I am thinking about getting a dog.

I am thinking about a dog with short hair, fairly large but not huge, that would make a good protection/watch dog, as well as a family pet.

It would be an inside/outside dog, and not afraid of gunfire, as I would like to be able to shoot around him, and maybe even take him hunting.

I think those are called pointers.

German Shorthaired Pointer they can do it all

Yep German shorthaired pointers are the best.

But I recommend you should get a lab.

Most labs are too amiable to be good watch dogs. The lab i have now has the temperament of a doberman, but labs with this temperament are rare. I think a chesapeake bay retriever should come closest to fitting your needs, but dogs are individuals, a good book that explains how to select a good puppy would be extremely helpful.

Gsp 7 what a great looking bunch of dogs!

Heeler. Great watch dogs, very loyal to family. Mine goes hunting with me, actually just about everywhere with me. She doesn't "hunt" but is there with me. Very tough, smart, strong, dogs.

Gents, thanks for the info, keep it comming.

I did some research on the German Shorthaired Pointers...

The info on them looked very good. There is a big pond on "my place"[I signed the closing papers today ] so the GSP shows to be a pretty good water dog as well.

Keep the onfo comming....

This is a great site as there are some very knowledgable people here.

You could always check out the local shelters and rescues on Petfinder and find a dog that really needs you. Adopt an adult and save yourself the trouble of puppyhood.

We have fostered for a rescue group for Anatolian Shepherds. They are large dogs, good watchdogs. But they can use a fence and are a bit too independent for me to recommend if you would have your dog off leash on your property.

Good luck with your search!

quote:

You could always check out the local shelters and rescues on Petfinder and find a dog that really needs you. Adopt an adult and save yourself the trouble of puppyhood.

20% of dogs end up in shelters for one reason or another. Sometimes it's "temperament" but mostly it's because the owner just can't get their act together for the dog.

I found a Red Heeler / G. Shepherd mix at the local shelter -- three previous homes because the owners just couldn't give her the one-on-one attention she needs.

Heeler is high energy, "cattle dog" and instinctively "herds" -- smart, loyal, affectionate. Good family dog and companion. Lots of energy! They need to be exercised or they get bored. When they get bored, they get into trouble -- "finding stuff" and "chewing."

Ginger understands that her "chew toys" are for chewing, and she leaves the other stuff alone.

She's smart enough not to chase the deer. She looks them over, but doesn't "go nutzo" like some dogs on a game scent. She's "social" around other dogs -- but stays under control and responsive to being called. She doesn't chase cats, stays focused and undistracted around them.

When you search for a dog, spend some time getting a feel for the dog's temperament. Find one that's not skittish, easily distracted, unresponsive. I spent four hours with Ginger, at a shelter, around other dogs, cats, people. She stayed "under control." That's key.

Mostly they end up coming out like you train them. She's a good size for a field dog.

I have thought about going to a shelter.

But....

I have 2 cats, and now also 4 LLamas and 2 donkeys, so I think it might be easier to start with a puppy????

T:

I have had four Dobermans my life. They have always been great dogs: very protective, very family oriented, easy to maintain (short hair) and great temperment.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I have thought about going to a shelter.

But....

I have 2 cats, and now also 4 LLamas and 2 donkeys, so I think it might be easier to start with a puppy????

Some rescue groups will know how the dog is with cats, and some will even have an idea about livestock if they are livestock guardians and the foster home has livestock. It may be difficult finding one that is specifically tested with llamas though.

You will find pups and young dogs in rescues and shelters, but there are usually more older dogs.

go for the gsp, they wont let you down.

This is a little off topic but my heeler absolutely hates llamas. But if one were raised around them i'm sure it would be fine. My dog works cattle and has chased grizzly bears out of camp. But she thinks llamas are the devil.

Ralphie

You dog may be smarter than you give it credit for.

I know for a fact that once 2 dogs [large dogs] came onto this property at the same time.

The LLamas killed one and nearly [thumped him pretty badly] killed the other before he could get away.

That is another reason I want to start with a puppy so "we can all be friends", Dog, cats, llamas, donkeys, and people.

In fact there are deer and wild pigs in the area, so I may have to fence off a piece of the property, to keep the llamas and donkeys out so, the deer and pigs can come unmollested, to a feeder I plan to put up.

For your setup knowing you are always messing around with bears and pigs I would go with a puppy (probably from a shelter) that was about half hound and half cur dog.

The hound can track but usually does not like to close in - the cur will close and fight.

quote:

Originally posted by GSP7:
Yep German shorthaired pointers are the best.

But I recommend you should get a lab.

I kind of agree if you are not serious about upland hunting & lean more towards a "family" pet its hard to beat a lab.

Go to a shelter, several times if that's what it takes, and find "your dog."

It's just like finding a girlfriend. You get some ideas about what you're interested in, and when she comes along you'll "connect."

Both girls were rescued.

Thing I don't like about Dobermans is they have that oily doggy smell like a beagle. I like a short haired dog, large, doesn't shed excessively, and doesn't have that beagle smell. I've had German Shepherds for years, but they have lots of medical problems.

airedale

I wouldn't bet too highly on llamas against dogs. We just had 3 or 4 of them killed locally by a pack of dogs.

Standard Poodle.

My Am Staffs are very family oriented.
Very few people would dare enter the house uninvited when they see or hear them.
They have no fear of gun shots and one of mine will retrieve birds.