Hi all, first post and just registered.

I can't decide on what breed of dog to have and all these "dog breed selection" websites are rubbish and they all come up with different results!

I am 21 and have been brought up with family dogs all my life and it's now time for me to have one of my own. My question here to everyone is, what dog breed is suitable that matches my criteria?:


- I live on a farm and have lots of outdoor space however it isn't fenced or enclosed (large yards and open access to fields).

- I work on the farm 8am-5pm Mon to Fri, but I come in from work at 10am for coffee (for 30 mins), and at 1pm for lunch (for 1 hour) so it wouldn't be left alone for the whole duration of my work hours.

- Medium/Large dogs are my choice.

- Moderatly intelligent so that they can learn the basics.

- I would like it to be an active dog and also like it to be able to come out on the farm with me, but also be able to wander around by itself without me having to keep checking up and wondering where it could have gone.

- Loyal to me and respectful (although that's more in the training I guess).

- I'm not concered about whether it's good at guarding or being friendly or aggressive to strangers.


I would love to hear your suggestions as I have 1 or 2 breeds in my mind but will wait and see if they are the same as you suggest

Thanks

Welcome to PF .

My first thought is that you will have to provide a secure area for the dog, whichever breed you choose....

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Welcome to the forum

Firstly what I've highlighted in bold really concerns me. I would not recommend any breed of dog for this intention. To me it is dangerous, irresponsible and cruel to leave a dog wandering around unsupervised on unfenced/unsecure land. I would seriously reconsider this if I were you.

You are however spoiled for choice should you wish to own a dog who can spend the majority of the day helping you out around your farm - I know my Labrador would love this sort of lifestyle, but again, I would never leave her unsupervised to wander round of her own free will.

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No breed can be trusted to wander as it pleases around an unsecure area.

I have a good medium sized front garden and a medium sized back garden. The back is 4ft fenced, and the front has a 4ft stone wall around it.

We have a border terrier and springer spaniel and we leave the front gate open so that they can purposally wander around the farm (which they do) and they know how to find their way back to the house.

They were brought up on the farm, gradually coming out with me when they were younger, and once they were familar with the surroundings, we tried not to worry so much as it's still our land and we consider it a "big garden/yard" as such for the dogs.

Surely it can't be that big of a problem?



I think I didn't explain it properly in my first post but we live out in the country with 40 acres of field/farm land around our house. If this is too much of a problem, I'm happy to leave the dog indoors.

I'm sorry and I don't mean to question your views on dog ownership but my first thought is - what would happen should one of your dogs injure themselves whilst wandering around all day? How do you structure their exercise should they need it restricted? What if your dog didn't return to the house for some reason, would you notice?

One of the reasons I own a dog is for our walks together, maybe my view to owning a dog is different to yours, and that's fine, but my dog is my buddy and I like to interact with her on walks, and explore the countryside together. I don't understand why anyone would own a dog if they were either a) not working it or b) not enjoying it's company on a day to day basis.

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I am happy for our dogs to work along side me while I am at work and take interest in what I am doing. For example I am out on a quadbike sometimes and my terrier loves to chase me but sometimes she'll happily jump in the back. I am never over exercising my dogs and they are also never wandering around all day however I am happy to leave my front gate open if they wish to explore and it is impossible for me to keep an eye on them 24/7. I am also sorry if I do not follow a strict rule book of dog ownership and am probably more relaxed when it comes to ownership, however that doesn't take away the fact that I have strong bonds with my family dogs, and dogs in general. Also I think you are missing the fact that come 5pm when I finish, there's still 7 hours of the day left when I'm inside the house.

my first thought was a collie

perhaps with the few breeds you have in mind do lots of swatting up on them then keep whittling the list down until you have the one you most want

i also wouldnt want to leave my dog roaming around unattended and out of sight anything could happen theres alot of not so nice people out there and lots of accidents to be had butt if you keep an eye on your pooch and plan on having it follow you around working etc that would be a lovely life

Well I don't particularly follow a strict rule book of dog ownership either - my dog sleeps with me on the bed

I'm surprised that you have managed this with a Border Terrier to be honest; my mum's BT (in my avatar pic) would be miles away in minutes should she be allowed to explore of her own free will!

If you do wish to own a dog who can be left to safely explore by itself, then that's a question of training not of breed.

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Thankyou, and I would love a dog to follow me around at work keeping me company all the time, but also be able to have a bit of dependance for itself, which is what I should have put in my first post. I did not explain myself correctly.