Working dogs in the PAW

[jeniferwinslet]

I've been thinking just about what dog breeds/traits would be most precious in the PAW - things like size/weight, food condition to power ratio, swim ability, hunting/retrieving characteristics, power and capability to carry a load/drag a litter, territorial nature, fierceness, etc. I just lost my Lab/Rottie cross of 12 existence last weekend to tumor, and sure that our next dog was going to be something that can pull it's own burden (literally) in a survival condition. My spouse and I are look at purebred Rotties and Mastiffs, but also Newfies and Labs. Also not stuck on purebreds; our last was a rescue. We're not in a rush, since we want to make a careful, informed decision - so no "rebound" dogs. For current consideration, we have our own suburban house and large yard, so size is not an issue; in the even of a bug out I have lakefront property on a private lake in the Canadian Shield.

[jeniferwinslet]

I've been thinking just about what dog breeds/traits would be most precious in the PAW - things like size/weight, food condition to power ratio, swim ability, hunting/retrieving characteristics, power and capability to carry a load/drag a litter, territorial nature, fierceness, etc. I just lost my Lab/Rottie cross of 12 existence last weekend to tumor, and sure that our next dog was going to be something that can pull it's own burden (literally) in a survival condition. My spouse and I are look at purebred Rotties and Mastiffs, but also Newfies and Labs. Also not stuck on purebreds; our last was a rescue. We're not in a rush, since we want to make a careful, informed decision - so no "rebound" dogs. For current consideration, we have our own suburban house and large yard, so size is not an issue; in the even of a bug out I have lakefront property on a private lake in the Canadian Shield.

[togonkd2]

I just lost my Lab/Rottie cross of 12 existence last weekend to tumor, and sure that our next dog was going to be something that can pull it's own burden (literally) in a survival condition. My spouse and I are look at purebred Rotties and Mastiffs, but also Newfies and Labs. Also not stuck on purebreds; our last was a rescue. We're not in a rush, since we want to make a careful, informed decision - so no "rebound" dogs. .

I had a Shepard/ Rott mix by the name of PEABODY who was a big lunky loveable baby BUT mean when he had to be mean. He was loyal as all get go.. I got him from a neighbor who rescued him when his family threw him and his brothers and sisters from a moving car in a bag on the highway. We eventually had to put him down due to old age, hip pain, and the tumors that showed up his last year of life. He was 15 going on 16.It has taken me 8 years to get into a dog frame of mind again and my current partner is the one who talked me into her. She was a rescue dog from the local shelter... My fears of there ONLY being pit bulls in there were for naught ... she is a full blown German Shepherd a little over a year old with formal training ... She doesnt bark when people come to the door but she lets you know they are there. Sits, stays, lays, crate trained, and housebroken .. its like she is my old dog reincarnated. I am now a full believer in shelters for that perfect " man's best friend" and when its the right time you will find that right friend.

[zobmiedown]

German Shepards...... Large but not too. Intimidating to people with bad intentions as most look and see police K-9. Strong in and out of the water. Weather adaptive we get below freezing here and over 100 degrees F every year. One hell of an early warning system and thug deterent. Extreamly loyal and protecive. Highly and sometimes to thier own detriment intelligent. They can be taught anything. Only thing is when they get bored they can figure out other things to do and its never what you want them to do. ( I have had that same problem with platoons of Marines too). And like the Marines as well with the right pack can carry spare ammo.

[Paladin1]

Update on Ranger:
8 months old today and weighed in at the vets @ 93lbs


He is true to form for Ridgebacks, Does not bark much, great with my 3 little kids, he is very socialized with people and dogs, we worked on that from day one.

He went to holiday parties with lots people/kids he didn't know, lots of noise and chaos and he was perfectly behaved. Other people remarked that they had left their dogs at home because it would have been just too much for them. They wouldn't trust them in that environment.

And on the other hand, people have discovered they that if they walk into my back yard/shop unannounced they will have a large dog stop them before they get too far in. He dosen't attack, he plants himself directly in front of them and gives them the growl and stink eye.

I wouldn't want to make any sudden moves at that point

He has shown no aggression towards other dogs, but he has had a couple run-in's with the local "bullies" at the dog park. They now leave him alone

[zobmiedown]

Paladin1,

Beautiful dog. Sounds like you got a winner. Personaly I stay clear of dog parks. We have a problem with parvo in this area and I dont want to expose mine to it any more than necessary. Just some things to consider when taking you baby to a comunal environment. Vacinations help but are not 100%.

[buck85]

This is so cool for my dog, Kayla.
If I felt I had the money to spare, to spend that much on her I would buy this in a minute

It could use maybe a few places to attach a canteen for her
and maybe even her own dog food.. ( and a few extra mags, lol )

This way cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have seen vests for protection of hog dogs,but nothing quite like this.
The camera is a neat option too.
On an other note.A neighbor just inherited a purebred great dane.Wondering about breeding him with my red pit?

[Smü]

This is so cool for my dog, Kayla.
If I felt I had the money to spare, to spend that much on her I would buy this in a minute

It could use maybe a few places to attach a canteen for her
and maybe even her own dog food.. ( and a few extra mags, lol )

I have ordered a way more basic harness from that company. Although I only have one product from them, their stuff seems to be top notch.

If you want load bearing stuff, I'd look for the gear Ruffwear manufactures.

[Graybeard]

airdales used by a lot ski patrols i have good luck with beagles have raised them qutie bit in my life they good hunting dogs never had a lot of trouble with then

[fourway]

Very worthy sounding rescue dog needs a job. I suspect " Cane Corso Mastiff Mix" is code for large pitbull, but from the description he sounds like the perfect PAW beasty.
Languishing for two years at the shelter that rescued him from a dog hoarder. They're throwing him an adoption push.

[Smü]

Doesn't look very pit-ish.

In case you're unfamiliar with the breed, Cane Corso is a mollossoid type of breed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_Corso

Under normal circumstances (!) dogs from that breed are even tempered with a strong protective instinct but a high aggression threshold. Doesn't hurt that they have the weight of a piano, too.

[fourway]

From the description he sounds like an amazing dog.

[Yrkoon9]

Rescue a dog.

Millions are put down every year. The ones you see for adoption are all going to be suitable.

Sad but happy story: My dog of 16 years died on my birthday a while back. A rescue. That was crushing. I never wanted another dog and told the wife so. But wives have a way. Somehow I ended up at the shelter standing there with my arms folded. I had one rule : NO USED PITBULLS. They have locking jaws, kill babies, are unpredicatable - basically all the media fed bullcrap I had heard. Unfortunately the majority of dogs were some kind of pit mix. And there she was... my wife sticking HER HAND INTO THE DAMN CAGE WITH A PITBULL!?!?!?! AHHHHH!!! Nooooo! But this dog seemed pretty mellow. While all the other dogs were barking and running around this guy was just sitting there smiling at her. I was more than skeptical. In fact I was downright unhappy. Somehow she got the volunteers to take the dog out to the play yard with us. He seemed okay I guess. Very friendly.

Because he was a "large, older (1 yr) and difficult to adopt breed" he cost $15. Came with a microchip. And a bag a food. And a leash. And a free pet visit. And 30 days of health insurance. Fifteen bucks?

He is an ambassador for the breed. Everyone loves him. He is the sweetest dog in the world.

My point is this - I suspect, and will never be able to prove that my rescue dogs love me more than any purebred thousand dollar dog ever could. Being caged up in one of those shelters must be like prison - and to that dog who knows suffering like no purebred will ever know he is going to love you forever. Because he remember those cold concrete floors and the euthanasia.

Oh....and my wife rescued a wild Alaskan Sled Dog last year from under a ski lodge when we lived in Alaska. Don't get one of those. They are not made to be pets. I am certain of it. This dog is crazy. Maybe attached to a sled running 50 miles a day he would be tired enough to handle. Smart. Tireless. But crazy.

[justme]

black mouth cur ,mountian treeing cur, catahoula leopard dog/cur. i dont think a person could go wrong with a cur . very versatile breeds .breed for stock work, hunting and protection .ever read old yeller it was about a black mouth cur .if curs were good enought for pioneers they are good enought for the paw. almost forgot they dont make much noise closed mouth on track hot nosed and feerless.

[rickntenn]

Belgian Malinois , athletic , high prey drive , make good family dogs if you get them used to being around people.

[Smü]

Belgian Malinois , athletic , high prey drive , make good family dogs if you get them used to being around people.

+ eager to learn.

I think of them as supersized Jack Russel Terriers.

[Paladin1]

Wut.

[Smü]

Wut.

My thoughts exactly.

[ZombieGranny]

spambot
Only put a link in one of the posts so far, though.

[feedthedog]

Doesn't look very pit-ish.

In case you're unfamiliar with the breed, Cane Corso is a mollossoid type of breed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_Corso

Under normal circumstances (!) dogs from that breed are even tempered with a strong protective instinct but a high aggression threshold. Doesn't hurt that they have the weight of a piano, too.

I have two (one is a rescue). They are a handful and probably not a good starter mastiff. From my experience, they do everything that an English or Bull Mastiff would do only they do it faster and more often. Folks also claim that they are a bit healthier in general. The English Mastiffs I grew up with got their daily exercise moving from the bed to the couch. All the Mastiffs I've known have been quirky beasts. When I was a kid, my dad tried to build a fence in the back yard and the dog kept pulling it apart and then he would be laying on top of it when my dad got home. After a few iterations, my dad put up a serious chain link fence. I watched the dog back up about 40ft and knock the fence flat then lay down on top of it. The dog didn't want a fence there, so my dad gave up.

Mine love kids and are not agressive, although you wouldn't want to try to grab my wife while she is walking the dogs.

Funny story: My wife was sitting on the porch when a homeless guy starts walking up on to our lawn. The dog goes from prone to standing in a heart beat and gives a few loud barks. The guy stops moving and the dog stops barking. My wife starts to talk to him from the porch and he starts walking closer. The dog starts barking louder "Dammit I told you to stop walking up here!" And the dude freezes again and the dog goes quiet. At this point, the guy decided to stay put and asked if we would pay him to rake some leaves. My wife told him that she was going to make me do it, so he laughed, complimented the dog, and walked away. We had only had this rescue dog for about 6-weeks, and hadn't trained him on anything except the usual sit/stay stuff. I was really impressed that he never got agressive or even got off the porch. The dog just got between my wife and the guy and told him to get off the lawn. He wasn't even really excited about it. I came outside about 30sec later and the dog wanted some of my quesadilla.

I think the most important thing about matching a dog breed to a family is looking at lifestyle. I need a dog that enjoys some intense but brief exercise and some fun mental exercises, but is also happy chilling on the couch. I'd be screwed if I got a Siberian Husky that wanted to pull a wagon around.

[Blacksmith]

Someone asked me the other day if my English Mastiff can pull a cart. I about fell over laughing. I explained:

"He can pull as much as you want for about ten minutes then he will need about three hour nap to sleep off the exertion. Also he isn't pulling anything unless his momma tells him too."

[feedthedog]

Yup, a Mastiff does what he/she wants for as long as he feels like doing it.

One of my Canes did a standing vertical leap for no reason in particular, and her head easily passed my head by 18-24in and I'm 73in tall. I feel a bit better about some of our obedience issues now. If the dog doesn't have to obey the laws of physics, then why should they listen to me?

[colleenjoy]

Funny thing we where talking about weather my profession would be useful in the event of a disaster and post about people not leaving their pets behind proves that being a vet tech can be very useful. Any now that ive proved the boys wrong......any breed of dog is very useful in different ways. Working dogs for obvious reasons. Smaller dogs are low to the ground and very fast. My recommendation by far...German Shepard, Pit Bull, or rottweiler. All muscular can handle loads and are loyal protectors. But seriously just about any breed trained properly will be of great use. Personally my preferance is a German Shepard. Fast, strong, great nose.