Small Guard Dog?? what do you have

[Deleted]

What are your opinions on guard dogs, we are looking through local rescues for a new dog, mum has specified it needs to be of guard dog stature (by small we are not talking jack russel size, more springer size, nothing aggressive just a good bark)
We dont want another big dog again as our labrador is just to big for us, just something that can patrol the yard and give a good bark but also be obedient.
At the minute we have a chiweenie and she is about as scary as a fluffy duckling.

We were thinking a working c0cker or something like that size and sort of dog. We arnt to have terriers due to livestock.

Any suggestions?

[sarahp]

What on earth is a chiweenie? New one on me!

We have had cockers, show lines though, and collies and both would bark when anyone turned up - as do current lurcher and rescue saluki. I think most breeds will guard their territory by barking won't they? I'd suggest not a sighthound of any sort though as they do tend to have a high chase instinct which might not be a good idea round livestock. Collies might round them up too. Spaniels aren't very scary though, if noisy.

[Deleted]

Shes a chihuahau x daschund lol, i rescued her it was curtains for her so i took her in. shes tiny and couldnt frighten a frog!

Mum was thinking a lurcher which is a shame as i agree with the chasing.

i do like the cockers though, i dont know anyone who has them to ask.

[rightrein92]

I love my patter jacks they are the best guard dogs and generally fun dogs although if they smell anything small and furry they seem to disappear over the fields rather quickly haha

[watchbank]

I have a springer and she has a deep nasty (sounding) bark that frightens people alot haha she patrols our stud yard - we have 2 irish wolfhounds in a paddock at the gate but when they are in she still frightens the post men!

[greasedweasel]

We have an Australian cattle dog, she has a very good bark!

[greasedweasel]

... Oh can we see a photo of the Chiweenie, please!!

[sarahp]

There was a Kelpie at our dog training class and gosh was it a dominant dog. Is that the same thing as an Australian Cattle Dog?

Yes, I second a photo of the chiweenie!

[greasedweasel]

Ours is a blue heeler (ie a mad max dog) but yes both breeds of ACD. I had a Kelpie in Oz and she was much more manic than the Heeler we have here but whether that is breed or just the individuals personalities I don't know.

[B_31]

i have a springer x collie

she sounds very aggressive (and would be if cornered) but people literally run when they hear her lol

she was bought off a neighbour and a cracking little guard dog (vocally only)!



c 0ckers are lovely

[rhosyn]

We've a black lab boy, a JRxWhippet, a JR and a working cocker.
The whippetxJR is by far the best guard dog - he has the bark of an Alsatian! We do laugh though because our cocker has the bark of a chihauha (sp?)

Please don't get a working cocker unless you're going to do loads with him - they are busy busy little dogs and many can get neurotic and develop vices such as chewing etc if bored. Also very prone to separation anxiety. Not saying other dogs won't either, but just in our experience as we've taken on a young working cocker and as he'd developed this dreadful habit of chewing out of boredom and anxiety in his former home I've just had to spend £500 at the canine dentists to have his teeth root cannaled and venneered!

[Deleted]

here is the chiweenie



Sarahp kelpies are different to the cattle dog, my friend is a breeder of kelpies over here, i would get one but they really do their job round the horses and my ponies dont like dogs so id fear it getting injured, they just dont keep a distance as they do like rounding things up.

Interesting what breeds have come up so far

[sarahp]

Our cockers were show bred not working, and I think much less busy than the working ones, which makes sense if you think about it. I had a friend years ago who had a show bred lab, no trouble at all except for a tendency to raid dustbins, who then got a young one which was working bred and she said chalk and cheese, the working one was so much more energetic both physically and mentally so gave more trouble in a pet home and another time she'd have a show one again.

[CarolineNelson]

The Dachshund bark (yes, even the minatures) is definately a BARK and not a yap. Very loyal and very terriorial, which helps. Sounds just like the Dobermann they think they are!