Multiple dogs for multiple purposes?

[wyojdubya]

Who here has different dogs to serve different purposes? I'm at an inflection point-my bird dog (a lab) died two years ago and his brother, a guard dog (Rhodesian ridgeback/pitt mix) is in his last days. Accordingly, I'm thinking about my canine needs, and which dog comes next.

My aims are noted below, with initial thoughts about how I might meet them. I'd greatly appreciate the collective wisdom here on where I'm right, wrong, or otherwise.

-Family dog and bird hunting: I have two little kids, spend lots of time hunting waterfowl in southwest Idaho, and 7 or so days every year chasing chukar, huns, quail, and pheasant in Idaho and Oregon. Our last lab was great, and I'm inclined to get another one to fill this role.

-Livestock guard dog: We live on a multi-acre, irrigated property, and want to add livestock to our efforts. But, we have yotes, foxes, raptors, and a host of other predators that can pick off sheep, chickens, and geese. I'm thinking an Anatolian or a Pyrenees would fit this bill (I've spent lots of time with the latter working on a sheep ranch, but those dogs were trained to be suspicious even of humans).

-Big game hunting companion: I spend a couple weeks every year chasing big game in the back country, much of it solo, and occasionally in dangerous bear country. I'd love to have the extra senses of a canine on these trips, as well as the companionship. The other thread on this subject got me thinking about a heeler--my first dog as a kid, Abby, and one of the best I've had.

Am I crazy to think I should get multiple dogs for multiple purposes? In what order should I proceed? I'm inclined to get the lab first, take care of the family and bird hunting needs, and have it as a big game companion, too. Maybe not long thereafter get the guard dog, given the independent task, and spend time getting the two acquainted. Then, after 3-4 years, add the heeler as a new family/mountain dog.

Please share your experience, tell me where my thinking is wrong, and how I should tackle the multi-need problem. I'd much appreciate any input.

 

[Billy Goat]

I currently have 3 Great Pyrenees, 2 Border Collies, and a Lab.

Guard dogs cam be a real PIA, I'm lucky with 2 I have, and really happy the third has gotten old enough to not be an issue. He was a good guard dog, but if he got loose he took off. One I currently have I can't keep in, she climbs over gates, digs under, whatever it takes, but is bonded well. Hardly leaves the farm, and only when stock is in a boundary field. They are docile, too many people around here to have aggressive guard dogs. They aren't pets, they are working dogs, they get some attention, but really just enough to keep them around and so you can get ahold of them.

Border Collies are of course working dogs too. They can be weird dogs, extremely high drive, sometimes hard headed, but have a purpose.

The Lab, I spent a long time looking for a bird dog, buddy had an accidental breeding and I got one. Trained him up for waterfowl, a little upland, haven't hunted nearly as much now. He's getting older, coming up on 10 and is the pet. Actually pretty useful working sheep, he doesn't have an outrun, but listens well enough to push them and is helpful loading trailers, working the funnel of the chute.


I have zero experience with chickens and Fowl around, it would be a headache training a dog to leave them alone for a while. My lab is fine around chickens at a friend's house, my guard dogs would probably have a field day.

Good fences is going to be a good starting point. My experience with Great Pyrenees is a long adolescent period and they need a companion to play with, will tear up your stock if they dont have another dog. I'd recommend getting one several years old that is trained, then adding another that will learn off the other. Playing with a dog of a different purpose likely won't end up well, tho if handled properly might not be the end of the world.

 

[wyojdubya]

I currently have 3 Great Pyrenees, 2 Border Collies, and a Lab.

Guard dogs cam be a real PIA, I'm lucky with 2 I have, and really happy the third has gotten old enough to not be an issue. He was a good guard dog, but if he got loose he took off. One I currently have I can't keep in, she climbs over gates, digs under, whatever it takes, but is bonded well. Hardly leaves the farm, and only when stock is in a boundary field. They are docile, too many people around here to have aggressive guard dogs. They aren't pets, they are working dogs, they get some attention, but really just enough to keep them around and so you can get ahold of them.

Border Collies are of course working dogs too. They can be weird dogs, extremely high drive, sometimes hard headed, but have a purpose.

The Lab, I spent a long time looking for a bird dog, buddy had an accidental breeding and I got one. Trained him up for waterfowl, a little upland, haven't hunted nearly as much now. He's getting older, coming up on 10 and is the pet. Actually pretty useful working sheep, he doesn't have an outrun, but listens well enough to push them and is helpful loading trailers, working the funnel of the chute.


I have zero experience with chickens and Fowl around, it would be a headache training a dog to leave them alone for a while. My lab is fine around chickens at a friend's house, my guard dogs would probably have a field day.

Good fences is going to be a good starting point. My experience with Great Pyrenees is a long adolescent period and they need a companion to play with, will tear up your stock if they dont have another dog. I'd recommend getting one several years old that is trained, then adding another that will learn off the other. Playing with a dog of a different purpose likely won't end up well, tho if handled properly might not be the end of the world.

Great input here, especially about starting with an experienced guard dog and taking caution mixing purposes. Thank you.

 

[yfarm]

Get a gsp/heeler cross

 

[RancherJohn]

We currently have a lab (hunting, family) and a flat haired border collie (herding, hunting, meth). We are looking at adding a livestock guardian dog or two at some point in the next year, but finding the right one(s) is proving to be tricky. Billy Goat's post nailed a lot of what I would say. Collies are meth-fueled lunatics that really need a job of some type, our gets along great with the lab but he can be a bit much for other dogs (especially livestock guardian dogs at other ranches). The other concern with collies (not sure if it applies to heelers) is they can be a bit too reactive around kids, and their nippy tendencies don't tend to work well with things that shouldn't be bit. The lab & collie work well hunting grouse together, and both dogs have learned to let the chickens go free.

Our friends & neighbors with the livestock guardian dogs (various breeds) have had teething issues regarding dogs roaming miles away from home and getting into things they generally shouldn't when unsupervised.

I would highly recommend following the last paragraph of his post for all the dogs. A slightly older and more mature dog will make bringing up new ones much, much easier; especially if it is an indoor/outdoor dog breed.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Currently have dogs doing each, a GSP for upland and two GSDs for protection work. They’re all three good at their tasks and fit the bill. The GSDs are nice because they can be a utility player, also great companions in the field, keep predators out of the chickens etc. I can’t think of a lot of options that could do both, maybe a chessie or Draht.

 

[Deeker]

I would seriously look at some of the German bird dog lines. Pudel pointers, wire hairs, gsps. If you do your research you could find one that would fit all of your dog needs. Get one and then wait a couple years, get another so the old dog trains the puppy. Look for the legitimate German lines, you don’t want the American lines that are strictly bred for bird hunting.

 

[wyojdubya]

We currently have a lab (hunting, family) and a flat haired border collie (herding, hunting, meth). We are looking at adding a livestock guardian dog or two at some point in the next year, but finding the right one(s) is proving to be tricky. Billy Goat's post nailed a lot of what I would say. Collies are meth-fueled lunatics that really need a job of some type, our gets along great with the lab but he can be a bit much for other dogs (especially livestock guardian dogs at other ranches). The other concern with collies (not sure if it applies to heelers) is they can be a bit too reactive around kids, and their nippy tendencies don't tend to work well with things that shouldn't be bit. The lab & collie work well hunting grouse together, and both dogs have learned to let the chickens go free.

Our friends & neighbors with the livestock guardian dogs (various breeds) have had teething issues regarding dogs roaming miles away from home and getting into things they generally shouldn't when unsupervised.

I would highly recommend following the last paragraph of his post for all the dogs. A slightly older and more mature dog will make bringing up new ones much, much easier; especially if it is an indoor/outdoor dog breed.

Point well taken on the collies. I spent a few summers on a sheep ranch with award winning collies. Those dogs were both amazing and insane.

And thanks for the underscore on Billy Goat's final paragraph. That resonated with me, too.

 

[wyojdubya]

Get a gsp/heeler cross

Do you have any experience with such a mix? If so, what'd you think?

 

[Crowmangler]

I've had & been around many breeds in my lifetime & in my opinion there's no better family dog than a GSP, especially around kids & a very active outdoorsy family. Outstanding bird dogs as well.
Not sure about the guard dog aspect, as mine is very good at barking / alerting of people/ animals around the house but she's definitely not a fighter.
I wouldn't take mine in the backcountry either because she'd bark at the deer & elk & scare them all away

 

[yfarm]

Do you have any experience with such a mix? If so, what'd you think?

People lie, was told she was a gsp, felt sorry for this dog living wild in a junkyard so I took her. Sent her to school and the trainer (Udobar) said come get her after a month, would not reliably lock up on quail. Thought about giving her to someone as a pet but she is a very sweet dog. Turned out she is an extraordinary dove dog, retrieves, finds cripples, chased down and caught a bird in the air. Is slowly improving with pheasants and quail, will point about half the time. Is very visual oriented ,watches my swing and line up on a dove and is like a laser to where the bird falls. Hunt on a lease that has a cow calf operation you hunt around. Was running her this summer in my ranger and she spotted a herd of cows and tore into them nipping heels, moving the animals the first time she had ever seen cattle. Is the sweetest dog at home but very defensive of her home property, has not attacked a stranger but will intimidate men, doesnt react that way to women.
Some time before I had Embark do the dna thing. Results 49% Blue heeler, 43% gsp, the rest english pointer and gwp. Suspect a lot of purebed gsps have some of the latter two in their lineage given how the breed was developed in Europe. Have done some blood trailing training with her as well.
This dog runs circles around labs and goldens, she likes to run next to my ranger at the ranch, have clocked her running effortlessly at 20 mph. The cleaning table was all retrieved by her over a 2 hr period in 94 degree temps. The little woman said if she had known what gsps are like (zoomies)no way but the dog has won her over. Was a lifelong lab person.

 

[sndmn11]

I think there's a few lines of Drathaars who could cover all those bases, if you'd accept a dog that would fight the fur but not necessarily understand the livestock stewardship of a typical livestock dog.

If you were more hip on birds and an outdoor companion who would you could team up with a true LSGD, any drathaar/wirehair/pudelpointer would fit great.

 

[liv3mind]

I have 3 dogs

My female Doberman takes on the protection role, trained well, even tempered, mostly fearless, and goofy as can be. Emotionally needy Velcro dog. Is out with family day and night but always put up when company comes over, purposely not overly socialized with guests.

My male American Akita is our family/guest companion and resident begger of pets and scratches, by far the most laid back, confident, useless, most wonderful dog on the planet, would absolutely trade you or anyone anything in the house for a scratch behind the ears or any attention. Happy with all people, all animals so far (even our short tail opossum), and any situation. Trained well, will do tricks for treats.

My male English Coon/Aus shepherd mix is my deer tracker and squirrel/dove collector. Came free from feed store.
Not spoiled but well cared for. Definitely our families working dog that helps us make sure we have meat in the freezer, excellent companion in the woods and a fantastic nose. Trained well, definitely the one that wants to please you the most, but On the line of being too smart for his own good.

Your not crazy for wanting dogs for different purposes, but you could probably dual or triple purpose some breeds.

 

[KenLee]

Family/bird dog my 37 pound Boykin is spectacular. Forget em as a guard dog. He growls like a rottie, then gets behind the 9 yr old female yorkie-poo that doesn't have a reverse gear. 9 pound Yorkie-poo will trail a wounded deer or pig, but you have to keep her on leash or she'd get crushed. Meanest lil bitch that will love you to death when she doesn't have something to fight.

 

[Wellsdw]

Ill solve one problem for you. I got a great pryennes and you can have that sob. Has the ability to kill a man, wolf, bear etc. but will keep you up all night barking at a stick that breaks a quarter mile away. Oh and he also has mini excavator capabilities, and doesnt know is damn name. He would die to protect the property though. He will also protect your home from i.e.d.s disguised as amazon packages by destoying them.

Stick with a german shepherd, maybe a malinois (which i also have) especially if you find yourself wanting to relive a red head pyscho ex girl friend phase.

 

[KenLee]

Ill solve one problem for you. I got a great pryennes and you can have that sob. Has the ability to kill a man, wolf, bear etc. but will keep you up all night barking at a stick that breaks a quarter mile away. Oh and he also has mini excavator capabilities, and doesnt know is damn name. He would die to protect the property though. He will also protect your home from i.e.d.s disguised as amazon packages by destoying them.

Stick with a german shepherd, maybe a malinois (which i also have) especially if you find yourself wanting to relive a red head pyscho ex girl friend phase.

I spent 34 yrs with red head wives and/or ex wives. Now I try to keep a spectacular brunette and her chickens happy. May end up with a Pyrenees. Can't be worse than what I'm used to Damn Coyotes.

 

[KurtR]

I would get a dog for each.

For waterfowl and a little upland that’s simple get a well bred lab and fits the family dog bill.

Have no experience with lsg but a started one seems like a solid plan.

Me I would get a black Dutch Shepard that is highly trained for the protection/take hunting but probably un realistic as that’s a 50k plus dog. Heeler probably better choice and more affordable.

 

[BCDJR]

After reading this I was gonna say a GSP. But it seems you duck hunt more than upland birds so your lab idea is best. However … Idaho has some great GSP breeders and some guys I know use them on waterfowl. Can’t chip in on the guard dog but seems one that barks like hell to alert you would be good.

 

[webhak]

I'd look at the some of the "versatile" breeds for your hunting needs: https://www.navhda.org/recognized-breeds/

I'm not familiar with all of them but doubt they would work as livestock guardians. However, many have tracking skills in their DNA and will make great upland and waterfowl dogs. Pointing, flushing, retrieving, tracking...the "versatile" part of these breeds.

I had a Lab years ago who was an awesome family dog and a solid upland and waterfowl retriever...not finder. Although, near the end of his hunting days, he was starting to recognize a quail's locator call and cuing in on that.

My current dog is a Small Munsterlander. Selected for his versatility and drive in the field (ON switch) and total chill lounge dog at home with the family (OFF switch).

 

[Havoc]

I would get a dog for each.

For waterfowl and a little upland that’s simple get a well bred lab and fits the family dog bill.

Have no experience with lsg but a started one seems like a solid plan.

Me I would get a black Dutch Shepard that is highly trained for the protection/take hunting but probably un realistic as that’s a 50k plus dog. Heeler probably better choice and more affordable.

Who’s charging $50k for a dutchie?

I just lost my Malinois 4 months ago. I’ve been looking hard at the Drahthar’s mostly because I like the higher energy dogs, but I done with the psychotic Mals and Dutchies. One of the best dogs I’ve had was a Pit/Lab mix growing up. Great all around dog, easy to train great with the family but would handle business.

If you have IG check out Decoydogging he has some nice dogs in the SW Idaho area, he has a big greyhound cross he hunts coyotes with. It’s a private account, so you’ll have to friend him.