Multiple dogs for multiple purposes?

[johnnycake]

I love the versatile hunting dog breeds, and it's incredible the things you can get them to do for you.

But I really don't think a livestock guardian role is a good fit for them. That's pretty much a full time gig, and would provide a versatile hunting dog with way too much freedom. I think you'd be setting yourself up for disappointment on several fronts if you tried to get one dog to fill all of the roles you have identified @wyojdubya

I think a versatile hunting dog would be a great fit for everything you identified but the livestock role. So maybe look at having two dogs

 

[KurtR]

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.

For a fully finished protection dog I would say 50k is on the low end. Hell people are paying way more than that in training to get a fc on there lab

 

[awcopeland]

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

My GSP (have never hunted him) has been great in protecting our family. Doesn’t look to start fights, but has put some serious hurt on several big pit bulls that wanted to be stupid in his younger years. He’s 11 now and still will let us know when skunks and raccoons are near the house. When he passes I’ll likely get another GSP or WPG.

 

[Havoc]

For a fully finished protection dog I would say 50k is on the low end. Hell people are paying way more than that in training to get a fc on there lab

Crazy. We were paying $12k for titled PH1’s straight from the Netherlands when I was training police K9’s. Had a friend over there tried to get me to buy a black Mal after he had his PH1 a couple years back for $7500 US.

 

[Bulldawg]

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.

I would never recommend a Dutch or a Mal to anyone. Yeah they can be a good protection dog, they are versatile but take so much work and attention and it really does change the trajectory of your lifestyle and what you can/will be able to do on a day to day basis. Vet bills can accumulate because they have a tendency to hurt themselves because they don't care and push through insane obstacles.

If you're going to get one of these dogs, you gotta do a lot of research and soul searching. Have to be able to commit to training consistently and a job for that dog to do each and every day.

 

[KurtR]

Crazy. We were paying $12k for titled PH1’s straight from the Netherlands when I was training police K9’s. Had a friend over there tried to get me to buy a black Mal after he had his PH1 a couple years back for $7500 US.

Ya thats cheap be tough to get a master hunter lab for 12 k. On average say 18 months of training at 1000 dollar a month (retriever training is way cheaper compared to all others) your already at 18k then add in handlers fees and test fees vet costs your well north of 25k to have a pro do all the training. Go to a fc average 5 years old to get it and your pushing well over 50k. I have never added it up but doing it all my self for a hrch mh dog i dont know what i have into him add in going and running national events would be scarry but worth every penny. And people complain that puppies are to expensive when they spend 1500-2000 out of a good lab breeding.

I would never recommend a Dutch or a Mal to anyone. Yeah they can be a good protection dog, they are versatile but take so much work and attention and it really does change the trajectory of your lifestyle and what you can/will be able to do on a day to day basis. Vet bills can accumulate because they have a tendency to hurt themselves because they don't care and push through insane obstacles.

If you're going to get one of these dogs, you gotta do a lot of research and soul searching. Have to be able to commit to training consistently and a job for that dog to do each and every day.

Ya thats why i added the unrealistic part its was more of a dream that will never come to be as i dont have the skill or time handle a high drive bite dog

 

[wowzers]

We have two Pyrenees/Anatolian crosses and for the live stock they are great. Be forewarned that they bark, a lot. Like planes fly over they bark. Leaf blows across the pasture, bark, but they are on point when it comes to protecting the critters.

I'm in the same boat as you for the other dog and have really been eyeing the pudel pointers. Airedale terriers too.

 

[Firestone]

I had an airdale that would do multiple things. He was awesome pretty awesome

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Drathaar for your birds and big game hunting companion
Pyrenees for your livestock

Once my children are older and I have a bit more time for training, I will be getting a Drathaar. I see a couple and they're fantastic dogs. Have an off/on switch for hunting/family dog.