Adding a dog

[drif]

I'm moving soon (hopefully) to a rural area where there is a real possibility of running into large predators while doing things like yardwork. I am considering getting a dog that can bark if there's danger to help me feel at ease because of this. I have looked for a few months at different types of dogs and it seems that the small toys and the large guardian breeds are the most compatable with fids. I keep going back and forth between a bichon-frise, a tibetian terrier, an english mastiff and a st. bernard. I was wondering if any of you have experience with these breeds in regards to a bird/dog friendly household.

The animals will be kept on different floors of the home when not supervised. The birds will have thier own room in addition to being on a different floor. I'm getting the dog as young as possible to get him used to birds around him. Any other suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks.

[liz]

Large breeds look like they would really be healthy. No. They have all kinds of hip problems.

Small breeds are barkers and will tell you when a leaf rustles outside.

Pure breed dogs have medical problems from being inbreed over many years.

I would go to the animal shelter and ask to see the small dogs. Then pick out an energetic little mutt preferably a puppy that will learn that birds are not toys.

[drif]

I've considered adopting one but after reading about the sporting dogs, especially the birding dogs I'm willing to deal with the problems associated with a purebred. The last thing I want to do is bring home a dog who instinctually has a high drive to hunt feathery little treats. I'm looking for one that looks at other animals as 'does that threaten me and should I react' because this behaviour is easier to modified to include the fids as part of the family and see them as something to protect.

Both of my birds are adopted and I would go that route with the dog if I could trust the breeds involved.

[rebeccaturpeinen]

I have 2 dogs both big; a german shephard and a hunting dog. This kind of hunting dog is actully specific for bird hunting BUT he knows Jo is a pet and doesnt show any hunting instinct whatsoever towards her. That being said, I ofcourse take all the necesary precautions.

The dogs pretty much ignore Jo and Jo ignores them...

[drif]

I'm happy you said that because I was really worried.

[coral]

i have a husky mix and a big beagle and a chihahua. out of them the 2 bigs dogs pretty much ignores marty until marty preens them then they look at me for help and i pick marty up so they can leave. im more worried about the chiuahuah then the big dogs lol

[GlassOnion]

I would stay away from Retrievers, Pointers, other gun dogs and hounds of any sort. It seems that the working group or the herding group seem to be pretty relaxed when it comes down to other animals.

I still wouldn't discount looking at a shelter, Craigslist, or even a species-specific rescue for a young puppy as you can find many non-hunting breed puppies in such places.

[Zanizaila]

I've had birds with Shetland sheepdogs and now a Mallorcan mastiff with no problems. Then I had a Whippet who of course could not resist a fleeing prey, such as a bird flying loose.
And when I looked at a Caique this spring, the woman who owned that bird also had a CAG, and a Fox terrier. Impossible to keep the dog in the same room as the birds, because he would kill them immediately, she said.

So I would stay away from dogs with high prey drive, such as terriers, sighthounds, and many spitzes.
Get a dog that was bred for the purpose you want it - if you want a guarding companion dog, get one of those, not for example a former hunting breed (such as a Labrador), just because people often get them as companion dogs.

It seems both the big guard dogs such as English mastiffs and smaller watch dogs (guard dog and watch dog is not the same, just so you know ) such as Tibetan spaniels or Tibetan terriers could work.

[liz]

Whatever you do don't get a Jack Russell. They just can't help it. They are supper active and just can't behave indoors. Another one is a beegle. They are also high energy. It would be like putting another kid in the house.

I have Bruce, a Norfolk terrier who is 14 and goes with the flow. He was here and saw the others added. He growels at them it they anoy him.
My aunt has Chloe (2) and Jasmine (1) who are two sturdy little chihuahuas who were added after the birds and just accept that they belong. She also has an 8 week old boxer who thinks Rambo is fun to bark at. Rambo does not turn his back on Jakey and is not really afraid of him.
Rachel has Ramey (2 year old wire terrior) and Riddick (2 year old whatever) who just stay clear of the birds.

The dogs range in weight from 20 pounds to 4 pounds and get along with the others. They are excellent watch dogs. I secure the sunroom with the birds but leave my other windows open at night. I have no fear of anyone trying to break in.

If it was me, I would get sister mutt puppies from a shelter.

[coral]

Liz i think it really depends on the dog, my husky is part jack russel and my beagle is very needy but not high energy unless outside. both are rescuses. they are amazing dogs and put up with my parrot preening them. i would stay away from a beagle though because they really like food and like to knock over the garbage and also steel food from the table lol. my friend has a masitiff which is an excellent watch dog but is very gentle with all of her animals she has a skunk had budgies at one point and a few kittens and she can be left in the same room as them.

i really do recomend looking at a shelter because if you get a dog that is older its basically a what you see is what you get and it probably wont have any personality changes later on.