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Barnyard Buddies:  My Quest for a New Dog  |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6994 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6994 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 06 2016 : 1:18:22 PM
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I lost my Maggie, a little rat terrier last Aug and I am now ready for a new companion. This time I want a large dog with moderate energy. It has to be a puppy because he/she has to grow up with my 3 chickens, who free range in the backyard.
My first choice is a English Mastiff but rescue puppies are scarce and I can't afford $$$$ for one from a breeder. Second choice is a boxer. I have help in my search, my neighbor who works with rescue dogs and has connections across the state of Texas.
I was wondering if any of you have raised either breed. I have read up on them and talked with two owners of mastiffs. I have been interested in English mastiffs for years. In my twenties I had a boxer mix.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2016 : 10:03:48 PM
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I had a boxer for fourteen and a half years and he was a great dog. They are protective ONCE they learn that chickens are not to be chased or eaten! The only downside of boxers is that they tend to suffer from cardiomyopathy and they are prone to cancer. Boxer never had cancer but the cardiomyopathy finally took its toll on him. He was the most protective dog I've ever known. He didn't like cats but never tried to hurt one. And he didn't react when the cockatoo I used to have bit his toes. Boxers are great dogs.
Cindy
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free; And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun. and cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done"--Loreena McKennit
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2016 : 05:19:05 AM
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Sara, we had two sucessive yellow Labrador Retrievers while raising our girls and they were the sweetest and smartest companion dogs ever. They are smart,gentle, loyal, and quite lovable. We also found them very easy to train. I am excited to hear about your new quest and looking forward to meeting your new puppy when you find one that is best for you!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6994 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6994 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2016 : 06:05:20 AM
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Cindy, one of the things I remember about my boxer-mix was how protective he was without being aggressive.
Winnie, Labs are beautiful dogs but they have too much energy for me to keep up with. My back yard is too small for one to run around in
I need a dog who would be happy with a walk or two a day at my speed. I live close to Trail de Paris, a walking-bike trail that runs for several miles through southeast side of town. Perfect for walking a dog.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2016 : 07:29:43 AM
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 I love my Golden doodle you can doodle any breed (cross poodle and any breed) the down side is grooming. I have mine done every 8 weeks smartest dog I have ever had. Both protector and companion. Laid back but ready for any type of fun. Loyal almost to much.
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
Edited by - gramadinah on Feb 07 2016 07:30:10 AM |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6994 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6994 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2016 : 07:43:52 AM
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What a sweet face! Diana he's beautiful.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13640 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13640 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13640 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13640 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2016 : 3:49:09 PM
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Sara,
I have a female Australian Cattle dog, named Bramble. She is a great dog, but I think the exception to the rule for herding dogs in that she is very calm, laid back and easy-going. While she has herding instincts and energy she doesn't have the somewhat characteristic aggressiveness that many dogs of her breed have. I think she's wonderful but I probably wouldn't recommend the typical herding dog for you. They are known, however, for sturdiness, stamina, intelligence and longevity.
I just wanted to share . . .
Happy hunting for the perfect doggie friend, Sara!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
Edited by - ceejay48 on Feb 07 2016 3:51:05 PM |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13640 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13640 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13640 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13640 Posts |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2016 : 12:06:31 PM
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CJ and Diana, such sweet puppies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7032 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7032 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2016 : 4:18:03 PM
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I am not that familiar with either of your bread choices. In the past I have considered getting a Mastiff. We looked into getting a Mastiff Great Dane mix but ended up with an Anatolian Great Dane. I hope you can find the perfect dog for you! Don’t forget to post pictures when you find your new companion.
Krista |
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Sydney2015
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Sydney
Minnesota
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Feb 09 2016 : 07:15:11 AM
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My family has two boxer mixes and we love them! They are great dogs. I show one of them, Allie in 4-H. She is so smart, but can be stubborn. The other one, Cheyenne, isn't quite as smart, we did a test to find out what her other half was(her mom was full boxer) and she was German Shepard, Tibetan Terrier, and Cocker Spaniel. I think it was the mix of all the breeds. I see you're in Texas, but we got both of our dogs from Northern Plains Boxer rescue. There is such a large network of people, they can either get the dog right to you, or near to you. Allie came from Alamaba, we only had to drive to South Dakota to get her.
Here's the link to the website:
http://www.everyboxercounts.com/home
I'm a farmgirl from Minnesota. We live on a small farm called Green Forest Farm with chickens, 13 horses, 1 donkey, 5 beef cows, 4 beef calves, and my little one-year old Jersey heifer named AppleButter. |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6994 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6994 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2016 : 10:19:18 AM
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My search for a new companion is over. Sweet Annie, a three month old English Mastiff & Yellow Lab mix came to live with me today. I found her at our local animal shelter. She has the mastiff face and more of a lab body but bigger than a lab. She's yellow with really big white feet.
It'll take a little training to get her accustomed to my chickens. She has already chased them but with a little time & work I'm confident she will become friends with them. Sweet Annie is smart. She already knows where the back door is and what no means.
Sweet Annie is the common name for the herb Artemisia.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7032 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7032 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2016 : 11:05:33 AM
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Aww congratulations, Sara! I'm glad you have found a new companion and it's a bread you wanted! I bet she's adorable! Enjoy your new baby.
Krista |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13640 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13640 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13640 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13640 Posts |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6994 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6994 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2016 : 12:41:00 PM
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Thanks Krista and CeeJay. I just came in from another lesson on why puppies shouldn't chase chickens. She did good. Eyed them but didn't go after them.
But when we came in and while I was writing this she chewed on the printer cord, so now I have to get a new one. As I write Sweet Annie is sleeping at my feet. Got to keep a better eye on her and if she is quiet she may be up to no good.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2016 : 04:14:49 AM
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How wonderful , Sara, that you found your Sweet Annie! I bet she will soon settle down as she learns the rules of the house and yard and learns to listen to her new owner.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3320 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3320 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2016 : 11:51:43 AM
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One word of advice regarding rescue dogs---Please, please make sure they have been tested for heart-worms! Ask to see the LAB report before anything is finalized-Don't just take their word for it. I learned my lesson when we discovered Freida had full blown adult heart-worms that would have been noticed if anyone at the facility would have been more diligent when reviewing the test. I firmly believe that. I am very leary about adopting from any humane society now. If we decide to have another dog it will be from a private organization or friend. I hate saying that but, I don't want to go through the trauma again. Just make sure your adopted pet is CLEAN with authentic verification. Best of luck in your search-
Melody |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6994 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6994 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2016 : 12:30:03 PM
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Winnie, did you mean "learn the rules of the house or rule the house? If I'm not on my toes I can see where it could be the later.
Melody, good advice. I know how hard it was on you to loose Freida.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2016 : 12:39:11 PM
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Hahahaha, Sara!! I guess the "jury" is still out as to house rules vs rules the house!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2016 : 06:03:07 AM
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Congratulations on Sweet Annie Sara!!! She sounds adorable and already a faithful girl sitting at your feet :) Puppies can be hard sometimes (all that chewing!). I keep a basket in the house for Comet filled with his toys. He has learned not to destroy my plants and books but to go to the basket of fun instead 
Farmgirl Sister #5392
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
http://amerryheartjournal.blogspot.com/
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6994 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6994 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2016 : 06:51:13 AM
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Shannon, Sweet Annie loves to chew so I have plenty for her to gnaw on. Seems like she and the chickens have come to a truce - she follows them 4'or 5' behind and when they stop she stops. The girls have learnt that if they don't run Sweet Annie doesn't either. I keep a eye on them to make sure the truce isn't broke.
The other day one of the chickens flew in Sweet Annie's face so that helped a lot to teach her to keep her distance.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13640 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13640 Posts |
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Barnyard Buddies: My Quest for a New Dog |
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My Quest for a New Dog
