Seems to be a number of folks here who have a four legged companion accompanying them on Wilderness outings.
My wife and I are seriously considering getting a new dog since ours past along a while back. He was a mutt so their is no replacing him. He was a "one-of-a-kind" perfect dog. My wife and I are going back and forth on what to buy.
Here is what we're considering and I'd like to get some insight from any of you!
Dog must be highly intelligent, trainable, and a fun loving family pet. We live in a house with a medium size fenced back yard. The dog will be obedience trained. We need a dog who can hang with the family but also can go in the wild on trips. The ability to track people is expected for SAR.
My wife works at home so someone is going to be with the dog. I travel so having a four legged watch dog at home is an added benefit. This dog will travel with me in the wilderness on our expeditions. Leashed and off leash obedience is an absolute! This new dog must immedately obey hand signals and/or voice commands.
The dog must be able to alert the family for danger (watchdog) both at home and in the wild. We want to know if any two or four legged predators or strangers are approaching. Where I camp is in a densely populated area for Mtn. Lion, Bear and Drug/Gang culture. Lots of Meth Labs, Mary Jane Growing and the like...
As a secondary, being able to protect (guard dog) is a strong second as we have the capacity to do this on our own...but this is a serious consideration.
Nothing against all the other breeds but my wife and I have seriously considered multiple other breeds. You can certainly throw your preferred pet's breed names out as recommendations but my wife is very set in her ways and these two breeds are on our short list:
My first choice and my wife's second choice is a German Shepard. But my wife is not crazy about their looks, (esthetics's are important to her) and they tend to shed. We do know they need constant training and work. They are highly intelligent, very loyal and will do everything I expect of them. However, they just require an awful lot of additional work. I have several Law Enforcement K-9 Trainer as close- friends so I have resources close by to help me train and they are very good resources.
My second choice and possiblty my wife's first choice is a Red-bone Coon-hound. My wife adores their looks, floppy ears, big wet nose, and overall looks. I could see her cuddled up on the couch reading a book next to the fire with this dog laying next to her. I can't see that with the G Shepard tho.
I do not know anything about them only what I've read from the Internet. I'd really appreciate some first hand reports on if this dog would make a good family pet and meet our tracking, watchdog, and guard dog requirements. Are they intelligent and trainable? Or am I going to have a train wreck on my hands? I do not want a Mtn Lion coming into our camp and this hound taking off after it in hot persuit trying to tree it or hunt it without me giving it the command to do so.
Talk to me my wilderness cojourners
My wife and I are seriously considering getting a new dog since ours past along a while back. He was a mutt so their is no replacing him. He was a "one-of-a-kind" perfect dog. My wife and I are going back and forth on what to buy.
Here is what we're considering and I'd like to get some insight from any of you!
Dog must be highly intelligent, trainable, and a fun loving family pet. We live in a house with a medium size fenced back yard. The dog will be obedience trained. We need a dog who can hang with the family but also can go in the wild on trips. The ability to track people is expected for SAR.
My wife works at home so someone is going to be with the dog. I travel so having a four legged watch dog at home is an added benefit. This dog will travel with me in the wilderness on our expeditions. Leashed and off leash obedience is an absolute! This new dog must immedately obey hand signals and/or voice commands.
The dog must be able to alert the family for danger (watchdog) both at home and in the wild. We want to know if any two or four legged predators or strangers are approaching. Where I camp is in a densely populated area for Mtn. Lion, Bear and Drug/Gang culture. Lots of Meth Labs, Mary Jane Growing and the like...
As a secondary, being able to protect (guard dog) is a strong second as we have the capacity to do this on our own...but this is a serious consideration.
Nothing against all the other breeds but my wife and I have seriously considered multiple other breeds. You can certainly throw your preferred pet's breed names out as recommendations but my wife is very set in her ways and these two breeds are on our short list:
My first choice and my wife's second choice is a German Shepard. But my wife is not crazy about their looks, (esthetics's are important to her) and they tend to shed. We do know they need constant training and work. They are highly intelligent, very loyal and will do everything I expect of them. However, they just require an awful lot of additional work. I have several Law Enforcement K-9 Trainer as close- friends so I have resources close by to help me train and they are very good resources.
My second choice and possiblty my wife's first choice is a Red-bone Coon-hound. My wife adores their looks, floppy ears, big wet nose, and overall looks. I could see her cuddled up on the couch reading a book next to the fire with this dog laying next to her. I can't see that with the G Shepard tho.
I do not know anything about them only what I've read from the Internet. I'd really appreciate some first hand reports on if this dog would make a good family pet and meet our tracking, watchdog, and guard dog requirements. Are they intelligent and trainable? Or am I going to have a train wreck on my hands? I do not want a Mtn Lion coming into our camp and this hound taking off after it in hot persuit trying to tree it or hunt it without me giving it the command to do so.
Talk to me my wilderness cojourners
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is do your research, find a reputable breeder, know that you'll have time to care and train it.
