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Post by sugarspinner on Mar 6, 2023 21:11:27 GMT
Some time ago, we lost our elderly English Shepherd, who we considered to be a perfect farm dog, pet and watch dog. We now have the possibility of getting a Norwegian Elkhound puppy. This is a new breed for us and I'm wondering if any of you have one and what are your experiences with them. Much as we loved Mollie, the ES, we'd decided against another because it would always be compared to her---unfairly, I suspect.
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Mar 6, 2023 21:50:04 GMT
Haven’t owned one. Almost did one time but decided against it. Have had a few friends with elkhounds.
Prey driven, so you probably don’t want a cat around. Tend to be barkers, so close neighbors might not appreciate them. They don’t seem to be in tune with their owners…some breeds like GSDs, stock dogs, etc are usually looking to their owners for direction. Certain other breeds like to do their own thing. I like the former and am not too keen on the latter. That’s a personal issue with me, other people will feel differently. That said, they are beautiful dogs. Most I’ve been around have had reasonably good temperaments, though not always with younger children.
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Post by farmrbrown on Mar 6, 2023 23:06:52 GMT
That's the thing about stubborn/independent breeds especially the BIG ones, lol. To get them "in tune" with their owners they HAVE to know who THE BIG DOG is and then an occasional reminder.
Then, everything will fine.
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Post by farmrbrown on Mar 7, 2023 1:05:48 GMT
I must be in a curious mood today, lol. Don't know about the accuracy of this list but it looks like I've owned about half of them over the years. (Rotties are prolly my favorite but I'd like to have a Rhodesian Ridgeback one day for a comparison )  allpawsexpress.com/2022/03/02/hardest-dogs-to-train/ |
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Post by farmrbrown on Mar 7, 2023 1:15:44 GMT
Naturally, in a few minutes the Web will offer you a different opinion too. This list has Rottweilers on the easist to train list. LOL www.nylabone.com/dog101/10-top-trainable-dog-breedsThis was the quote at the bottom, listing many of the same breeds as the other link as "hard" to train. The bolded that part about food reminded me why I said if used properly it's a very effective training tool. You CAN gain respect without being mean. No matter how you do it, it's a must for some breeds or you'll have trouble. I always say it depends on the human though.  |
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Post by daw on Mar 7, 2023 1:29:44 GMT
Might surprise you but the Irish Terrier can do most anything.
Mine guards the place is right their if a chick sqwacks or the
ducks make a noise.
Now she is learning to drive the chicks to bed. She cannot help
but let out a joyful bark. But she learns quick.
She is learning to despise this dominant kitten. Neither of us got
much sleep last night.
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Post by sugarspinner on Mar 7, 2023 4:52:39 GMT
So I read the two lists of Best and Worst and found that several of the Worst were Spitz-type dogs. So are Elkhounds. And we do have a couple of cats roaming about the place, and a pen full of chickens. Hmmm. Maybe we need to rethink this thing. We're both older than dirt so our collective patience is short.
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Post by BrewDaddy on Mar 7, 2023 7:54:04 GMT
/thread hijack alert I looked up Norwegian Elkhounds (though not Norwegian, my family has a strong connection to Norway). Anyway - I was, for some reason, picturing an Irish Setter sort of thing.... oops.... Thinking at some point I will get my own dog so it can walk the human, I ended up on the AKC website and they have a 'find your match' for dog breeds. I'm still thinking a mutt that's not too smart, too big, not a shedder and medium energy is for me, but took a chance. I answered the few questions, and it came up with this one: www.akc.org/dog-breeds/basenji/Key point is that a Basenji doesn't bark. Still thinking mutt, but who knows... bd |
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Mar 7, 2023 10:24:10 GMT
BrewDaddy , a) I suspect you might not be very compatible with any dog breed listed as “independent”. They also have a strong prey drive. Prey drive + independent = trouble. b) They don’t shed a lot, but they do shed. c) Correct, Basenji’s don’t bark. But what you and your neighbors might not appreciate is…they yodel. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Enjoy:
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Mar 7, 2023 11:08:53 GMT
sugarspinner, I don’t know which breed would be a good match for you, but I can strongly recommend you NOT get a Shiba Inu. Cute, cute, cute, but don’t let the face fool you….they are the dogs from hell. I warned a family member against them but they got one anyway. 😁 IIRC, between the price of the dog, air fare, vet bills, training, repairs to their home, etc. they had something like $10-20k into the dog the first 2 yrs. Strong prey drive and “independent” personality means the dog can literally never be off leash, and they can shuck out of a collar or harness in seconds. The dog wears a GPS locator type collar requiring a monthly fee. Family member will probably pay another $10-20k having a Shiba proof dog fence (with coyote rollers) installed. Shibas are a small dog, maybe 25#, they can quickly and easily scale a 6’ fence. They have a strong tendency to fight other dogs and you can’t own a cat or other small pets. Attachment Deleted
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Post by sugarspinner on Mar 22, 2023 3:46:20 GMT
Wildhorselover, I'd never even heard of a Shiba Inu until you mentioned it, then just today, I saw one for the first time. Pretty little dog. It belongs to an Amish family, who are breeding it to a Welsh Corgi, producing cute puppies with little short legs. Mama, the Shiba, is snappy and not very obedient. Not our type of dog anyway. But it was more interesting to me since I'd read your post. Thanks
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Mar 22, 2023 7:18:24 GMT
sugarspinner , Shibas are very pretty little dogs but I don’t think I’d recommend one to anyone. 😁 If anything ever happened to my DD I would take the dog (because no one else in the family would) but it would be truly difficult.
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Post by laurazone5 on Mar 22, 2023 13:17:29 GMT
Unfortunately, the Amish are garbage breeders.
They keep the animals caged, they do not treat them well, and only use them as 'cash cows'.
I would NEVER buy an Amish breed dog.
I sure wish animal control would shut them down.
Shibas have a huge personality much like JRT's.
You have to invest time, energy and training, or they will do what they do.
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Mar 22, 2023 14:09:47 GMT
Shibas have a huge personality much like JRT's. You have to invest time, energy and training, or they will do what they do. My DD and DSil invested a huge amount of $$$ and time into training, including a professional trainer, from early puppyhood on. DD is consistent in working with her dog. Shibas do what they do. |
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Post by farmgirl on Mar 24, 2023 17:36:31 GMT
I must be in a curious mood today, lol. Don't know about the accuracy of this list but it looks like I've owned about half of them over the years. (Rotties are prolly my favorite but I'd like to have a Rhodesian Ridgeback one day for a comparison ) allpawsexpress.com/2022/03/02/hardest-dogs-to-train/My two favorite breeds are German shepherds and Rotties. We have GSD's now but have had Rotties. I found the Rotties easy to train. At the time, one of our kids was a toddler, and our Rottie did everything our daughter told her to do. I miss that dog! |
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