I live on 6 acres in the semi sticks. We have had 2 AKC boxers, great dogs, real loyal family types BUT they are tumor factories, run wild if they get off the property, and kill chickens and cats with regularity. I now have a rescue american bulldog with what I suspect is a bit of boxer mixed in. He still runs if given a chance, has killed 3 cats, a coyote, a boar coon, and tag teamed a badger with the other dog, killed it and had to go to the vet for the wounds. Very loyal, friendly, and intelligent. Too smart to be a dog. Weighs about 70 pounds, a bit light for the breed.

The other dog is also a rescue from Joplin's big ol tornado. I met the mother and she appeared to be all staffordshire terrier. Who knows what the father is. She stays at home and does not run unless she follows the big dog. She helped with the badger, both dogs were bloody beyond belief. She has unreal bite strength. I have had tire damage before I realized she was biting them as I pulled out to go to work. She bit a state car and flattened the left front tire. Went right through the sidewall. She weighs 50 pounds. I have since trained her to not do this, but I can tell she wants to pretty bad.

I am of the opinion that a staffy is a pretty neat dog. I like the big guy too, but he will go after small animals, or other dogs. He does not go after farm animals.

nt

English Mastiff, loyal to the core, very protective of young'uns they know, tolerant of young'uns they don't, territorial, tolerant of relatively cold weather, not agressive but will not back down from a threat of any kind. Two bloodlines of mastiffs one reaches full size 200+#'s by one year of age life span 6-8 years. The other bloodline not full grown till about two, not quite as heavy 180-200# life span longer at 10-12 years. Over the past 30 years the big dogs I have had the privilage of knowing were a female australian shephard (smartest of the lot but long coat sheared like a sheep in the spring), boxer (high strung is putting it mildly). A rescue Hound (of multiple parentage)but just a dog and a Lassie Collie. Autumn Bear, an apricot (red) mastiff was the best companion of the lot and not replacable. Lost him two years ago 2 weeks shy of 13 years old. Still miss him.

I was going to suggest a border collie. I have seen standard schnauzers do well as such, but mutts as well. You want a dog hard and large enough to deal with one or two coyotes. I'm sure others have better suggestions but some sort of shepherd dog seems to be the thing to me.

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Sincerely,

Hobie

kid friendly, protective and loyal. Get two, they will protect each other.

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

I have lived with high end Eastern European Dobermans all my life and consider them to the the throughbred of dogs....still sometimes it was like living with timberwolves.....

Our wonderful old mamma dobe passed last summer and as she was getting old and frail we "inherited" a couple of pups from local farmers...free mutt dogs....one a sheapard heeler cross...the other a border collie shelty cross...

I must say that they are the coolest smartest funnest dogs I have ever known....and I have known a lot of dogs....

My vote goes to free mutt dogs.....!!!!

Byron

Get yourself a Winnipeg retriever.