OT. Choice of shop companion

[plunger]

My german Shepeard passed away . He was 13 years old. He had a lovely nature and was a huge specimen. He was an intimidating looking dog but was a teddy bear. I need to get a new dog.I dont want another german shepherd as he was too hairy and hair got stuck in everything. Our climate is not kind to long haired dogs.

Any suggestions as to what large dogs would fit the role of guard dog as well as family member who wont eat the cat and grandchild and my other little disabled malteze poodle.
Im inclined to getting a boerbull as I had one before and he was a lovely dog but a black mamba took him out.

[brian Rupnow]

Plunger--You have my sympathy. It is really hard to lose a good dog. When a good dog dies, you lose a part of yourself. Wife and I had a pit bull for 14 years, kindest, sweetest dog you ever seen. She developed a disease of the spine when she was 14 years old, that couldn't be fixed. I held her on my knee and cried when the vet gave her the final needle.---Brian

[old mart]

Sorry about your friend, have you thought about a standard poodle, they are large, very intelligent and can be clipped in the spring to get through the summer heat better. And there will be no hair about, they do not moult.

[A.K. Boomer]

Yeah sorry to hear the news --- I just got my dog not too long ago and in doggie years she's already in her mid 30's It's the one part I hate - they should last allot longer,

Plunger sounds like you have your challenges over there, over here it's rattle snakes, there's a shot we can get once a year but I just run her close to town and we have never seen one --- yet,

I can also relate to you wanting to get short hair, I will never get a long hair pooch again, Lewie's hair is almost an illusion it's so short, mostly just adds color to her, it's like 1/4" to 1/2" long, she still sheds but you really can't tell, she's super clean and does not stink at all and yeah does better because of it in the summer months but would still burn up if I ran her in the heat which i never do - it's first thing in the morning and then she does fine kicking back the rest of the day...

Bri I can relate - Maggie was pit and one of the sweetest dogs iv even met and yeah i totally lost my composer when I had to have her put down... all's you can do is accept the fact that their on a different time frame and you gave them the best run for the money,,, they seem to know that and are grateful... never easy.

[SteveF]

Sorry about your dog.

Any large dog that barks vigorously at strangers is going to work. Check out your local animal rescues and see what they have that needs a home.

Steve

[plunger]

Sorry about your dog.

Any large dog that barks vigorously at strangers is going to work. Check out your local animal rescues and see what they have that needs a home.

Steve

I am looking at rescue dogs .Boerbull is difficult to get. I saw one yesterday that must have been 200lbs .What a beast of a dog. I have lost three dogs to black mamba.You get bitten by a black mamba you can kiss your ass goodbye. You are not going to make it. But where I live now its not such a problem. Poisoning is a bigger problem. Its hard to teach a dog not to take a treat.

[A.K. Boomer]

Dang Plunger, don't they have a kinda shot for dogs like we got for rattlers? and what -people are poisoning your dogs too? we have that but pretty rare, I think we all need to take up funds to help move you out of that place, every time you post it's one thing or another and I sincerely hope you can leave sometime.


I just checked out the Boerboel's cuz I did not know about them --- they are brutes for sure that's a huge sack of potatoes lol

you don't always need that huge to get the job done but very intimidating that's for sure so good deterrent on it's own...

[plunger]

Dang Plunger, don't they have a kinda shot for dogs like we got for rattlers? and what -people are poisoning your dogs too? we have that but pretty rare, I think we all need to take up funds to help move you out of that place, every time you post it's one thing or another and I sincerely hope you can leave sometime.


I just checked out the Boerboel's cuz I did not know about them --- they are brutes for sure that's a huge sack of potatoes lol

you don't always need that huge to get the job done but very intimidating that's for sure so good deterrent on it's own...

If they want to rob you they feed your dog with a poison called TWO STEP. You take two steps and you are dead. I dont know what poison it is but its easy to buy in certain areas. South Africa has its problems and unfortunately getting worse real quick.
But if you have lived in S Africa you will understand why we love it so much.
For those that dont know a boerboel its a bull mastiff but more hardy and agile and more protective. Built for harsh S African conditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGpzpAZxZfA

[gellfex]

I'd say yer problem is one of semiotics. I can suggest a large curly coated non-shedding defender breed like a Komondor (Male: 110 – 130 lbs, not that you can probably get one in SA), but even with a proper haircut it's not a breed people know and fear like a Shepherd, Mastiff or Rotty.

[mickeyf]

Any large dog that barks vigorously at strangers is going to work

I don't (now) have a dog, but my impression has been "the smaller the dog the more vigorous the bark". Of course while this may be great as an alarm system, once the would be thief actually sees it they may just die laughing rather than of fright.

[A.K. Boomer]

Big dogs even further the longevity problem - they don't last long enough as is, I know a Gal that loves great danes and wow it's like she just gets to really know them then has to say "bubbeye" it's tough - i mean like half life tough - they only make it about 7 years, that's crazy... my heart would not handle it...

I'll stick with Lew as long as she's around, im hoping like my other dogs at least 16 - 17 years...
she's also a formidable force, she was only a pup and 58 lbs at the time and totally subdued a full grown G. shepard (about 100lbs) out at the dog park that was bullying her along with two other alpha males the same size, never forget seeing her clamped on the side of his head and making him walk sideways far away into the corner of the park so she could dismember him lol he never bugged her again same with the others...

Plunger you might consider two mediums that can work as a team and also be more agile -- same food bill, more versatility - not all your eggs in one basket so even more important with where you live...

this is Lew the other day --- we just got done polishing off a 20 lbs bird, she likes to digest her food upside down for some strange reason lol

[plunger]

Big dogs even further the longevity problem - they don't last long enough as is, I know a Gal that loves great danes and wow it's like she just gets to really know them then has to say "bubbeye" it's tough - i mean like half life tough - they only make it about 7 years, that's crazy... my heart would not handle it...

I'll stick with Lew as long as she's around, im hoping like my other dogs at least 16 - 17 years...
she's also a formidable force, she was only a pup and 58 lbs at the time and totally subdued a full grown G. shepard (about 100lbs) out at the dog park that was bullying her along with two other alpha males the same size, never forget seeing her clamped on the side of his head and making him walk sideways far away into the corner of the park so she could dismember him lol he never bugged her again same with the others...

Plunger you might consider two mediums that can work as a team and also be more agile -- same food bill, more versatility - not all your eggs in one basket so even more important with where you live...

this is Lew the other day --- we just got done polishing off a 20 lbs bird, she likes to digest her food upside down for some strange reason lol

Sometimes I think I prefer dogs to humans. Great pics.

[A.K. Boomer]

No question --- I hang with dogs more than people and find the people still irritate me way more lol

Plunger, may have thought of a pooch for you and it's one that originates in your neck - o - the woods of S. Africa bred for big game including lions,,, and its a mighty dog meaning LB for LB about the toughest thing going, short hair too -------- the Rhodesian Ridgeback...

[Arcane]

You have my heartfelt condolences, plunger.

[Tungsten dipper]

Sorry about your friend Plunger. The more people I meet the more I like my dog. It's been four years after losing my dog and I don't know if I want to go through another loss like that one.