It takes a lot of work to run a farm—even a quaint, backyard or hobby farm.
And unless you wear a cape and tights on a regular basis, you’ll probably need someone
to help with tasks such as managing and guarding your livestock and property, as well as keeping
the barns and feed areas vermin-free.
To put it bluntly, you’ll need a good farm dog.
On this edition of Animal Facts, we’ll be highlighting the “heroes of the homestead”—our
top dogs for small farms.
10.
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier is a pint-sized bundle of energy that is a welcome addition to any
small farm.
They’re intelligent, independent, and can be quite stubborn, but once trained, you can
trust them to carry out their responsibilities, and you’ll have more time to handle everything
else.
Although they’re not known for herding, the feisty Jack Russell is an expert ratter
and will keep your homestead rodent and vermin-free.
Russells are also fearless and make great watchdogs, alerting you to intruders or unusual
occurrences on your property.
Fun Fact: Jack Russells are vivacious little firecrackers who enjoy the company of horses.
9.
Golden Retriever
As one of most highly-sought after dog breeds in the U.S., Golden Retrievers have many qualities
that elevate them to rock star status among the working breeds.
Goldens are known for being friendly, gentle, intelligent, and athletic, which not only
makes them a wonderful choice for families, but also for search and rescue operations,
narcotics detection and as therapy and service dogs.
But did you know that Goldens make fantastic farm dogs?
All the previously mentioned attributes contribute to their usefulness, but their consistently
even temper and calm behavior is perhaps the main reason they appeal to homestead-having
humans.
Since they generally get along with all people and animals, you won’t have to worry about
them chasing your livestock or chickens around.
So, don’t expect your Golden to get rid of your barn mice or feed bin bandits—they’ll
be more interested in making friends with them.
8.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s claim to fame may be as Queen Elizabeth’s faithful companion
and favorite breed, but they were originally developed to help shepherds and farmers herd
sheep and cattle—a job at which they still excel to this day.
But not only do Corgis love to herd, they love to be heard.
Don’t be fooled by their appearance, these charming, little elfin dogs are very vocal
and will bark to notify you of predators and strangers in the vicinity.
Corgis are also proficient at wrangling chickens, ducks, and other fowl, herding them quietly
so as not to startle them or alert predators.
Their short legs make them the ideal exterminators, as they are much closer to the ground than
most farm breeds.
Although they’re great farm dogs overall, the inclination to herd may incite your Corgi
to nip at your ankles which can be annoying, or attempt to round up your children—which
actually might not be so bad.
Fun Fact: Queen Elizabeth II enjoys the companionship of Corgis so much that she has owned more
than 30 during her reign.
7.
Standard Schnauzer
Sandwiched between the Giant and Miniature Schnauzers, the Standard Schnauzer is the
ideal size and has the perfect skill set for carrying out duties on a small farm.
As early as the 15th century, Schnauzers (both Standard and Giant) were used on farms to
herd and secure livestock, protect families, eliminate vermin, and defend their owners
as they traveled to market.
Standard Schnauzers possess both the intelligence and brawn to hold their own when managing
cattle, sheep and horses.
Although they’re a close cousin to the Terrier, they have a low to moderate prey drive.
So, your chickens and other feathered friends will be safe on your Standard’s watch…but
rodents won’t be so lucky.
Standards can be a fabulous addition to any farm family as they are very active (as all
working dogs are) and they get along well with kids.
On the flip side, they can be stubborn, so training will require patience, firmness,
and consistency.
Fun Fact: The Standard and Giant Schnauzers are considered working breeds, while the Miniature
Schnauzer is classified as a Terrier.
6.
Dachshund
If you’re wondering what the Dachshund’s role on the farm is, it’s all in their name,
which is German for “badger dog.”
Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany in the 1400s to hunt badgers running rampant
through the countryside, burrowing holes in the soil, some of which destroyed crops, injured
livestock, damaged fencing, and equipment.
The breed’s short stature and slinky build is ideal for navigating narrow tunnels, and
their fearlessness and tenacity is essential for battling trapped badgers, groundhogs,
moles, rats, and other nuisance burrowers.
Believe it or not, in addition to its underground expertise and courage, the diminutive Dachshund
also has a secret weapon when it comes to protecting the homestead—a “big dog”
bark that once served the purpose of helping their hunter-humans locate them in the burrows
but is now more useful in calling attention to potential threats.
5.
Australian Cattle Dog
I’m Rob and this is Bonnie and we’re here from Live Life DIY and we’re going to be
sharing with you today why Blue Heelers make great farm dogs.
The Australian Cattle Dog is known by many names and one is Blue Heeler.
They are an intelligent and active breed and require a job or they will misbehave.
Bonnie likes to herd me like cattle while I’m doing my chores.
This is one of my boots she chewed through when she was a puppy.
And I was wearing it!
It’s really important a blue heeler has a chore, a job, and Bonnie’s job is protecting
the chickens and protecting the Guinea fowl.
She takes the job seriously.
Bonnie loves gentle play with her 10-year-old “big” sister.
Because of their high prey drive, Blue Heelers are known for not getting along with other
animals.
It’s important they understand who’s family.
*noise* Whoops, back to work.
Make sure you have plenty of room to run.
Bonnie and Carrot are best friends and they like to relax together.
Pesky squirrels sure are frustrating.
Even though guarding chickens is serious work, there’s always time for a bit of rooster
play time.
4.
Great Pyrenees
If your farm is located in a colder climate, the fluffy, double coated Great Pyrenees should
be at the top of your short list of potential farmhands.
Pyrs are not herders or ratters like most of the dogs on our list, but they are stellar
guard dogs that will protect you, your family, livestock, and anything else associated with
you.
Though all canines have a heightened sense of hearing, their senses of hearing and sight
are exceptional in comparison to other breeds.
Once they’ve honed in on a suspected intruder, they will let you know with a thunderous alarm.
Get ready to lose a little beauty sleep, because most vocalizations take place at night, when
raccoons, wolves, coyotes, and other nocturnal creatures are on the prowl.
Pyrs are also great at figuring things out on their own.
You may have to work a little harder to train them, but once trained, their independence
will free you up to take care of the endless tasks that come with running a farm.
Fun Fact: Great Pyrenees are also excellent communicators.
They will let you know how they’re feeling or what they want with a well-placed paw to
your leg, hand, or other appendage.
3.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is arguably the hardest working canine in the dog business.
Shepherds are hailed for their police work, military service, search and rescue work,
and drug, accelerant, and explosives detection work.
They’re also one of the top three service breeds, assisting people with everything from
PTSD to diabetes.
So, when they’re used in their original capacity, farm work, they probably just see
it as another day at the office.
German Shepherds are great at multi-tasking, and are equally skilled in both herding and
guarding livestock, fowl, property and people.
As with all working breeds, they need a job to do and their intelligence and willingness
to learn make them highly trainable.
What sets German Shepherds apart as farm dogs is their “furrowing instinct” or inclination
to keep watch over unfenced pasture.
When they’re on patrol, you can rest assured that your livestock is where they’re supposed
to be and predators are where they’re supposed to be.
2.
Australian Shepherd
If you want a canine that you can trust to run things when you aren’t there, and acts
more like upper management than a farmhand, then the Australian Shepherd is the dog for
you.
Australian Shepherds have to be kept busy.
If you don’t give them something to do, they’ll find something to do.
Not only can they be taught to do farm work, they can also learn to do household tasks,
like picking up items that have been strewn about the house.
When training your Aussie, make sure to maintain a firm, confident demeanor.
If you don’t take the lead—they will.
Like German Shepherds, Aussies are incredibly versatile and excel at virtually everything
they do, from athletics and agility performance, to obedience competitions, and in therapy,
guide or service capacities—but the role they were born to fill is that of no-nonsense
farm dog.
When managing livestock, Australian Shepherds use a series of nips, barks, and an intimidating
stare known as “the eye,” to move or stop the flow of traffic.
They are also experts at adjusting their herding style to fit the animal being corralled.
For instance, if they were rounding up cattle, they would use more force than if they were
working sheep or chickens.
When it comes to family ties, Aussies are very affectionate and loyal to their humans,
and will put it all on the line to protect their loved ones.
On the other hand, they tend to be standoffish with strangers, and will let you know if an
intruder approaches your property by alert barking until you check out the situation
at hand.
1.
Border Collie
Rounding out our list is the “Einstein of canines,” a sturdy breed that can keep going…and
going…and going…and…you get the picture— the Border Collie.
Collies, in general, are a working breed, so it’s a given that they always need something
to do.
But Border Collies take this golden rule to another level.
Their compulsion to herd and independent nature, plus their extraordinary intelligence (according
to Stanley Coren’s “The Intelligence of Dogs” they’re the smartest pups around)
is the perfect equation for getting things done or solving any problems that may arise
on the farm.
Borders can and will do anything asked of them, and even a few extra tasks as well.
Borders have an incomparable work ethic.
If you let them, they will work all day, every day and once all your sheep, cattle, goats,
chickens, and horses are herded, they’ll be more than happy to round up their pet siblings,
your kids, and other wayward family members.
To keep your Border from getting burned out on farm work, it is important to occasionally
distract them with toys, games or other activities.
Fun Fact: Border Collies are highly intuitive and respond to the slightest commands.