Choosing a breed that goes along with your lifestyle

Jarred Hodgson gives farmers advice on choosing the dog breed best suited to them, their families and operations. Although only four specific breeds are highlighted here, other breeds can also be considered.

- Jarred Hodgson

When it comes to selecting the ideal canine companion for South African farmers, several factors must be considered.

Security being at the top of mind for many of us, the dog should be big and smart enough to defend the family but still be controlled by its owner.

Versatility for me is the next major influence on what breed to consider. It’s a great idea to consider a breed that will enhance your life as a whole. You are not going to get a Mastiff if you are a keen bird shooter. You should probably look at a Labrador so that you can utilise the dog in many different areas of your life. Compatibility with family and children is a big factor. If you have a family, you are going to want to look at dogs that are playful and more tolerant of children.

Considering that we like to take our dogs with us all over the place, we need to look at breeds that are easier to control around other people and animals. This factor has more to do with training than genetics, so trainability is key here.

There are obviously a wide variety of breeds in South Africa, but I have chosen to highlight four specific breeds. Other noteworthy breeds are the Rhodesian Ridgeback, Australian Cattle dog, Border Collie, many of the terrier breeds, and gun dog breeds, which would all make great farming companions.

BOERBOEL

The Boerboel can only really be utilised as a guard dog.