ultimate hunter dog for safety and companion

[killzone]

I have been looking in to getting a hunting dog for the last a few days and been trough an extensive re search period where you guys have been outstandingly helpful _ thanks a lot.

it looks like I'll be getting the Anatolian Dog AKA Kangal. Fortunately I was able to find Kangal owners and got a lot of feed back about em'. The interestingly common feed back that I received was that the Dog is the actual hunter and lets you come along while he does his hunt - lets you take the shot while he is protecting you because he is your friend.

I made the legal contacts a few hours ago and I just cant wait to see it. Here are some pics that might help you what I'm talking about.

 

[only1asterisk]

I'm not up on the whole Anatolian Shepard/Kangal debate, but I'm not sure I'd call the Anatolians I've known "hunting dogs" but I guess any dog can hunt. The Norwegian Elkhound is more what I think of when one dog needs to be good for everything.

David

 

[H&Hhunter]

If you want a REAL hunting dog you need a Jadgterrier

 

[MP-44]

I'll 2nd the Jagdterrier. Be prepared though, they are wired.

 

[sumpnz]

Anatolians, from what I've read at least, are tough suckers. Supposedly they can out run a cougar, and have been known to win fights with cougars and grizzley bears. Generally they need a lot of land to patrol or else you might well find that they come up with their own idea of what needs to be done (and most likely that'll be at odds with your notion of what the dog needs to do). Lots of folks in suburbia have gotten them and then regretted it.

If you've got the right kind of place for one they are great dogs. Hope it works out for you.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I'd be a bit catious of the Anatolian dog as they can be quite agressive. And they have the size to make it stick. Be very carefull around children with this breed.

 

[fisherman66]

KZ;

Glad you are taking this seriously. Working dogs are incredible and have to be watched to be appreciated. Yes, the dogs are the true hunters. There senses are so accute compared to ours. We can logic and predict, but we can't smell for poop (well, we can smell poop but not much else).

I hope you can find some individuals to help guide you. Training dogs is a dying art.

The word "companion" makes me a little leary. While I don't condone mistreatment of any animals you must always be in control and the master. That is one of the hardest things for novice dog hunters - the approproate amount and method of correction. Read, read, read to lessen the learning curve. This dog can be a "friend" only after years of training and trust building. Up til that point he is below your whole family on the totem pole. He must know that. There is no need to be violent to prove it though.

 

[Felonious Monk]

I'd be a bit catious of the Anatolian dog as they can be quite agressive.

+1
I've been around more than one, and they CAN be great dogs, but they are NOT a dog for the suburbs.

I hope you've got at least a half dozen acres or so.
And a VERY steady, calm and assertive demeanor. You MUST be the Alpha dog, or he WILL be.

 

[Gordon]

+2 I was considering one for my 40 acres as a rancher I know has 9000 acres and is stoked on his two (I was getting a puppy)they are good pig and lion dogs . He has NO grand children though and warned me " They aren't good with kids". No thank you!
My Ridgeback /Mastiff cross is a little much for my RANCHITO and the neighbors are scared of him as he will bite your ankle if he doesn't know you and you are over about 12 years old!

 

[Buzztail]

I'm going to have to say that my vote would go to a QUALITY American Pitbull Terrier. I've owned them for 25 years, and would have no other.
I'm not talking about the dogs that you see punk kids rolling in the inner city, or the #120 Cane Corso mixes that are so common now adays. A real apbt is a different beast than most people have been lucky enough to share space with.

 

[ArdisK]

Catahoula Leopard has my vote!

Do some research on the Catahoula, or Louisiana Catahoula Leopard, or juut Catahoula Leopard. Very versatile for working stock, hunting coon, cougar, boar, etc.
Go to www.catahoulaleopard.com for some interesting reading. My dog was a rescue from a shelter and we didn't know what we had until she went to the vet for her second set of shots. Wonderful dog, loyal, smart, tough.
ArdisK

 

[fisherman66]

I though Catahoula's were breed to herd. Perhaps they are versitile enough to learn to scent follow, but unless I knew the litter came from a dog that had those abilities I would aviod it.

I'm not saying they are not fine dogs, but so much effort and money goes into the training process that you want the best possible stock to start with.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Fisherman,

The catahoula is one of the most common hog hunting dogs there is.

 

[GunGoBoom]

The Best all-purpose hunters, that can be trained to point AND retrieve AND track downed game are the multi-purpose hunters:

-Weimareiner (Germany)
-Vizsla (Hungary)
-German Pointers (short-haired & wire-haired)

of GOOD breeding (not backyard/classified ad breeders)

there are a few other breeds in this category, but those are the 3 I'd choose from (and will be when I go to get my all-purpose hunter/companion).

H&H, where did you kill those hogs?