we recently lost our 2 ranch dogs. I am not really ready for another dog but the critters are starting to invade the yard and barn. We killed a possum last night, so I need a dog to help keep the possums and coons and othe critters  away from the yard and barn. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. We have always had Australian Shepard’s, but I would like to try some other breed/cross breed. 

I adopted two dogs that I think have some bully in them. I am NOT a bully fan but they have been the best, smartest dogs! They don't mess with the horses and NOTHING gets out of the barn alive it it comes visiting uninvited.

My daughter and her husband have a bully and she is the sweetest dog ever. I am not much on dog training- just require they come when called and no jumping on people. I worry that I wouldn’t match up well with a bully or bully cross. Would love to hear what you think. 

Both mine have GREAT recall and they learned it super easy. One jumped when we first got him but he learned quickly to not jump. Just so smart and wanting to please. (This comes from a long time Pit hater!!)

I think if anyone adopts  it is super important to really evaluate them at the shelter. You can tell a lot about them if you watch closely. Both mine were around 9 months when I adopted them. The black one was and is a wanna be house dog the brindle was a malnourished hoodrat street stray.

I've had Aussies, Catahoulas, heelers and while they were all awesome these guys are just as great and maybe have a little better recall when it comes to horses. They don't have that desire to chase them like cow dogs do.

Another super good dog I adpoted was a shar pei mix. WOW now that was a protective dog but that is the shar pei heritage. No one got out of their cars in our yard when he was alive... but once out with us he would leave them alone unless they bothered him. He was a critter killer too!

Most shelters will let you foster to adopt or have weekend sleep overs where you can see if you fit a certain dog.

Good luck!! Im sure whatever you decide on will be great.

I have 2 male great pyrenese/anatolian shepherd mixes and they are the best!  They are the sweetest boys and love everyone, but if you come on our place invited or mess with any of our animals you are going to have a bad time.  They are 7 months old and weigh about 90 lbs each and will grow more.  I've seen posts on some livestock guard dog pages saying that these dogs working in a team can take down bear and mtn lions.  Love my boys!

I’m a fan of Texas Blue Lacy dogs.  They are versatile and smart. They also think a great deal of their humans.  They can be taught anything and are eager to please.  They don’t back up from anything and don’t like varmints cioming on to their property.

rottwiellers are wonderful......................................

My parents have rottweilers, usually great dogs but her recent one has a thing with chasing horses - not sure where that came from cause that's a first. Definite rodent killer, turns into a wiggle butt when someone pulls in.

We have two german shorthairs, the one prefers to lounge and be a house dog but will hunt for rodents. The other is a rodent/bird killing and chasing machine. He's learned not to touch ducks and chickens. When he was younger he thought he was a tough guy and would square off with a cow. Fast lessons have been learned. We have a couple free range chickens that got injured cause they're not smart and not one of them have been killed sleeping outside on the ground yet *knock on wood*. Very intelligent dogs, our two aren't as high strung as most people say. The chasing machine gets annoying when you say outside because that's where he'd rather be.

I love my labs... goofy, but will be fierce if a stranger comes up our road or knocks on our door. I've got 3 of them the 2 females pretty much stay outside 24/7 but I let them in when it's really hot or cold. The male stays inside most of the time and hes very protective of our home. They are gentle with my kids and our cats but if a strange cat comes wandering thru the yard, the chase is on! I hear them barking at night, they keep the critters away. They dont bother my horses at all. In fact my horse will stand there and theyll lick his face lol. When I bathe my horses theyll stand under them to catch the water run off. Theyve been great family/ranch dogs. All 3 of my dogs are from different breeders/litters so that tells me a lot about the breed. They all have different personalities and likes/dislikes but have always been loyal to my family/kids they absolutely love the kids and follow them around when they go outside. They are low maintenance, easy keepers and can be full of energy and lazy couch potatoes...

Funny story... my male lab ran my ex husband out of my house... I was in the back of the house and apparently he had let himself in my house thru the front door, I heard all kinds of commotion and walked into the livingroom to see my ex standing at the front door holding it shut from the outside and my dog standing on his hind legs with his front feet against the door growling lol!! I laughed so hard and gave my dog a treat and some petting lol! He said, that **** dog ran me out of the house, he came out of nowhere... I said that **** dog was doing his job dont just walk in my home like you own it! 

Go walk through a shelter and see what speaks to you, or if you're me, drive down the road and pick up a stray, that's how I get mine. LOL. My 2 were street dogs, one is a heeler mix and the other is some terrier mix, she's about 35lbs and loves trying to hunt things down (possums, etc). They're loyal, grateful, and no potty training when you pick them up full-grown.

That’s what we used to do but for some reason we haven’t had any strays in years. I probably will go to the shelter. Just a little wary since I have a 2 year old grandson. 

love my Catahoulas!