These Pups Are Not Just For Preppers

Let’s get this straight from the beginning. These pups are not just for Preppers! We realize that most breeds can be trained to fill many roles. However, most breeds have specific instincts that make them especially beneficial in certain circumstances.

I am sure that you have heard dogs called “man’s best friend”. There are several very good reasons for this being said. Dogs are known to be loving, smart and helpful to their human families. But, not all breeds have the same basic, instinctual behavior that would make them ideal for all situations.

With all of the talk about potential situations that would fit into the EOTWAWKI (End Of The World As We Know It), people are asking “What breed of dog is best for Preppers”?

These Pups Are Not Just For Preppers But….

There are many breeds from which to choose as being the best for a canine survival companion. There are so many, in fact, that you might find it challenging to decide on which one is best. Clearly, these are not the only breeds that would serve well for preppers. These are listed in alphabetical order, not ranked by which would be best.

Akbash Hound

The Akbash Hound originated in the mountains of Turkey and were bred to guard livestock from predators and intruders. As a result, they are very loyal toward people they do know and suspicious of people they don’t know.

Although this breed spends much time with livestock, and are seen in the field with livestock for hours at a time, they are not good herding dogs. Rounding up livestock is not one of their skill sets!

Not Just for Preppers

You probably would not choose this breed for companionship. Although loyal, as a rule, theydo not appear to enjoy playing fetch as do many other breeds. Akbash Hounds are much more likely to prefer roaming their territory and eeping an eye out for predators and intruders.

Bernese Mountain Dog

HEAD OF A BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG LYING DOWN

Like many breeds, the Bernese Mountain dogs originated by the breeding of Mastiffs and several guard breeds. These dogs are exceptionally friendly as well as being very strong and very intelligent. While this breed is great for Preppers, these dogs would be a great choice for many other situations as well.

They are often seen working on farms and would be an ideal addtion to a survival homestead. Their strength allows the to pull carts. They are snart enough to herd animals and have the innate desire to protect their families from harm. As you could imagine, they prefer being outside and adequate exercise is important to their well being.

Border Collie

This Border Collie Running Through A Field Is Not Just For Preppers

Border Collies were first bred in Scotland for the purpose of herding livestock, most commonly used for sheep. Researach scientists have declared them to be the most intelligent of dog breeds. If you wish to teach your dog to perform various tricks or to carry our tasks, this breed would be a great choice. https://happymutt.org/the-worlds-smartest-dog-breed-revealed/

Please keep in ind that this is an exceptionally active breed so they will need lots of exercise. They also love to play and to interact with both kids and adults. They are wonderful family dogs if you meet their physical activity needs. Do not ignore the fact that they can also be very destructive when left inside alone for long periods of time.

Because of their need for social interaction with humans and high energy level, being isolated in tight quarters can cause them to become depressed. This would not be a good choice for some situations. Leaving them home alone all day while you go to work would make them miserable.

German Shepherd

German Sherpherds Are Not Just for Preppers or as Guard Dogs

Although originallly bred to herd sheep, this breed has demonstrated its capacity to perform a myriad of purposes. They are extremely intelligent! Although very loyal and friendly, they are often trained to guard people, livestock or property. Their work as military or K-9 dogs is legendary ass is their work as Seeing Eye Dogs!!

This breed has been trained to perform very specific funtions such as only reacting to certain threatening situations. Of course, this level of training cannot be done by just anyone. Not all breeders are capable of training these dogs so you must be very careful in your choice of trainers for them.

If you plan to use this dog to herd any typr of livestock, it is important for them to interact with that herd as puppies. No matter how well trained they may be, the herd needs to bond with the dog in order to trust and respond to them appropriately.

Great Pyrenees

This breed is great for guarding people or livestock. They are an ideal choice to to protect homestead properties such as very large farms or those that border a wilderness.

This breed excells in keeping predators off the property they are quarding. Amazingly, they have even been known to drive bears and other large predators off of the property.

However, if you need a dog to keep human intruders off your land, Great Pyrenees may not be a good choice.This breed was the only one in guard dog trials that did not instantly attack intruding humans.

However, if the dog is distrustful of a person for any reason they may become act aggressively to protect someone they know. Of course, their massive size and very aggressive often act as a deterrent.

On a less than postive note, Great Pyrenees dogs seem to have a mind of their own! If something has caught their attention you can call until you are blue in the face and they may totally ignore you!

They are very protective about the people and the animals with whom they have bonded. These dogs will both guard and protect each of them.

Pointers

Although initially bred as a bird hunting dog, Pointers are really good for locating predators and intruders trying to sneak on to your property. Do not depend on them to chase them off, however.

Their sharp eyes can detect intruders or predators sooner than many other breeds. Both they and Retrievers mentioned below work well with livestock and make wonderful family dogs.

Like all dogs in the working class, they need lots of exercise and space in which to run and play. Although they do not make good guard dogs, they make a wonderful alert warning system to ward off intruders and predators .

Retrievers

Often people think of Golden Retrievers when they think of Retrievers but the most popular dog is the Labrador Retriever. Here are two articles on these breeds that I think you will enjoy.

https://happymutt.org/this-dog-truly-is-a-golden-oldie/

Labrador Retrievers Still #1

Retrievers are usually trained not to be gun shy and can assist the prepper or hunter shooting birds . They can also be trained to collect items for you as well.

Rottweilers

Attentive Rottweiler

Although a great choice for a guard dog, they require several things.

Must be well trained by one with experience and reputation for producing well trained guard dogs.
The are active mentally and physically and must have lots of opportunity and space for adequate excercise

They are very large working dogs and they are not suitable for all families. However, with the proper socialization, they can make excellent family dogs. Unless you are committed to providing the training, exercie and socialization that this breed requires, you should choose another breed. But, with all of those requirements being met, they are hard to beat. This is especially true for Preppers..

Scotch Collie

This gorgeous Scotch Collie is not just for preppers but is a great family dog as well.

This breed is the ancestor of our modern day Collies and they maintain more of their initial instincts than do the other Collies. For example, as intelligent as Border Collies have proven to be they have lost the hunting capacity of the Scotch Collie. The Border Collie has maintained its instinct for guarding and hunting, though.

As the originator of the breed, the Scotch Collie was bred to be all-purpose dogs and theystill retains its guarding, herding and hunting hunting instincts. Because of their size and intellect, they must have lots of exercise and the space to engage in it.

Collies require lots of space and exercise. If they are cooped up in a bugging-in scenario, they could create havoc with their excess energy.

Siberian Huskie

Siberian Huskies are not just sled dogs nor are they just for preppers.

This is an exceptional working dog and quite literally can pull its own weight and more in some of the harshest weather imaginable. Their strong personality trait of independence can make owning this dog a real challenge. However, if the Huskie respects it owner (and trainer) they work together to acccomplish amazing things.

Another excellent working dog, able to literally pull its own weight. The challenge with the Huskie is that it is an independent breed that must respect its owner/trainer to be able to work with them. One benefit of the Huskie is that they are not a breed that eats to excess, but will just eat what they need to optimally function.

This breed thrives best in rural areas with lots of open space. They usually maintain their weight easier than you might expect with their level of activity. It appears that they only eat what their bodies actually need and not to excess. This keeps them healthier and savves on dog food bills.

In Conclusion

I hope this review of dog breeds commonly considered to be good choices for preppers. It is a good idea to speak with people who have had personal experience with the breeds you are considering. Regardless of thich breed you already have or plan to adopt, be sure you are prepared to take the best care of them possible.

Hopefully, this post gave you a better idea of what kind of dog you might want to get. If you already have a dog or intend to get one for prepping purposes, make sure your preps include supplies for your dog. This article might be of help to you in getting prepped to get your dog, especially for urban preppers. https://urbansurvivalsite.com/pet-survival-kit/

Photos Courtesy of Pixabay