Expert: Wendy Grudin - 8/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have found a 11 month old Australian cattle dog mixed with collie at the pound. I have a 4 year toy poodle and a 9 week old bichon puppy at home. Do you think they would be compatible and would the Australian cattle mix dog be good at keeping coyotes away?

ANSWER: Hi Buz, I think if you are trying to scare off Coyotes...it would be wiser to choose another breed.The ACD and Collie are both herding breeds.It may be wiser to choose a breed used to guard stock(sheep,goats) Whether or not the ACD mix would do well with the other dogs depends on the temperament. I would try them out together on neutral grounds.The collie ACD mix most likely would mature to be a very nice dog.Hope this info. helps.

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QUESTION: Hi
I'm sure you knew this question was coming... Could you advise as to what breed or breeds of dogs would be good at keeping coyotes away and be a nice addition to our family? We have lived here for 5 years and never seen a coyote before, but a month ago we lost 3 dogs in one night to coyotes and now my family doesn't feel safe anymore. It has broken our hearts! We have a block wall around our 3/4 acre lot that is 6 feet at it lowest point. We are used to small dogs so I would have to get a trainer to help me with a big dog. We love dogs... I'm not sure what kind of guard dogs you are talking about. We have one daughter and she is 17 but we do have friends with small children.
Thank you for your help
Buz
ANSWER: Here is good info. http://www.lgd.org/library.htmre: guardian dogs...hope this helps.

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QUESTION: Hi
Your website can not be found. maybe it was typed wrong
Thanks
Buz

Answer
Gosh, that is weird as I copied it directly.......anyhow,just google "guardian Breeds"...if you see a breed that sounds interesting, be certain to check on health problems(also by using Google).I will tell you ahead of time that more common breeds that folks sometimes use to "guard" other pets, such as the Akita and German Shepherd are loaded with genetic health problems, so be careful in your search. Best of luck and sorry about your losses. Wendy