Having a dog is a good idea in virtually any scenario. But certain breeds are especially useful to have on the farm. Granted, you aren’t going to see a small Chihuahua out on the farm helping the farmer pull carts. But certain canines can be pretty hard-working farmhands.

If you’re not convinced after these seven points that you need a dog on your farm, we’re still trying to figure out what could convince you.

The 7 Greatest Benefits of Having Farm Dogs

Dogs have impacts on humans emotionally, physically, and psychologically. They are truly a person’s best friend. So many dog breeds are suitable for farm living, but not all. It is essential to see how dogs can help you on the farm and get to know certain breeds that are fit for the job.

1. Dogs Keep Predators at Bay

One of the most amazing things about our canine pals is that they smell anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 times better than we do. Their sense of smell is incomprehensible to us, so your dog can help you with certain pesky issues—like running off the fox that’s after your chickens.

Likewise, many animals will be put off by the smell of a dog on your property. If they know that a potential predator is lurking about waiting for them, they’re less likely to try to attack the animals you have.

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2. Dogs Help with Daily Tasks

There are so many training options for farm dogs. They are capable of learning grand and simple concepts with proper training. You can elect them to guard your livestock or to attack potential predatory threats.

If you want your dog to be a real farmhand, there are several breeds with the capability and potential to do just that.

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3. Dogs Ward Off Potential Dangers

If there is any threat to something on your farm, your dog will be the first to let you know. Their impeccable senses will let them know when a threat is near, and they will respond accordingly.

Some dogs will just shout a warning, while others might go into attack mode, depending on the perpetrator.

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4. Dogs Can Sense When Animals Are in Need

Dogs are highly intuitive, receptive creatures that have pretty good judgment most of the time. If your dog senses something isn’t right with another pet, they can give you some visual cues to notify you.

Every dog is different, and some of them won’t respond as highly to things like this, but it’s definitely a high possibility, especially for certain breeds.

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5. Dogs Become Reliable Companions

It’s nice to have extra company. Your dog will happily trot along by your side, ready to come along for the ride, whatever that might be. They might not be specifically trained in a particular area, but they seem to help the minutes pass by a little faster.

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6. Dogs Control Pests

Dogs definitely take charge and pride in running off the pest around your barnyard. Whether it is mice, rabbits, or anything else ready to gobble up your much-loved tomato plants, your dog will happily take care of that.

While deer aren’t as deterred by dogs, they will scamper off if a dog comes running and barking.

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7. Dogs Attract People

Whether you’re selling pumpkins in the fall or setting up a booth for a farmer’s Fresh Market, your farm dog will surely draw people in. People are crazy about canines, and having a smiling face by your side will captivate people’s attention.

Your dogs are also great for advertising. If you sell any produce or product on your farm or online, people love personalization with pets. So that is also something to keep in mind for marketing purposes.

What Dog Breeds Make the Best Farm Dogs?

Dog breeds of all designs have an original purpose. So some animals are just better at certain tasks than others. Not just any dog makes a suitable farm dog. There are certain personality characteristics and physical capabilities you need to consider.

You won’t want a dog with a high enough prey drive to hurt your barnyard animals. Some dogs might chase and even kill chickens and other smaller animals. Getting a well-rounded dog capable of distinguishing between a pest and a fellow family is important.

1. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees was literally bred to be a farm dog. These gentle giants are perfect for large families, barnyard animals of all shapes and sizes, and outdoor living.

The Great Pyrenees is a very large dog, helping keep smaller animals that are potential predators at bay. They make excellent watchdogs, but they are generally never aggressive with people.

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2. Border Collie

The Border Collie is a highly motivated, physically capable dog that will love life on the farm. This farm breed is well known for herding sheep, protecting livestock, and making excellent family companions.

They are also known for their high speeds and are often involved in different shows.

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3. German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is an all-purpose breed of dog these days. They have duties from everything as simple as standard companionship to retrieving people from rubble and debris. It’s no surprise that these dogs make excellent farm dogs as well.

Due to their high prey drive, they might not be the best additions to farms with free-range chickens and ducks. It’s hard to curb these natural instincts, and this breed is definitely efficient in predator mode.

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4. Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized breed with strong herding tendencies. If you have sheep, pigs, or other animals of this size, this is definitely a breed that would work well for your farm.

Due to their tendency to nip heels, per a breed inclination, they are sometimes not the best for homes with small kids. They will naturally take on a herding instinct, absolutely not meaning to hurt the child, but it can be concerning nonetheless.

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5. Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd is a massive, docile dog whose main purpose is protecting flocks. So, if you have a property with a lot of poultry or waterfowl, this is a great breed to select.

Because they are patient, highly intelligent, and very affectionate, they also make excellent guard and companion dogs.

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6. Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog is a fun-loving barn dweller who thrives on living outdoors. While they can make wonderful indoor companions, they will love going out to do all of the farm work with you.

These dogs typically are very amiable and low-tone, making them terrific for children. And, it makes them less likely to run off as their activity levels are on the low side of moderate as adults.

Conclusion

Many dog breeds would make marvelous additions to the farm, even if they aren’t on our list of top farm breeds. Dogs have a way of bringing personality and life into the home regardless of their purpose or role.

So, if you have the resources and the willpower, definitely add a farm dog to the mix, loving it every step of the way.

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