6 Dog Breeds Perfect For Living In The Countryside

If you have a large house, live outside the city or are planning to buy a farmhouse, we recommend that you read the following article, in which we will talk about the perfect dog breeds for living in the countryside. Due to their large size, their guardian skills and their ability to lead livestock, they can really come in handy.

What are the best dogs to live in the countryside?

If you live on a farm or farmhouse with a large piece of land or a park all around, you probably want to have a pet, a guard dog that also acts as an assistant for your daily activities. The following dog breeds for the countryside are perfect for meeting these two needs. Let’s find out their physical and behavioral characteristics together :

1. Samoyed

It is a breed of Russian origin and very popular not only in its country, but also in agricultural locations around the world. It has a white and soft coat and is resistant to low temperatures. Currently, this dog is used by nomads to graze and accompany groups of reindeer, to hunt, to warm up at night and to pull sleds.

The Samoyed is very sociable, docile, strong, resistant, with an expression such that it seems to always smile. It spends many hours on alert but, contrary to popular belief, it is not an animal with a great instinct for hunting.

2. St. Bernard Dog

This breed is perfect for living in the countryside and in the mountains. It comes from the Swiss and Italian Alps. It is a cross between the Tibetan Mastiff, Great Dane, Newfoundland and the extinct Alpine Mastiff. He is a much loved molosser for his loyalty, courage and tranquility. It owes its name to the hospice of San Bernardo, where the monks welcomed pilgrims and travelers. It is sturdy, docile, with a large head and may have short or long white colored hair with brown and reddish spots. He is obedient, patient and very kind.

3. Belgian Shepherd Laekenois

Another of the dogs for the countryside, the least known of all the Belgian shepherds that exist (and also the oldest). Of medium size, muscular, agile and light, the Laekenois has a dark red and charcoal coat, and can weigh up to 30 kg. It is a very intelligent dog, ideal for raising and guarding herds, totally hardworking, dynamic, energetic and with a very developed instinct (for this reason it requires special training since it is a puppy).

4. English pointer

It is a very dynamic and active specimen, which adapts to large spaces and who loves to play sports. It hails from Great Britain, but its predecessor is believed to be the Spanish Pointer. The first specimens appeared in the seventeenth century and were used to “signal” prey (hence its name). Nowadays it is no longer used as a hunting dog, but as a companion animal , especially in rural areas. Tall, slender, strong and agile, the English Pointer is very alert, curious and not very aggressive. Gets along well with other dogs and children.

5. Norfolk Terrier

Within the Terrier group, he is the smallest of all. However, he is an ideal dog for those living outside the city. He is a courageous, active, friendly and ideal companion for children, because he loves to play and have fun. Also accept work as a way to release excess energy. The Norfolk has a compact body, with short and muscular legs, a broad head and “flush” hairs of red, black, corn yellow and gray. As for his character, he is outgoing, sociable and not aggressive at all.

6. Border Collie

He is considered the smartest dog in the world thanks to his ability to learn in four areas: skill, obedience, agility and grazing. Its history is very ancient and the Celts already learned to exploit its outstanding qualities as a shepherd dog. It is distinguished by the elongated body, which can weigh up to 20 kg and, in some specimens, has a different color for each eye (brown or blue).

It has a double layer of dense fur, to protect itself from the cold. The Border Collie needs to live in a garden house because he is very energetic and dynamic. In addition, it is recommended for families who engage in sports or outdoor activities. If it does not receive attention and dedication, it can exhibit destructive behavior.

Main image source: Anne Hornyak