Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Jane (PlainJane) and I am the blessed and happy wife to Jeff and doubly blessed mama of two perfectly wonderful daughters. Please join me as I share our Lifestyle of Learning through Christian homeschooling and homesteading on our little hobby farm with our prairie girls.
Amber (Bookworm) is our dd15/10th grader.
Our perfectionist and over-achiever. She loves reading, playing violin, all things vintage, riding her Paint horse, and being a farm girl.
Anna (Ladybug)
is our dd12/7th grader.
Our "girls just want to have fun" girl. She loves to play and has a great sense of humor, but also enjoys cooking, music, and riding her QH pony.
It's been over a month now since our beloved little Peanut died and it's been harder on me than I expected, but we're mending. I did find out a little about myself though -- I "NEED" a dog! :) So, I have spent considerable amounts of time looking for that perfect new family member (and here you thought I was working hard, haha). And although I LOVE Boston Terriers, grew up with them, and seem to gravitate to them, we decided to do a little research to find the perfect hobby farm dog for us. There are a lot of good farm-type (working) dogs out there, but some need a constant job to keep them happy lest they become distructive. We wanted one that would protect it's "flock" and protect it's family without being too aggressive. We finally narrowed our search to three breeds...
3.Karakachan (Bulgarian Shepherd Dog). A wonderful LGD (Livestock Guardian Dog); however rare. I was offered an older puppy (8 months old), but the breeder is in Ohio. The few breeders of this dog are mainly out East, mostly Ohio and Virginia, and my DH isn't too keen on me traveling out there just for a dog. Oh, and btw, rare translates into $; the average price of all three of our choices is $1,000/ea. Of course, we are seeking a dog for much less.
2.Leonberger dogs derive from SW Germany and are a cross between a Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, and Saint Bernard. Leo's a great guardian dog and a gentle giant. Yesterday I was offered to reserve a smaller female puppy (born a week ago) from a breeder in MN for $500 and it's very tempting, but after a family meeting last night, it was decided that we would try to hold out until we can find our #1 choice.
1.Our #1 pick is a Bernese Mountain Dog! A Berner is a farm dog that originates from the Swiss Alps and loves cooler weather. I was offered a BEAUTIFUL stud-quality 13-month old male yesterday, and boy, was it hard to decide against getting him, but some members of our family are holding out for a baby (new puppy), which gets a little complicated since I have yet to find a baby for under $800 in MN.
So there you have it. This is what we are looking for - now just to find it at our price within a reasonable distance. I still haven't totally ruled out other breeds or even mixed breeds from rescue missions, but we will see. The search continues, but we may not find one until next spring or later . I'll keep you posted.
Oh, this is a fun search, though. You are looking for your new family member! Each one seems to have a lot going for it. I will pray that you find the exact perfect dog that God wants you to have.
Jenn
next week!
Border collie again, though, since they have to work with the sheep. Not sure yet, we have one reserved, it's whether the finances will come good at the right moment!
I see someone above me posted only part of a comment about a border collie. I was going to ask you what you don't like about border collies. I like them. Are they yippers? Well, dear, like Jenn said, you are searching for a member of the family. I hope you find the perfect fit!
Yes, Border Collies are WONDERFUL dogs, smart, and great farm dogs. My only issue with them is that I don't think we have enough to keep them busy and happy here on our little hobby farm - it wouldn't be fair to the dog. That is the reason I ruled out several working farm dogs - they like to have a job to do, and we have stuff, but not that much to keep a super ambitious dog like a border collie happy. Even the karakachan's, I wonder if we would have enough to keep it happy. Same with the Australian Sheepherd/Blue Heeler, if some breeds are not kept busy, they tend to get destructive. It would be different if I had a flock of sheep or goats, but we no longer have our goats. Hey, maybe I should get some just to keep the dog happy. lol
I was wondering how you were doing on your farm dog search... I know you will be lead to your next flock guardian like we were.... Jackson our GP Pup is growing up and is doing great on our property... plus it helps that his parents were working dogs too... thats always a plus when getting a new pup is to make sure the parents are on site and working and the pups have been exposed to the livestock...
Jeannie
Have you check out my blog lately with the chick photos.... its what happens when one is apart of the local Chicken group via the Back yard chickens you go to a poultry function and come back with chicks.... HA HA HA
3. Karakachan (Bulgarian Shepherd Dog). A wonderful LGD (Livestock Guardian Dog); however rare. I was offered an older puppy (8 months old), but the breeder is in Ohio. The few breeders of this dog are mainly out East, mostly Ohio and Virginia, and my DH isn't too keen on me traveling out there just for a dog. Oh, and btw, rare translates into $; the average price of all three of our choices is $1,000/ea. Of course, we are seeking a dog for much less.
. I'll keep you posted. 
Anonymous 
