for you dog owners.

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great responses, I have looked at boxers in the past, but didn't know how well theyd do with my cats. I guess its all in how you raise the puppy though. One of my good friends has a huge pittbull that is the most gentle thing ever around cats. I think I have narrowed it down to either a lab,golden,German shorthair, or possibly even a boxer if I can find one in my area. I dont see many at all around here.

Well if you get a good herder they can help you in this manner:

its a tough life.

Seriously though...I got a black lab, the BEST dog I ever had was a Black lab German shepherd mix. She had the lab temperament, coat, and swimming ability, a shepherd shape and train ability and while she was extremely friendly, if ANYONE messed with any member of the family she would make them regret it. great House dog,  greta camping dog

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Daviscw,

The first Blue Heeler I ever met was my Grandpa's dog. He was a working dog on a dairy farm, and did a great job of herding the cows up to the barn twice a day. Our dog even at five years of age still has a lot of energy that she burns off. A daily walk in the morning is usually followed play time in the back yard with either a frisbee or soccer ball. Even though on a really cold winter day, she can become a A-1 couch critter.

And you are correct about the shepherds being more aggressive in their herding. When they first crossed the wild Dingo's with the Shepherds, they would herd everything. It was the reason that the second cross breeding that they went through was with a Dalmatian, hence the spotted coats, and the calmer demeanor.

The guy who had a farm next to ours had a blue heeler. That dog would wonder over all the time.Everytime you turned your back on that dog he would nip the back of your leg. I did not like that dog very much. Then one day I got to see the dog work. The cattle had busted through the fence. The guy showed up with the dog said whatever the command was and in less than a minute the dog had rounded up 15 head and run them back through the hole in the fence. Very impressive!

Second and coolest thing I have seen out of these dogs. My Dads best friend is a brick mason and he has one. He has for years told us storys of how the dog hated snakes! The dog fights and kills everyone he finds. He said if he can not find the dog he never worries he knows he is after a snake somewhere. Anyway, one day we are down at his house and the dern dog was grabbing and pulling out 2x8x12 boards he had pilled up he used for scaffolding. I asked him what the hell the dog was doing? He just as calm as could be said he smells a snake in there. about 45 minutes later the dog unpiled the scaffolding and killed a 3ft copper head. The dog once got bit by a copper head he guessed. He said the dog was laid up for 3 days and was fine. Any dog that kills snakes is A OK in my book!