When I envision what the perfect dog would be like for SHTF, the following traits come to mind.
- Medium size, preferably between 75 to 100 lbs.
- Doesn’t eat a lot, say 1 cup of food per day.
- Doesn’t poop a lot, maybe once a day and always in the corner of the yard.
- Super intelligent, easily trainable and very perceptive.
- Loving, cuddle monster who is very family friendly.
- Raging beast who will destroy any and all intruders or warn suspicious persons with a low grow or showing of teeth.
- Doesn’t bark except when necessary, doesn’t shed. doesn’t require maintenance, and can thrive indoors or outdoors.
While all of the following might describe (in my mind) the perfect dog, I’m not sure if one like that exists. Larger dogs eat more, poop more, and often shed more. If you have a cuddle bug of a dog, it most likely won’t be a fierce protector of the household (by that I mean capable of more that just barking). There are a few other considerations, the perfect dog for post SHTF might require lots of expensive training and be sort of a pain to take care of during normal times…is it worth it? Additionally those with different living arrangements might require different types of dogs. Someone who lives on a farm probably has no use for a small dog (unless it’s a terrier who kills rats), while someone who lives in a condo might not want a 100lb German Shepherd that requires lots of activity and sheds piles of hair each day.
So what’s the answer? I guess it’s all based on personal need, but here are a few traits I consider worthwhile for a dog pre and post SHTF.
Must be intelligent/ trainable. If you have a dog that looks at you with a blank stare and only knows how to eat, poop, sleep…chances are it won’t be of much use if things get bad. It will still require food but will serve no actual purpose, unless it knows how to bark at strangers.
Must be able to withstand harsh conditions. That lap dog which fits in a purse might not be able to withstand extreme temps, or conditions which require lots of activity outdoors. While the 8lb yelper might be good for identifying strangers on the sidewalk, it might not survive the first 10 miles in a bugout scenario.
Must be very “one family” oriented. The dog must know your family and be completely committed to your family. As an example, I have a dog which loves our family but will willingly show love and affection to just about any stranger. Another dog I have, my GSD, will absolutely be very wary of any stranger and not let him/her approach.
Must have the traits of a “protector.” Notice I didn’t say that the dog must be a German Shepherd, or Rotty, or Dobie. I believe almost any decent size dog is capable of being a protector given the right circumstances, even that lovable lab which drools all over your arm while trying to get you to toss the tennis ball.
Must be able to work. Carry supplies, pull a wagon, pull security while you are sleeping….the dog must be able to do something if T-SHTF, otherwise it just takes up space and eats food. Would you accept a new person into the community who just sat around and ate food, slept and took dumps in the yard? Of course not and a dog is really no different once things get crazy.
Here’s the deal, I’m not expert on dogs so all I can do is offer my opinion based on what I have experienced in my life. I’ve owned labs, terriers, *cough* lap dogs and most recently an awesome German Shepherd. I do believe that in a post SHTF world dogs will serve a vital purpose and will help to keep people alive. Not all dogs will make the cut, but those that do will certainly be worth their weight in kibble once things go sideways.
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I think you’re being too restrictive in choosing the perfect SHTF dog. I live with 9 currently, and with a separate pack of 6 while in Maine last year (I rescue–it’s ridiculous but that’s another story). Even the little tiny guys serve as good watch dogs while the big Rotties and Newfie’s are protective and can be very scary. The only dog I think is truly useless is the Retreiver. Labs, Goldens, doesn’t matter. In my experience all they want is their ball. I could be robbed and mugged in my own house and the Retrievers I’ve known would just stand there and bark for someone to please throw their ball. Conversely, have you ever heard of Catahoula Hounds? They were bred as hog killers in Louisiana. I had one–another rescue– when I lived out West. Let me tell you, I can’t say enough good about them. Mine was a female. She was a light eater, very protective, very cuddly, and she was always on the alert, watching each new guest carefully but not biting them. If I ever do get to choose my future dogs, I’m going for the Catahoula types. Lightweight, fearless hound dogs. Yeah baby.
Author
Millison,
I have to concur on many of your points. I guess that’s why I titled the post “thoughts” instead of “expert opinion.” I will agree that little guys serve as great watch dogs, yet I wonder as to their ability to withstand harsh conditions should that environment present itself. I think back to my time overseas in various places with austere environments, most dogs which thrived were of the mutt variety…but they were hearty dogs which scavenged and thrived. Not sure how a lap dog would fare in that type of scenario.
Good call on the Catahoula Hound though, this video is a good one…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXeynxHHFng
Like you said , depends on the breed and its upbringing how well it will do in bad conditions . Too bad you cant have a Cat the size of a german shepherd , they are naturally more adept at changing conditions …….natural survivors . Even the most pampered housecat will start hunting the moment it gets outside . Note to self ………………Find Bobcat breeder 🙂
The best dog to survive in forested environment is one of hunting Laika breeds of Russia. I have experience with some of them. This is a medium size dog, can live outside a year around, does not need veterinary check ups, eats little and it starts hunting naturally without any teaching. Just turn your Laika loose, take your rifle and go hunting. This is a naturally treeing dog: squirrel, raccoon, opossum, wild turkey, ruffed grouse. Meat for the table and fur for clothing. This is aboriginal type dog of natives of Siberian wilderness. Similar dogs Indians had before settlers wiped them out. Laika will bay moose in winter – a mount of quality meat without long chasing. The dog will find a moose for you within hearing distance. Come up and shoot.
Author
Vladimir,
thanks for the suggestion on the Laika, I’ve never heard of this specific breed.
A dog of ANY size will give you something the Trogs hate ! most attackers are cowardly , including the KGB ( ” Law Enforcement ) and depend on the element of surprise as a weapon . A dog negates that , giving you critical seconds or minutes to arm up and get in a defensive position . I dont like dogs myself , but would make sure I had at least one SHTF . They are well worth the investment in preps for their care .
For a working /protection dog, the GSD really can’t be beat. I have two. They are nice family pets, always want their belly rubbed and frisbee thrown, always want to be with us.
Always watching and listening.
I had wondered if they had the “guts” to bite a human, and 1 week later, we had two “intruders” walk into our garage at night and knock on the door. Wifey opened door thinking it was me done with working in backyard… The big dog walked calmly up to the biggest guy and bite him twice and then backed off with large barking.
Author
GSD’s are always watching and listening, that’s for certain. Even if they aren’t trained in protection, I’d hate to be the guy to challenge a fully grown GSD in the middle of the night.
I wanted to add more. Laika will bark at a stranger approaching on foot, on horseback or in a vehicle. You will bealways warned about proximity of dangerous predator.
If you live in desert or prairie plains, another breed of primitive culture people will help. This is Saluki, Tazy (or Tazi) from deserts of Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries. With this dog you can hunt without gun. Saluki will be catching jack rabbits for you. Saluki eats little, very healthy and highly tolerant to hot climate with little of water. You do not teach your Saluki how to hunt, the dog does it 100% naturally. It will bark at strangers. Unlike Greyhound, Saluki is a “smart runner”, does not overheat and does not get injured running on ragged terrain. Saluki is using nose to find game. If you have jack rabbits in your area, you can try one; I have good male pups now to offer.
Do you still have saluki pups for sale?Where are you located? Text Doug 505-220-9456
This is ridiculous
If you knew anything about animals, you wouldn’t have a “list of requirements”
You don’t deserve any dog with that attitude
You should be so lucky to have one
Author
Jen
Care to elaborate? I would think that most dog owners have a list of requirements for their pets which enable them to perform a specific mission, be it family/working/guard/assistance etc. Nobody in the history of mankind has needed a sled dog for work in Alaska and said “no problem, I don’t discriminate…that Pomeranian will work out just fine.”
BTW, I have 3 dogs…
my 8 lb chiwawa was my best sound off dog when something was amiss. She kept the great dane and lab in line. Atitude. I am not a small dog person. One of my kids brought home and then moved out. I finally placed her and now she is a hospice dog and loving every moment of it. My 15 yr old cat woke me up one night @ 1:15am, kept pestering me. I got up half annoyed, went down stairs to get a drink and found one of my gas burners on the stove had be left on. I have no doubt any of my dogs would protect me. They can sense your fear and will act accordingly. Even if it is just enough of a distraction to give me time to grab a weapon, I’ll take it.
Susie
there are many but a few come to mind for me. Australian Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Belgian Shepherd. Great topic!
this is a topic i think alot about. ive worked with security dogs, rescues, boarding everywhere i can to be with canines. up until falling seriously ill last year i owned a pack of 15 from the smallest teacup rescue to the biggest bear Caucasian shep. i now however only own 2 twin cavalier girls and for late summer im looking to invest in a new dog for home security and personal protection when im out training or on the yard. im looking with great interest at a doberman but my last P.P dog was a bull terrier who lived 18 years. so im torn as to which breed and why ? as much as i love the idea again of a massive Caucasian shep i frankly dont think they are a good option due to their massive size i couldnt move them easily if injured, cost alot to feed, cant live well on the road or on half rations as they require alot of good quality feeds to support their frame & joints. prove to hip issues, back issues, bloat and much more a 100-150kg would be a hard dog to carry, lift, move etc and require alot more space in a bug out vehicle or home. also due to owning horses, goats, hens, rabbits etc i need a well balanced breed to be around them safely & to be easily trained. my bull terrier was the perfect dog. strong, driven, sweet yet scary. well trained and we when everywhere together he will be hard to compare to another dog. it needs to be a breed who can keep up with my energy levels hiking, camping etc and is happy to adapt to both home & road life. so far im stuck with which to bring home but im down to a few bull terrier, pit bull, aussie heeler, doberman & collie. i love GSD but so many of them are RUINED in the body and the mind these days
I currently have 13 dogs in my home, one of mine had 8 puppies. She is a blue heeler/ old English sheepdog mix. Great dog, very smart, protective of her “herd” and home, and hates strangers or anything out of place, she also knows when someone is around who doesn’t belong or when a sound outside is normal or not. I also have 2 full blood dachshunds, one is old and partially blind and deaf, the other is still vibrant and though they are small, they can make good hunters. I have a dachshund/ beagle mix, another good hunter and my baby is a chow/Chihuahua mix. She is very protective of me and will not hesitate to attack to protect me, she is very smart and absolutely hates people other than her family. We might have a lot of animals to bug out with if we have to but they will all play a role in our survival.
Interesting article, but what about cats? My cat get tactical training every day. Check out the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUTJIYkJ2tw
Malmutes are very good. But they are extremely expensive.
They guard there owners. They make little noise, other then a bit of talking. They are strong. They have straight up ears. So they can show you when they are content, this reducing stress if pet. They could also hunt, but I would recommend having a hound, maybe a bit bigger then usual.
There are two types of ‘Bear’ dogs, the large 150+ pound hound-from-hell that makes a bear piss itself and the ‘lap’ dog, noisy but small enough to throw at a bear so you can run off while the bear has a snack! I have more dogs than is ‘legally allowed’ no matter if I can afford them or not! Why is the number of dogs regulated when appearantly this is no limit to the number of people that can live in a trailer at one time? I personally think a small mixed pack is the best option so the different traits can provide a wider range of uses; that and I love dogs! If forced to ‘bug-out’ with only one dog than my male husky it is; only 40 .lbs, fierce, energetic, alert, doesn’t bark and the world’s best foot warmer!
I’m in the same position as you, Roger (with regard to the legal limit). One of my “little dogs” is a female husky about 50 lbs). Great dogs, though I prefer a Malamute due to the larger size and ability to pull/carry a pack or my GSD because of her tendency to be incredibly protective..
Except for the shedding, your article described my Rottweiler, Bambi, to a T!
http://shadesofthomaspaine.blogexec.com/index.php/easyblog/entry/5-best-dogs-for-the-apocalypse
I was involved in dog rescue way before I became aware of the need to prep. As such, I currently live with 10 dogs, with the smallest weighing in at about 55 lbs. Most recent additions were a litter of pups that we “inherited” when a purebred German Shepherd that we’d rescued the week before had pups. Turns out that daddy-dog was a papered 200+ lb English Mastiff. Tried, but couldn’t find suitable homes for the puppies and the GSD had a bite history and we decided not to rehome her. So the “pack” is now about 18 months old, momma is right at 100 lbs and the five pups weigh between 110 lbs. and 135+ lbs. All are Incredibly protective and perimeter aware. Basic commands, most in sign. When told to watch, they bark if someone unknown come close to the yard. But they’re also trained to use “silent mode” – using only ears, eyes, nose but no barking. When they bring down squirrels, birds, etc or are given something by non-family member, most (not all) of them will bring it to me to “trade”. They give it to me and get a treat in exchange. We’re working on training them to carry packs and have recently started training them to pull a gutted small van (think metal covered wagon, kind of). Though they eat more than I’m comfortable with, I figure they can always be fed trespassers 😉
70 lb. male Airedale fits the criteria.