What is the "Jack of All Trades"?

RD

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#89
Ditto again. I love that my breed is a specialist in one area, but still has the potential to be great at virtually anything.
 

ACooper

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#90
I would say a border collie too.

Phoebe is a smooth coat mix, and I know for a fact that she CAN and WILL protect if she feels it's necessary. She is COMPETELY trustworthy on or off lead, always eager to please, and LOVES to help out ANYWHERE she can. And as to the herding, pulling, tracking, retrieving, and agility..........come on, LOL I don't even have to say it ;)

I KNOW the weather restrictions on Orson, he shivers like a Chi when it gets below 68 degrees in the house, and when it's too hot outside, he comes in and sprawls on the ceramic tile in the kitchen :D THAT restriction alone, I feel, would make him not as versatile as a border collie.

(I did NOT pick my favorite breed.......I would have tried to make a doberman or great dane fit the slot if that was the case :))
 

Red_ACD_for_me

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#93
I would have to say with kids the Cattle Dog and Malinois, if no kids GSD.
If you raise up all from a pup, the GSD doesn't take to strange kids while at a group function, GSD separate who they know from who they don't.
I've noticed with the Cattle Dog and Malinois they except strangers and include them in the bunch.
This is what I searched for so long.... in every breed for kids, now I know.

Just my opinion of course. Good Luck.
As the owner of an ACD I have to strongly disagree on your theory of ACD's and Malinois with kids. I know you said it is "your opinion" but as someone who grew up with GSD's since the age of 2, I can say that they are a better choice over an ACD especially with children. It even states in all my ACD books that they are a question mark on there temperament with children. Luckily Caiza is wonderful with my daughter but I never let strange children approach him because of the way he is with strange adults especially in front of my home. My ACD is a better protector than any of the GSD's I have ever owned. I have met tons of GSD's with fabulous temperaments and wonderful companions with children. Personally, I would let my daughter approach a GSD before I would let her approach a strange ACD or malinois. (Not really would I ever let my daughter approach ANY strange dog but it is just an example ;) ) Anyways, I strongly agree that any dog can be great with kids as long as they are raised together and raised right :)
 

Laurelin

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#94
German Shepherd hands down, at least in my opinion. They're very versatile dogs.

(Just a note, I didn't pick my breed either, but yes, it's a breed I've owned before, so I guess that's just as bad, LOL)
 

MelissaCato

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#95
As far as the only accepting people they know, that isn't 100% true. What they are good at is determining who is a threat and who isn't.
This is where I come up with the idea they arn not good with kids. Actually it's exactly why. I'll tell you
Some kids at play or in a hyped up mood can pose a threat to an already hyped-up group already watched by the dog. The dog GSD see's this as a threat and possible fight or flight. GSD don't flight.
Cattle dogs just think runaway kids from the group and circle them around to join the group. Maybe a nip on the heel if too excited at most.
My Malinois pup is the exact same way, but at this point still I don't know if Sara is rubbing off on her or the Mal in her. I'll let you know when I figure it out. :popcorn:
 

daaqa

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#96
I believe that a dog with a strong work instinct and bond to its owner can be taught to do anything.
sorry for the delay in response, i have been away.

i agree that an individual dog with good instincts can be trained to be a jack-of-all trades. that is why my post said "i think there are a lot of individual dogs that could be trained for everything." i just thought the original question was to find a breed that is naturally [or, rather, bred to be] the most multi-faceted.
 

Jynx

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#99
well having German Shepherds and Aussies, I'd have to say my GSD's would fit the OP's criteria much more than my aussies.

for me , my versatile jack of all trades are my GSD's.

But I also think there are alot of individual dogs not as an entire breed, that could be called jack of all trades.

I think Mals & Tervs would probably be my 2nd, 3rd choices..

Aussies, ahhh well, they tend to have their own agenda's and if it benefits them, they are all for it *vbg*

diane
 

DanL

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This is where I come up with the idea they arn not good with kids. Actually it's exactly why. I'll tell you
Some kids at play or in a hyped up mood can pose a threat to an already hyped-up group already watched by the dog. The dog GSD see's this as a threat and possible fight or flight. GSD don't flight.
Cattle dogs just think runaway kids from the group and circle them around to join the group. Maybe a nip on the heel if too excited at most.
My Malinois pup is the exact same way, but at this point still I don't know if Sara is rubbing off on her or the Mal in her. I'll let you know when I figure it out. :popcorn:
I wasn't speaking about kids, more about adults. From what I've seen with my GSD, he accepts all kids. I have 9 nieces and nephews, who he might see 1-2 times a year, not like he's around them all the time, and he freely accepts them and lets them hang all over him the way kids do. They are not a quiet bunch of kids either! I have seen him "herding" them too. He's also very accepting to kids we see when we go to the park, on walks, and other public places. Adults are ok as long as I "approve" of them. Strangers can come into my house as long as I let them in. I'm not sure what would happen if a friend who he didn't know just walked in unannounced. Of course the early warning system of Bruzer and Daisy would at least alert me that someone had come in. We have some friends who when they come down might let themselves into the back yard if they know we are doing a BBQ, but if we're inside, they are alone out there, and I've commented to them that it might not be a good idea. Better safe than sorry.
 

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