7 Dog Breeds Perfect for Country Living

There are so many gorgeous dog breeds around today that it can be hard for first time owners to choose the right breed to suit their lifestyles. If you are lucky enough to live in a rural environment and want to share your life and home with a canine pal, there are certain breeds that are perfect for country living whereas other breeds would be more suited to living in towns and urban environments.

As a rule of thumb, working dogs enjoy life in the great outdoors even if they have been bred to be family pets because their instinct to work remains very strong. The same can be said of dogs that were originally bred to retrieve game because although they may never "fetch" any game back to their owners, their instinct to do so is still very much in their genes. With this said if a high-energy dog gets lots of daily exercise, they will be happy wherever they live whether it's in town or the country with a lot of emphasis on interactive games.

The Busy Border Collie

Border Collies are fantastic dogs that just love being kept busy both physically and mentally. These iconic canines are still used as working dogs on farms in many countries around the world. Thought to be one of the smartest dogs on the planet, the Border Collie is a great choice as a family pet for people who live in the country and who enjoy the great outdoors. Border Collies love being outside doing things because they adore the idea of working so it's really important to give them things to do!

The Workaholic Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is one of the most hard-working canines around. Their herding abilities are second to none which has seen the breed become one of the most sought after working dogs on the planet. However, this lovely looking canine makes a wonderful family pet for people who enjoy lots of outdoor activities like trekking, going on long hikes and playing interactive games with their canine companions in the great outdoors.

The Fast Moving Field Spaniel

Field Spaniels look very much like the Cocker Spaniel with one real difference being that Field Spaniels are much rarer to come by. The breed is renowned for their sensitivity but they are also super affectionate and nice natured dogs. They are the perfect choice for families with young children who live in rural locations where their pets can enjoy what they like best which is being in the great outdoors, tail in the air and nose to the ground as they flush out real or imaginary birds in the undergrowth.

The Amazing Looking Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Catahoula Leopard dog likes nothing better than being out and about working away at what they do best which is herding livestock. But these marvellous canines don't herd just any livestock because they were bred to herd the most fierce kind which includes wild boars and hogs. However, if you live in the country and adore being in the great outdoors with a dog that will keep you on your toes, the Catahoula Leopard Dog might just fit the bill perfectly!

The Stunning Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

When it comes to having a great routine that lures ducks in an amusing way, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever makes it look easy. Tolling actually means "dancing" which this lovely retriever does on banks and shores to tempt ducks closer and within firing range of their owners. They have an incredible amount of energy, beautiful red coats and being retrievers, they just adore being around water – in fact one of the favourite pass times is swimming which means it can be hard to keep them out of the water!

The Elegant Dalmatian

Bred as carriage dogs, the elegant Dalmatian is one dog breed that adores being in wide open spaces. They have a tremendous amount of energy and therefore get bored rather easily. This means they really do benefit from living in a rural environment with people who adore spending as much of their free time as possible in the great outdoors.

The Busier Than Busy Fox Terrier

If there is one dog breed that just adores doing things and being busy, it's the Fox Terrier. Both Wire Haired or Smooth Haired Fox Terriers love it when they are outdoors busily doing what they do best which is tracking down a rodent or two. Fox Terriers are never happier than when they are digging holes or chasing something or other around the place. If a Fox Terrier gets the whiff of a mouse or any rodent, they will not give up until they catch it. They make wonderful family pets always loyal, loving and faithful.

Conclusion

If you live in the country and are thinking about getting a dog, there are some gorgeous breeds that just love spending as much time as they can in the great outdoors. As long as your garden is secure, there's no reason why they wouldn't be able to run and play around to their heart's content doing what dogs do best which is to follow their noses. However, it's never a good idea to leave a dog outside when you are not at home because they might just escape and get themselves into trouble if someone opens the gate. If you are an outdoor person, choosing the right canine companion to share your home with will make life that much fuller with the added advantage of your dog giving you the perfect excuse to keep fit!