Even if you’re not a dog expert, you probably know enough to laugh at the breed of my resident barn dog.

Chow Chows are not exactly cooperative, and while they are bred as territorial guard dogs, their cat-like laziness makes them, at best, capriciously protective of their owner. These little balls of fur are, however, pretty damn cute. My three-year-old, Winnie, embodies all of these traits – or at least she did as a puppy, with the occasional tendency to regress. But growing up around horses on an unfenced property shaped her more than any innate breed characteristics. Having owned pretty much all the conventional breeds, I can safely say she’s now more or less exactly what you look for in a farm dog.

Chows are effectively oversized cats with an aggressive streak

Chows are effectively oversized cats with an aggressive streak

The prerequisite for any good farm dog is loyal attachment to both the family and the animals. They should stay by your side and prefer your company, and react kindly to any person or animal you show familiarity........

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