I Need Feedback on Newfoundlands and Fences

[Irishgrrrl]

NewEnglandLady, I didn't realize Newfs would do that much exercise! Guess I've known lazy ones (more likely lazy owners). You said you focus on more energetic lines, which makes a difference. I'll bet yours live longer with such a healthy schedule.

I am trying to imagine life with dogs that don't turn into Godzilla at the sight of prey, yowza! What a dream. Siberians have a very strong prey drive -- when they get old, like my 13-yr-old male, they don't bother with deer, etc., but even that old rickety boy can pull my shoulder halfway out of the socket if a squirrel gets close enough to tempt him. And speaking of exercise, it's impossible to give them too much -- even enough, if you don't sled, is a challenge. Neat that your dog likes them -- one of mine adores Corgis for the same reason, used to play w/ 2 neighbor ones when he was a pup. He'd run & knock 'em over like bowling pins; they got up & came back happily for more.

We have one-acre zoning in this town too, but unfortunately our house is on the border of 2 other towns without that requirement. We have a lot of woods around us -- mainly because sewers are not installed so far & much land doesn't perc for septic so hasn't yet been developed; when that happens, I'm outta here in a heartbeat. Anyway, this summer a fox zoomed through our yard one morning, on the attack at the twin fawns born here. They were only 8 wks old; Mom came to feed & check on them 2 or 3 times a day, then left, knowing they were safe inside our fencing. Not. I scared the fox away before he made breakfast of the babies & we left the gates open so Mom took the fawns out with her to a safer place. Fish in a barrel, to my regret. We had empty nest syndrome for a week -- usually they stay till they're big enough to jump the fence, about 3 months. The fox, though, was absolutely gorgeous!

--- Laurie

Laurie, you sound just like my Mom! She and my Stepdad live on several wooded acres on a mountain. Every day, she puts cracked corn out for the deer. They are "her deer" and she is the "Crazy Deer Lady"! LOL! They have literally followed her around the yard before, as she's putting the cracked corn down for them. And if she's late with the cracked corn? Look out!!! They're just wonderful animals, aren't they? I get so excited to see the new fawns every spring!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Oh yes, I've known several couch potato newfs, but it's hard for them not to put on weight as they get older which obviously leads to joint issues. Newf owners are understandably worried about joints as it is!

Byron is 6 now and not nearly as energetic as he used to be (he had eye issues his year, resulting in several surgeries and I think it's taken a lot out of him). He is landseer-recessive, so a bit finer-boned than the massive black newfs. His breeder is on the board of directors within our regional newf club, so I see her a few times a year at least. Byron's Dad is 9 and still makes his morning rounds around the property. We never showed Byron as his head never grew in quite the way we'd hoped and his eyes were so tight that he'd never get his championship. We did train him in water rescue, though, and still swims nearly every day. I'm still amazed at his stamina--I think that's why I love he working group so much. They will do whatever it takes to get a job done.

Bo is a landseer and I fell in love with Bo's dad (also a landseer) at a show a couple of years ago. His mom was imported from France and both are very active dogs. I did show Bo, though never as an adult because his eyes are too loose (I just can't win in the eye department). Bo is an extremely strong swimmer, so we've started water rescue training with him as well. He can retrieve for hours in he waves and he's unphased--he just doesn't wear out in the water. His breeder is the president of a neighboring newf club, so I don't get to see her as much, but do email her often and I adore her--she was such a great resource when we made the switch to raw as she'd been feeding raw since the 80's.

Our next will be a heavy-boned black with no landseer lines, haha.

And yes, Siberian Huskies have endless energy. The owner of he Husky I spoke about earlier was really overwhelmed when she first adopted her Husky. In fact we met just 2 weeks after she brought him home (the Husky was 2). After a few days of seeing her every day, she broke down and started crying saying that she couldn't keep up with his energy and didn't know what she'd gotten herself into. She went to the dog park every single day for the next several years. Now the Husky is 7 and is still active, but not at all like he used to be. We laugh about those days where we'd cry because we were new dog owners who were overwhelmed!

 

[JewelFreak]

Just have to answer you, NewEnglandLady. That's the cutest picture of you two crying over keeping up with young working breeds! Boy, can I relate! I knew what to expect when I got my first Siberian, had researched the breed thoroughly & still wanted one, which amazed her breeders. But I was struck by lightning one day when I saw a bunch of them lining up for the ring & I've never been the same since. The real experience, however, is a different cat from reading about it -- as you can testify. I have a 7-yr-old spayed bitch now who absolutely bounces off walls when she doesn't get enough exercise -- and often, even when she does.

Agree with you about working breeds -- that's what I love about them too. Such stamina, determination & intelligence. Gets the job done but frequently doesn't make for easy pets. You have to know what you're in for when you get one, or you're in for trouble. I admire the ethics of working dogs.

--- Laurie

 

[fleur-de-lis]

AGBF, my heart broke for you when I read about Cookie a few years ago.

 

[AGBF]

AGBF, my heart broke for you when I read about Cookie a few years ago.

fleur-de-lis-

You are very, very kind to say so. Sometimes someone's kindness...seeming to come out of nowhere...is just breathtaking. Thank you very much.

Love,
Deb