[Dailydrool] Breed Differences

[Marie Campbell]

Beverly,
    I am sorry I missed the post about your new puppy.  What kind of puppy is Doc?  Nothing I have would have left that poor creature alone.  Newfs and Saints also like to catch and kill things.  I bred, showed, and rescued Newfs for over 15 years and I constantly had to warn future owners that a Newf will respect your cat in doors but out doors it is fair game.  Many people foolishly put the house kitty out doors to play with the their Newfy and lived to regret it.  
    I got a black male in rescue after a father called me frantically telling me, "to get this killer out of my house!"
    He had put the house cat outside to play with his two year old Newf boy while the Newf was playing with his human 3 year old boy.  The cat gave chase, the Newf caught him and tossed him in the air and caught him again.  The Newf broke the cat's neck in front of the toddler.  I gently explained that Newfs have a healthy prey drive and that it was and is common for them to catch rodents, fish, and birds to feed themselves.  On the island of Newfoundland, Newfs usually were free ranging it when they weren't working on the boats with the fishermen.  The breeder I got all my original Newfs from explained to me that up until the 80's seeing Newfs kill ducks and fish while roaming the island was very common and she was born and raised in Newfoundland.
    Dogs will be dogs and we can never truly expect them to completely give up their natural instincts.  Hunting dogs for sure would be naturally prey driven and dogs have saved human lives and probably civilization hunting for us.  
    My Newfs have caught and killed rats, birds, and cats--sadly.  We have barn cats here which are usually quite savvy but once in a great while one decides to explore the chainlinked backyard and if I don't know they are back there the consequences can be dire.  My Saints have caught allot of birds--that giant dogs can do this astounds me.  My bassets so far have been loud observers but not caught anything but I never rule the possibility out.
    Dogs are so many good things but we must always remember and respect them as a naturally inclined creature with limitations.
    Marie Campbell and the Basset Crew
    Many, Many thanks to those of you that took the time to view my Mother's memorial and who kindly sent both of us cards, good wishes, and prayers.  I know the list has experienced a great deal of loss lately and I pray for all of those who grieve.  I am learning the hard way that their is no short cut to grief.  I am often overwhelmed with loss and don't know what to do or what to pray for. My dogs have given me comfort beyond measure and often kept me getting up in the morning and moving forward.
    My Basset hounds have a weird habit of howling if I start to cry which can be comforting and annoying.  My Newf, Gideon, barks if I start crying.  Why I don't know.  It seems the sadness is tough on everyone--anger they ignore, happiness gets them all excited, but sadness coming from me discombobulates them.


Man Plans ~ God Laughs