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Messages - romanreign

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1
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Discussions / Re: Mouse's new cart
« on: October 20, 2005, 05:57:29 am »
LOL!  That picture is hilarious!  The cart was made by Michael Starn of Old Dominion BuggyWorks in Bealeton, VA.  He made it for Mouse's 3rd Birthday. 

Weight pull and drafting are similiar in the fact that there is a harness involved.  They are two very different sports. With any sport, injury may occur.   But there is little evidence that proper weight pulling has any negative effects.  In fact, it strengthens muscles that help hold the hips together.  Of course, weight pulling a really young dog could put unneed stress on a growing body.  I wouldn't weight pull a large dogs until at least 18-24 months old depending on physical condition. 

Drafting on the other hand puts very little stress on the body.  A properly balanced 2 wheel cart only has 1 lb of downward pressure on the shafts. 


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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Discussions / Re: Mouse's new cart
« on: October 17, 2005, 09:55:48 pm »
That cart holds at least 300lbs no problem.  I haven't ridden in it yet. 

I'm pretty sure Mouse can pull quite a bit.  His first season of weight pull, he pulled 2642 lbs.

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Discussions / Mouse's new cart
« on: October 17, 2005, 07:57:14 am »
Its been a long while since we posted.  But Mouse just has to show off his new cart he got for his Birthday. 

It was built by Michael Starn (Old Dominion Buggy Works), and we LOVE it!  We just finished the long-haul at drafting.  Anyone wanna go for a ride?

Jennie
Int/Am. CH Dixielands Blazing Maximus, CGC, NWPD, HIT, SS, SWET, WETT, HIC, WETX, WTXX
Taywil Brilliant Roman Basilia
Lowport Safari Holly
Roman Reign Working Dog and Equipment www.rrgsmd.com

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Rottweiler Discussions / Re: Squirt bottles for training.
« on: May 04, 2005, 04:10:38 pm »
you can try adding a little white vinegar to the water.  Smell awful, works great!

5
My Swissy is a Newfie wanna be.   ;D

Here he is doing a dropped retrieve and picking up some "drowning victims" at last year's OWNC water test.

Jennie

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Newfoundland Pictures / Re: CARTING PICTURES ANYONE?
« on: April 28, 2005, 10:06:39 am »
Just a few pics. 

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Big Dogs with Jobs / Re: Does anyone cart with their dog?
« on: April 27, 2005, 11:42:48 pm »
Hi,

I do drafting (and backpacking) with my dog.  I'm working on being a draft judge, and I have a hobby business building carts and selling harnesses.  Over the last few months, I've put together some draft clinics and practices. 

Its very rewarding and practical, but not something a dog will learn in a week.  Contact me privately if you'd like some hard copies of handouts.  Or visit www.rrgsmd.com.

Jennie

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Big Dogs with Jobs / Big Dog Drafting Picture
« on: April 14, 2005, 04:44:32 pm »
Here's a picture from this past weekend's drafting clinic in TX.  From Left to Right - Hermes, Breanna, Mouse, and Kailia.

This was taken after the frieght haul.  We'll have another one April 24th.

Jennie

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I've noticed other breeds do it too, particularly in play.  It sounds like growling to people who aren't used to it, but its not.  I refer to it as talking.  It seems to come more from the mouth than the throat, and looks like the dog is actually talking.  I had a foster golden who would do it when he was happy or if you do the ear rub. 

Its noticably different from a regular throaty warning growl. 

10
Newfoundland Discussions / Re: Personality Plus
« on: April 12, 2005, 10:29:47 pm »
Do you have the Judi Adler book called Water Work Water Play?  Its a Newfie Water Rescue Training manual. 

There's an article in there called "Control: how to get it."  It talks about exactly what you're describing.  I highly advise you to read it before the behavior snowballs.  A dog growling at a human to get what it wants shouldn't be tolerated. 

Jennie

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Newfoundland Discussions / Re: Tell me about Newfoundlands
« on: April 12, 2005, 10:21:55 pm »
" If it is to be a pet only then going to a good breeder should be enough you don't "need" health certs but a good responsible breed is a MUST."

I actually disagree with this statement.  If you plan on paying 1700-2000 for a dog, you should get the best you can - meaning health certs on the parents at the very very least.  There is no reason why you should expect that pet quality Newfies should be less healthy.  The only difference between pet quality and show quality is conformation.  They should be equally healthy and have stable temperaments.  A GOOD breeder is one who is RESPONSIBLE. 

Keep in mind that even though you do have health certs on the sire and dam, health problems will crop up anyways.  They only lessen the chance that your puppy will have health problems, not a guarantee.  They aren't that expensive.  We got hips, elbows, shoulders, patellas, cardiac, thyriod, and cerf done for $500.  Plus teeth cleaning and laser cut nails.  $500 is substaintually less than what you'll be paying for hip replacement, elbow surgery ,or lifetime medication. 

I know plenty of show quality Newfs with health problems.  I would also disagree that Newfies are sensitive.  Most of them have hardy temperaments, meaning they don't crack under pressure. 

Jennie

12
Saint Bernard Pictures / Re: My Boy Wilbur
« on: April 07, 2005, 08:51:32 am »
For bowing at the pasterns, try cutting back on food and supplements.  No extra calcuim and try taking some weight off.  It is usually due to one of the forearm bones growing too fast, and I don't have my book at home so I can't quote you which one.

I've heard some recommend vit C for it. 

Jennie

13
Great Pyrenees Discussions / Re: just bragging about my Pyr
« on: April 07, 2005, 07:52:12 am »
If you want to show your dog, put away a small fortune.  Entry fees are in the neighborhood of $15-$20 per day.  That's not including gas, hotel, and meals.  I've known people who spend $800 per weekend win or lose trying to show a single dog.  Don't intend on having any free weekends.  

Since you have a white long haired breed, you'll spend at least $500 on grooming supplies, grooming table, hair dryer, and shears.  You'll have to spend a great deal of time grooming between shows as well to keep up the coat.  

If you're serious about getting into dog shows, have someone from your local kennel club or breed club evaluate your dog's conformation potential.  If you decide that you'd like to invest the time and money into dog shows, you must go to training.  On TV, showing dogs look so easy and straightforwar d.  However, the ones that do wind up on TV, have had hours and hours of training for them to accentuate their best features.  The people who handle those dogs have had years of experience and can show with style and finesse.  

I wouldn't call dog showing a business perse.  I doubt there's more than a handful of people who even recoup a portion of the money put into dog showing.  I look at it as a very expensive hobby.  

There's no need to buy tapes and books to learn how to train.  There are plenty of sources online.  Hope that helps.  

Jennie

14
You can join the regional Newfie club for help.  You should also be fairly close to the New England Drafting and Driving Club.  People there should be able to help you get started.  If you haven't been to a draft trial, the Bernese Mountain Dog Speciality (Second weekend of MAy) will be having one.  It will be held in Gettysburg, PA. 

Good luck!

Jennie

15
Hi,

Any big dogs here doing drafting / carting?  I'm having a practice for some folks.  It will be this coming Sunday April 10th in Central TX.  The location is 1.5 hours north of Houston, 1.5 from Waco, 1.5 from Austin, and 2.5 from Dallas.  

All breeds welcome. 

Let me know if you're interested.

Jennie


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