Taking Maggie to obedience training school once week was a lot of fun for both of us and she really enjoyed being with all the other dogs. She knew exactly where we were going and got so excited each week to go to The Best Behaved Dog Academy.
She caught on quite fast and I was told by one of the instructors that once a Newf learns how to do something they’ll always remember what they’ve learnt and not to make them practice too much or they’ll get bored very quickly and lose focus.
Everyday we’d go across the street to the park and practice what we’d learned.
After class one day one of the instructors Gail Bishop who owned the dog kennels where we trained asked me if I’d like to come and work at the kennels with her and she’d teach me everything she knew and also teach me how to groom.
I started working there the very next day and I have to say it was one of the most full filling jobs I’ve ever had.
All my life I’ve had dogs. When I first met my husband he wasn’t too keen on the idea of getting a dog. We talked about it and decided to wait until our three boys were older. This way we would have the time to care for and be able to focus on training a dog.
For several years I researched different breeds of dogs, their temperaments, longevity, health issues, intelligence, and so forth.
My husband had a Newfoundland dog when he was growing up, and from the pictures and stories I saw and heard of Shauna, this was one of the breeds I paid close attention to.
In this book, there are over 150 different dog breeds. It covers everything thing from why the breed was developed to which breeds are suitable as family pets. Health issues are included and much more.
Newfoundland Dogs – The Reasons We Chose This Breed
Gentle Giant: Both my husband and I like large breeds. Don’t get me wrong I love all dogs big or small, but with a large breed, there’s more to love and cuddle with. The saying “Gentle Giant” is so true when it comes to this breed.
The Newfoundland breed makes a great family pet. They are great with children and are very loyal. Newfies are sociable and get along well with other dogs and cats.
Newfs are an intelligent breed. My two were very easy to train. Once they learn how to do something they never forget.
The average lifespan for a Newfie is 8 – 10 years. I wish this was a lot longer and I have met Newfs that are 15.
They love water and snow so this is perfect as we live close to two very large lakes, and we get a lot of snow in Orillia, Ontario. Mine get excited just like children do when they see the first snowfall each year.
Maggie Magz
Maggie our First Newfoundland
A year before Maggie, our first Newfoundland dog came into our lives, I started my search. I checked with several Humane Society’s on a weekly basis to see if a Newfoundland dog was in need of a home. I contacted several breeders in Ontario, Canada, to see if they were expecting puppies.
I found a breeder that invited me to come out and meet with all of his dogs. He had both the mothers and fathers right there at the kennel. After visiting with all the dogs and speaking with the owners of the kennel it was decided that when a puppy was available to purchase they’d call me.
Late one Sunday evening in September of 2006, the breeder calls to tell me that one of his females delivered a healthy litter of twelve pups on August 22nd. I was ecstatic, to say the least.
After visiting and getting to know my adorable little pup I brought her home in October.
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”
— Josh Billings
Bruce
Next Came Bruce
What’s Better Than One Newf? Two Newfs!
Maggie turned out to be a great dog, easy to train, smart, and a very loving dog. When she was seven months old we decided to get her a buddy, and we brought Bruce home.
Some people say that you should wait until your first dog is at least a year old before bringing another dog into the family, but personally, I’m not sure that I’d agree with this. Everything worked out well for us.
When Maggie saw Bruce she was so excited and happy. Poor Bruce didn’t know what to do so he hid under a chair in the kitchen for the first hour. By bedtime that night they were hanging out and having a great time together.
Items For You and Your Dog
Dog bowls: for water and for feeding. You can always use bowls from your own cupboard but you’ll probably want your new furry family member to have his or her own. If you are bringing home a puppy keep in mind that this puppy will grow and may need larger bowls in a few months.
If you are going to be crate training the dog you should have the crate in the home before bringing the dog home. Keep in mind again that this puppy will grow so be sure to buy the appropriate crate size.
A blanket or a large towel for the dog to sleep on. Later on, you may wish to purchase a dog bed.
Grooming tools such as; a comb, a brush, scissors, nail clippers, and shampoo.
Dogs love toys. If your new furry friend is a puppy he or she will need chew toys.
Waiting for dinner.
Dogs just want to have fun!
These two wonderful dogs were a hoot and more. We miss them every day that goes by. I think shortly we’ll have another Newfoundland dog to share out lives with.
