hoggysreels Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 (edited) Decided to have a stroll out with the dogs yesterday, I get a bit fed up going to the same old place with the dogs especially at weekends. Plus the hassle of other dogs and their owners moaning, so decided to take the 3 of them down the River Dee wetlands. I enjoy having a look at the wildlife etc. We have 2 Newfoundland's and a West Highland White Terrier. The Newfies ran straight out flattening a reed bed and made their way to the mud flats and a channel, immediately going into the water. as they always do !!! ... the Westie struggled to follow but made it to the waters edge, it was far to muddy for me to follow. Anyhow after a while they returned and off we all went walking. I must have walked about 5 minutes or so and was walking over to what looked like a small flock of Teal and I glance round. Behind me was 2 Newfoundland's and that was it. I called the Westie but no sign of her. I made my way back over the floating weed bed and started checking the drainage channels, no sign of her. For 15 minutes i kept checking the channels but thought she must have run off back the way we had set off from and I was just about to walk that way myself when by chance I noticed a small white thing move 50 yards up the channel. I walked over and it was the head of the Westie sticking out the mud !! ... I leant over and hauled her out the mud, i was lucky, how I'd have explained that one to the missus I'd never know Out of interest I wonder if anyone has ever managed to train a Newfoundland to retrieve game ... not that I have any inclination to attempt going so, it more curiosity if its been done. With regards dogs and water I'd be hard pushed to imagine a dog that can handle water better than a Newfoundland can, be it inland waterways or Sea, they can swim like no other dog I have ever seen, though they take at least 24/36 hour to properly dry out in the winter and their coat gather dirt like nothing else I've seen. Apart from nearly loosing the wife love of her life it was a very nice pleasant spent day me thinks, though I've been told by the wife its out of bounds as of yesterday :o Edited March 4, 2012 by hoggysreels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Its a dangerous spot, not only for such a dog but also for you. Newfies are used in the make up of many of our water dogs but they are a little too large to be practical as a gun dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Even away from the Dee you should start to keep the dogs reined in as many ground nesting birds will be starting to be sit soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Even away from the Dee you should start to keep the dogs reined in as many ground nesting birds will be starting to be sit soon. Thats a good point, i always keep away from the nesting fields here at home- the cerlew are back in force now. In fairness any nesting on the Dee marshes will need a heap of luck to surive due to the tidal range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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