I feel a bit guilty in asking for this frens, especially given the number of people who have humans in their lives with medical issues, but I'm going to ask anyway. I love my dogs dearly and those two have been a shining light in my life during some tough times the past few years. I have a 5 year old Australian Cattledog and a Landseer Newfoundland.
My 4 year old Newfoundland is experiencing discomfort and pain and three vets haven't been able to figure out why. His condition is deteriorating and we're going to be bringing him to the local university for an MRI soon. The concern is cancer.
He was the most difficult puppy I've ever raised. The first two years he didn't care about my love or approval and was borderline untrainable. Tough to admit for a guy that has trained over 30 dogs for other people as well as 8 of my own over the past 30 years.
Then suddenly at 2 years old, he decided that dad was a pretty okay guy that was not only worth listening to, but maybe worth loving as well. He's been my good boy ever since. 175lbs of furry, drooling love and companionship. He is the craziest, funniest, weirdest dog I've ever had the pleasure of owning and I love him dearly.
I am terribly worried I'm going to lose my boy. If any of you could spare a prayer or two for me tonight, I'd deeply appreciate it.
Prayers for your Newfoundland,fren. I wish you and him all the best.
Just in passing,is your cattle dog a stumpy tail, or is a normal "blue heeler" or "red heeler"?
Just asking as I'm Australian, and the "heelers" are almost an unofficial icon in Australia along with the Kelpies.
They are usually very intelligent and can be quite mischievous and a real handful to keep them amused without chewing everything in sight!
She is a stumpy tail with blue heeler coloring and before I got to your next sentence I figured you must be Australian. No American has any idea what a Stumpy tail cattle dog is. You made my morning with that question :)
She is one of the most clever dogs I've ever had. But she is without a doubt the craziest, most mischievous dog I've ever had. WEIRD sense of humor with that one. She's my "little" buddy (she's 65lbs but compared to the Newf she's little) and goes with me everywhere. My velcro dog. But despite her weird sense of humor and mischievous nature, she's one of the easiest dogs I've ever trained in 30 years. She picked things up so quickly.
She is the boss in her relationship with the Newfoundland. She was a year old when we brought home the tiny ball of fluff that was my newfoundland puppy and so he learned everything from her about being a dog. That's my other concern here with the Newf's health: I've always had pairs of dogs and I've never had a pair that was so inseparable as these two. It's literally a dog marriage and I'm just praying they live good long lives with one another.
The way you describe your "bluey",is completely typical of cattle dogs! They are an excellent dog! They are incredibly intelligent and they can be a challenge because they love to work!
They usually are very good and gentle with kids,but you have to be careful in case your dog nips,most don't. They herd kids and watch over them, very protective.
With the stumpy tails, they aren't that common in Australia. We mainly just have the long tailed ones and more blues than reds.
Best of luck with your Newfoundland and I hope it all goes well for him.
Do you remember the "blue heeler" in Mad Max 2, the Road Warrior?
She is fantastic. I rescued her when she was 6 months old and the bond was instant. Such a unique breed. Absolutely unflappable. And you're not kidding on needing a job. Tasks and training have been a constant for her the past 4 and a half years along with about an hour and a half of daily exercise every day. As long as she gets both, she's good as gold every single day.
I have young nephews and nieces and she constantly herds them lol. So you've answered a question I've always had and that's how common the stumpy tailed variant is in their homeland. I must confess, I wasn't looking for a stumpy tailed heeler at the time, it just worked out that way. The breed is pretty rare here in the states and their psychological makeup and intelligence always appealed to me so she got rescued quick after I met her.
And hell yes I remember that heeler :) Good old "dog".
It sounds like you struck gold with The blue heeler. You have a faithful companion there! I hope it all goes well with the big guy, (the Newfoundland,not Joe Biden)
All the best,fren.