Newfoundland, Norfolk Terrier Aim to Be Top Dog at Westminster

AP ^ | Feb.10, 2004

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[ambrose]

Wonder how they kept him from drooling.

[nuconvert]

I wondered that too. But then I saw him slobber a bit. LOL
But I do wonder if they give some of the dogs some kind of anti-drool stuff before the show.

[AnAmericanMother]

Hey, I keep hearing that Doberman's are great family dogs -- is that true? Any thoughts? We're thinking of Doberman, Lab or Chesapeake Bay -- got kids, and are willing to train everyone (dog and family), from puppyhood. Any and all input is appreciated. Our priorities are: 1) child-friendly; 2) watchdog 3) not a headache to groom. Thanks to any respondents!

If you're an experienced dog owner and can choose 'em at 6-8 weeks, get whatever you like. Otherwise, though I would avoid the Dobe.

There are some very knowledgeable Dobe owners on this thread, and a good Dobe is a wonderful dog. But there are some very aggressive and some very neurotic bloodlines out there (some dogs are both). My mechanic had three that were wonderful dogs and gentle as lambs, but the last couple of examples I've seen have been highly nervous and neurotic, and I wouldn't recommend them for kids. One was a washout in the obedience qualifying class for our agility center - he just simply would not obey his owners and kept growling and snapping at the other dogs. (His owners were a couple of granola types, though, and it was clear they weren't in charge. He was still much too nervous to have around kids though.)

One of our neighbors has a Chessie and she's a nice dog, they have two little kids. Don't know much about the breed as a whole.

We have a Lab, and we love her. If you have tiny, tiny babies, a Lab may be too boisterous and rough, especially as a puppy. But they are friendly, tough as leather, and the kids can't wear them out. They are not guard or watch dogs as a breed, but our Lab is very protective of the children and will interpose herself between them and strangers (this may be of course so that she can jump up and lick the stranger's face first!)

[Solson]

They don't. They simply carry little towels with them at all times to wipe em off. Newfies can really throw their drool as Josh did before he started prancing. His handler did carry a little towel with her and wiped him down during the show though...