| BICHON FRISE
Bichons Frisés are bright, intelligent dogs with a cheerful and lively personality. They are very sociable and love to be around people, and are good with other pets and children. Although easily trained and obedient with the right training, like many small dogs they can be difficult to housebreak. They love to be active and should be walked daily. Bichons Frisés often appear on lists of dogs that do not shed, but this is misleading. The grooming required to maintain the Bichon's coat helps remove loose hair, and the curl in the coat helps prevent dead hair and dander from escaping into the environment, as with the poodle’s coat. The frequent trimming, brushing, and bathing required to keep the Bichon looking its best removes hair and dander and controls the other potent allergen, saliva. Bichons Frisés are considered suitable for people with allergies, as they are bred to be hypoallergenic. However, it is important to note that, human sensitivity to dog fur, dander, and saliva varies considerably. Although hair, dander, and saliva can be minimized, they are still present and can stick to clothes and the carpets and furnishings in your home; inhaling the allergens, or being licked by the dog, can trigger a reaction in a sensitive person.
COCKAPOO
Cockapoos have become popular because they generally combine the outgoing, loving personality of the cocker spaniel with the low-shedding, low-dander qualities of the poodle. Cockapoos are known for their intelligent, affectionate personalities and playful activity. They also have the low-shedding and low-dander qualities of the poodle, making them the ideal pet for any home. This breed is eager to please, vigorous, and friendly, making these dogs a popular choice as a companion. The Cockapoo has an easygoing personality and generally gets along well with children and other animals. Cockapoos are generally very healthy and robust medium-sized dogs. Their lifespan is generally from 14 to 18 years. Cockapoos also vary in color. They may be:
The coat of the Cockapoo will vary from dog to dog. Some will have the sleeker coat of the spaniel, while others may have a curlier coat like a Poodle. For many Cockapoos, their hair will be a mixture somewhere between the two. Cockapoo size and weight are a function of what type of dogs the parents were. Breeders usually use a toy or miniature poodle as the poodle parent. The following table describes the weights, and heights of toy poodles, miniature poodles, cocker spaniels and cockapoos, using AKC standards and other information.
ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG
The Icelandic sheepdog is a breed of dog of spitz type originating from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. It is of similar type to the Norwegian Buhund and to the ancestor of the modern Shetland sheepdog and Welsh corgi. They are still commonly used to herd sheep in the Icelandic countryside. Icelandic sheepdogs are tough and energetic. Hardy and agile, they are extremely useful for herding and driving livestock or finding lost sheep. However, the dogs are not known for hunting. Icelandic sheepdogs are very alert and will always give visitors an enthusiastic welcome, without being aggressive. Friendly and cheerful, the Icelandic sheepdog is inquisitive, playful and unafraid. They generally get along well with children, as well as other pets. Icelandic Sheepdogs can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, Rally obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Icelandic Sheepdogs that exhibit basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials. As the name implies, it is a sheep dog, but is also used as a watch dog and general working dog. When herding, the Icelandic sheepdogs were not mainly used to take the sheep from one point to another, but to prevent animals from straying. Additionally, the dogs were in charge of herding horses and other animals as well. When herding failed, the dogs drove the animals by barking. Thus, they tend to bark when they want something, although this behaviour can be controlled by training. In the Icelandic landscape, sheep often get lost and it has historically been the dog's job to find them and return them to the herd. They are therefore used to working on their own and to figuring things out for themselves, so owners have to beware lest they learn things they should not. As a watch dog, their main task was to alert the inhabitants when somebody was coming, so these dogs tend to bark a lot when they see people approaching. The Icelandic sheepdog is very loyal and wants to be around its family constantly. It follows its owner everywhere. Unlike most working dogs, these calm down when indoors and will happily lie down at their master's feet.
NEWFOUNDLAND
I (Karen) have wanted a Newfoundland ever since I read about Lewis and Clark when I was a girl growing up in Montana. They had wonderful stories about their Newfoundland, Seaman, who accompanied them on their travels across the country. Seaman was invaluable to them on their journey, and Lewis mentions several times in his journals that this loyal dog was able to scare off some buffalo and even a bear, saving the explorers from dangerous situations. Newfoundlands are an ancient, hearty breed of working dog with a long and proud history. Vikings who visited Newfoundland Island in 1000 AD wrote about seeing strong water dogs working with the native people. Today’s Newfoundlands are descended from these dogs and the mastiffs that were brought to the island in the 16th century by Portuguese fishermen. The Newfoundlands were used to haul fishing nets and retrieve objects or people who fell into the water. A typical Newfoundland weighs between 100-150 lbs, and some have been known to exceed 200 lbs. The largest Newfoundland on record was 260 lbs and measured 6 ft long from nose to tail. They are powerful animals uniquely designed for swimming in rough ocean waters. Their oily double coat is thick and waterproof, keeping them warm and dry for hours in cold northern seas. They have webbed feet that enable them to swim with a powerful breast stroke, rather than the dog paddle used by other breeds, and their large lung capacity gives them the ability to swim great distances through strong currents and choppy waves. There are many instances in which Newfoundlands have saved people from drowning, and these are fascinating and inspiring stories. One Newfoundland saved 60 shipwrecked sailors alone, and another is believed to have rescued Napoleon when he fell overboard during his escape from the island of Elba. Today, Newfoundlands are known as gentle giants, a beloved breed of calm, loyal animals that are equally good as caretakers and watchdogs. They are caring by nature, and are exceptionally well-behaved and nurturing around children and other animals. Easily trainable, devoted, and hardworking, the Newfoundland remains a popular pet to this day.
ROTTWEILER
The Rottweiler is a medium to large size breed of domestic dog that originated in Rottweil, Germany. The dogs were known as "Rottweil butchers' dogs" (German: Rottweiler Metzgerhund) because they were used to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat and other products to market. Some records indicate that earlier Rottweilers may have also been used for hunting, although the modern Rottweiler has a relatively low hunting instinct. The Rottweiler was employed in its traditional roles until the mid-19th century when railroads replaced droving for getting livestock to market. While still used in herding, Rottweilers are now also used in search and rescue, as guide dogs for the blind, as guard or police dogs, and in other roles. Although a versatile breed used in recent times for many purposes, the Rottweiler is primarily known as one of the oldest herding breeds. A multi-faceted herding and stock protection dog, it is capable of working all kinds of livestock under a variety of conditions. Temperament According to the FCI Standard, the Rottweiler is good-natured, placid in basic disposition, very devoted, obedient, biddable and eager to work. Their appearance is natural and rustic, their behavior self-assured, steady and fearless. They react to their surroundings with great alertness. The American Kennel Club says it is basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in its environment. It has an inherent desire to protect home and family, and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making them especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog. Rottweilers are a powerful breed with well-developed genetic herding and guarding instincts. As with any breed, potentially dangerous behavior in Rottweilers usually results from irresponsible ownership, abuse, neglect, or lack of socialization and training. However, the exceptional strength of the Rottweiler is an additional risk factor not to be neglected. It is for this reason that breed experts recommend that formal training and extensive socialization are essential for all Rottweilers. According to the AKC, Rottweilers love their owners and may behave in a clownish manner toward family and friends, but they are also protective of their territory and do not welcome strangers until properly introduced. Obedience training and socialization are musts.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Mountain Valley View Farm Hours: Monday – Saturday Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Getaway Studio Dining Room
Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. From I-90 East or West Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles |
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Our Dogs at Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
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The Bichon Frisé is a small dog that weighs approximately 10 – 20 lbs and stands 9 – 12 in, but slightly larger dogs are not uncommon. It has a black nose and dark round eyes, and its white hair consists of a curly outercoat and a silky undercoat, although many of the breed do tend to have less curly hair than others. As the hair of these dogs gets matted it may become a sort of orangeish color. A small amount of buff, cream, or apricot color may be seen around its ears, snout, paws or body, but normally these colors do not exceed 10% of its body. The head and legs are proportionate in size to the body, and the ears and tail are natural (not docked or cropped). The coat is trimmed often to make the hair seem like an even length.
A Cockapoo is a cross breed dog, first bred in the United States. It is the cross of an American Cocker Spaniel or English Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle (in most cases a miniature poodle or toy poodle), or of two Cockapoos. Here at Mountain Valley View Farm, our puppies are second-generation Cockapoos (two Cockapoos were bred to each other), which are more rare and valuable.
Our two Icelandic Sheepdogs are quiet, mild-mannered, and sweet.
We added Lily to our household on February 6th. She is a 
This is Cocoa (at 3 months old), our Rottweiler. She is an absolute delight and the children love playing with her. Her sweet, quiet temperament is an oasis in our busy household. Contrary to negative publicity, the Rottweiler is a calm, intelligent, and loyal breed that will courageously defend its family and its home. When well-trained, they are good companions for children and are not vicious in the least. Cocoa is a wonderful addition to our home, and we love having her with us.
