Frequently Asked Questions

Most Frequently Asked Questions

We know that you have a lot of questions when buying a new pet.

We have assembled a list of the most common questions we get here on the farm.

If you have a question that we have not addressed please e mail us and we will add it.

Why does Feathers And Fleece Farm raise 4 different breeds of dogs? Why not just one breed?
Which of the 4 dog breeds that Feathers And Fleece raise are less likely to roam?
Will my new Feathers And Fleece puppy get along well with my other pets?
Why should I choose a livestock gaurdian dog over a llama or a donkey?
Which of the dog breeds at Feathers And Fleece Farm shed the least?
Will my new Feathers And Fleece dog do well with my poultry?
Are any of the dogs at Feathers And Fleece Farm show dogs?
Can my LGD ( livestock gaurdian dog ) also be a house dog?
Which is a better gaurdian dog for my livestock a Komondor or a Great Pyrenees?
When do you expect the next Old English Sheepdog litter?
Do Old English Sheepdogs really make good Nanny's?
Should I shear my dog (Old English Sheepdog, Komondor, Great Pyr. or Newfoundland) in the summer?
Will my large breed dog drool?
How do I keep my new puppy from chewing on things I do not want him to chew?
Can you wash a Komondor?
How do you get your Komondor to cord it's fur?
When do you expect the next Komondor litter?
How many Great Pyrenees Litters do you have a year?
Will my Great Pyrenees Puppy lose his badger markings?
If I place a puppy deposit how long is my deposit good?
What if something comes up, and I am not able to get a puppy from the litter I placed deposit on?
What if I place a deposit and the female turns out not to be pregnant?
After placing my deposit, when is the final payment due on my puppy?
What if something changes in my life and I am no longer able to care for my large breed Feathers And Fleece dog?
What does OFA Certified mean?
I do not want my puppy to be flown in an airplane. Can I have it driven to me?
What is the difference between A limited and full registration?
Can I have my puppy microchipped?
Can I reserve a puppy from a litter that is not conceived yet?
Can I potty train my Feathers And Fleece puppy with puppy pads?
Is it true that large breed dogs are easier to potty train?
When do you expect to have a litter of Newfoundland puppies?
Which is the better choice breed if I want to use my dog as a therapy dog? Great Pyrenees or Newfoundland?
What is a therapy dog?
Has Feathers And Fleece Farm placed many puppies that are used as therapy dogs?
What is a well socialized dog?
Will my dog be less likely to roam from the property if I get one that has been well socialized?
I have found the same breed dog that Feathers And Fleece has for less money. Should I buy it?
What is an OFA Certification?

Why does Feathers And Fleece Farm raise 4 different breeds of dogs? Why not just one breed?

This question is one we get asked all of the time. If you spend time in research you will find that we really only raise two breeds of dogs, just four varitations of those two breeds. The two breeds are, the Great Pyrenees and the Komondor. Researchers found that the Newfoundland breed is a descendant of the Great Pyrenees breed, which is very obvious in the apperance and more so in behavior.The same is true with the Komondor, which is one of oldest breeds listed by the AKC. The Komondor made way for the Old English Sheepdog breed. Some still refer to the Komondor as solid white sheepdogs, or the original sheepdog. I usually tell people that it is like pizza. It is the same crust and base topping with a little something extra (or less) on the top. The breeds are very similar but different. Each of our four Dog breeds has the same base personality. They all have a kind and docile personality. They all love human contact, especially children. They all love to guard. They want a job and they want to feel needed. We chose each of these breeds because they are so similar, and because they fit our lifestyle. The Great Pyrenees was an excellent choice to guard our sheep and property. The Newfoundland was similar enough to the Great Pyrenees in behavior but liked the lake. The Old English Sheepdogs because they are so much fun, and make you wish you were a kid again. The Komondor because he is everything that the other three are all wrapped up into one dog!

Which of the 4 dog breeds that Feathers And Fleece raise are less likely to roam?

You will find that the Old English Sheepdogs and the Newfoundlands are probably the best two choices of the four breeds when referring to the topic of roaming. They bond so tight with the family they rarely want to leave the back yard. The Komondor is another breed that will rarely leave your back yard. They feel an obligation to protect the family, and take the job as guard dog very seriously. It is important also to note that The Great Pyrenees is not a breed that will roam, however having said that they do want to protect. If an intruder ( ie.. stray dog, wolf, deer) should come on the property the Great Pyrenees may run it off of the property beyond the property lines. Please note that a well socialized dog is far less likely to roam. This is because of the bond it has made with people. All of the breeds we raise LOVE people, and desire to protect and be near them. I have fence around nearly all of my property that is ONLY 3 1/2 ft tall. ALL of my dogs could easily leave if they wanted to, but they are all well cared for and socialized with people and would have no desire to leave the fence. I would say your best bet for "peace of mind" is to have a fence. This is the best way to insure that other dogs stay out of your property and your stays in. I hate to talk about theft, but you should concider a fence for this reason as well. These are sweet dogs. as puppies they are irresistable and remember these are fairly rare breeds and they are costly. There are people out there that are looking to steal animals such as these, we must protect them! I have over the years nearly fenced in all of our acerage. The dogs at Feathers And Fleece can run all over our property. We often joke that they do not know they are fenced in.

Will my new Feathers And Fleece puppy get along well with my other pets?

The answer is YES ! All of the breeds that we raise are pet friendly, people friendly, and children friendly. All of our breeds have a working dog/ gaurdian dog instinct so they will not only be-friend your other pets, but protect them with their lives if need be. When you first bring the puppy home you can expect your other pets to be curious and possibly a little jealous. All of this will pass over the period of a month or so.

Why should I choose a livestock gaurdian dog over a llama or a donkey?

A llama and donkey are great choices for gaurding your livestock if your goal is to be warned that an intruder is in the area. If you are looking for a dual purpose gaurdian for your livestock, you will want to look into a LGD. A livestock gaurdian dog will not only let you know that their is an intruder but will send him packing, leaving you with complete peace of mind.

Which of the dog breeds at Feathers And Fleece Farm shed the least?

You will find that all four of our breeds shed very little if brushed on a regular basis. With the exception of Komondors, which do not shed at all once corded. Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands will need regular brushing ( which they enjoy) and they really only shed twice a year as most dogs do, and this can even be a breeze if you have been brushing on a weekly basis. Old English sheepdogs will shed their puppy coat and if brushed weekly like the other breeds will not shed much. All of these breeds enjoy a good brushing, and it is a wonderful way to spend time your pet. I do keep my Old English Sheepdogs cut in a puppy cut. I chose to keep my Old English Sheepdogs in a puppy cut to keep tangles to a minimum.

Will my new Feathers And Fleece dog do well with my poultry?

This is a complex question that depends on the breed of dog chosen. If you are looking at an Old English Sheepdog, probably not a good choice to get along well with your poultry. Old English Sheepdogs are like children and view poultry as play things. Your best bet would be a Komondor or a Great Pyrenees, and even then we should know in advance that you are looking for a dog to run with your poultry. We will then try to find one that is tolerant and begin training it early for you. Be warned, few dogs are able to tolerate the hyper actions of poultry. I have three dogs on the farm I will trust with poultry. It is best to keep the dogs near the poultry with a fence between them. If you free range start your puppy with the poultry at a young age.

Are any of the dogs at Feathers And Fleece Farm show dogs?

We do not show any of the dogs at the farm. Reason being, because we are a farm there are many demands on a farm, feeding, cleaning, exercising, education etc.. A show dog demands not only time at home with a training schedule but much time on the road away from the home / farm. This is unacceptable to us. Our farm runs successfully on a steady routine one that we live by. Having said that we have purchased our dogs with both Champion and show bloodlines. Infact our Komondor bloodlines have several Champions on their pedegrees. We look for these bloodlines so that we may breed the finest, allowing others to show our dogs with the show results tracing back to our farm.

Can my LGD ( livestock gaurdian dog ) also be a house dog?

It is a tough decision to make, choosing to place your gaurdian dog in the barn and not in the home. I struggled with this very decision once myself. I had two of the most beautiful Great Pyrenees in home when my Vet came to visit. Are those Great Pyrenees gaurding you or are they gaurding the sheep? If you got the to gaurd the sheep then you are going to have to get them to the barn fast. At that time my pair were only 2 months old. I understood her message and after reading up on the breed further realized that these dogs would not only be happier outside but that working dogs that have a job to do actually have a longer life span than non working dogs. It is important to note this will only be a success if you have plenty of property for the gaurdian dog, and something for him to gaurd. Great Pyrenees and Komondors are wonderful gaurdian dogs for almost any sort of livestock. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats you name it. This is not to say that a Great Pyrenees or Komondor would not make wonderful pets for indoors. They make excellent indoor companions, provided they have plenty of exercise, and a family to care for, preferably with other pets, or even better - children.

Which is a better gaurdian dog for my livestock a Komondor or a Great Pyrenees?

Facts: Great Pyrenees and Komondors are the best choices for Livestock Gaurdian Dogs, hands down! They both will keep intruders out, and patrol in a military fashion night and day. Both dogs will bark if they sense danger. A great Pyrenees will chase the intruder until the intruder is either dead or far enough away that it is no longer a threat. A Komondor will stand the intruder off, kill if necessary but will NEVER leave what it is protecting defending its flock with it's life. (Important to note, that once you have added a livestock gaurdian dog they will urinate along the property border in a military fashion.The urination alone is usually more than enough to keep intruders out. I have not seen anything outside of a opossum on my property since the day I added the dogs). Both loyal and both fearless! Do what I did get both!

When do you expect the next Old English Sheepdog litter?

Old English Sheepdogs are not great breeders. We have 1 litter every 18 months or so. Next litter is due early fall 2010.

Do Old English Sheepdogs really make good Nanny's?

YES! I have seen it with my own eyes. Old English Sheepdogs bond tightly with the family. If they feel that there is a threat to the family, especially the youngest most vulnerable members they will step up to protect those members. Most usually by putting themselves in front of the family members and backing the family members back away from the threat. I actually had an incident recently that I witnessed this action. A strange dog came onto our property ( I know, stupid dog ) and I got between the strange dog and a Great Pyrenees, bad decision on my part, but it was instinct. My hand got caught in the fence where the dog was trying to get in, as the dog began to pull the fence attempting to fight with my Great Pyrenees female. I was hanging only by my hand as the dog pulled to get to my Great Pyrenees on the other side of the fence ( the dog was really after my lambs) My Old English Sheepdog male got between me and the other dog so I could finally free my hand. My Old English Sheepdog backed me up. I could not have taken a step forward if I wanted, and the strange dog could not dare take a step toward me. My Old English Sheepdog did not leave me ( unlike a Great Pyrenees would chase the strange dog off of the property an Old English Sheepdog or a Komondor will not leave your side they are only protecting you) My husband finally came out and the strange dog ran away. I have a terrible scar on my hand, which is my fault. I should not have gotten involved. My Great Pyrenees can handle issues like these without my help, but the mother in me took over. As for the stray dog, he was picked up by animal services and has since found a new home.

Should I shear my dog (Old English Sheepdog, Komondor, Great Pyr. or Newfoundland) in the summer?

You can answer this question best by asking yourself , why do you want to shear your dog? Is it becuase you do not want ot brush them, or is because you think it will make them cooler? I asked this same question to my vet many years ago. She asked me the same questions? If you are shearing so you do not need to brush them well you will still have the same issues , just shorter hair. If you are shearing to make them cooler then you should google the subject. Science claims that hair / fur works as an insulator, and by removing it you are actually making the dog hotter. I do not shear any of my dogs, I provide them with plenty of shade, and cool water, and ofcourse a lake to swim in. If it is too hot then we have an air conditioned basement they can take shelter in. I do keep the Old English Sheepdogs in a puppy cut to keep tangles to a minimum.

Will my large breed dog drool?

let's be frank! All Dogs Drool! Plain and simple. Out of shape, fat dogs, that get very little excercise drool far more. Read up on the topic and that is the underlying issue here. Fat dogs are taking over the nation and the topic among large dog breeds is drool. We have chose high quality show dog bloodlines. Our dogs are high in confirmation, tigh lips, nice jaws, but again don't be fooled all dogs drool. Some just drool less than others. Get a dog with good confirmation and keep him fit and do not over feed him and he will drool far less than other dogs.

How do I keep my new puppy from chewing on things I do not want him to chew?

This question makes me laugh. If you do not want your dog to chew your shoes then keep them off of the ground. Tell him NO! Start at an early age. All of the breeds we raise want to please their owners. Simply hearing the word NO and ignoring him or her for a few minutes will usually do the trick. However I do have a few other tricks! I buy stuffed animals in bulk at the Goodwill store. I leave them out ALL OF THE TIME! I also buy chew bones in bulk. The light color bones will keep them busy and will not give them diarrhea. Washed out butter bowls and lids are the best toy for puppies. They love to chew and chase them. I get them from the recycle plant for free! If you see your dog is still chewing your books, and baskets then move the books and baskets. It will pass and eventually you can put them back.

Can you wash a Komondor?

You should not wash a Komondor any more than necessary. At the puppy stage you can wash them but it is not recomended that you brush them. Once your Komondor is corded you can wash them but only if completely necessary, your Komondor will take a long time to dry, and you will need to wring the cords out just like you would a mop, it could take up to two days for them to air dry indoors. It is best to use a no rinse shampoo, which works very well.

How do you get your Komondor to cord it's fur?

Cording happens alost by itself. It is best to take your Komondor to an experienced groomer. They will wash and cord the fur for you. You can expect this initial grooming to cost up to 200.00, but know that this process will never have to be repeated if done correctly. It is well worth the investment.

When do you expect the next Komondor litter?

Komondors are a rare breed, but we usually have one litter every 18 months. Next litter is expected summer 2011.

How many Great Pyrenees Litters do you have a year?

We have 3-4 litter per year. Great Pyrenees at Feathers And Fleece Farm tend to have 9 - 13 puppies per litter.

Will my Great Pyrenees Puppy lose his badger markings?

This is the most frequently asked question on our farm. The answer is probably. If your puppy has light tan badger markings chances are REALLY good that they will fade the first year and the adult dog will be solid white. If your puppy has deep black - gray badgers well that is another story! Chances are good that he will maintain a good portion of the badger markings which will more than likely fade to a blue gray ( similar to a husky). Both solid white Great Pyrenees and badger marking Great pyrenees are accepted by the AKC, and are concidered show worthy. There are no deductions in the show arena for having or not having badger markings. It really is personal preference.

If I place a puppy deposit how long is my deposit good?

Deposits placed at Feathers And Fleece Farm are good for 2 years toward any litter on the farm. So, if you place a deposit on a Great Pyrenees puppy, but then decide to change your deposit to a Komondor that is just fine. Please remember to go to the placing deposits page of our site, and read the entire page before placing deposit.

What if something comes up, and I am not able to get a puppy from the litter I placed deposit on?

Deposits can be moved from one dogs litter to another. You just have to be willing to wait until another litter comes along. Deposits are good for two years from the date they are placed.Please go to the placing deposits page of our website and read before placing deposits.

What if I place a deposit and the female turns out not to be pregnant?

If you place a deposit on a females litter and she does not conceive your money will be refunded, or you can choose to move your deposit to another litter.

After placing my deposit, when is the final payment due on my puppy?

We ask that all final payments be made before the puppy gets his or her puppy shots so that at this time we can have all of the health paperwork filled out. Before placing deposits please go to the Placing Deposits Page of our site. This is generally by week 7 or 8.

What if something changes in my life and I am no longer able to care for my large breed Feathers And Fleece dog?

If things in your life should change and you find that you are no longer able to care for your large dog, we ask that you bring him or her back to the farm, so that we can care for him or her. We will not judge you! We just really love dogs and know that we have a great place to care for them.

What does OFA Certified mean?

OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals. This certification means that the breeder has went up and beyond what is expected in breeding dogs. It means that the breeder has taken the dog to their vet and had extensive x rays taken of the dogs hips and in some cases elbows as well. The records are then sent to professional x ray techs in Mosourri. Where the records and X rays are examined by a professional staff of doctors to determine if the dog has aan underlying hip or elbow disorder that can continue through the bloodline to offsprings. This is a way of offering clients a bit of "peace of mind" whne purchasing a puppy since hip and elbow dysplasia are a major concern. This process is expensive and very time consuming. You can expect to pay more for an OFA Certified dog, but you are getting what you pay for - a sound healthy pet that will be an active part of your life for many years.

I do not want my puppy to be flown in an airplane. Can I have it driven to me?

You can choose to have your puppy driven. We have a young man that will happily drive to you. We do not set his fees but will put you in touch with him. With gas prices delivery by car will not save you much money an average savings of 90.00 - 120.00. Just ask us and we will put you in touch with Joe Bear. He has worked for us for many years!

What is the difference between A limited and full registration?

A limited registration is an AKC registration that does not allow you AKC breeding rights. If you would like to breed your new dog at some point you will want a Full registration. We will need to know this in advance, so we can choose the right dog for you. We will work with you to make sure you are as educated as possible about the breed and make ourselves available to help you anytime you need us. We want to work with you to better the breed. We are not going to attach our Farm name to your pedigree or require you give us a portion of your litter money, we just want to keep the breed healthy and help educate people. So feel free to call us with any breeding questions about full registration.

Can I have my puppy microchipped?

YES! New for 2011, we microchip all puppies FREE OF CHARGE! We feel that placing a microchip is a puppy is the best way to keep owner and puppy united for life. It protects all of us, the puppy if it should roam away from the home, the owner from theft, and the breeder.

Can I reserve a puppy from a litter that is not conceived yet?

Yes! You can place a deposit anytime. Deposits are good for two years on any litter at our Farm. You will be notified of every litter born on the farm until you make a decision for two years. To place a deposit simply click the deposits page or call us.

Can I potty train my Feathers And Fleece puppy with puppy pads?

Yes! I was never a fan of puppy pads, and never used them myself until this past year. My daughter has a pomeranian and had brought her puppy and his puppy pads to the house. I had a newfie puppy I was trying to potty train at the same time. I found him watching Romeo ( Katies Pom) and she used them several times. Let me also add my Newfie puppy was a bit clumsy and on occassion did not make it all the way on the puppy pad, but she did try, and it did not seem to confuse her about going outdoors. I thought it would, but she prefers outdoors and will hold it until I take her out, unless Romeo goes onthe pad. So you decide.

Is it true that large breed dogs are easier to potty train?

The size of the dog has no bearing on potty / paper training. Before your new puppy arrives come up with a game plan for potty training and stick to it! If you have decided to crate train, go over the rules with the family and do not budge. If the puppy cries to get out of the crate stick to your guns. This will pass and soon you will not need the crate. If you are going for the outdoors method (the method I use on the farm) plan it out ahead of time. Who is going to take the puppy out in the morning and who will walk the puppy after meals, and play? Planning and routine is what will determine how easy your dog will be to potty train. As a side note, puppies have accidents. This is a plain and simple fact. If you know this in advance and plan for it (ie.. remove throw rugs, lay down papers) you will breeze through this super fun stage of your puppies life. I beg you to never hit your puppy with a newspaper or god forbid your hand, never rub your dogs nose in the potty and never kick your dog. All of these are horror stories I have heard. Your puppy will eventually learn to go outside to potty I promiose you!

When do you expect to have a litter of Newfoundland puppies?

We do not expect a litter of Newfoundland puppies until Fall 2011.

Which is the better choice breed if I want to use my dog as a therapy dog? Great Pyrenees or Newfoundland?

Both of these breeds are awesome choices for therapy work. Both are patient and I have placed many. It is really personal preference at this point. One is white and one is black. The Newfie tends to be more laid back in the home, but in the therapy setting both dogs behave like pros.

What is a therapy dog?

Therapy dogs are dogs that are trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools or those people living in stressful or difficult situations like womens shelters or disaster areas. The best picks for therapy dogs are Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees. The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, at ease in all situations, and gentle. Therapy dogs must enjoy human contact and be content to be petted and handled, sometimes clumsily. A therapy dog's primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. The dog might need to be lifted onto, or climb onto, an individual's lap or bed and sit or lie comfortably there. Many dogs contribute to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audiences or by playing carefully structured games.

Has Feathers And Fleece Farm placed many puppies that are used as therapy dogs?

Yes! We have worked with many states to place dogs in the therapy and service industry. Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands are the best suited breeds for therapy and service work. We have dogs working in nursing homes, homeless shelters, hospitals, and youth shelters all across the nation. Call us for more information about getting your puppy ready for service and therapy work.

What is a well socialized dog?

A well socialized dog is one that has been held starting at an early stage. Dogs must be held early on and played with often at an early stage of life so they are not afraid of people. We go further tahn that, and get your dog familiar with common home equipment such as sweepers, stair steps, the sounds of children, washers and dryers hairdryers. We make your puppy a family member from day one so you are sure to have a friend for life. A puppy that has not been socialized would be one that was born in the barn and may have only incountered people at feeding time and was rarely held if at all. The end result for you as a dog owner would be that your new addition would have issues with meeting new people and new situations. An unsocialized puppy would be afraid of most sounds, storms, and new people and animals you introduce. Unsocialized dogs have prooven to be much harder to potty train and are far more likely to roam from the home and farm. This is due to lack of human bond.

Will my dog be less likely to roam from the property if I get one that has been well socialized?

The answer is flat out YES! A dog that has been socialized as we do at Feathers And Fleece Farm at an early age will be far less likely to roam. Dogs that have been socialized at an early stage of life learn to love people and desire to be near them. They learn that people not only mean food but they also mean compasion, something that we all need. You will find that a well socialized dog will get far more comfort from a good belly rub than he would from a steak bone. This theory has been proven time and again with the uprise in puppy mills accross the nation. People are beginning to learn you get what you pay for. Buying a puppy based on price will not bring you anything but a life of regret. If you want a puppy to be a family member for life buy one that is socialized from a reputable breeder.

I have found the same breed dog that Feathers And Fleece has for less money. Should I buy it?

The answer is if you are shopping for a dog based on price, well then other factors might not be important to you. Please concider other facts when buying a dog. Please read all of the info we have packed into our site. Dogs should never be purchased souly becasue they are affordable. Look for a breeder that has full disclosure of the facility they raise dogs on line. Look for certifications, and health promise. If your breeder cannot make a promise of good health then maybe they are not certain they have something good to offer. It is important to note what my father always says to me "You get what you pay for"! This is more than true when you are talking about a new family member that will be living in your home the next 15 years.

What is an OFA Certification?

Please see the OFA page. This is a wonderful program for dogs and breeders. Please take a moment,to read about this program. Click the link/page to the left That says what is OFA?