I am cracking up at the breed of dog. How the heck did a Chow and a Newf breed? Did someone give one of them a stool to stand on? But I am glad you have flock protection. I love Newfs, and would have one if a. They didn't cost over $500 for a good one and b. I could afford to feed it. (A friend has 2 and goes through almost 40 pounds of food A WEEK!!! That's gotta hurt the ol' wallet. Not to mention the back, carrying it into the house)Sorry for your loss! I'm lucky in that my mother in law's Chow/Newfie mix keeps pretty much everything out of our yard, and if something does come it, they usually end up getting eaten by him. I'm hoping he'll make a good guard dog for the coop once it's finished.