Just be careful with the dogs, our goldens (2 girls, sisters same mum and pop, different litters, Teddie and Keelie) love to drink out of the kiddie pool, but always have tummy upset later on, conveniently in the middle of the night. A little is okay, but you know how goldens love to lap it up, and feel they actually HAVE to, they want to be part of the fun, if the ducks can have it, why can't they? Just sayin', it will cause tummy upset, temporary, but a pain at 2 a.m. And it will last for hours, so once it starts, be ready to let them out every half hour to hour, they will get the trots. Just try to limit them and give them a fresh water supply the ducks can't get to to dilute what they've ingested.
Your pups are gorgeous, and I don't care what anyone says about goldens (people call them the stupidest dog on earth) will never have any other breed, ever (have had boxers, Irish, mutts). Loyal, loving, obedient, faithful. A big bowl of butterscotch puddin' love. If you have a good breeder, which we were fortunate to have, you get a quality child, er, pup LOL. People should stay away from non-reputable breeders, and always ask to see the parents. We chose ours from someone who was just starting out breeding, saw mom and dad, so obedient and socialized, they would just say "up" and dad would sit on the bar stool. From the ground with no help, and he was a big boy. Went back 2 years later and got a second one, and now after 5 years, are hankering for a third, will have to give her a call and see if she is still into it, she knew what she was doing, and they are nice dark color, not the white ones they are breeding out now. They get along famously with the ducks and chickens, even when they are day old, they are very protective. People have to know, these dogs need space and exercise, and lots of it. We don't want obese doggies, and they will tend to get lazy if allowed to. Not fair to have them in a city unless you have a park or someplace to take them for exercise EVERY day. It is a commitment, and that's why so many end up in shelters
Must have a good supply of tennis balls, gosh how they love them. Bought a case online for dirt cheap, they were like 20 cents a piece, a lifetime supply (I hope). It was a good investment. In the spring when the snow melts it looks like a big polka dotted piece of fabric, and we're talking like 5 acres of cleared land, but we find them everywhere, in the tree branches because we use the thrower, they are better at retrieving than we are at throwing, but sometimes the snow is so deep the ball sinks in, and even tho they know it's there, they want their instant gratification and will bark for a new one. Pick up about 50 every spring.
But they do get along famously with the feathered ones, and will actually corral them for us. And always, always on the lookout and protecting them. They know which squawks or quacks are egg laying or danger and will pick it up well before we do, even in the middle of the night. They love their little bros and sisses. Had a rooster that Teddi, the elder, used to play tag with, she would go after him in play, he would turn around and chase her, and repeat, repeat. It was a game she played with him, the rooster did get her good once, so there was a healthy respect there. But she still wanted to play the game, and so did he. They love the little chicks and ducklings, they just want to sit and watch them and will lick them actually. Always sorry we did not breed Teddi, she would have been an excellent mum, she just has it, you know? The younger one Keeley is kinda just a sweet pea, she follows her big sister and just wants love, love, love all the time. Can see why people who don't have the time and patience give these dogs up, they need and REQUIRE a lot of attention. You sound like a great animal mum, and wish you tons of luck with all of your feathered and furry ones.
Will be getting new chicks here soon, ours are approaching 3-4 years, and altho still laying, know when spring comes and the fox are out and about to feed their kits, we will lose a few, so time to replenish. Excited for the dogs, they love it when new babies arrive, think more excited than we are. Good luck with all, you sound like you know what you're doing, and this is a great forum if you ever have problems with ANYTHING, there is always someone who has an answer to even the most bizarre questions. A five star site, for sure.
