Giant Breed Rescue. 100 to 200 lb dogs too big for shelters. 75 lbs dog food per day

[Liberal_in_LA]

I hope this article scores them some donations

Giant Breed Dog Rescue wins court case, can continue operating

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or 13 years, dogs have traveled many paths to end up with the Kohls at their nonprofit Gentle Ben’s Giant Breed Dog Rescue. About 40 to 50 dogs are adopted out into new homes each year.

The Newfie’s owner didn’t want him anymore because “he got too big.” The mastiff became homeless when his owner was arrested and hauled off to jail. The St. Bernard lost his home when his owners ran into financial difficulties and lost their house. Other dogs had been physically abused or neglected.

The Kohls were thrilled to learn that the organization they run for no pay at all can continue operating thanks to a favorable ruling handed down by Commonwealth Court on Wednesday.

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ntle Ben’s takes in large and “giant” breeds of dogs that weigh 100 to 200 pounds, including Great Danes and Great Pyrenees. Many animal shelters and rescue organizations would euthanize those breeds because they don’t have kennels, cages and exercise areas large enough to handle them.

There are no kennels at Gentle Ben’s. Dogs sleep in the house with the Kohls, and are inside during the day when the couple are at work — he as a sheet metal worker and she as a manager in a medical office at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC in Lawrenceville.

Operating expenses are about $50,000 a year, including bills for veterinarians and 75 pounds of dog food per day.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2015/01/23/Giant-Breed-rescue-wins-court-case-can-continue-operating/stories/201501230025

[Bombtrack]

1. Each dog doesn't eat 75 pounds a day right?

Cause that seems like T-Rex level consumption.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. no. thats how much dog food the couple feed the dogs daily

[Suich]

4. Right.

75# a day for all the dogs. Still a heck of a lot of dog food!

[JVS]

13. They're gonna need a bigger pooper scooper

[smirkymonkey]

2. Awww! I have a soft spot for big dogs.

This is great!

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. more pics

[smirkymonkey]

11. Gentle Giants! So cute!

Thanks for posting! I am so happy these big babies are getting a second chance!

[etherealtruth]

23. OMG .... how sweet and adorable

What wonderful people (and of course, dogs!)

[flvegan]

5. Thank you, McGuireWoods.

The ruling means “nonprofit rescues can save neglected, unwanted and abused dogs without fear that their good deeds will subject them to a kennel ban,” said attorney Matt Monsour, whose McGuireWoods law firm charged no fee to represent the Kohls.

Usually about 20 dogs live with the Kohls, whose house sits on 2 acres in a township described as “semi rural” on the New Sewickley website. A next-door neighbor used to own a horse, and cows graze in a pasture not far away.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

7. Too bad they can't find a way to profit from slobber.

They would have it made.

What cuties.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. it takes a big dog to carry a tire about

Rocky, who recently passed away, proudly carries a quad tire.
Rocky, who recently passed away, proudly carries a quad tire around the yard.
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2014/01/large-breed-rescue-wins-the-right-to-stay-open/

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. Oh my.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. If you Google "Great Pyrenees", the top hits are all rescue organizations ... nt

[procon]

12. I've had Pyrs for 40 years

Last edited Tue Jan 27, 2015, 02:54 PM - Edit history (1)

and I'm not surprised to see them end up in rescue. They are majestic looking dogs that always attract attention, but they have a unique temperament that most dog owners find frustrating. Bred to be very independent and work as livestock guardians in remote mountain pastures, they are not eager to obey, learn tricks or fetch balls. They shed, some drool, a basic obedience course is a must, they bark a lot especially at night, but they are fiercely loyal and tolerant of anything kids will do.

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. One of my favorite memories is watching my neighbor's Great Pyr proudly march

around the back yard with her beloved lilac bush in his mouth. He also used to hug my husband over the fence every day when he came home from work. He was "fence besties" with my Sheltie Jessie too. Miss that sweet boy.

[BrotherIvan]

15. What a beautiful story

Big dogs are so sweet and gentle. And shelties are so much fun.

[passiveporcupine]

17. I have an English Shepherd who is also difficult

but I love him dearly. He is the best protector I've ever had...can herd my goats, and will alert me to anything dangerous, like a possum under the house, a squirrel in a tree...even someone's voice when I'm talking on the phone. He is very resistant to breaking bad habits...the mouthiest dog I've never known, he drags me around by my shirt sleeves or my wrist when he thinks I need to go "with him" somewhere. Needless to say my clothes are always in tatters.

But I could not ask for a better watch dog, or a more loving and possessive (he's a one person dog) companion. I love this guy with all my heart...barking and all.

[XemaSab]

27. You have an English Shepherd too?

[passiveporcupine]

37. I sure do

He just turned four today!

[XemaSab]

38. Mocker's six

She keeps me safe from:

mailmen
skateboarders
the bus
mice
possums
skunks
lizards
birds
the other dog that lives here

She's not as bossy as I've heard some ES's can be, but she's definitely a vermin hunter! And I think she has "rules" for both of the other dogs. And she's only destroyed a plate-glass window and one of the wood fences.

Are you on the ES group on Facebook?

[passiveporcupine]

39. I don't do facebook

My big baby boy (Rugby, almost 80 lbs.) has saved me from a momma bear, a bear cub, coyotes, skunks, opossums, racoons, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, blue herons, wild turkeys, deer, tree frogs in the house, scorpions in the house, bats in the house, yellow jackets in the house, spiders in the house (I call pretty much any bug in the house that he notices...I call him spider biter because he eats them). He even treed a mountain lion two summers ago that was trying to sneak up on a chicken. Oh...and of course people, bikes, ATV's, motorcycles...and my vacuum and the front bumper of my car. He is very dedicated to his job.

I also have a yellow lab, and he tortures him. He is taller than the lab, and body slams him at full speed, every chance he gets. He's knocked him off his feet numerous times, so I have to protect the older yellow lab now.

Anything out of place is to be barked at. I"m pretty sure he's OCD. He has serious separation anxiety. And he has this mouth that just can't stop biting me except in bed...it's the only time I can snuggle with him, and he relaxes and enjoys it. When he's up, it's OK to give him butt rubs, but touching him anywhere near his face and he thinks it's play time. He cannot hold still for it.

I named my guy Rugby because he ate a corner of every throw or area rug in the house when he was young. Some bed linens too. How did you pick a name like Mocker? That's cute. Rugby is a black and tan (pure...no white anywhere). What color is yours?

[XemaSab]

42. Maddy has many different names

Mocker is but one of them.

Madeleine, Matilda, Matanuska, Tooska, Toosk, etc. are others.

She's fine with being touched, but she's generally a handful.

She's beige and white with a black mask.

[passiveporcupine]

44. She sounds beautiful!

I wanted a mostly white tri-color or sable and white, but this guy came up unexpectedly and I couldn't say no. I'd love to see a picture of your Mocker.

[XemaSab]

43. Maddy also protects me from LeftyMom

[LeftyMom]

47. She was right to be protective. I'm clearly an evil monster.

I'm dogsitting the boxer tonight, and he's terrified of a ten pound cat.

[TexasProgresive]

21. We've lived with Pyrs for nearly as long

Our are working dogs who protect our dairy goats. They live with the herd during the day. At night we lock the goats up and the dogs patrol the pastures all night. They are wonderful dogs who will give up their life in protection of their, I'm going to call them friends, and that includes us.

Our first suffered from hip displacia and we tried to retire her to the back yard because she was in pain and if they bumped her she would snap at the goats-She was so miserable at being separated that we had to make the sad discussion to have her put down.

We love our Pyrs and they love us. They are miserable in the Texas heat, which makes me wonder where are the pics in the OP of them frolicking in the snow. I am cautious at being with them when it is just frosty because they are so happy, hoppy. They don't jump on the goats but they jump all around me.

[procon]

25. We first started with Pyrs to protect livestock too.

Kids were all raising a menagerie of 4H animals and we had horses, chickens, you name it, but our place was under attack by coyotes and every loose dog in the neighborhood. One of the worst predators was a small Poodle that killed dozens of chickens, and when he actually dragged off a newborn lamb we were finally able to track him home.

We raised Nubians and LaManchas, not just because we liked the silly goats and their milk and all the cheeses, butter and cream, but because they were a necessity. One of our children could not tolerate cow's milk, and two of my brother's little tots could not even digest breast milk and depended on a steady supply of goat's milk to thrive. Every time another predator got inside the fence, the poor goats got so stressed their milk would dry up.

It all stopped when we brought home two Pyrs, a brother and sister, who safeguarded the property and took gentle care of our herd and hearth. Over the years, our Pyrs saved us from a car theft, two burglaries, and an assault, and I know they would have given their lives to protect us.

The livestock have long departed and I'm alone now, but I have Powder as my dear companion and protector. She is happy to be a house dog, but I still rely on her to keep me safe out here in the country. I'm of an age where falls are becoming worrisome and she's always at my side, ready to serve as a patient brace and steady guide as I get up. She will probably be my last Great Pyrenees.

[MoonRiver]

33. So happy you have her at your side!

Dogs are such wonderful loving companions.

[kydo]

34. I love my Pry

Corporal Hicks is a great dog. We don't own livestock. He is a house dog. The obedience thing wasn't really that bad. He is not food driven, my last dog was a black lab and labs love food. But he knows commands so its more or less does he feel like listening. An example, sometimes when given treats we give some commands. If he is not in the mood he eyes the treat and determines if it is worth his effort or not. If it is he goes through the list of commands and chomps on a treat. If not he just gives a look of "what ever" and walks away.

Very smart dog. Sometimes too smart. Loves to bark. Sometimes he is like a child that is pissed at a parent. Like when Eddie Murphy was doing that bit about his mom "I hope she gets hit by a truck and die!" My dog will bark under his breathe. Its rather funny.

[Liberal_in_LA]

31. i googled pics. are gps always white

[Demeter]

35. When they are black, they are Newfoundlanders

Actually, if you google for images, there are some colors in GP.

[smirkymonkey]

51. Awww! I love Newfoundlanders!

They are so sweet and gentle! The only problem is the drool, but I can forgive that because they are so sweet and loving. Another favorite large breed of mine is Bernese Mountain Dogs. They are just beautiful, gentle dogs as well. Big dogs are the best!

[TexasProgresive]

40. Some pyrs have a lot of color

[BrotherIvan]

16. These are gorgeous people

They work hard to give some love and a new life to these dogs. Their selfish neighbors should do a little soul-searching.

[ErikJ]

18. Big dogs only live to 7 or 8 yrs old anyway.

So at least they could keep them comfortable for their few remaining yrs.

[TexasProgresive]

19. Generally true

but our Nicholas got cancer at 7 was treated. He lived and worked another 7 years.

[kaiden]

22. We recently lost our Akbash.

Mishka was a rescue, a 175 pound couch potato who loved his goats and llamas, but was unable to stay outside with them due to a neighbor a quarter of a mile away in the valley who threatened to shoot him because of his barking. Although livestock guardians are exempt from barking dog statutes, our neighbor was just mean enough that it wasn't worth the risk. This past June, we noticed Mishka had developed tremendous edema in his hind legs. Cancer. The new vet at our regular place told us, "I had to go back and examine his records because I have never seen an older dog." Mishka was four.

[TexasProgresive]

29. I'm sorry for your loss

and the mean neighbor. We had a Mishka who was a delight.

[kaiden]

36. Livestock guardians are the best dogs.

When Mishka was shedding a couple of years ago, I collected enough hair to send it to a mill. I ended up with 2,230 yards of fine fingerling. It is comforting to know that I will always have a part of him. Thank you, TexasProgressive.

[passiveporcupine]

45. I'd not heard of the Akbash breed and had to look it up

What gorgeous dogs. I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't know that they lived less than ten years. I thought that ten was pretty much getting up there for most breeds (especially larger breeds), but way less than ten is scary.

[kaiden]

48. There are many large breeds that don't make 10.

Irish wolfhounds and Bernese Mountain Dogs have a life expectancy of 7 years. Akbash usually live 10, but Mishka suffered from gigantism ... He was even too big for his breed. If you are interested in livestock guardians, I highly recommend them if you don't mind a dog smarter than you are. They'll take your suggestions under advisement and then do what they think is best. Check out Anatolian shepherds. Their life expectancy is about 12 years.

[passiveporcupine]

49. I think they are all amazing and beautiful dogs

I do have a livestock guardian dog, who also is a herding dog (An English Shepherd), and yes...he does what he wants when in protection mode. He's very smart, and the most independent dog I've ever had. He wants to control everything in his world. I never lost a chicken (not even to a hawk) after I got him.

English Shepherds are called "all-around farm dogs" because they are used for everything, guarding, hunting, herding, family dogs, show dogs (herding and obstacle course, never judged on appearance because there are so many different looks...they are judged only on performance). They are really great dogs. But I'm a little partial.

I think the Akbash is the prettiest guardian dog I've seen. I'm so glad you posted here.

[kaiden]

50. Thank you, passiveporcupine.

More people should consider LGDs, especially if they have children who play outside in the yard.

[xchrom]

20. du rec.

[Phentex]

24. I love big dogs...

they do make some things more difficult but they are so fun to love.

[Chemisse]

26. What a wonderful thing they are doing.

I own a giant-breed dog, and it makes me really sad to see them abandoned or given up.

Of course it's sad for all dogs, but these big guys hold a special place in my heart.

[MisterP]

28. I think it was because it legally counts as a stable XD

[Arugula Latte]

30. Oh, man. These are nice people.

Think of the poop shoveling alone.

I think they're doing a good service, but I have to say I do also empathize with the neighbors. I would not want 17 dogs of any breed living next door to me because of the barking. I find the sound of even one dog barking for any extended time fairly unnerving -- one of many reasons I prefer pets who purr.

[MoonRiver]

32. Wonderful story!

All creatures, great and small, need love!

[drray23]

41. i have a newfoundland

He is really a sweet dog. Gentle with people and other animals. He will clean the cat with his huge tongue. The cat loves it. When i sit on the sofa he will come and pat me with his paw to get my attention.. having a big dog is wonderful but nit for everybody. You need the room, the time and the resources to take care of them.
What these people are doing is wonderful.

[tabasco]

46. Bless them for what they are doing

Dogs are truly our best friends.