DEAR PET TALK: From kids: Why is Keifer so big? How come he’s so furry? Is he the biggest dog? How come his paws are so big?
— Fourth grade students in Mrs. Thomas’s classroom, Crocker Elementary School, Fitchburg.
DEAR STUDENTS: You definitely met a very special therapy dog at our classroom visits, and thank you for observant questions. Last week, we answered questions about Reggie, therapy cat, and this week, it’s his big buddy.
We went straight to Keifer’s “mom,” Cap Corduan, and she reports: “Keifer was bred to be a draft dog. That means he is a working dog that pulls things.” Bernese mountain dogs have a very special job because they are big enough to wear a harness and pull carts with supplies to people who live in the top of the Swiss Mountains.
As for Keifer’s “furry coat,” Cap tells us: “He has what is called a double coat. The soft hair underneath the longer hair keeps him warm while working in the snowy mountains. The long hair on top repels the snow so his skin doesn’t get wet.” Keifer has a traditional brown, black and white coat, and yes, his coat is very thick and luxurious!
Though it may seem like he’s the biggest dog in Northern Worcester County, Cap tells us, “In fact his breed is the smallest in the draft dog breed. The St. Bernard, Newfoundland, Leonberger and the Great Dane are bigger dogs, just to name a few.”
As for his paws — which are the size of an adult’s hands — the size really is impressive. Cap explains: “His paws are so big because they help him climb the mountains. Usually supplies would be taken up the mountain by horses but when the snow got too deep to support the horses the Bernese mountain dog would come in for the job. Their feet fit neatly into the paths already made by the horses. If you look closely, their forepaws almost look like horse hoofs. I hope that answers the questions for Keifer’s fan club!”
Keifer can be visited on the first Saturday of the month at Fitchburg Public Library in our “Read to a Therapy Pet” program from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Text questions to 978-320-1335.
Original article
Comments