Figured out what Heidi is mixed with!!

Mischief

I am almost certain that my Heidi girl is crossed with a Gazelle.
Her papers say Old English Mastiff but after this morning, I truly have my doubts.

I woke up early, as per usual, dragged her big bum outta bed and made her breakfast. I then took it out to the corral and she happily followed. She has her breakfast in there and then normally has a bit of a seista and chews on her big knuckle bone for about 15 minutes while I have a coffee and get the other lazy bones up and ready to start their day.

In the time it took me to mix a coffee and head out to the front deck, she must have decided that today was the day and took the leap. I didn't actually see her jump over the 5 1/2 foot fence but I know she cant fly...

I was about to take my first sip of coffee when I saw a big flash of something hide behind my car. It looked very much like a cougar, so I grabbed the first thing I could reach ( a hockey stick---I know, how Canadian eh) and stood up to take a better look. It wasn't a cougar but a very happy Gazelle; the escape artist formerly known as Heidi, coming up to have coffee with me in the front. I was blown away. I know a lot of 'other' dogs are known for climbing/jumping fences but a gangly-goofy-jelly butt 85 lb Mastiff ??
I know she can injure herself and cause long term damage if she tries again, so I will make sure she isn't let out for any length of time, unsupervised, from now on.

I have come to terms with the fact that I'll be having my coffee in the corral from now on but WOW....I have no idea how to fix this in terms of increasing the height of the fence. It's a chain link with a wooden gate. I'll have to wait until my husband gets home next month but do you think replacing the fence altogether is my best bet or would adding a few feet to the top, be a good alternative? Has anyone ever heard of a Mastiff leaping over a 5.5 ft fence?
Not too many of them excell in agility.....What a chunky butt!

Just goes to prove; you should never underestimate a Gazellstiff

TonkaTruckJK

Hahaha...it's a new breed...wonder how many years until she's recognized by the AKC???

Wow...mine are a couple of jumping fools, they can jump as high as my head from a standstill, but Chloe's a svelte 53-lbs, and while clumsy at times, she can really get up and down...

Good luck keeping her 'corralled'. I'm not sure the best answer to keep her inside the corral...but it's GREAT that she just jumped out to come find you...mine have altogether different intentions when they decide to moonlight as Harry Houdini...generally it's chasing small, unsuspecting animals, like cats, squirrels, lizards, or birds...

Mischief

I was thankful she didn't have a case of the wonderlust

It's not really a corral, I just say that for lack of a better word and because it sort of looks like one with the way it was built to have a big wooden gate with an over hanging sign thingy....lol (my hubby calls it the "OK that's enough dogs CORRAL" ) It's actually about 80 ft X 60 ft. I wanted to fence in all 4 acres but apparently that would be a little costly.

Do you think if it was all wooden panels, it would make a difference? Not as easy to get over maybe?

I think you're right, the AKC may take a while to fully recognize her breed
Wow talk about "hybrid vigor" though.

I think I'm still in shock.

Mischief

Oh I just thought of something,
Where your breed like to chase squirrels, cats etc
I think mine prefer being hot on the trail of a butterfly...

MySoulmateEmmy

LOL your post made me laugh Mischief. I am glad it wasn't a cougar though that you had to use only a hockey stick to defend yourself with.

Amazing what dog's can do that you don't expect isn't it? do you think she could've somehow found an opening JUST big enough to squeeze through in the fence?

alfi

Heidi thought could give you a surprise today!!
The most important is that she is ok!
All dogs want is a moment unsupervised to do their things!!
Can we blame the moon? I think yesterday was the bigger full moon of the year??!!

Criosphynx

Omg that hilarious....how on earth did she jump that??? I have 4ft chain link and have never had one of my dogs even try....tho I had a stray confined to the back temporarily and it jumped it...

plant fast growing shrubs around the chainlink? Saw her legs off? I dunno.

kmes

LOL! What a spry mastiff/gazelle cross!

I have no idea how to fix the fence...

alfi

Oh I forgot about your fence...I had a friend with a pitbull - a real master in escapes - and we put an horizontal part at the top of the fence (if that makes sense ). You may want to try this.

Mese

lmao , I can just picture her face , I bet she was well pleased with herself , hehehehehe