Fargo dog park meet-up for large breeds

Giant breeds are often outnumbered by smaller dogs at the dog park. Almost always gentle, these powerful breeds still make the owners of smaller dogs nervous. I’ve experienced it more than once – my friend and I show up with my mutt and her dane and the place clears out. Our dogs stand there looking at each other like, “Well, we could’ve just done this at home. ”

All dogs need socialization, and they love being around dogs of all kinds. Large breeds that are often isolated or unwelcomed need the socialization more than ever.

If you’re the owner of a great dane, Saint Bernard or Newfoundland in the Fargo area, you’re going to want to check this out:

Big Paws in the Park is having its first Fargo dog park meet-up at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at the Village West Dog Park (45th Street and Ninth Ave. S.). Big Paws in the Park is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a friendly meet-up for big dogs and their owners. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend Saturday’s event, but Ace and I will be at the next one if we can.

After all, dogs of all sizes and their owners are welcome.

“We encourage everyone to come out no matter what breed of dog they have,” said Nykky Rehovsky, the organizer behind Big Paws in the Park. “Anyone and everyone is invited.”

Big Paws in the Park began in Bismarck, N.D.

“Bismarck’s meet-ups started as an ‘oops’ of great dane owners accidentally showing up at the dog park at the same time,” said Nykky, who owns several giant dogs herself.

The dog owners recently decided to make the group official, she said. Five or six great danes, an English mastiff, a newfoundland and a few others often meet at the Bismarck park.

The agenda?

Play!

The dog owners also help each other out with training tips, feeding tips and other dog information, Nykky said. But just like any trip to the dog park, it’s all about the dogs and watching them play while the owners talk about dogs.

Monthly meet-ups will now be held in Bismarck and Fargo. The date for June’s Fargo meet-up is yet to be determined, so keep checking the Big Paws web site for updates. The group is currently looking for a volunteer scheduling coordinator for Fargo. If you are interested, send an email to bigpawsinthepark@yahoo.com.

Adopt a giant breed

People considering adopting a dog are welcome to attend the Big Paws in the Park meet-up. Not only does Nykky organize Big Paws in the Park, but she also runs Bentley’s Buds Great Dane and Giant Breed Rescue. The rescue is dedicated to saving and re-homing giant breeds such as Saint Bernards and great danes.

Volunteers with Bentley’s Buds Great Dane and Giant Breed Rescue plan on attending the event with some of its extra large dogs currently up for adoption.

“As long as we have social, loving dogs in our rescue that need homes, they will be going to the dog park,” Nykky said.

The dogs up for adoption will get a chance to socialize with people and dogs as well as meet potential families. Some of the Bentley’s Buds dogs available for adoption include Athena the great dane, Famous the coonhound mix, Zeke the great dane and Gabby the Great Pyrenees (pictured, right).

For anyone considering adopting a giant breed, this would be a great event to attend if you want to meet some dogs, learn about their needs or just let your dog socialize.

Nykky began Bentley’s Buds after her own great dane died. When she began looking for another dog to adopt, she came across a deaf and vision impaired dane puppy that was going to be killed because of his differences.

“He made it clear to me that I needed to be a voice for those without one,” Nykky said. “The great dane was my passion, so I started there.”

She said she admires the breed’s ability to pay attention to people’s emotions and the way great danes cuddle and love even the cruelest people.

“The other giant breeds are much the same, and people often overlook them because of their size,” Nykky said.

Understanding giant breeds

The size of a large dog can certainly be threatening.

In the wrong hands, a dog weighing more than 100 pounds can set a bad example for its breed, Nykky said. But danes and other giant breeds are natural lovers, and they are often couch potatoes!

“Giant breed equals giant heart,” she said.

Nykky also pointed out that it does not cost one million dollars to feed a dane.

“A lab can easily out eat a dane,” she said.

She also wants to remind people that even though they are large dogs, danes, St. Bernards and mastiffs are meant to be around people. They will go crazy if they are kept outside all the time.

Volunteer with Bentley’s Buds

Before bringing the rescue dogs to events, Nykky said they are temperament tested around dogs of all sizes.

“It is always helpful to have extra hands around when introducing dogs to new things,” she said.

If you would like to volunteer by handling and assisting the adoptable dogs, send an email to BBGDRadoptions@hotmail.com. Volunteers are always needed, and extra help would even make a difference for this weekend’s event.

For more information:

Big Paws in the Park:
Visit bigpawsinthepark.webs.com or email bigpawsinthepark@yahoo.com.

Bentley’s Buds:

Visit freewebs.com/saveadane/ or email BBGDRadoptions@hotmail.com.

(Top two images from bigpawsinthepark.webs.com, bottom image from freewebs.com/saveadane)