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Post by racingteatray on Mar 26, 2021 11:41:45 GMT
Louisa had Newfs when I met her. I’ve always loved big dogs, though. An uncle of mine had Wolf Hounds when I was younger but Newfs really get under your skin. They’re great characters. I look at them and think of that film "Beethoven", although that was a St Bernard, right? I've always been the only one in my family without a dog, but that's primarily as we are also the only part of my family where both of us work long hours in an office and travel a lot, meaning we don't have a dog-friendly lifestyle. |
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Post by Martin on Mar 26, 2021 12:16:29 GMT
If you are comparing to Disco 5 - the difference in internal height is less than 1 cm. In relation to the size of the gap between the boot floor and the ground, the Range Rover has a lower standard ride height and drops further in access mode than the D5 does (50 mm vs 40 mm). Access mode can be set up as default when switching off the engine, or you can push a button in the boot to drop the rear. Sounds perfect. |
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Post by michael on Mar 26, 2021 12:58:35 GMT
If you are comparing to Disco 5 - the difference in internal height is less than 1 cm. In relation to the size of the gap between the boot floor and the ground, the Range Rover has a lower standard ride height and drops further in access mode than the D5 does (50 mm vs 40 mm). Access mode can be set up as default when switching off the engine, or you can push a button in the boot to drop the rear. The rake on the rear window robs the Range Rover of quite a lot of space, though. The benefit of the Discovery is that the read seats slide forward so that there is more volume in the boot, if that makes sense. However, I will take a closer look at a Range Rover as I know they're usefully wider. The truly ideal car would be a Range Rover LWB with the rear seats in the standard position and the extension benefiting the boot. I'm sure SVO would do this for me but I'd need to sell the house to pay for it.
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Post by michael on Mar 26, 2021 13:00:29 GMT
Louisa had Newfs when I met her. I’ve always loved big dogs, though. An uncle of mine had Wolf Hounds when I was younger but Newfs really get under your skin. They’re great characters. I look at them and think of that film "Beethoven", although that was a St Bernard, right? I've always been the only one in my family without a dog, but that's primarily as we are also the only part of my family where both of us work long hours in an office and travel a lot, meaning we don't have a dog-friendly lifestyle. Beethoven was a St Bernard. They're lovely dogs but they slobber even more than Newfs and their life expectancy is shockingly low, eight years old is considered a good innings. I couldn't deal with that. |
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Post by Boxer6 on Mar 26, 2021 13:11:39 GMT
I look at them and think of that film "Beethoven", although that was a St Bernard, right? I've always been the only one in my family without a dog, but that's primarily as we are also the only part of my family where both of us work long hours in an office and travel a lot, meaning we don't have a dog-friendly lifestyle. Beethoven was a St Bernard. They're lovely dogs but they slobber even more than Newfs and their life expectancy is shockingly low, eight years old is considered a good innings. I couldn't deal with that. I think the life expectancy of many breeds these days is much less than a lot of people might expect. For example, Herself was talking to a guy she met yesterday when she was walking Bodie who has bred Flat-coated retrievers for nearly 20 years; she spoke to him mainly as I've always had a liking for the looks and temperament of dogs I've met of that breed. He said the life expectancy or them is single figures, and compromised further by dodgy hips, weak elbows and a tendency to cancers. Like you, not sure I could cope easily with that. |
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Post by racingteatray on Mar 26, 2021 13:24:18 GMT
Yes, I noticed that - mutts are the way forward, as are smaller dogs. My mother had a proper London Heinz 57 mutt when we were growing up - about the size of a spaniel. She got him from Battersea Dogs Home when he was a year old and he lived to be nearly 16, whereas the black lab she had afterwards only made it to 12. Similarly, my father has two small small dachshund/terrier-mix mongrels and the older of the two died aged 15 a couple of weeks ago.
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Post by michael on Mar 26, 2021 16:06:56 GMT
We lost Poppy just before Christmas and she lived on until 13, I think I mentioned it. That's highly respectably age for a Newf but Molly has utterly knocked my confidence in them as she has fallen victim to all the risk illnesses and although she is currently well in herself I'd be amazed if she sees 8. I certainly won't prolong her life beyond a point where she doesn't have quality of life but otherwise we do what we. In herself she's happy and doesn't seem to experience any suffering and is quite happy to run my bank balance dry in medical costs. Without exaggeration her medical bills are the difference between a new Defender and new Range Rover. You do what you need to do I guess! I quite like the idea of a black lab.
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Post by garry on Mar 26, 2021 16:42:15 GMT
We lost Poppy just before Christmas and she lived on until 13, I think I mentioned it. That's highly respectably age for a Newf but Molly has utterly knocked my confidence in them as she has fallen victim to all the risk illnesses and although she is currently well in herself I'd be amazed if she sees 8. I certainly won't prolong her life beyond a point where she doesn't have quality of life but otherwise we do what we. In herself she's happy and doesn't seem to experience any suffering and is quite happy to run my bank balance dry in medical costs. Without exaggeration her medical bills are the difference between a new Defender and new Range Rover. You do what you need to do I guess! I quite like the idea of a black lab. It's pretty obvious that cross bred dogs are on average are healthier than pure breeds. It's just like us humans - limit the gene pool and you end up with Prince Edward, give it a good mix and out pops Naomi Campbell. The balance when going 'full mutt' is getting a dog that is right for you. I've got a pure bred black lab who I wouldn't change for the world - he's bright, soft, clingy, and needs hours of walking per day. He's great for us but wouldn't suit a family where he was left alone much (or at all!). You don't really know what you'll get with a mutt and if it will work for you. BTW, One of my dogs (a staffie) died not long ago. He was costing £250 per month on medication. |
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Post by racingteatray on Mar 26, 2021 16:44:41 GMT
Yes, that's always a worry.
I'm no expert, but apparently so-called "working strain" labradors are sought after as they tend to be more athletic, less greedy and less prone to genetic problems. Also make better gun dogs for those into that sort of thing. My mother's and sister's labs were both from working strains. What I've noticed is that they were both incredibly sweet-natured and also, unusually for Labrador bitches, stayed slim and fit into old age, whereas many labradors turn into fat old waddlers if not watched carefully.
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Post by racingteatray on Mar 26, 2021 16:48:14 GMT
We lost Poppy just before Christmas and she lived on until 13, I think I mentioned it. That's highly respectably age for a Newf but Molly has utterly knocked my confidence in them as she has fallen victim to all the risk illnesses and although she is currently well in herself I'd be amazed if she sees 8. I certainly won't prolong her life beyond a point where she doesn't have quality of life but otherwise we do what we. In herself she's happy and doesn't seem to experience any suffering and is quite happy to run my bank balance dry in medical costs. Without exaggeration her medical bills are the difference between a new Defender and new Range Rover. You do what you need to do I guess! I quite like the idea of a black lab. It's pretty obvious that cross bred dogs are on average are healthier than pure breeds. It's just like us humans - limit the gene pool and you end up with Prince Edward, give it a good mix and out pops Naomi Campbell. Although Edward's actually a nice guy whereas said supermodel is known for being a touch stroppy. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 26, 2021 17:03:25 GMT
I agree about Labs - I meet an old guy regularly who has two gundog trained black labs and they are beautiful without an ounce of fat on them. They're raw fed and get a lot of salmon so their coats are very glossy. Some of the other labs you bump into are about 50% overweight and that's sad to see. We've got a Working Cocker Spaniel from a long line of Field Trial Champions who is impossible to tire out, despite two good long walks every day and lots of retrieving with dummies, and around the house is basically your shadow - where you go he goes - just incase you're going to have some fun without him. He's lying at my feet now. Wouldn't swop him for any car offered.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2021 17:40:21 GMT
I was seriously looking into retired greyhounds but the cost of running one is suggested at about £100 to £125 per month so out of reach on a purely logical viewpoint, possibly whatever is in the shelter when I am able to visit tbh, breed is unimportant but something not too prone to illness from over breeding. I really bonded with the Bulldog that was here a while ago but his owners split up and left. Definitely the most important thing is getting on with the dog. A newfie would turn around and fall out of the flat too.
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Post by PG on Mar 26, 2021 21:19:15 GMT
Labs definitely fall into two distinct gene pools. The "brutes" who tend to run to fat if not really carefully managed and the lithe ones who don't and never tire. The black lab I had many years ago was definitely in the latter camp, but he died of stomach cancer at 8, so nothing in life is certain.
Hybrid vigour can really help a dog's health and well being. In our sheep and cattle we always look at inbreeding % when picking males to use as sires. Generally farm animals, even pedigree breeds, are not badly inbred. But many pedigree dogs breeds are right on the edge of being overly inbred which causes a lot of the health issues.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2021 15:06:20 GMT
Something else to beat the kennel club with.
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Post by Alex on Mar 28, 2021 14:32:42 GMT
A lot of the 'toy' dogs which have been popular in lockdown have low life expectancies. My grandmother has had Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for over 50 years and they always live to about 8 years old and all the ones I've known her to have required water retention and blood pressure tablets from about the age of 3. They seem shockingly prone to heart problems and none of her dogs have seemed to have a great quality of life after the age of 5. They're constantly panting and moping about like their utterly knackered!
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Post by michael on Apr 20, 2021 15:12:49 GMT
The car is in for replacement of the front and rear lower suspension arms and I have been given a Mitsubishi ASX courtesy car. Remarkably, this isn't the worst of it all - would anybody like to guess what the bill is going to be?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2021 15:25:03 GMT
£OUCH!
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Post by Tim on Apr 20, 2021 15:45:25 GMT
£1500
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Post by Martin on Apr 20, 2021 15:47:14 GMT
It’s because you’ve been talking about replacing it. That does sound expensive....will it be covered by warranty?
If the Mitsubishi ASX isn’t the worst thing, then I assume you didn’t extended the warranty? I had to Google it and the funny thing is it gets 3 ratings on the Google summary.....
What Car - 2/5
Autoexpress - 2/5
and
Mitsubishi Motors - 8.9/10
Wonder what they marked it down on?!
As for the cost, can’t be much more than £1000 surely?
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Post by michael on Apr 20, 2021 15:55:03 GMT
I did extend the warranty, the suspension bushings are a wear and tear item that require a new suspension arm. Because the tracking needs to be done after the work adjustments to the upper arms has also been required. The bolts on the upper rear arms have seized solid and so these are also now getting replaced.
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Post by Martin on Apr 20, 2021 15:57:11 GMT
I did extend the warranty, the suspension bushings are a wear and tear item that require a new suspension arm. Because the tracking needs to be done after the work adjustments to the upper arms has also been required. The bolts on the upper rear arms have seized solid and so these are also now getting replaced. That sounds like the start of a “so I’ve decided to replace the chassis while I’ve got the spanners out” story! |
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Post by michael on Apr 20, 2021 15:58:13 GMT
I did extend the warranty, the suspension bushings are a wear and tear item that require a new suspension arm. Because the tracking needs to be done after the work adjustments to the upper arms has also been required. The bolts on the upper rear arms have seized solid and so these are also now getting replaced. That sounds like the start of a “so I’ve decided to replace the chassis while I’ve got the spanners out” story! Yes, it has got the makings of that kind of story. The answer is just short of £3k. |
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Post by Martin on Apr 20, 2021 16:00:16 GMT
That sounds like the start of a “so I’ve decided to replace the chassis while I’ve got the spanners out” story! Yes, it has got the makings of that kind of story. The answer is just short of £3k. Ouch indeed. Not good timing on top of all the recent vets bills, not that a surprise £3k bill is ever going to arrive at the right time. Good job you love the car! |
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Post by michael on Apr 20, 2021 16:03:37 GMT
It's not ideal but it is what it is. The parts are £1500 along and it's getting done with a specialist who is cheaper than the main dealer. The dog was £4k a corner so at least the car is cheaper and she only get the rears done.
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Post by ChrisM on Apr 20, 2021 18:23:04 GMT
I was going to guess well north of two grand. As to the ASX, look back to the old place for my review when I got one as a hire car to drive from Aberdeen to John OGroats; almost the worst car I've driven, and that's when it was a fairly new design
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Post by racingteatray on Apr 21, 2021 12:19:35 GMT
Apropos repairing Discoveries and dogs, I read an amusing LR joke in The Times yesterday: "Land Rovers do not leak...they merely mark their territories..."
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Post by LandieMark on Apr 21, 2021 16:12:57 GMT
Apropos repairing Discoveries and dogs, I read an amusing LR joke in The Times yesterday: " Land Rovers do not leak...they merely mark their territories..." I have a T shirt with that on.  |
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Post by michael on Apr 22, 2021 11:27:41 GMT
I have it back and the good news is it drives like a new car. Clearly things had deteriorated for quite sometime as it is day and night in terms of difference, the steering has more weight and precision, it feels more controlled and it even looks slightly more planted on its wheels. I'm delighted, money well spent.
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Post by Martin on Apr 22, 2021 12:25:20 GMT
I have it back and the good news is it drives like a new car. Clearly things had deteriorated for quite sometime as it is day and night in terms of difference, the steering has more weight and precision, it feels more controlled and it even looks slightly more planted on its wheels. I'm delighted, money well spent. That great, at least you can feel the benefit of spending the money. |
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Post by michael on Apr 22, 2021 12:50:34 GMT
I looked under both ends and to be fair it's easy to see where the money went. The suspension arms are huge and reassuringly chunky. I can't get over how much better the steering is, though.
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