In Morgantown, Pennsylvania, the Plow Farm’s Newfoundland Christmas Tree Pull has become a popular annual tradition. As one might expect, Christmas trees are quite popular this time of year.
But that’s hardly the main draw — having a tree pulled to your car on a cart by an adorable Newfoundland pup is.
The farm’s Newfoundland Day has been a tradition for several years now, and many dog lovers can’t wait to see the canines spreading Christmas cheer.
Why Newfoundland Dogs?
(Stock Picture Credit: Barb/Getty Images)Newfoundland dogs, or Newfies, are quite large. On average, they weigh 125 to 150 pounds but can get up to 200.
Originally, Newfoundlands were bred as work pups for fishermen. They are incredibly strong for cart-pulling, and they have webbed feet, which enables them to be exemplary swimmers. These days, Newfoundland dogs often work as water rescue dogs.
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Dogs Will Deliver Your Christmas Tree If You Buy From This Farm Us WeeklyFull coverage | Newfoundland dogs delivered Christmas trees at Plow Farms in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, for Newfoundland Day Tree Pull — details! pic.twitter.com/mSGM1SOWGN
— PopularCeleb (@PopularCelebNow) December 24, 2017
Lindsay Eshelman, the owner of Plow Farms, tells ABC27, “there’s no better way to showcase our love of the breed than letting them work.” Her immediate and extended family are all proud companions to Newfoundland dogs.
“They’re working dogs; they love to be active,” she says. “It brings the dogs joy, and it brings the people even more joy.”
According to Eshelman, her farm “has been in our blood for generations” and became a community staple when her parents founded it in the early eighties.
“We’re really proud to serve Central Pennsylvania as one of the leading Christmas tree farms,” she says. And on December 11th, Plow Farms reaches peak popularity with the Newfoundland Christmas Tree Pull; an eight-year tradition.
No Animal Cruelty Is Involved
If you need to see something cute today, here’s a Christmas tree farm that has Newfoundland dogs pull your tree in carts to your car. https://t.co/2wrVIe7bw0 pic.twitter.com/e0KctNvnwx
— Richard B a i k (@richbaik) December 6, 2020
Glenn Lester and his Newfoundland pup, Glory, demonstrated for ABC27 how the pull works alongside Zach Creelman and his pup, wonderfully named Scarlett Means of Ephrata.
Lindsey explained the demonstration, noting that the dogs don’t actually “pull” the carts loaded up with trees at all — they push them.
“When hooked up correctly, Newfoundlands actually push the cart,” she explains. “The strap of the cart actually goes across their chest, so with that motion, when they step forward, it pushes the chest and it propels the cart forward. There’s no back pull on it.”
This technology protects the dog from strain, she explains, and enables them to safely pull far more weight.
“We always want to tell people there’s no animal cruelty,” Lindsey says. “They’re not pulling heavy, they’re pushing, and they can push with a lot of might.”
‘Gentle Giants’ That Bring Joy
Cute unused pic by @njherald Photog Jake West 4 @LoriComstockNJH story about #newfoundland dogs and Xmas Tree farms.https://t.co/iPq7Ll5FmM pic.twitter.com/xXu64eKSVg
— NJHeraldPhoto (@drfreelphoto) November 29, 2016
Newfoundlands seem to have the perfect disposition for such a tradition. They love to work, love to nap between work, and love the attention. Both kids and adults shower them with love throughout the event.
“The Newfoundland dog is actually known as the Nanny dog, they were the Nanny dog in Peter Pan,” says Eshelman.
“They’re gentle giants. And that’s what we love to show on our Newfoundland Day is that they’re friendly with kids, their size shouldn’t be intimidating, they’re just gentle dogs who are loving, perfect family pets.“
What do you think of the Newfoundland Christmas Tree Pull? Would you like a friendly Newfie to help you take home a great Christmas tree? Let us know in the comments below.
