How to Select a Newfoundland
The Newfoundland, named for its original home in Newfoundland, is noble in appearance, extremely agile and even-tempered. This breed, with its webbed feet and waterproof coat, is also known as a lifeguard dog because of its ability to rescue swimmers. Outside the water, the Newfoundland is watchful over children and an overall sweet and loyal companion.
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Things You'll Need
- Dental Kits (for Dogs)
- Dog Beds
- Dog Brushes
- Dog Collars
- Dog Dishes
- Dog Food
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Tags
- Dog Toys
- Dry Shampoo For Dogs
- Nail Clippers For Dogs
Instructions
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Choose a Newfoundland if you are looking for an affectionate and attentive pet. Look elsewhere if you want a watchdog - although Newfoundlands may intimidate intruders through their sheer size, they don't have aggressive personalities.
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Consider a Newfoundland if you have children or other pets in the house. They are very playful with children and are much more patient with them than are most breeds. They also do well with other animals of all kinds.
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Think about a Newfoundland regardless of your climate. Newfoundlands are at home in cold weather, but they can also adapt to warm weather - they simply don't grow their usual undercoat.
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Look at the dog's features when considering the purchase of a Newfoundland. Its head should be quite large and its eyes should be dark brown and small. Its outer and undercoats, which are water-repellent, should have a slick look and should not be wavy, although a slight wave over the rump is permissible.
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Notice a Newfoundland's colors. They can be black with white on their tail tip, chest and feet; bronze; black; white; brown or gray.
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Note that male Newfoundlands will to grow to between 27 and 29 inches in height and weigh up to 150 pounds. Females will grow 25 to 27 inches and will weigh between 100 and 120 pounds.
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Learn about the health problems that are associated with Newfoundlands and talk to the breeder - or whomever you are considering purchasing yours from - to see if they have screened for these disorders. Newfoundlands are prone to hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint), elbow dysplasia, sub-aortic stenosis (a heart condition), and cystinuria (a hereditary defect that forms calculi stones in the bladder).
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Check out potential breeders very carefully, being sure to ask if they are members of breed, specialty or obedience clubs. Affiliation with a club means you can check their references to make sure you aren't dealing with a puppy mill (a place where puppies are constantly bred for financial gain without consideration of the integrity of the breed).
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Know that you will probably pay between $900 and $1,500 for a purebred Newfoundland.
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Consider adopting a Newfoundland from a pet rescue organization.
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Realize that the life expectancy of a Newfoundland is about 10 years.
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Tips & Warnings
Newfoundlands do well indoors and will remain fairly calm, but they do need daily exercise.
Keep in mind that this breed loves to swim and be around water. Give your Newfoundland a chance to swim if at all possible.
Contrary to popular belief, the Newfoundland is not a "black Saint Bernard." The two breeds do share similar traits - large size, a tendency to drool and a history as rescue dogs. However, the Saint Bernard rescues people in the snow, while the Newfoundland rescues in the water.
Newfoundlands have a tendency to drool.
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Comments
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Feb 25, 2006
My family has owned (and loved) a Newfoundland for nearly four years now. We have noticed many traits that have made us fall in love with the breed: *They are excellent with children: They are patient and gentle. In previous centuries, the Newfoundland often would be used by households as nannies, like Nana in Peter Pan! (though it is never advisable to leave young children alone with any animal). *They are affectionate: If you are sick, they'll sit by your side until you're well again. *They are easy to care for: Simply make sure (s)he is well-brushed and groomed like you would most other dogs. Because they are so lazy, you needn't worry about having to go out of your way to exercise them (they do need daily exercise, however, just not as much as many breeds do, and are often happiest when allowed to swim). Simply put: If you can handle the drool and the shedding, this is a sweet, lovable, affectionate dog breed! -
Feb 25, 2006
My family has owned (and loved) a Newfoundland for nearly four years now. We have noticed many traits that have made us fall in love with the breed: *They are excellent with children: They are patient and gentle. In previous centuries, the Newfoundland often would be used by households as nannies, like Nana in Peter Pan! (though it is never advisable to leave young children alone with any animal). *They are affectionate: If you are sick, they'll sit by your side until you're well again. *They are easy to care for: Simply make sure (s)he is well-brushed and groomed like you would most other dogs. Because they are so lazy, you needn't worry about having to go out of your way to exercise them (they do need daily exercise, however, just not as much as many breeds do, and are often happiest when allowed to swim). Simply put: If you can handle the drool and the shedding, this is a sweet, lovable, affectionate dog breed!
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Feb 07, 2006
If you are considering getting a Newfoundland dog, please take a look at the information available on line from the AKC Parent Club for the breed, do a Google for the Newfoundland Club of America.
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Feb 07, 2006
If you are considering getting a Newfoundland dog, please take a look at the information available on line from the AKC Parent Club for the breed, do a Google for the Newfoundland Club of America.
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Nov 22, 2005
They need extra food from 6 months to 1 year, 1 can dog food & 3 cups dry mixed, 3 times a day for good bones. Males can grow to 200 lbs. Fantastic with handicapped, both physical & mental. People pleasers, so easily trainable. LOVABLE.
