Frequently Asked Questions About the Newfoundland Dog

How Big Do Newfoundlands Get?

The Newfoundland is considered a giant breed.  Females will weigh between 100-120lbs and stand about 26 inches at the shoulder.  Males can weigh between 120-150lbs and stand about 28 inches at the shoulder.  Bigger is not always better, make sure you find a breeder that breeds to the standard.  Giant Newfoundland often have more health probelms and have a hard time participating in  activities like Draft and Agility. 

What kind of exercise do they need?

The adult Newfoundland (2 years +) does not require a great deal of exercise.  However exercise is still important to keep Newfies healthy both in body and mind.  For an adult newf an hour of exercise as well as training throughout the day should be sufficient.  A growing puppy will need different amounts of exercise as they develop.  It is important that the exercise be healthy for the pup.  Off-leash exercise, swimming and playing with other puppies is the best kind of exercise for a growing pup.

A Newfie is fully capable in participating in all dog activities, even fly ball and agility, as long as proper conditioning is done and strenuous exercise has not begun before the newf is finished growing. 

You should not jog or cycle with your newf until they are over 2 years old.

What Kind of Activities Can I Do with a Newf?

In short: everything!  A Newfoundland is a working breed and thrives when they have a job to do.  A newf can participate in all training deciplines.  Newfoundlands excel in Water Rescue and Draft as well as Therapy work, Obedience, Tracking and all the other fun stuff.

Do not get a Newfoundland if you do not intend to do at least two levels of training such as a puppy class and a level 2.

Do they eat a lot?

During their first year, Newfoundlands grow from about a pound to over a hundred pounds. They require a large amount of high-quality food to support such growth. Once they reach adulthood, however, they have a very low metabolism and Newfie owners find that their food costs are lower than those of friends with Labs or Shepherds.

It is important that you are able to feed your dog a high quality diet full of fresh, whole foods.  An average bag of kibble is not sufficient for a Newf to thrive on.  A large breed dog can be expensive to feed.  Do not compromise on food quality.  If you cannot afford to feed such a large breed, consider a smaller dog to keep quality food costs lower.

Newfies should be kept very lean, especially as they grow.    

How is the Newfoundland with children?

The Newf is renowned for his gentleness, protectiveness and love for    children. With proper socialization they are tolerant of behavior by children far beyond that which would make other breeds snap or walk away. Socialization with children while the Newfie is still a puppy is necessary in order to foster this gentle and calm behavior.  A Newf must also be taught how to behave around children.  Left to their own devises a Newfie pup may be too exuberant with small children and inadvertently injure them.

Are they protective of the home and family?

The Newfie’s size and stature alone brings confidence to a family.  The Newfie is more laid-back in its protectiveness as compared to other breeds. They are less likely to put on a show of barking & growling, relying instead on their size and concerned watchfullness to send a message to an unwanted intruder.

The Newf has an innate ability to recognize a dangerous situation. There are many documented accounts of people being saved by the family Newfoundland from gas leak, fire, and other dangers. They are most well known for their powerful lifeguard instincts and have many hundreds of documented rescues to their credit. They have been known not to allow people into the deep end of the swimming pool until they are satisfied that they can swim well enough to venture in over their heads. People with children and pools find that the Newf watches the children every second they are in the water.

Do they drool?

Certain Newfie lines drool more than others.  Breeders that prefer a more Mastiff-type head will drool more.  As you change the shape of the head and create more stop, the jowls deepen.  Some Newfs have such large jowls that their mouth never fully closes.  This causes them to drool all the time.  A newfie bred to the standard will have tight lips and therefor only drool when hot, excited or around food.

Before getting a Newfie, especially if you are not enamored by drool, make sure you research your breeder carefully and have a good look at the parents.  If they have tight lips there is a very good chance your Newfie will have tight lips as well.

Do they shed?

Do they ever!  If you are fastidious about a clean house do not get a Newfie!

The Newfie is a double-coated dog and therefore will shed.  Regular weekly, or better yet, bi-weekly grooming session are required.  Twice per year Newfies will shed much of their undercoat.  This is called ‘blowing-coat’ and occurs in the spring and fall.  A Newfie will also need their coat trimmed regularly; ears and paws with need to be trimmed with grooming shears once per month to keep your newf looking their best.

There are many ways to reduce the amount of hair that is left around your house.  A high quality diet with a lot of fresh foods and omega fatty acids will keep your Newf’s coat healthier and reduce the amount of shedding. 

How long do they live?

Giant breeds generally do not live as long as smaller dogs.  Unfortunately, processed foods, over vaccinating and careless breeding has taken its toll on the Newfoundland breed and many Newfies have been dying far too young.  Ask potential breeders how long their lines live.  Some Newfie lines are longer-lived than others. 

Keep your Newfie healthy as long as possible with good breeding, minimal vaccines, fresh whole foods and a healthy environment free of chemicals.

What health problems are particular to the breed?

Hip Dysplasia:  Hip dysplasia is a developmental disease of the hip joint whereas the femur head moves in the socket and wears down the bone surfaces.  Hip dysplasia can vary in severity from a mild/borderline case to a complete subluxation of the ball and socket.   Hip Dysplasia is commonly thought of to be a genetic issue, but there is an alarming amount of evidence that suggests that hip dysplasia can also be influenced by environmental and nutritional factors.   No Newfoundland should be bred without hip x-rays being certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (or equivalent).

Cardiac Problems:  Cardiac problems also occur. Newfoundlands have a genetic    predisposition for hereditary heart disease known as sub-aortic   stenosis (SAS). This disease can result in the premature death of a    Newfoundland. Responsible breeders screen their puppies for SAS at    8-12 weeks of age by having a veterinary cardiologist listen to the puppy's heart. All adult Newfs should be recleared of SAS before breeding.

Cystinuria: Cystinuria is a problem which occurs in the kidneys which can lead to the formation of bladder and kidney stones.  Cystine is an amino acid and in dogs with cystinuria, the kidney transporter for cystine is defective.  In acid urine, cystine precipitates to create crystals, which may further precipitate to form calculi (stones) in the kidney and bladder. These calculi can cause serious illness. Although cystinuria affects many dog breeds, the most severe form affects Newfoundland dogs. 

If you are considering a Newfie as part of your life, please try to find breeders who, at minimum, screen against each of the three major and most threatening health issues of our breed.  Together, responsible breeders and responsible pet owners can help pave the way for future Newf generations to live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

Other health issues may include eyes problems such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, Von Willebrands Disease and bloat.