Breeding              

  Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is an exceptionally patient dog who fits into any type of household. Newfoundlands are a large and beautiful breed who rarely has a bad temper unless provoked. Known for their love and ability to swim, Newfoundlands have been known to rescue drowning victims. As with any giant breed their owner will require vigilance in their raising and caring for the Newfoundland , in return they will give their complete devotion and constant protection.

Size and appearance: Newfies can be anywhere from 24" to 33" tall   100-200lbs    Their coats  vary to med to long with varying degrees of thickness, wave and texture . This means varying degrees of ease of care.  Their colors include black, brown, gray or Landseer (black head with black markings on a white ground.)  There is the slobber factor, some slobber a little, some all the time. Some newfies are "leggy" and slender; some are low to the ground and wide. Some are couch potatoes and some are active. Newfie faces vary from petite to massive, with clean lines to lots of wrinkles. All newfies are not the same. See the parents, ask questions. Get a newf that fits your lifestyle and tastes.

Newfoundlands have a very responsive temperament and are very good with small children. Of all canines, the Newfie is undoubtedly one of the best pets to have around children!

Care and Exercise: Daily brushing of the Newfoundland ’s thick double coat with a hard brush is required. The double coated dog has this coat for a reason. It keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Please use an “undercoat rake” when your dog sheds his/her undercoat (usually in spring and fall). You can use any type of brush for the puppy coat. Mats usually start behind the puppy’s ears. NEVER shave your Newfy to the bare skin. Their fur will not grow back the same. It will take years of grooming for your dog to look like a Newfoundland again if ever. Ask any Professional Pet Groomer. It only takes a few minutes of your time to keep your dog looking great and matt free. Avoid bathing unless necessary as it will strip away their natural coat's oils. Instead use dry shampoo. They need regular, moderate exercise even though they would love to lie around. The Newfoundland loves to swim and they should be given the opportunity whenever is it possible.

Training: A calm and balanced manner is needed as they are a very sensitive breed who will listen to the tone of your voice. NEVER EVER yell at your Newfoundland ! They will shy away and be afraid of you. Newfoundland 's never forget. They are like children and learn very fast and are Extremely Intelligent. Be firm with them when need be, but NEVER scream at them.

Living Arrangements: Newfies are generally not suited for apartment living as they need lots of room. A large fenced yard is essential. They are more suited to colder than hot climates.

Health Issues: Hip dysplasia, genetic heart conditions.

Life Span: is 10 years and their litter size is normally 8 – 10 pups.

Country of Origin: Canada
History: One of the few native North American breeds they come from Newfoundland Island in Canada , where they were said to have first arrived with the British and French fisherman who reach these North Atlantic shores. Newfoundlands ancestors may have included the Great Pyrenees and Tibetan Mastiff. They were bred by the early settlers to pull sleds, hunt and guard. They adapted to the rugged conditions of Newfoundland by developing webbed feet and an oily coat which allows them to remain in the water for long periods of time. Today they are popular as a household pet throughout Europe and North America .

So you think you are ready to make a Newf a part of your family?

For some of us Newfs are worth every worry, every dollar and every sacrifice of additional cleaning and brushing, not only them, but our homes and cars. You will need to own a lint brush or two. They are a very unique and special animal that will be your constant companion and best friend; however, Newfoundlands have potential for all kinds of health issues. No mater how healthy the parents are some of the health issues are hidden in recessive genes, some are environmental, some are a combination of both. These are fast growing giant dogs; things just don’t always grow right.  You must, as with having a human child, be ready to accept the risk and responsibility of what may appear. 

The risk is the price all of us pay to own such a unique and special companion.

Be sure to feed your Newfoundland "LARGE/GIANT BREED PUPPY" Dog Food. This is so important! The Newfoundland gains approximately 100 pounds in his or her first year. Large/Giant Breed dog food has the necessary vitamins so your puppy does not grow too fast. Newfoundlands are not done growing until they are two years old! Their heads are one of the parts that are STILL growing in that 2nd year. DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF TAKING YOUR DOG OFF "LARGE/GIANT BREED PUPPY FOOD" UNTIL THEY ARE TWO YEARS OLD. A real misconception is that Newfies eat a lot. During the first year as they grow from tiny pups to 100 lbs. they require plenty of food. Once they become adult dogs their low metabolism surprises many owners who realize their food bill can be less than that of some smaller breeds.

As wonderful as Newfies are, they are not the breed for everyone. Please read on…

As a breed, they have a few characteristics that most people find charming, some find mildly unpleasant, and some people find downright intolerable.

DON'T BUY A NEWFOUNDLAND IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO THE BREED "CHIEFLY" BY ITS APPEARANCE. Those cute puppies grow up! The appearance of the Newfoundlands you have seen in the show ring is the product of many hours of bathing and grooming. This carefully constructed beauty is fleeting: a few minutes of freedom, romping through the fields or strolling in the rain restores the natural look. The natural look of the Newfie is that of a large, shaggy farm dog, usually with some dirt and grass clinging to his coat. The true beauty of the Newf lies in their character, not in their appearance.

DON'T BUY A NEWF IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE YOUR LIFE AND HOME WITH YOUR DOG. Newfies were bred to share in the work of the family (fishing, pulling carts, etc.) and to spend most of their waking hours working with the family. They thrive on companionship and they want to be wherever you are. (Even the bathroom!)They are the happiest when living with you in your house and going with you when you go out. While they usually tolerate being left at home by themselves (preferably with a dog-door giving access to the fenced yard), they should not be relegated to the backyard or kennel. A puppy exiled from the house is likely to grow up to be unsociable, unruly, and unhappy. He may well develop pastimes, such as digging or barking that will displease you and/or your neighbors. An adult so exiled will be miserable too. If you don't strongly prefer to have your dog's companionship as much as possible, enjoying having him sleep in your bedroom at night and sharing many of your activities by day, you should choose a breed less oriented to human companionship. Likewise if your job or other obligations prevent you from spending much time with your dog. (Our Newf shares our master bedroom…on the floor.)

DON'T BUY A NEWFOUNDLAND IF YOU DON'T INTEND TO EDUCATE (TRAIN) YOUR DOG. Basic obedience and household rules training is NOT optional for the Newf. As an absolute minimum, you must teach them to reliably respond to commands to come, lie down, stay, and walk at your side, on or off leash and regardless of temptations. You don’t want him eating off your plate whenever you turn your head or off the counter top. It’s critical that you enforce your rules consistently. Young Newfie puppies are relatively easy to train: they are eager to please, intelligent, and calm-natured, with a relatively good attention span. Once a Newfie has learned something, they tend to retain it well. Your cute, sweet little puppy will grow up to be a large dog. If he has grown up respecting you and your rules, then all his physical and mental strength will work for you. But if he has grown up without rules and guidance from you, surely he will make his own rules, and his physical and mental powers will often act in opposition to your needs and desires. For example: he may tow you down the street making it appear as though he is walking you instead of vice versa or may grab food out of your child’s hand at every opportunity…

This training cannot be delegated to someone else, e.g. by sending the dog away to "boarding school," because the relationship of respect and obedience is personal between the dog and the individual who does the training. While you definitely may want the help of an experienced trainer to teach you how to train your dog, you yourself must actually train your Newf. As each lesson is well learned, then the rest of the household (except young children) must also work with the dog, insisting they obey your children as well.

DON'T BUY A NEWFIE IF YOU DON'T VALUE LAID-BACK COMPANIONSHIP AND CALM AFFECTION. A Newf becomes deeply attached and devoted to his own family. Some are noticeably reserved, others are more outgoing. They like to be near you, usually in the same room, preferably on a comfortable pad or cushion in a corner or under a table, just "keeping you company." Our Newf likes to spend time in the art studio with me, keeping her head on my foot while I power the pottery wheel. They enjoy conversation, petting and cuddling when you offer it, but they are moderate and not overbearing in coming to you to demand much attention. They are emotionally sensitive to their favorite people: when you are joyful, proud, angry, or grief-stricken, your Newf will immediately perceive it. As puppies, of course, they will be more dependent, more playful, and more demonstrative.

DON'T BUY A NEWFIE IF YOU ARE OBSESSIVE ABOUT A SPOTLESS HOME. We recently built a brand new home in 2002, we knew that a Newfie would be part of our home and we were willing to accept the responsibility of cleaning up after our Newf. The Newfoundland 's thick shaggy coat and her love of playing in water and mud combine to make her a highly efficient transporter of dirt into our home. She deposits it on our floors and rugs and sometimes on our furniture and clothes. One Newf coming in from a few minutes outdoors on a rainy day can turn an immaculate house into an instant mess. Their chest soaks up water every time they takes a drink, then releases the same dribble across your floor or sopping into your lap, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. She is our child!