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If you ever see a Newfoundland dog, you will know it. An eight week old puppy might weigh as much as 20-30 pounds. They grow quickly and at maturity average 120 pounds (female) to 150 pounds (male). Their coat is long and soft and many people say they resemble a giant teddy bear. But as endearing as the Newfoundland can be, it’s a dog for a specific type of person. If you are considering becoming a Newfie owner, there are several things you need to consider.
PROS:
Newfoundlands are known for their sweet and easy going temperament. Generally speaking, a Newfoundland blends into new situations easily and warms to strangers quickly. This is not to say you will never meet an aggressive Newfoundland – just as with any breed of dog, there are exceptions. But Newfoundlands are truly known to most as being a gentle giant
Newfoundland dogs love the water. Their coat is designed to support water activities, as it has two layers which help to keep the dog warm and dry. Newfoundlands work particularly well as water rescue dogs. Water play is a great way to exercise a Newfoundland, especially in warm climates.
Owners of Newfoundlands usually receive a lot of attention, especially when taking their Newfie out for a stroll around the block. People are very interested in such a large dog and often have many questions to ask.
When you combine a Newfie’s calm disposition with their amazing strength, you get a dog that will safely pull young children around in a cart, much like a horse. Newfoundlands love to play and cuddle with people of all ages, and will grow quite attached to their family.
CONS
Most obvious, their size can be a deterrent. A 150 pound dog that thinks he’s a “lap dog” or still behaves as a puppy can be difficult for smaller humans to manage. Newfs take up a significant amount of space, which is definitely something potential owners need to consider.
Families that pride themselves on having an immaculate house are probably not the right owners for the Newfoundland dog. As with many other giant breeds, Newfoundlands drool almost constantly. Newfie owners have been known to carry drool rags to wipe their dog’s excess drool from whatever surface it has found its way to – including jeans, countertops, and windows.
Since their coat is so long and thick, they require brushing at least once a week – more during their shedding season. This is not something that is merely suggested, it is required. Newfoundland coats that are not properly taken care of will become knotted and difficult to care for.
Newfoundlands do well in cold climates, and are not so fond of the hot summer. If you live in a hot climate, you will need to make adjustments for this large animal. It might mean keeping him indoors in air conditioning constantly, or clipping his coat ultra short. Large breeds are very sensitive to hotter weather and their owner must be very careful to not let them overheat.
It is very important that a Newfoundland goes through obedience training as soon as he is able. It is imperative that their owner learns to control him as a puppy, because as he grows, an untrained Newf becomes more difficult to handle. A Newfoundland with an attitude problem is not something that anyone wants to deal with!
Last but not least, prospective owners should know that Newfoundlands do not have a very long life span. A healthy Newf will live 8-10 years. Because of their large size, many Newfs have joint and bone problems at a younger age than other dogs. There is also a growing trend of cancer in Newfoundlands in middle age (4-5 years old).
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