Newfoundland dogs have a double coat that makes caring for them more complex than small short-haired breeds. They shed with the seasons and the fact that they drool excessively makes caring for these gentle giants very time consuming.
It is common knowledge that Newfoundland dogs drool and shed, but many people don’t realize the extent of the drooling and shedding. If you like a clean, tidy house, you don’t want a Newfoundland as a pet. They shed excessively in the spring and fall. In fact, this process is more than just shedding. Newfoundlands “blow” their coats as new fur growth occurs. Hair and drool will be everywhere; on ceilings, walls, in food and in almost every nook and cranny. The drool is a sticky glue-like substance that’s very hard to remove and yes, your Newfoundland will drool in your lap and the lap of your guests.
Before you bring your Newfoundland puppy home, enroll him in obedience school. Start the training as soon as possible for best results. Newfoundland puppies have very short attention spans and you must teach yours to pay attention when you speak. He needs to be socialized so he knows how to act around humans and other animals. Newfoundland dogs grow rapidly and are extremely strong, so you need to be in control from the very beginning of the dog/human relationship.
Be prepared to buy lots of high quality puppy chow for your Newfoundland. He will need an excellent source of nourishment because of his rapid growth rate and will eat very large portions. However, when he is full grown, his metabolism will be slower than most large canine breeds, so you will have to be careful that he doesn’t become overweight.
Your Newfoundland needs to be groomed thoroughly at least three times a week in order to control shedding and matting of his double coat. Grooming cleans the coat and skin and keeps odor under control. A long-toothed steel comb is a must, as is a wire slicker brush. Comb the fur back to front, then front to back. Be certain that the dog’s fur is brushed all the way down to his skin, but use caution so the dog’s skin isn’t harmed. Look for fur mats on the inside of the legs and behind the ears.
Keep a close watch on your dog’s skin for parasites and other problems. Grooming your Newfoundland regularly will keep his coat and skin healthy and cut down on baths. If you bathe your dog at home, rinse well to be sure all the shampoo is removed from his coat. If soap is left in the fur, skin problems will occur. Toenails should be clipped weekly because of the dog’s size, but have to be done properly. Many times it’s far easier to drop your Newfoundland off at a reputable groomer’s to ensure he is properly groomed.
Newfoundland dogs are usually healthy. They do have tendencies to have problems related to their size, which includes bloat, genetic heart problems and hip dysphasia. If the dog’s breeding ancestry is not of a high quality, other health problems may occur.
Seek out a local veterinarian that specializes in large breed dogs. Take your puppy to the vet as soon as possible after you bring him home. The same day is perfect. Avoid allowing your puppy to come into contact with other dogs until all shots have been given and he is immune to disease. Have him examined every three months for hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms. When he is grown, he should be checked every six months. Be sure he has a heartworm test and purchase heartworm medication to be administered once a month from June to December.
In order to protect your Newfoundland from worms, be sure to pick up his stools after he goes. Also, protect him from flea and tick infestations, as they can cause skin problems and infections. Be sure to treat your dog’s bed and your house for fleas and parasites all in the same day or a re-infestation will occur.
Newfoundlands are very docile indoors but very energetic outdoors. They love to play, swim, run and work. If you want your dog to remain physically fit and healthy, you must be sure he has a daily regime of exercise. Exercise also alleviates a wide range of behavioral problems.
Female Newfoundlands grow to a height between 25 and 28 inches and when fully grown weigh between 100 and 125 pounds. Males grow to a height between 27 and 30 inches and weigh 150 to 170 pounds.
If you can put up with the drooling and shedding of a Newfoundland, this dog is fiercely protective and will bring joy, love, companionship and undying loyalty into your life.
NUTRITION We all want to include our dogs in our holiday celebrations, but hopefully, you're aware that sharing table scraps with your dog isn't always the best idea.
HEALTH Summer is coming on fast, so it’s time to plan how you will keep your dog safe and healthy through the lazy, carefree, warm days.
DOG HEALTH So you have your new puppy picked out. There are quite a few shots, treatments and examinations that will keep the newest member of your family healthy.
NUTRITION With the wide variety of food at Thanksgiving dinner, chances are you'll want to give your dog something special, too. If you're contemplating what to feed your dog for the holiday, here is a guide to a great Canine Thanksgiving Feast.
DOG FUN Walking your dog is not only crucial to keeping him healthy and happy, it strengthens the bond between your canine friend and his caregiver. There are a lot of obstacles out there. Don’t forget these simple tips to keep your walk fun and safe in the outside world.
HEALTH The same techniques that physiotherapists use to treat a variety of injuries and conditions in humans have been adapted to suit animals with great success. Family pets, show dogs, and working dogs can all benefit greatly from physiotherapy. Dogs whose activities involve a lot of agility are especially susceptible to the types of problems that physiotherapy can address.
FIRST TIME OWNERSBringing a dog into your family is a decision where many people don’t realize it’s magnitude until after they have the dog. There are a number of things that you need to research before you decide to purchase a dog, and it starts right in your own home.
HEALTH Many believe that a dog and a new baby cannot happily coexist, so therefore the dog has to go. This is not necessarily the case.  A new baby does not mean you have to abandon your dog.
Dog Pregnancy Symptoms
HEALTHIf you suspect your dog might be pregnant, check out part one in this series on pregnant dogs, where we cover pregnant dog symptoms.
Dog Birth
HEALTHIn the third article of our dog pregnancy series, we look at the wonderful, but messy, process of bringing newborn puppies into the world.
Indoor Dog Potties
DOG PRODUCTSIt's been a long day at work. You were so busy, you didn't even take time to eat a sandwich, let alone run home to let your dog out. You're on your way home, knowing the poor dog is crossing his or her legs by now, when your car breaks down, delaying you even further. Can't somebody make this easier?
Your Dog’s Digestive System
PHYSIOLOGYEver wonder why your dog eats so fast? Or why he eats gross things? Or why he gets sick to his stomach? Or why his waste stinks so bad? Some of these things are normal, some are not.
Canine Respiratory System
BREATHINGThe basic function of your dog's respiratory system is to bring oxygen in to and remove carbon dioxide from the body. Knowing the symptoms of respiratory diseases can help you help your stay healthy.
Shelter Dog Adoption Tips for Success
ADOPTION Are you intimidated by the prospect of "rescuing" a dog from a shelter? One reason that you may be wary of adopting a dog from a shelter is not knowing how to choose. Adopting a dog from a shelter can be a rewarding process, if you're prepared to do a reasonable amount of research.
Canine Urinary Tract Infections
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTDoes your dog seem to be having trouble relieving his or her bladder? Learn how to recognize the signs of urinary tract infections and how to treat them before they spread.
What to do for Dog Diarrhea
SYMPTOMS AND REMEDIESIf you have dogs in your house for any length of time, you have likely experienced at least one bout of dog diarrhea. Beyond the pain in the tuckus involved in cleaning up the mess, you should know what causes diarrhea, and when it's important to see the vet.
What to do for a Dog Bite
DOG BEHAVIOR Getting bitten by a dog can be scary, and you may be tempted to run around in circles for a while, trying to figure out what to do. Here's our guide to help you manage the situation.
Top Ten Tips for Living with a Senior Dog
DOG HEALTH Bringing home a new puppy is so exciting, but it doesn’t take all that long for your exuberant puppy to grow into a senior dog who may have special needs. Here are the doggies.com top ten tips for taking care of your companion who has been with you through so much.