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> Breed Profile: Newfoundland
BREED PROFILE: NEWFOUNDLAND
Newfoundlands are the gentle giants of the canine world with couragous
hearts of gold. There are 3 main recognized color types of Newfoundland
dog, also affectionately known as "newfs", or "newfies". They are Bronze,
Black and Black/White.
Newfoundland dogs are big, getting up to 65kg (140 pounds) and more.
They are not for everybody as they require a different level of care,
more space and more companionship than the average sized dog. Contrary
to what many may think, a Newfoundland will not eat you out of house and
home. Their metabolism is slower and feeding them too much will compromise
their health. A fat newfy is a very unhealthy newfy!
Their double layer coats require a regular grooming routine, and supplementing
their food with vitamins and minerals is recommended to help ward off
some joint problems common to the breed.
Overall, anybody who is contemplating the addition of a Newfoundland
dog into their home should keep in mind some of the following important
points:
- Their coat is double layered and requires regular grooming to keep
it healthy and clean. If you live in a part of the country where it
gets just plain hot, make sure you are prepared to provide a comfortable
environment for your well-coated friend.
- Newfoundlands love water. They love water so much that even their
feet are webbed! This is a fact and should give a prospective owner
an idea of which activity their new friend is best suited for - swimming.
An active swimming session can be loads of fun for all and it's well
suited for their heavy body mass.
- All dog breeds crave the attention of their human partners, however,
the Newfoundland goes beyond this a little in that they need to be around
humans to stay healthy and happy. Newfoundland dogs were bred to be
a constant companion and assistant to humans, particularly in the areas
of water rescue and fishing along the coastal communities. It is in
their genetic makeup to be partnered with humans. To kennel or chain
a Newfoundland away from regular human contact would have the same emotional
impact as if keeping a child confined in his room day after day.
- A Newfoundland is a better house dog than even some of the toy dog
varieties available today. Sure, when they bump into something it goes
flying, but for the most part, a newf will adapt to house rules rather
quickly and they learn to navigate gracefully around the home in short
order.
- Newfoundland drool, but it's a happy drool! And besides, that's what
they make drool rags for. It's really not that bad once you get into
the swing of it.
Careful consideration should be taken when deciding to bring a Newfoundland
into your family. They are family dogs and have a noble bearing along with
a seeming awareness of their heritage and responsibilities. They deserve
to be treated as a full member of the household and not relegated to the
back yard, or worse, a chain and kennel run.
If you decide that a Newfoundland dog is for you, and have the proper
environment to accomodate a larger dog, then the next step is to look
for a reputable breeder. The first place to start looking for a Newfoundland
is through your local Newfoundland dog club.
Newfoundlands are beautiful dogs with an intelligent mind and kind soul
who only ask for love, a few tasty morsels and lots of human companionship.
In return, you will have a trusted family member, a dedicated worker,
a protector and a warm friend to cuddle up to on cold winter nights.
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