Grooming
When it comes to Newfoundlands and grooming, there are two things you need to know: First, they shed. Secondly, they drool. The drool is the simplest to manage—just be sure to keep a towel handy to clean their faces and your furniture.
When it comes to shedding, things get more complicated. Newfies shed year-round, but they take it up a notch twice a year in the spring and fall. To help manage the shedding and keep their coat healthy, brush your Newfie at least once a week with a slicker brush followed by a long-toothed comb to make sure you get rid of all the mats. You’ll likely need to step it up to daily brushing sessions during shedding season. While you’re at it, check your pup’s ears. Their heavy, floppy ears are prone to bacterial infections, so watch for redness, swelling or debris and contact your vet if you notice anything unusual. They may recommend you clean your dog’s ears.
Newfoundlands love being in the water, so you may not need to bathe them as much as other breeds during the summer—unless they get into some particularly stinky water. A bath every six to eight weeks should do the trick. (You can also take your pup to the groomer and let them deal with the bathing and the drying. It can take several hours to dry your pup’s coat thoroughly, even with a dog-approved hair dryer.)
Like with other breeds, plan to brush their teeth daily. Starting when they are a puppy is the easiest way to get your dog used to this, and your vet can show you how to do it. Keeping your dog’s teeth free of plaque and tartar not only keeps their gums healthy and prevents tooth loss but can also prevent other health problems, like heart disease.
And let’s not forget their nails! Trim your Newfie’s nails before they get long enough to click on the floor. Depending on how active your dog is, plan on cutting them every two to four weeks.
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Training
Newfoundland dogs are intelligent and curious. Because of their size, early socialization and training are essential—not because the breed can be aggressive, but because they don’t always realize how big they are. Teaching your Newfie skills like sitting politely, leave it, down/off and to come when called are some of the most helpful basic commands to learn. Enroll your pup in a puppy play class to help them learn how to play with other dogs appropriately and get them socializing with other adults.
These dogs also love to work, so play to their natural traits and enroll them in carting and drafting competitions (where dogs literally pull carts for sport). They also excel at other dog sports, like agility, dock jumping, flyball, herding, obedience or tracking. This is a great way to deepen your bond with your pup and get them exercising, too. (It’s a trifecta!) Note: If you plan to train your dog in water work (like search and rescue or for pulling in fishing nets), it’s recommended to carefully and slowly introduce them to water by the time they’re 4 months old.
The breed is generally eager to please, so positive reinforcement strategies are the best way to develop a relationship with your Newfoundland. So, remember to reward their good efforts with treats, praise and fun play breaks with toys. Just because Newfies are bigger doesn’t mean they need a heavier hand. Punitive training methods can cause the dog to shut down and become fearful.
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Diet
The Newfoundland typically does well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Your veterinarian can guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific diet needs.
Newfies, like other large-breed dogs, can suffer from bloat, which can be life-threatening. To help prevent bloat, feed your pup smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and use a slow feeder to keep them from woofing it down. Also, don’t exercise for an hour before or after mealtimes. (More on bloat below in the Health section.)
If you have any questions about your pup’s nutrition, consult your veterinarian. They are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their individual needs.
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Exercise
While Newfoundlands enjoy having a job and being put to work, they don’t really need a ton of exercise. About 30 minutes every day is sufficient, whether that’s a long walk, leisurely hike or swim in a nearby lake. If you’re looking for a running buddy, you may want to consider the Border Collie. Newfies aren’t known for their speed (although they can be speedy for short distances) and running can injure their joints. If you like competition, sign your pup up for carting and drafting, agility, dock jumping, flyball, herding, obedience or tracking competitions. These are not only great for training but help manage your pup’s energy reserves, too!
Let’s talk about the weather. Newfies tolerate cold weather much easier than warm weather—they are from Canada, after all! So, plan your walks during cooler parts of the day during the summer and make sure your Newfoundland always has fresh water available.
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Environment
The patient and affectionate Newfoundland is friendly with just about everyone and everything, cats included. They get along well with kids and babies, but they do exhibit typical puppy behaviors, so they can accidentally knock over small children until they learn otherwise. (Be sure to supervise all play times with your Newfie and kids!) Early socialization with other dogs is also important, so they learn to play appropriately with both big and small pups.
Newfoundlands don’t require a lot of daily exercise, but pet parents should consider that everything is bigger with a Newfie, from their beds to their crates. That means you’ll need to have extra space. As long as there is room for you, your dog and a few guests, the Newfie is happy to welcome friends to their home—as long as your guests don’t mind a little drool.
The breed is exceptionally sweet, but they are best for a pet parent with some dog experience because they are so large. This giant breed’s size means you need to be diligent about training and working with them to ensure they’re well-behaved family members.
Because they’re from Canada, Newfoundland dogs do best in colder climates but can acclimate to warmer weather. Just make sure to always have fresh water available. They also love swimming, so your Newfie would love to be near a body of water where they could take a daily dip.
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