Where did the Newfoundland originate from?

There are many conflicting stories as to the origin of the Newfoundland. It is agreed only that he is one of the older breeds of dogs in existence today. He may not have originated in Newfoundland, though skeletons of giant dogs have been discovered in Indian grave sites in Newfoundland dating from the 5th century, AD One of the more appealing speculations rests on the legend that when Leif Erikson discovered North America about 1000 AD, he had aboard his boat a large black dog resembling a Newfoundland, called "Oolum." It is recorded that early in the 19th century some Norwegians kept and used Newfoundland-like dogs for bear and wolf hunting. The first record of the Newfoundland dog on the island whose name he bears dates from 1732 when an unknown author wrote, "The Bear Dog of a very large size is very watchful, his business is to guard a court or house, and has a thundering voice." It is possible, too, that some Great Pyrenees were bred to this Newfoundland dog by the Basque fishermen sailing between Newfoundland and their homeland. The breed as we know it today was developed largely in 19th century England and America. The Newfoundland is an ancestor of the present day Labrador and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, which follow the Newfoundland in their natural swimming ability. The rough-coated St. Bernard owes its coat to the Newfoundland.

How big does a Newfoundland grow?

Newfies are commonly known as "Gentle Giants". That should give you some expectation of size as well as personality. A Newfie is a very large dog. Your puppy will grow very rapidly and it is EXTREMELY important not to overfeed or supplement your puppy as this can be very damaging to his health!

The average male Newfie grows to a height of 28 inch and weighs between 140 - 160 lbs.  The average female Newfie grows to an average height of 26 inch and an average weight of 120 - 140 lbs.

Newfie's come in four acceptable colours; Black, Bronze, Grey and Landseer (black & white).

What does such a bug dog eat !?

At the age of seven to eight weeks old, your puppy will be eating approximately one cup of dry puppy food three to four times a day. He will love you if you soak it in water for a short time first, but this is not a necessary step at this point. Water should be available at all times. Feeding times should be the same every day. Routine is the key to successful housebreaking. I do not recommend high protein food, as it can cause rapid growth which is not good for the joints in large breed puppies. You will receive some food that he has been weaned on. Just mix that in with whatever brand you choose so his system gets used to the change. I recommend Nutromax, Iams and Eukanuba for large breed puppies, as well as Purina. Your vet may recommend that he be put on adult food after he is six months old to slow his growth.

Whatever you feed, please do not let your puppy become overweight. This is not good for his general health and can be especially hazardous to developing hip joints. Too much added weight can contribute to the cause of hip dysplasia (HD). Your puppy will grow from one to two pounds at birth, to approximately 100+ pounds in one year. Humans take about 12 years to reach this weight. With such a rapid growth rate, a few precautions will help you puppy's bones and muscles develop properly. A four month old pup should weigh 40 lbs, six months -60 pounds, eight months - 80 pounds, etc.

What can I expect from my first year with a Newfoundland?

Newfies are quite fragile during the first year/18 months of their lives, which may surprise you. They sure don't look it so you need to keep reminding yourself, and others. Some wrong moves can make the rest of his life (and yours) miserable, and/or shortened. They need firm restrictions. Think of it this way--By the time a Newf is 6 months old it may weigh 100 lbs. Considering he started out at 18-22 oz, that's a lot of growth in a very short time! The bones are soft and more importantly the joints (ligaments, cartilage, and tendons) are very weak, supporting all that weight. If your dog jumps down from your car, tops of stairs, a bed, etc. he could permanently ruin shoulders or elbows. If your dog jumps up onto something her could strain a knee or hock, or if he bumps his knee while jumping it could tear the joint. Running or playing on slippery floors can cause very serious injury to any of the joints, including hips. Excessive play, especially with other large dogs or kids can be serious if he gets run into. This does NOT mean your dog can't play or enjoy his first year, you just must use caution and common sense. Limits and regulations just have to grow as the dog grows. We can help you with further information and/or specific situations. Just be ready to maintain control over activity.

Ok, Newfies shed hair - so what should I do about grooming?

Newfies are very hairy. A good brushing once a week will keep his coat soft, shiny, free from mats and minimize shedding. Pay special attention to the area behind the ears, chest and tail. A slicker brush is fine for the undercoat, but you will need a pin brush to get down to the skin. A wooden rake for shedding is a must. If your Newfy is an outside dog, grooming may not be a top priority as he won't be shedding in your house. Just make sure you keep the mats cut off so he will be comfortable. Check your Newfy's ears weekly and if dirty, clean with Q-tips and Nolvasan Otic. Also, Stridex pads (people pimple pads) are great for cleaning ears.

It is very important to keep you Newfy's toe nails as short as possible. Long nails are not a fashion must for your Newfy. In fact, long nails will make unattractive feet, make the dog walk down on his ankles and cause the dog to be terribly uncomfortable. This is not good for his bone structure.

How do I train my Newfoundland?

Be sure to leash train your puppy while he is still a little guy. Believe me, it is an arm wrenching experience to leash train a dog who outweighs you! Train your puppy not to jump on people and not to help himself to things that are not his to play with. Keep in mind that by the age of 10 months, you will have a puppy's mind trapped in a king size body. Early obedience is especially important with a pup of his size. If you continually put off training and keep him confined, you can expect him to act like the caged animal that he is. Treat him with love, respect, patience and he will repay you with his unconditional love and devotion. He will learn quickly right from wrong. Newfies are extremely intelligent and their top priority is to please their loved ones. Be sure to leash train your puppy while he is still a little guy. Believe me, it is an arm wrenching experience to leash train a dog who outweighs you! Train your puppy not to jump on people and not to help himself to things that are not his to play with. Keep in mind that by the age of 10 months, you will have a puppy's mind trapped in a king size body. Early obedience is especially important with a pup of his size. If you continually put off training and keep him confined, you can expect him to act like the caged animal that he is. Treat him with love, respect, patience and he will repay you with his unconditional love and devotion. He will learn quickly right from wrong. Newfies are extremely intelligent and their top priority is to please their loved ones