Newfoundlands

[babblington]

Hi- does anyone have a Newfoundland? I would really like to hear what life is like with one. I would really love to have one to complete our family, 3 children 9,7 and 5, biggish house, reasonable (for London!) garden. Please could some one tell me all about it!
Thank you xxx

[exexpat]

I don't have one, but know people who do. They are lovely dogs, friendly and cuddly. One downside is that they eat loads (£££) and therefore poo loads (but probably no more than a big labrador). What would really put me off is their very limited lifespan - by eight years old they are living on borrowed time, and may well have serious health problems (also £££ on vet bills/insurance), and you will almost certainly lose them by age 10. But I suppose that is also the same for a lot of the very large breeds.

[Steben]

No advice but I would love one - everyone I have ever seen has been so lovely

[throckenholt]

I have friends who have one. It is big and hairy and very good with kids - although mine were terrified of it when they were younger because it was so big. They have its hair cut regularly - I have a feeling they shed a lot as well- and that is a lot of hair !

Also it is addicted to water (well it is what it is bred for !).

Personally I wouldn't want such a big dog with so much fur, but they do have a lovely temperament.

[Timpetill]

We had three when I was growing up. They were quite lazy, didn't like going for long walks when they got older, and can often sufferer from hip problems because of the breed. They were pretty calm with us kids. You would want to have a large garden - one of ours came to us from a breeder who'd taken her from people who had a small courtyard garden, and she became quite neurotic (walking in circles for hours etc). They are supposed to like water, but only one of ours ever showed an interest in the beach! They are gorgeous looking dogs, and pretty friendly and laid back, from what I remember.

[babblington]

No one has mentioned drool yet ?

[exexpat]

Oh yes,

(I have a nice little border terrier who doesn't drool at all - but does shed fur everywhere)

[Aquelven]

A friend of mine has two. She's had others before these two,none of them have lived beyond nine, two died much younger.
She moved house a few years ago. Her dogs were buried in the garden & she got her husband to dig them up as she couldn't bear to leave them. Luckily she had taken the precaution of putting them in big plastic drums in the ground.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Aquelven, that's made me feel a little queasy.

[Timpetill]

The drool to Olympic standard

[Timpetill]

they

[GeeinItLaldy]

I lost my last Newfie in July. She was 8 :( There will be more in the future but the time is not right for us to have another dog just now.

Wonderful breed. Very people orientated and usually biddable so long as you put the training legwork in from an early age as by the time the teenage behaviour sets in, they weigh the same as a small adult and are almost impossible to physically control.

Many people have an image of them as big, lazy couch potatoes. It's a misconception. They are working dogs with amazing stamina and will keep going til they drop. They need restricted exercise while young to avoid joint damage but once grown, a fit and healthy one will be able to handle lots of exercise. Although they tend to adapt to as little or as much exercise as suits you.

They need company. Preferably human. They do not tend to do well if left alone for long periods. A bored/lonely/unhappy dog of that size will make its feelings known in ways that will cost you serious time and money to rectify.

They like water. Any water. Puddle or ocean, it doesn't matter to them. They spend as much time as possible wet. Consequently, so do you. And your house. And your car.

They drool. Some more than others but they all drool. Drool is like no substance on earth. If you don't get if wiped off before it dries, you're pretty much living with it until you redecorate. They like to share the drool and can fling it a long way. Look at the ceiling in any Newfie owner's house for proof of just how far.

The hair. My god, the hair. It really does get everywhere and you quickly get used to picking it out of your food. The good news is that they only shed twice a year - January to June and then July to December. They need a lot of grooming. A LOT. Coat maintenance is the biggest downside for me as its so time consuming but absolutely necessary.

And then there's the health problems. Joint problems are always an issue with any giant breed and heart problems are an issue. Unless you're going down the rescue route, it is imperative that you go to a good breeder who does all the necessary health testing and adheres to the breed club code of ethics re breeding.

Happy to answer any specific questions you might have. I'm going offline now for a few days but will be back after the weekend.

[babblington]

Wow, Gee- thank you so much for your lovely long post- lots to think about there. Especially the hair thing... If it's ok I will come up with some questions after the weekend to bombard you with!

[ancientbuchanan]

Our lovely neighbours said, as well as most of the above, that you need to think carefully about your car. You choose the car entirely dependent upon whether the newfie fits in. Children and cases can be squeezed round, sent by train or just left.

And when the newfie gets older you need a dog ramp. You cannot lift your aged pooch into the car with ease, unless you happen to be a blacksmith or body builder.