How To Care for a Newfoundland

A Newfoundland is a wonderful companion dog. These giant-breed dogs are gentle, loyal and if you've never heard the term, "Goofy Newfie", you'll quickly learn what that means. Far from graceful at the best of times, Newfoundlands seem to think that they're not as big as they really are, and can be very entertaining to watch.

You don't need huge amounts of food to care for a Newfoundland. Despite their size, Newfies do not require a lot of food, so don't feed them a lot.  While puppies, they should be fed either large-breed puppy food or regular adult food. Feeding regular puppy food to a giant breed puppy will cause him or her to grow too fast, and can damage their growing bones and joints. Slow and steady growth makes for a healthy Newfie puppy. The adult dog will gain weight if fed too much. Be sure to keep your Newfoundland at a healthy weight to avoid joint problems. Make clean, fresh water available at all times. A condition known as bloat is a concern for Newfoundlands and other deep-chested dogs, so over-feeding or vigorous exercise after eating should be avoided, as this may increase the chances of this potentially deadly condition to occur.

Another thing to think about in order to care for a Newfoundland is space. They are giant breed dogs, ranging from 110 lbs for the average adult female to 150 lbs for the average adult male. Regular exercise is important in the care of a Newfoundland, but they are not high-energy dogs, so don't need lots of space. A decent sized yard, regular walks and plenty of floor space are really all it needs. Be prepared to step over your Newfie if they're in your path, because they're not really inclined to get up once they're napping.

Grooming is an important part of the care of a Newfoundland, too. Brushing twice a week or so most of the year is recommended. Twice a year, they go through a phase referred to as ‘blowing coat' and it's at this time of year that special attention should be paid to avoid matting and hot spots. Newfs might need brushing on a daily basis during this time. Grooming tools such as a pin brush, a large slicker brush and a steel comb are important basic tools. Newfies drool. A lot. So, making sure you have plenty of drool rags handy in the house, car and in your dog's gear bag for outings is a bonus.