The Newfoundland is a Giant dog breed that is gentle and dedicated. The intelligent, affectionate, and devoted breed is frequently referred to as the Newfie. They become loving companions and naturally excel in a variety of occupations, including water rescue. These canines were developed to live on the water, with webbed paws for swimming and a thick coat to keep them warm.
Care as a Pet/ In Captivity
Newfies are very motivated to work and defend. To ensure that they are well-behaved dogs, they require daily exercise, thorough training, and socialization. Additionally, their thick coat needs only moderate care.
Exercise
For them to stay healthy and happy, Newfies need exercise for at least a half-hour to an hour each day. The majority appreciate swimming and enjoy taking lengthy excursions and climbs. Additionally, training in dog sports like dock diving and other canine pursuits like search and rescue can assist meet their employment needs and offer both mental and physical exercise.
While Newfoundlands thrive in cold climates in general, their thick coats can make them overheat in warm climates. Therefore, limit your dog’s time spent outside during the summer and make sure they have access to a cool area to go. Newfies should have a house with enough room to walk around comfortably for indoor play.
Diet
For your Newfie, always have fresh water available. Additionally, give your dog high-quality, nutritionally balanced food, typically in two meals each day. Since this might change according to age, activity level, and other factors, talk to your veterinarian about the variety and quantity. Because Newfies typically consume more food than the average-sized dog, plan on having a large dog food budget. To make sure your dog isn’t overeating, you should always keep an eye on its weight and treat consumption.
The stomach torsion and bloat that can occur in Newfoundlands, like other deep-chested dog breeds, is a medical emergency. Fast eating may be the cause of this. One solution is to feed smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day to help prevent this situation. A puzzle toy can also be used to slow down eating.
Grooming
The thick, medium-length double coat on Newfoundlands protects them from the chilly waters. To get rid of loose fur and avoid mats, schedule brushing at least once every week. In the spring and fall, shedding can become more intense as the weather changes, necessitating possibly daily brushing to keep up with all the lost fur.
As long as your dog doesn’t get dirty, baths will be needed around every month or two. Because of its big size, the Newfie can be challenging to bathe at home, therefore many owners take their dog to a groomer. The breed can slobber quite a bit as well, so regular wiping down with a damp towel is required. Moreover, depending on how much your dog’s nails naturally wear down, nail trimming will be required every month or so.