Information on
Newfoundland Dogs
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What About a Newfoundland Dog
By Cris Mandelin-Wood
Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show dog world knows that
a Newfoundland won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in
2004. That was a shock to many of the traditionalists who think
that the smaller and more assertive dogs are the ideal and drool
does not belong on the show floor. The win also caused an
inflation in the price of Newfoundland puppies, which was bad for
the average income household, but good for some dog breeding
operations. Despite the Westminster win, the Newfoundland breed
was not elevated to the "Most Popular Breed" spot with the AKC.
Which was a relief to many Newfoundland lovers who take to heart
a deep responsibility for the well-being and protection of the
breed.
So what is a Newfoundland dog all about? There are 3 main
recognized color types of Newfoundland dog, also affectionately
known as "newfs", or "newfies". They are Bronze, Black and
Black/White (Landseer). Which color to choose from?
Unless you are going to dive into the serious side of breeding
and showing, it doesn't matter! Enjoy whatever color comes with
your new, big, floppy bundle of happiness.
There is no base personality difference between the three color
variations of Newfoundland dogs, however, some breeders will
maintain that the Landseer is a breed unto itself and should be
classified as such.
Newfoundland dogs are big, getting up to 150 pounds and more.
They are not for everybody as they require a different level of
care, more space and more companionship than the average sized
dog. Contrary to what many may think, a newf will not eat you out
of house and home. Their metabolism is slower and feeding them
too much will compromise their health. A fat newfy is a very
unhealthy newfy!
Their double layer coats require a regular grooming routine, and
supplementing their chow with certain vitamins and minerals is
recommended to help ward off some joint problems common to newfs.
Overall, anybody who is contemplating the addition of a
Newfoundland dog into their home should keep in mind some of the
following important points:
Their coat is double layered and requires regular grooming to
keep it healthy and clean. If you live in a part of the country
where it gets just plain hot, make sure you are prepared to
provide a comfortable environment for your well-coated friend.
Newfs love water. They love water so much that even their feet
are webbed! This is a fact and should give a prospective owner an
idea of which activity their new friend is best suited for -
swimming. An active swimming session can be loads of fun for all
and it's well suited for their heavy body mass.
All dog breeds crave the attention of their human partners,
however, the Newfoundland goes beyond this a little in that they
need to be around humans to stay healthy and happy. Newfoundland
dogs were bred to be a constant companion and assistant to
humans, particularly in the areas of water rescue and fishing
along the coastal communities. It is in their genetic makeup to
be partnered with humans. To kennel or chain a newf away from
regular human contact would have the same emotional impact as if
keeping a child confined in his room day after day.
A newf is a better house dog than even some of the toy dog
varieties available today. Sure, when they bump into something it
goes flying, but for the most part, a newf will adapt to house
rules rather quickly and they learn to navigate gracefully around
the home in short order.
Newfs drool, but it's a happy drool! And besides, that's what
they make drool rags for. It's really not that bad once you get
into the swing of it.
Newfoundlands are the gentle giants of the canine world with
courageous hearts of gold. Careful consideration should be taken
when deciding to bring one into your family. They are family dogs
and have a noble bearing along with a seeming awareness of their
heritage and responsibilities. They deserve to be treated as a
full member of the household and not relegated to the back yard,
or worse, a chain and kennel run.
If you decide that a Newfoundland dog is for you and your family,
and have the proper environment to accommodate a larger dog, then
the next step is to look for a reputable breeder. Using the
Internet to find a purebred Newfoundland can be risky. Keep in
mind that a dedicated newf lover and breeder will be able to
spout off a long list of ancestral information, medical history
and will require an in-depth interview with you. Some breeders
will refuse to airship a Newfoundland puppy, stipulating that you
or a designee will need to personally pick the little fluffball
up. If an online breeder is willing to just take your money and
put the puppy on a plane, then you will be setting yourself up
for the heartbreak of receiving a puppy bred for profit and not
for soundness, health, or a long, happy life.
The first place to start looking for a Newfoundland is through
your local Newfoundland dog club. If that is not available, then
go online and visit the AKC or UKC. They will have a list of
approved breeders in your state.
If you don't care about papers, showing or breeding, then you may
want to find out about adopting a Newfoundland from a rescue
organization. The best site I've found to date which deals with
just Newfoundland dog rescue can be found at
http://www.newfrescue.com/RescueClubs.htm
Yes, it might be cool to own a newf, but, like all animals, they
should not be considered a fad and disposable when out of favor.
They are beautiful beings with an intelligent mind and kind soul
who only ask for love, a few tasty morsels and lots of human
companionship. In return, you will have a trusted family member,
a dedicated worker, a protector and a warm friend to cuddle up to
on cold winter nights. That is what a Newfoundland dog is all
about.
Cris Mandelin-Wood runs multiple websites offering pet
information and pet related content.
http://www.theanimalnet.com/
Library of All Dog Breed Info
Library of Dog Training Info
Library of Info About
Puppies & Puppy Care
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