questions for Newfoundland owners

questions for Newfoundland owners

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Discussion

Captain Bongo

127 posts

170 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
Our Newfie is very large for the breed. We are in the sticks but if we take him anywhere moderately populated he will get a crowd of people round him taking photos etc.

Their size comes with some challenges as you would expect, some logistical and some health. Our's will accidentally knock a cup off the kitchen work top with his tail - It's ridiculous! They are enormously hairy and slobber pretty badly so if you or the OH are particularly house proud I wouldn't recommend one. We brush ours daily and he is professionally groomed every 6 months yet will find hair absolutely everywhere no matter how often you Hoover.

You also need to make sure you have a car big enough to transport him. Our X5 was just about big enough.

Ours also struggles with our wooden floor, we have to put grippy socks on him!! (I st you not). When a dog weighs that much you really don't want them skidding/slipping due to potential damage to their legs.

They are susceptible to many of the very large dog ailments and you should get all the relevant checks done on both parents if possible.

In terms of feeding, they eat surprisingly little for their size. Approximately 4 tins a day with a couple of scoops of mixer. Insurance is critical and can be pricey. We pay £70 per month however just had £2k of vets bills covered when they discovered an irregular heartbeat and he had to be sent to a specialist.

All this aside he is an utterly amazing dog. Truly my best mate and wouldn't change him for the world.

Would I ever buy a 'Giant' breed again though, probably not.









smiffy180

Original Poster:

6,018 posts

151 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
Captain Bongo said:
Our Newfie is very large for the breed. We are in the sticks but if we take him anywhere moderately populated he will get a crowd of people round him taking photos etc.

Their size comes with some challenges as you would expect, some logistical and some health. Our's will accidentally knock a cup off the kitchen work top with his tail - It's ridiculous! They are enormously hairy and slobber pretty badly so if you or the OH are particularly house proud I wouldn't recommend one. We brush ours daily and he is professionally groomed every 6 months yet will find hair absolutely everywhere no matter how often you Hoover.

You also need to make sure you have a car big enough to transport him. Our X5 was just about big enough.

Ours also struggles with our wooden floor, we have to put grippy socks on him!! (I st you not). When a dog weighs that much you really don't want them skidding/slipping due to potential damage to their legs.

They are susceptible to many of the very large dog ailments and you should get all the relevant checks done on both parents if possible.

In terms of feeding, they eat surprisingly little for their size. Approximately 4 tins a day with a couple of scoops of mixer. Insurance is critical and can be pricey. We pay £70 per month however just had £2k of vets bills covered when they discovered an irregular heartbeat and he had to be sent to a specialist.

All this aside he is an utterly amazing dog. Truly my best mate and wouldn't change him for the world.

Would I ever buy a 'Giant' breed again though, probably not.
I'm on holiday and the house needs cleaning..... ahem yes i house proud wink
Nah we don't get OCD just like the house so you can walk through it without walking into stuff.
Speaking of stuff we don't have anything knock-able surprisingly, everything is out of reach/in cupboards etc.
The car isn't massive at the moment but don't need the back seats often.

Insurance seems a bit expensive? I went on compare the meerkat and came in at just under £60 for year - it was for a puppy and the breed wasn't specified, vet fees up to £10k. Seemed reasonable?

We also have 2 cats that leave hair everywhere so used to that biggrin

Tango13

8,448 posts

177 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
smiffy180 said:
Being 6'3 and 22 stone weight lifter I don't want a tiny dog that'll make me look gay laugh
My grandad had a st Bernard and I loved it. I've had a labrador in the past but I'm fond for big dogs. Then again anything I have/want tends to be large biggrin
I don't mind a proper newfie it's just the initial price that puts me off
Visit your local dog rescue centre, they will let you adopt a puppy that 'won't get any bigger than the average Labarador'

This is a lie, they teach this lie on day one of vet school be it surgeon or nurse, it is a lie!

You will end up with a hound slightly larger than the average Shire horse.

Everyone who works for a rescue centre is taught on day one that any dog whose breed cannot be accurately determined will grow to the size of a Labarador.

This is a lie. Any hound sold/adopted on these grounds will grow to a VAST size and eat you out of house and home.

HTH?

wink

Jumpy Guy

444 posts

220 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
Not much to add, except that my family has bred Newfies for years, and vaguely famous within the breed 'scene'.
I was brought up visiting relatives with them, and I think its worth getting a newfie that is a newfie, with no unknown stuff bred in.
big. Friendly. Slobberly. Hungry. Impossible to stop when at the gallop!

smiffy180

Original Poster:

6,018 posts

151 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
Tango13 said:
Visit your local dog rescue centre, they will let you adopt a puppy that 'won't get any bigger than the average Labarador'

This is a lie, they teach this lie on day one of vet school be it surgeon or nurse, it is a lie!

You will end up with a hound slightly larger than the average Shire horse.

Everyone who works for a rescue centre is taught on day one that any dog whose breed cannot be accurately determined will grow to the size of a Labarador.

This is a lie. Any hound sold/adopted on these grounds will grow to a VAST size and eat you out of house and home.

HTH?

wink
laugh I've looked at rescue but a lot want to inspect your house. Something we're not too comfortable with. I'm sure it'll be fine but it'll be something daft that they'll say no too.

smiffy180

Original Poster:

6,018 posts

151 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
Jumpy Guy said:
Not much to add, except that my family has bred Newfies for years, and vaguely famous within the breed 'scene'.
I was brought up visiting relatives with them, and I think its worth getting a newfie that is a newfie, with no unknown stuff bred in.
big. Friendly. Slobberly. Hungry. Impossible to stop when at the gallop!
PH discount? wink
£1200 seems average. Is this just greedy or just the price they demand?

Simpo Two

85,504 posts

266 months

Monday 1st July 2013
quotequote all
Jumpy Guy said:
Friendly. Slobberly. Hungry. Impossible to stop when at the gallop!
Or at a walk!

smiffy180 said:
£1200 seems average. Is this just greedy or just the price they demand?
Per pound that seems good value spin

Jumpy Guy

444 posts

220 months

Monday 1st July 2013
quotequote all
I hate to say it, but they can reach more than that.
Are you definate you want a puppy? The newfoundland club regularly has dogs which are looking for homes circa £500..
Lots of people cant devote the time or energy, and unfortunatley they can end up looking for a home.

andym1603

1,812 posts

173 months

Monday 1st July 2013
quotequote all
smiffy180 said:
Insurance seems a bit expensive? I went on compare the meerkat and came in at just under £60 for year - it was for a puppy and the breed wasn't specified, vet fees up to £10k. Seemed reasonable?

biggrin
Do not touch this. You will be stung. £60 per year is very cheap. For any pet insurance you want a company that is up front and will. preferably, pay the vet directly. A giant breed brings huge vets fees. Any company should ask what breed of dog they are insuring. Imagine if it was a car you were asking about the first thing they ask is what model etc.

smiffy180

Original Poster:

6,018 posts

151 months

Monday 1st July 2013
quotequote all
Jumpy Guy said:
I hate to say it, but they can reach more than that.
Are you definate you want a puppy? The newfoundland club regularly has dogs which are looking for homes circa £500..
Lots of people cant devote the time or energy, and unfortunatley they can end up looking for a home.
Yes we would like a puppy smile

smiffy180

Original Poster:

6,018 posts

151 months

Monday 1st July 2013
quotequote all
andym1603 said:
Do not touch this. You will be stung. £60 per year is very cheap. For any pet insurance you want a company that is up front and will. preferably, pay the vet directly. A giant breed brings huge vets fees. Any company should ask what breed of dog they are insuring. Imagine if it was a car you were asking about the first thing they ask is what model etc.
Ah okay will look Into that

C3BER

4,714 posts

224 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
quotequote all
We had a very large male called Viggo who was more bear than dog. Fantastic nature and a pleasure to own. You will need a big car to move one around and plenty of space to exercise. Your home will become there's and even today three years after his death by twisted gut we still find spit marks.

We now along with our working springer a Bernese who is just as daft.

C3BER

4,714 posts

224 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
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Robatr0n

12,362 posts

217 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
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He looked like a lovely dog!

Mungo (our Anatolian Shepherd) often plays with a Newfie in our local park. They get on really well but then again, he loves every dog he meets. He has been real hard work as he is really stubborn but he has a lovely nature, adores children and is becoming quite obedient.

When we got him @ 9 weeks:


Now at 22 weeks (and 77lbs):



He won't be as heavy as a Newfie, maybe 'only' 10 or 11 stone but he's going to grow into a big dog.

Anyway, sorry for the thread hijack!