My family and I have decided a Newfoundland is right for us. Aside from size,drooling and all the hair, does anyone know the 'down side' to owning a Newfie? We do have chickens, rabbits etc and we were wondering if there were any animals that the Newfies didn't deal with well. Any help would be appreciated. Linda

-- Linda (wklkmorgan@ifriendly.com), April 16, 2002

Answers

What a great choice.They will find every creek,stream and puddle.And they don't live as long as some breeds.thats the only downside I can think of!!!

-- teri (dnsmacbeth@aol.com), April 16, 2002.

My advice is to do a search on the net and write to breeders. Most are very forthcoming about their dogs and are quick to point out the downsides. They don't want their dogs to end up in shelters, or worse. I've been wanting a Newf for a long time and have communicated with several breeders. Please remember that even if a dog is not particularly aggressive toward other animals naturally, individuals are different and all of them need to be trained so that they know their boudaries.

-- Deb Foster (DFoster987@aol.com), April 16, 2002.

Thanks for your help. I should have mentioned that we have talked with breeders, meet with dogs. My concern is that no one we have talked with have stock animals! Thanks again.

-- Linda (wklkmorgan@ifriendly.com), April 16, 2002.

I would let the breeder know your concerns and ask maybe if you could take a pup home at 7 weeks instead of 8.Raised as a pupthey should be fine with stock , start taining from day 1 .Have pup on leash and if it goes toward stock to chase a firm NO ! let them get to know each other .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@hotmail.com), April 16, 2002.

Linda, as you have already made contact with breeders you probably have this site (http://www.newfdogclub.org/)but I'll post it anyway just in case. Members of our family have Newfies, they have had about 8 of them(not all at once)over a 5 year period. I know they are wonderful dogs because I have met a couple of good ones however the family owned dogs were useless(not their fault, no obedience training) and died very young or had to be put down. Severe skeletal problems, one a defective heart etc. Now I will state quickly that the family that purchased these dogs did not have a clue how to go out and find a good breeder and I am sure this was the cause of most of the problems. Even at their best though, as you know, they are a "Giant Breed" and do have a short life-span and like others of the "Giants" have many health problems that are not quite so rampant in the smaller breeds. As for the live stock, one male was a chicken killer, again I think it was a matter of faulty parenting as are most problems as you know. All of the(seven) females were tolerant of other creatures(horses, poultry and children)except one and she was a bully with everything, people included, again, I think some obedience would have made her a good dog. I know, that if you get a well bred dog from a good breeder and go through obedience and give the dog "work" to do, you will have a nice dog that will get along great with the rest of your stock. Have fun, how exciting getting a pup! LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), April 16, 2002.

My sister is on her 3rd Newf - I think she will probably always have one. Her first lived to be 12 years old, before he had to be put down (had cancer).

The second unfortunately had a brain tumor and had to be put down at a young age. The one she has now has had kidney problems and is on a special diet, but is otherwise doing OK.

All 3 came from the same breeder, a good one, not a puppy mill type. My impressions of the Newf are that they are adaptable, friendly, and gentle. My sister's current Newf has always been around her indoor cat, and I did observe that he likes to chase the cat (not to hurt it though).

-- Jane in southwest WI (ladyjane@mwt.net), April 16, 2002.

We have a Newf, Scannon, that is 4 years old. He actually does not drool as much as you'd expect...really only when he eats. He's a wonderful dog and everyone who meets him loves him. The biggest drawback is that he's not the least bit of a watch dog, because he's friendly towards everyone. He's never been aggressive at all, though he does wrestle and play rough with our English Shepherd pups. The only things that I know of that he's ever killed was a raccoon and the occasional field mouse that he basically played with until it drowned in his drool, lol. He's been extremely patient and tolerant of our 5 year old daughter, who has been known to fall asleep resting on him. If you've never owned a giant breed, you need to be aware that manners and obedience are very important with a dog that weighs over 100 pounds....even a laid back Newf. Also be aware that the "destructive puppy phase" that all dogs go through when they are young is magnified when the puppy in question is bigger than most full grown dogs. Fortunately my husband can now laugh about how many times the dog ate the wiring harness off the utility trailer, and the dog lived long enough to learn better manners. If you have any questions...please feel free to contact me.

-- Stacey @ www.grazeyacres.com (grazeyacres@aol.com), April 16, 2002.

Newfies like many larger dogs can have problems with hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint that often does not manifest itself until the dog is 1-2 years old or better. Make sure the parents have been screened for hip dysplasia and they have the papers to prove it or you could end up spending money you'd rather not have and /or you might end up having to put your beloved Newfie down to relieve the chronic pain. Not all Newfies have problems. I'm just saying buyer beware. P. S.: They are wonderful, gentle dogs.

-- Sandra Nelson (Magin@starband.net), April 16, 2002.

I loved my newf, She was the smartest,sweetest dog I have ever had. The only problem with the newf dog is heat. They really melt in the heat. We now live in Tennessee, and I think it would be too hot for one. I have seen them around here, but not very much. If I had my choice of dog it would be a newf with good obedience training. good luck with your hunt. Susan

-- Susan n' emily in Tn. (animalcrackers55@hotmail.com), April 16, 2002.

With any large drooly breed the amount of drooling can be determined by the mouth the dog has. Examine your pup..big loose lips that hang and flop will usually mean a drooler. A nice clean mouth, well formed and not floppy will generally mean less drooling.

-- Alison in NS (aproteau@istar.ca), April 16, 2002.

We had a Newf for years. they need a lot of room, but otherwise they are a great dog. Very protective of our children. Just one funny story, we got ours when he was very small and our cat used to pick on him unmercifully. When he grew up he used to wait for the cat and grab it by the head and walk around the house with the head of the cat in his mouth, he never hurt the cat but when he put it down, we wouldn't see the cat for days.

-- Paul (treewizard@buffalo.com), April 16, 2002.

We have 2 female newfs. We have geese, pigs, calfs, cows, chickens, cats, kittens..... Ours are great with all the animals. When they are pups they do like to chase the chickens for play not for a meal. Need to get after them for that. Have fun with your Newfs!!!

-- jay from MN (candlebn@maxminn.com), April 17, 2002.

Thank you all for your help. I knew about hip and heart problems but I really learned a lot from all of you. The heat is a big concern where I live and I appreciated the practical advice about how to spot a possible drooler! I've found a breeder only 2 1/2 hours away and I'm moving forward. Once again, thank you all!

-- Linda (wklkmorgan@ifriendly.com), April 17, 2002.

Linda, you've got lots of good information already, but I want to add my encouragement to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH breeders and bloodlines.

The saying among most veterinarians I know is that 'sound Newfoundland' is an oxymoron. Sadly, it almost is. Find a good, ethical breeder; they're out there but not always the most visible. Be positive the parents have been tested for heart and skeletal defects. Be very sure there is no cysturnia in the family tree.

These are some of the sweetest, most precious creatures on earth and it will rip your heart out to end up with a 150 lb. cripple you can't afford to fix. Good luck with your search, Newfies are an incurable addiction.

-- Jorja Hernandez (jorja@color-country.net), April 17, 2002.