Is a Newfoundland the right dog for you?
Newfoundlands (or Newfies) are amazing dogs. They're loyal, and sweet, they're not aggressive, they're goofy, and they're just giant teddy bears. They're just the best. But they're also a handful and they are NOT for everyone. Before you make the decision to purchase a Newfie, please read and answer the form below carefully.
A Newfoundland costs A LOT of money to own/maintain. Everything costs more: neuter/spay, food, vet bills, grooming, kennel, daycare etc... Being financially stable is a necessity when owning a Newfie.
Ok
Eeek
Newfies are BIG, like really REALLY BIG. 90-100lbs is about the lightest an adult Newfie will weigh. They take a lot of space, and often don't know their own size. They will knock over knick knacks with their wagging tails, or sometimes even knock over a child. They will also reach your countertop without trying. If they jump on you, you will probably get knocked down.
Ok
Doesn't sound right for me
Newfies can be wonderful service dogs once they reach adulthood, and have been properly trained by a professional. Getting an untrained puppy as a service dog is a recipe for disaster, particularly if you have mobility issues.
Ok
Oh, then never mind
Newfies NEED space. They are not apartment sized dogs. If you do not own a house with a yard, then now is probably not a good time for you to get a Newfie.
Ok
Not for me at this stage
Newfies NEED to run, they need space, they NEED to spend energy daily, and a couple of walks a day is just not enough. Again, a big enough yard to play in is a must for a Newfie.
Ok
Not at this stage
Newfies are not running dogs, they are not athletic dogs. If you are looking for a companion to go on long hikes with you, or be your running partner, a Newfie is probably not the best breed for you.
Ok
Bummer
Newfies LOVE water (usually). If you have a pool, good luck keeping them out of it!
Sounds fun
Not so much
Newfies can be escape artists. If you don't have a fence, you're probably going to have to invest in one (4' tall minimum or they will just jump it).
Ok
Eeek, that's going to be too expensive
Owning a Newfoundland means your house will be a MESS, no matter how hard you try. If you are a clean freak, a Newfie is probably not for you.
Ok
Nope, not for me
Newfies shed like crazy and you will see tumbleweeds of hair all over your house, your food, your bed, everywhere...
Ok
Ewww
A Newfoundland hair (or coat) is a tricky business. A Newfie needs to be brushed often or taken to the groomer or they will usually mat like crazy. You cannot shave a Newfie's coat because they have a triple thick coat and shaving the underlayer damages it. That underlayer is what keeps them warm and waterproof!
Ok
Sounds like a pain to maintain
Newfies drool. And when they shake their heads, NOTHING is out of reach: your walls, your ceilings...
Ok
Yuk
Training a Newfie is non optional. A 130lbs dog that jumps on a child (or on you for that matter) can do serious damage. If you have no experience in dog training, taking the dog to a professional trainer is a must. Training should never be based on violence.
Ok
Nope, not for me
Newfies are not the easiest dog breed to train. They are super smart, and stubborn to a fault. Training takes time, money, and a lot of patience. If you are a first time dog owner, a Newfie may not be the best choice for you.
Ok
Nope, not for me
Often, Newfie owners just want the biggest possible dog, without realizing that it comes with a lot of health issues. The goal is really not to have the biggest dog but the healthiest one. Newfies over 150lbs are generally overweight. 90-130lbs is a good weight.
Ok
No, I just want a giant dog
Newfies will bring you love and joy like no other dogs. The flip side to that is that because they are so big, their lifespan is short. They typically live only 8-10 years, sometimes less.
Ok
I don't think my heart can take that
Newfies are prone to hip issues due to their size. No matter how much we try to avoid it, these issues can arise, and they are usually costly and heartbreaking.
Ok
Nope, not for me
The reality is that it is unlikely that during its lifespan, your Newfie doesn't, at some point, require costly medical treatment. Sometimes through no fault of their own (for example, if they get Lyme disease), but also because Newfies are big oafs and they get into trouble, for example, deciding to take on a porcupine who wandered in your yard!
Ok
Sigh, that sounds expensive
Please familiarize yourself with what we call "the velociraptor stage" of the Newfoundland. All Newfies go through it. Yours won't escape it either.
Ok, I googled it
No thank you
Bringing Your Puppy Home
The following shows you a bit the reality of owning a Newfie PUPPY, and what to expect.
Newfie puppies are not like normal puppies... because they are HUGE. 40lbs at 3 months. That's bigger than most dogs! Combine this with puppy energy and you have a mini tornado at home.
Ok
Definitely not for me
A puppy will require a time of adaptation when it arrives in its new home. New owners need to be kind and patient with the puppy who might be very shy at first.
Ok
Not really what I'm looking for
You will very likely lose a couple weeks of sleep when you bring your puppy home. Again, the puppy has just been taken from everything it knew. It will be lonely, will cry, will want to jump in your bed then go back down 10seconds later. Then back up again... A Newfie puppy is LOUD, but you can't lock it away in a room to cry out all night.
Ok
Not for me
Your puppy will NOT be potty trained. Potty training kicks in at 12 weeks old at minimum. Before that, the brain is not developed enough to allow potty training. Accidents in your house will happen. The puppy should not be disciplined for it. Be warned that a Newfie puppy poops and pees A LOT since they're so big!
Ok
Yuk
Your puppy will very likely do some damage in your home. Like eat your shoes, chew on a wall, destroy your couch. Again, a Newfie puppy is bigger than most dogs. So when it decides to destroy, it destroys. It's not just a corner of the couch that will get chewed up, it's the entire couch!
Ok
Oh no way
The puppy will need LOVE, PATIENCE, MORE LOVE, MORE PATIENCE, even when you're exhausted and have had a particularly bad day. Sometimes, it's tough.
Ok
Nope
If you have read all of this, still think a Newfie is right for you, and want one of our puppies, please fill out the rest of this form and we will contact you asap (alternatively, just call or text at 518 618 6228)!
Thank you for taking the time to make an informed decision on purchasing the best possible breed for you.
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