Newfoundland Dog: The Gentle Giant Furball

Newfoundland dogs, affectionately called “Newfies,” are giant, compassionate furballs that typically clock in at just over a hundred pounds. (A large chunk of that is certainly from their illustrious mane.) These lovable droolers first started as working dogs, adept at cart-pulling and navigating the frosty Canadian waters to retrieve fishing nets. While you can still find Newfies hard at work in and around Newfoundland, Canada, this breed has generally opted for a more domesticated role in the home—a role that takes up a ton of space. 

At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health—many of which include common issues for a Newfoundland dog. 

In this article, we’ll dive into the history of the gentle giant, “black bear” dog, give you some information and tips on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your massive fur baby, the Newfoundland. 

Quick Facts

Origin: Canada

Size: Extra large

Breed Group: Working

Lifespan: 8–10 years

Coat: Long hair—weekly grooming recommended

Temperament: Friendly,  intelligent, curious & gentle

Exercise Needs: Like all dog breeds, Newfoundlands need daily exercise to maintain a healthy weight—although, not nearly as much as high-energy breeds. Their daily exercise can consist of a 30-minute walk, hike, or dip in a nearby lake. 

Training: Training should start during the puppy stage. This type of dog is eager to please, so training basic commands, like “sit,” “stay,”  “leave it,” and “down,” come naturally to most Newfie puppies.

Dog Health: A Newfoundland is a robust dog that can generally thrive on a high-quality commercial-grade diet. But they’re not without their unique health challenges. Common problems Newfoundlands face include hip dysplasia, digestive problems, and urinary tract stones. We’ll discuss how to address each below. 

Happy Paws for Newfoundland Dogs

Enrich your Newfoundland’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!

In-Depth Look at Popular Supplements for Newfoundland Dogs

If you’re blessed with a pet Newfoundland of your own, we’d like to welcome you to the club! This compassionate breed seems to never run out of love and affection, making them pretty tough not to spoil. If you’d like to return the love and spoil your pet Newfie daily, do so with healthy treats that actually taste like treats.

Our high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your pet Newfoundland’s health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your Newfie.

Skin & Coat Dog Chews: Our Skin & Coat Dog Chews help keep the sheen in your dog’s glow. These vegan, chicken-flavored soft chews use a blend of skin-supporting ingredients, like biotin and coconut oil, to restore dermal health and replenish your dog’s coat.

Digestive Health Dog Chews: Our Digestive Health Dog Chews use powerful, all-natural probiotics and enzymes to enrich your dog’s gut health and strengthen their digestive system. These healthy, tasty dog treats offer a delicious pumpkin flavor that spoils your pet Newfoundland’s palate while fortifying their gut flora.

10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to sharpen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat introduces ten key nutrients to keep your Newfoundland healthy, happy, and active. 

Bladder Health Dog Chews: Our Bladder Health Dog Chews contain powerful antioxidants, such as cranberries and Kona berries, to calm common urinary issues, like incontinence, frequent urination, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.

Common Saint Bernard Health Concerns

Like other giant dog breeds, Newfoundlands are often prone to common health issues like these:

Elbow & Hip Dysplasia: According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), many medium-sized to extra-large dog breeds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. This issue arises from birth when the bone in a joint is misshapen, causing an awkward fit in your dog’s joints. This defect can often lead to joint pain, osteoarthritis, limping, and trouble standing up.

Digestive Issues: Large to giant breeds are commonly prone to digestive problems, like bloating. These issues can stem from their diet, lifestyle, or genetics. 

Urinary Tract Stones: Newfoundlands are susceptible to a genetic kidney defect called Cystinuria. This defect causes stones to form along their urinary tract system. 

About The Newfoundland Breed

Originating from the Canadian province of the same name, the Newfoundland dog breed was once exclusively used as a working dog, bred to thrive in subarctic climates. Whether that meant pulling carts through the Canadian tundra or diving into frigid rivers on cold-water rescues, Newfoundlands found a happy niche in cold, wet conditions.

Their billowy fur coat is evidence of this upbringing. A Newfoundland’s coat actually contains two layers; the top layer is coarse and water-resistant, while the undercoat is dense, soft fur. These layers help keep a Newfoundland warm in the water and during the winter. This double coat is also the reason for constant, year-round shedding. 

Along with their luscious fur, the Newfoundland breed is recognized by its sheer size. While they’re just over two feet tall on average, this type of dog can weigh up to 150 pounds with mittens the size of dinner plates. 

Newfoundland Temperament

But don’t let this large, powerful frame worry you. Newfoundlands are just as much known for their mild temperament as they are for their size. In fact, over the last hundred years, U.S. Presidents and Senators have famously employed this dog as a nanny dog to patiently watch over their children. Their personality is easy-going, relaxed, and confident. A Newfoundland is eager to please and quickly assumes a place in the family (a rather large place, that is).

How to Care for a Newfoundland

Caring for your pet Newfoundland is a lot like caring for a life-sized teddy bear. They’re docile animals with calm energy levels. Here are a few tips to help keep your Newfie happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.

Weekly Coat Maintenance 

As we’ve mentioned several times before, the Newfoundland’s coat is massive. So, you’ll need to schedule weekly grooming sessions into your “dog care calendar.” But these grooming sessions don’t have to be too involved. A gentle brush from nose to tail is enough to help de-tangle fallen hairs, and semi-weekly dog baths will help keep your pet Newfoundland from smelling like their wilderness-bound ancestors. 

Daily Exercise

Like any dog, a Newfoundland needs daily exercise. Though, this doesn’t have to be as rigorous as shepherds or Border Collies. The Newfoundland is a slow, gentle giant; running isn’t really one of their favorite hobbies. So, a leisurely 30-minute walk or swim will do just fine to help your Newfoundland meet their exercise needs. 

Venture Into the Great Outdoors

Your Newfoundland is probably most at home in nature, second only to your living room couch. This type of dog thrives in water and enjoys long hikes. They’re incredibly friendly, so if you meet any strangers on the way, your Newfoundland will make sure to leave a good impression—and a little bit of drool.

Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements for Newfoundland Dogs

Keeping your Newfoundland dog happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your Newfoundland easily with healthy, tasty dog treats. 

FAQ

Is a Newfoundland a good family dog?

Because of their gentle disposition and patient temperament, Newfoundlands can make a great family dog—with the proper training, of course. Newfoundland puppies grow big, and they grow fast, leading to a slightly awkward stage early in the Newfie’s life; these young giants just don’t know how big they are. Without much effort, they can accidentally knock down a small child or an elderly friend or family member. So, it’s best to start obedience training when they’re young, just to teach your growing giant a little grace.

Are Newfoundland dogs high maintenance?

A Newfoundland’s energy peaks in their puppy years and slowly wanes throughout their lives. This type of dog still needs exercise when they get older, but not as much as other dogs. The most high-maintenance trait they have is their long, lustrous coat. You will need to brush this coat weekly to help keep it healthy.

Does a Newfoundland dog bark a lot?

While all dogs vary in what makes them bark, Newfoundlands, typically, don’t bark. However, like a good watchdog, they may bark to alert you. 

How do you give Newfoundland dogs health supplements?

You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.