Did it ever happen to you that when you were little you always wanted your teddy bear to become a real bear? Apparently it wasn't absolutely necessary for us to adopt a bear to achieve this dream. At the highest point on our planet, on a group of islands northeast of Canada, a beautiful breed of dog was bred and over the years it has become the most faithful and playful life companion of all. We are referring to Newfoundland dogs . A breed of dog that can not only become an excellent guard dog, but is also the most tender and loyal companion for the family .
Newfoundland dogs, if well trained, can also become very good lifeguards, since their swimming skills are unique in the canine world, ideal if you have children around a pool or if, on the other hand, you like to carry your children to lakes or rivers, the Newfoundland will jump to their aid without hesitation if it considers that they are at risk. What do you know about this spectacular lineage of dogs? Join us to discover much more about the beautiful and playful Newfoundlands .
Size : Giant.
Weight : Between 65 and 85kg.
Hair type : Medium and long.
Character : Affectionate, intelligent and loyal.
Health : Possible problems with joints and bones.
Life expectancy : Possible problems with joints and bones.
Where do Newfoundlanders come from?
These dogs began on the Canadian island of the same name, perhaps not in the same way we know them today. It is not known for sure where they descended from, although the theory that has become more famous over the years is that they evolved from the Great Pyrenees, brought to the island of Newfoundland by Basque fishermen. While it is not completely clear how the Newfoundland dog we know evolved, what is known is that it arrived on the island through European fishermen.
This dog evolved both on land and in the ocean, for this reason it developed flat, wide legs and its coat has a double waterproof layer. The Newfoundlander was formed by his environment and the work he did, even pulling sleds. He helped shipwreck victims reach shore, he also helped children when they ended up in deep water or drifted away from shore, and he even helped sailors spread heavy fishing nets at sea. All this allowed him to train and become the dog we know today.
How can we distinguish a Newfoundland?
Newfoundlands are not the typical breed that we will find in neighborhood homes, they are large and are classified in the category of “ giant ” dogs . Males can weigh from 65 to 80 kg, while females weigh 55 to 65 kg. Its height can be up to 76 centimeters, however, much larger specimens have been recorded, some have weighed up to 120 kilograms, and others measuring more than a meter in diameter from nose to tail.
Newfoundlands are known for having a flat, water-resistant double coat of fur. The outer coat is quite thick and long, while the inner coat is soft and thick. Its beautiful coat can come in various colors. Although the most common is black, you can see brown, gray, or white specimens with black spots.
Personality of a Newfoundland
These are very sweet dogs , known for being intelligent and very loyal . It is one of the best options for a family dog, since, regardless of its size and roughness, a Newfoundland will always be willing to be gentle and docile .
Be that as it may, each breed of dog must be correctly socialized with other breeds of dogs, with humans and with the little ones in the house who have an energy almost equal to that of any dog. This is so that there are no incidents with the people and animals with whom they will share space at some point in their lives.
These dogs need the attention of the family, leaving them aside in the yard or garden could lead to negative behaviors. Inviting family friends, kids' friends over, or even letting him meet the neighbors is a great way to improve his social skills .
Because they are so large, it is not advisable to have one of these massive dogs in an apartment. They are active and mobile, and they also grew up in nature between lakes and seas. A house with a patio will be what will work best for you.
Dogs, like humans, can develop different personalities. It's not just as if they copy the attitudes of their owners, it's more like someone who is introverted, extroverted, lazy or very hyperactive. We must think very carefully before acquiring any pet and take into account its personality, a Newfoundland dog will frequently bark and not because it feels threatened, but because it is part of its way of being.
A Newfoundland can become an ideal companion for any member of the family , it is one of the most noble, calm and loving breeds. Adopting a Newfoundland translates into adopting a life partner who can also save our lives on more than one occasion.
Special care of the Newfoundland
When you have a pet with such a thick and abundant mane, it is common to expect that at the end of the day our pet will come to us with remains of leaves, twigs and lint trapped in its fur. Even worse, on rainy days your Newfoundland will surely end up with muddy paws.
Sometimes the owners of these dogs prefer to take them to stylists, as it is very difficult for them to take care of all the personal grooming they need. However, at home it is important that we brush their coat daily to avoid the accumulation of dirt, to prevent it from getting tangle and, in the same way, to clean it of the hair that has fallen, thus preventing the carpets, floors and furniture from being filled with its abundant fur.
Newfoundland dogs need to brush their teeth as frequently as possible to prevent tartar buildup, gum problems, and bad breath. If you brush your teeth daily, this will greatly help your dog's oral health. In addition to caring for their coat, like any pet, we must take care of their nails and cut them every month (if we hear them clicking against the ground when they walk, we will know that they are very long and need to be cut). It is also necessary to clean their ears properly with a damp cotton ball every time they show dirt accumulation.
To make grooming time more enjoyable for your pet, make sure you get him used to these regular check-ups and care from a very young age. This way, in adulthood, they will not have problems when they undergo veterinary checkups. It is vitally important to carry out these checks on your Newfoundland, checking its legs, fur, eyes, nose and mouth, seeing the signals that its body gives us, and in this way prevent any abnormal condition that it may be suffering from.
Health of a Newfoundland
Like every living being, dogs are not exempt from suffering certain conditions or diseases , we must always keep in mind that the care of a life is something of utmost value and that we must ensure that this living being has a quality of life comparable to that of a human being.
Being such a large dog, it is common for them to develop joint or bone problems, such as hip or shoulder dysplasia. They can suffer heart problems, cataracts, gastric torsion and even cancer. Therefore, it is very important that the dog or dog be periodically checked by your trusted veterinarian and it is good to keep this in mind when deciding to adopt one of these puppies, no one said that adopting a large dog would come with small challenges. The life expectancy of a Newfoundland ranges from 8 to 10 years.
Feeding Habits
Having said the conditions that our Newfoundland could suffer from, it is very important that we do not overfeed it, since large dogs have a greater tendency to develop overweight and obesity, which in turn could lead to shoulder or hip dysplasia. Keeping our dog in good shape is essential for its health, especially since it is a dog categorized as “giant.”
Giving our pet high-quality food is an essential step for their good digestive and oral health, for the good conservation of their mane, for their good growth when they are puppies, and to strengthen their immune system.
It is recommended to feed our dog twice a day, two cups of high-quality dry food will be enough , emphasizing that the food should be high in protein and low in fat percentage.
If the dog is an adult, the amount of food we give it will be subject to the size of our pet, it will depend on how physically active it is: dogs that do more physical activities usually need more food than dogs with more sedentary behaviors.
What to expect when our dog is expecting?
Regardless of their breed, and even if they cannot speak with words, receiving our pet's puppies is an equally magical process. We already know how beautiful our Newfoundland pets are, now imagine how beautiful their babies will be.
The birth process begins the same as with all canines: the pregnant dog will isolate herself and look for the most comfortable place to bring her babies into this world. Dogs do not always choose the best places to give birth, they are worried that their puppies are born well and they only tend to look for a remote, quiet place, where they can spend their long hours of birth, which in some cases can be up to 36. During this large number of hours, dogs do not consume food or drink any liquid.
The most advisable thing when it comes to such a large breed of dog is to call a veterinary doctor who can assist you in that moment of so much physical and emotional stress.
The gestation of the Newfoundland dog lasts sixty days (two months). However, puppies should not always be expected on day 60, they may be born a few days earlier. How many babies can we expect? It is well known that large dogs have the capacity to produce a large number of puppies, ranging from eight to twelve puppies, and give birth to them more easily than a small dog would.
Newborn Newfoundland dogs fit in the palm of our hand, and it is vitally important that the temperature of the room is warm for them, even when the mother provides them with warmth. Another thing to take into account in this process is the size of the mother, the place she chooses to give birth must be reduced, not to the point that the animal is uncomfortable, but so that she does not turn around and end up crushing the animals. fragile babies.
At the end of the day you will have some beautiful Newfoundland puppies and you will end up more in love than the first time you saw your dog, now a mother.
Conclusion
A Newfoundland is a dog that upon entering the family will leave an indelible mark in our memory. Its nobility, leadership, empathy and affection will make our hearts melt just thinking about the great friend that awaits us at home, or when the Let's take her for a walk, I can assure you that more than one passerby will be hypnotized by her hair and her charisma.
They are lifesavers, and we are not just referring to the maritime environment, the Newfoundland comes home to heal all those wounds: loneliness, sadness, and its disposition towards its owner will always be the best , whether at home, in the garden , in the park or wherever we take our beautiful guard dog .
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