Do you want to adopt a Newfoundland dog? Well, discover here everything about this great breed, its temperament, the care it needs, its health, life expectancy and much more, remember that whenever you want to choose a pet you must make sure you can cover all its needs by knowing all its information.
Newfoundland dog breed
Today it may seem amazing that many of the breeds of dogs that are known today were originated for work purposes, some to exterminate rats and other animals, while many others were created for harder work such as pulling sleds. and heavy loads, others to hunt and generate food.
In the case of the Newfoundland dog, in its beginnings it was used to work with fishermen in Canada, as will be seen in the segment of its history; They are large dogs, in terms of their color they can vary, some are completely black, while others can be brown and there are also white.
They are very strong dogs, they are super loyal, they excel in areas where there is water rescue, that is, they are excellent lifeguards; It has a double coat of fur and its abilities in the water are innate.
History
This dog usually has some characters that it shares with mastiffs, such as the English Mastiff, some similar characteristics are its short legs, but very thick, its snout and head are very wide, its quite resistant bone structure and its width. neck.
Also the San Bernardo are very similar, there is even talk that the latter descend from the dog in question, even in the eighteenth century they were introduced into that breed.
The name of these dogs is due to the place from which they originated, that is, in Newfoundland, born from a greater Newfoundland which was well known in the territory, but this should not be confused with the San Juan.
Its similarity with the Mastiffs is due to the fact that some mastiffs were brought to the territory from Portugal with which they were crossed in the XNUMXth century.
Features
Starting with the sexual dimorphism present in this breed, it can be determined that the height varies from the female to the male, since the former are a little smaller, reaching a minimum height of sixty-three centimeters and a maximum of sixty-nine centimeters, while males can reach from sixty-nine to seventy-four centimeters.
Another part of the dimorphism is in terms of weight, females can weigh a minimum of forty-five to a maximum of fifty-five kilograms, meanwhile, males can weigh from sixty to seventy kilograms; on the other hand, there is the color of his hair, which can be according to the standard, brown, black, white and brown.
In addition, its fur has a double layer, the internal one is usually softer and more dense, while the external one is longer and smoother; its head is quite wide, its snout is square and short; its tail is long; their ears are small and triangle-shaped, although the edge is rounded, their eyes are usually sunken.
Appearance
A little has already been said about their physical appearance and they are very majestic, just like the Caucasian shepherd, their feet are characterized by being webbed, but the most amazing thing is that their hair resists water, the withers of these animals can be from seventy-two to ninety centimeters, and it is stipulated among large-sized dogs.
His face is tender looking, so he falls in love with more than one; You must keep in mind that the colors accepted by international organizations are those already mentioned, if they try to sell you one of another color, then it will not be this breed, it will be considered a scam and if you want to enter it in a race it will not be accepted.
Temperament
The character or temperament of dogs is usually one of the biggest questions among those who want to acquire a pet, since depending on that they may or may not take it home, some adapt well and others not so much, so it is always important solve these doubts and know if he will be fine or not in the home that you have arranged for him, and reduce the possibility of needing the use of the canine etiology.
In the case of the Newfoundland dog, it is usually characterized by being a very calm dog even when it has a strong build, its docility is impeccable; but one of its most special characteristics is its loyalty, so if you are looking for this in a dog this will be the one, they call it "the babysitter dog" for a reason, so if you have children at home these will be excellent company.
They are very intelligent dogs, so if you want to train them this will not be a big problem, they will learn very quickly, when they bark they have a deep sound; this dog was represented in Peter Pan, so it has been very popularized; you usually behave well in the presence of other animals, but you should always socialize it from an early age.
If you have children at home, this dog, as has already been said, is very good with them, but the fact that its great size and strength can knock them down and perhaps hurt them should not be overlooked, although this is not what he wants, but you should always supervise them to avoid accidents.
"Salud"
In addition to temperament, there are other questions and concerns, many related to the life and health of these dogs, since the most usual thing is that they want a companion for many years, who does not get sick and has an excellent quality of life. Regarding the health of this dog, certain common conditions are usually determined, such as:
Hip dysplasia: which may be due to its large size and weight, which falls on its bones, generating this condition, which is a poor formation in the socket that articulates in the hip; but others may present with shoulder dysplasia.
Another condition that usually affects this breed is cystinuria, which is the one that forms stones in the dog's bladder and subvalvular aortic stenosis cannot be left aside, which is very common in this breed.
Newfoundland dog care
There are certain cares that you must maintain with this breed in particular, in order to guarantee an optimal life and unprecedented well-being, these are:
When he is one month and ten days old, you should take him to be evaluated and carry out relevant tests, usually an echocardiogram which should be repeated once he is eleven months old, in this way any inconvenience with his heart will be ruled out. But you should also rule out problems in your stomach and kidneys, through ultrasound.
As you already know, his hair is quite long, so it will require brushing every day, at least twice, once when he wakes up and once before going to sleep, in order to maintain his good condition. As for his bathroom, you can do it once every two months unless it is very dirty and you must do it before.
If it is within your reach and to the extent of your possibilities, take it for a walk at least three times a day, since it needs daily physical activity, to prevent it from suffering from canine obesity. It must be continuously dewormed as indicated by the veterinarian, to whom you must go once a year to avoid conditions.
Quotes
Next, you will be able to read a quote, from a dedication made by Lord Byron to his pet, a Newfoundland dog that, as you can see, he loved very much, placing it in the place where his remains lay, such text says the following:
«Here rest the remains of a creature that was beautiful without vanity, strong without insolence, brave without ferocity and had all the virtues of man and none of his defects. These eulogies, which would be undeserved praise if written on human ashes, are hardly a fitting tribute to the memory of Boatswain, a dog."
Without a doubt, someone who esteemed his dog without precedent, without any doubt and wanted to exalt him even after his physical departure, recognizing all the qualities he possessed and establishing that he had no defect and that they are super admirable beings.
Famous Newfoundlands
- Sable Chief, who was a mascot of the royal regiment.
- Boatswain, dog of Lord Byron, from whom the quote was made above.
- Bob, who saved many lives in XNUMXth century London by preventing them from drowning.
- Seaman, who was a dog for an explorer named Meriwether Lewis.
Curiosities
- In times of war its population was almost depleted, but it prospered and remains a race to this day.
- He is fond of both water and mud, which is why he is dismissed as a companion by many people.
- It has been portrayed by many artists in recent times
- She appeared in a very famous movie “Peter pan”, playing Nana.