NEWFOUNDLANDS ARE NOT THE PERFECT BREED FOR EVERYONE. As a breed, they have a few characteristics that some people find charming, but that some people find mildly unpleasant, and some people find downright intolerable.
DON’T BUY A NEWFOUNDLAND IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO THE BREED “CHIEFLY” BY ITS APPEARANCE. The appearance of the Newfoundlands you have seen in many photos may be the product of many hours of bathing and grooming. The natural look of the Newfie is that of a large, shaggy farm dog, usually with some dirt and weeds clinging to his tousled coat. The true beauty of the Newfie lies in his character, loyalty and devotion. I am perfectly willing to help you learn how to groom your Newfie.
DON’T BUY A NEWFANDLAND IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR DOG. Newfies were bred to share in the work of the family and to spend most of their waking hours working with the family. They thrive on companionship and they want to be wherever you are. They are happiest living with you in your house and going with you when you go out. A puppy exiled from the house is likely to grow up to be unsociable, unruly, and unhappy.
DON’T BUY A NEWFOUNDLAND IF YOU DON’T INTEND TO EDUCATE (TRAIN) YOUR DOG. Basic obedience and household rules training is not optional for the Newfie. You must commit yourself to teaching your dog lessons… and this can be done in as little as 60 seconds per day. Your cute, sweet little Newfie puppy will grow up to be a large, powerful dog. If he has grown up respecting you and your rules, then all his physical and mental strength will work for you. (Ask me about my methods: “Learn to train communicate with your dog…in 60 seconds a day”
DON’T BUY A NEWFOUNDLAND IF YOU LACK LEADERSHIP (SELF-ASSERTIVE) PERSONALITY. Dogs do not believe in social equality. They live in a social hierarchy led by a pack-leader (Alpha). Like the untrained dog, the pack-leader dog makes his own rules and enforces them against other members of the household by means of dominance. Leadership, training and communication are inextricably intertwined: leadership personality enables you to train your dog, and being trained by you reinforces your dog’s perception of you as the alpha. I can offer some simple rules can help to lead you through this process
DON’T BUY A NEWFIE IF YOU DON’T VALUE LAID-BACK COMPANIONSHIP AND CALM AFFECTION. A Newfie becomes deeply attached and devoted to his own family, but he doesn’t “wear his heart on his sleeve.” Some are noticeably reserved, others are more outgoing. Newfies want to love you and be with you.
DON’T BUY A NEWFIE IF YOU ARE FASTIDIOUS ABOUT YOUR HOME. The Newfoundland’s thick shaggy coat and his love of playing in water and mud combine to make him a highly efficient transporter of dirt into your home, depositing the same on your floors and rugs and possibly also on your furniture and clothes. Newfoundlands are seasonal shedders, and in spring can easily fill a trash bag with balls of hair from a grooming session. I offer grooming lessons with all new puppy homes.
DON’T BUY A NEWFOUNDLAND IF YOU FIND DROOL TOTALLY REPELLENT. Some Newfie owners begin with some degree of distaste for drool, but as this is an integral part of the Newfie, this dislike usually progresses to some level of nonchalance. Newfie’s drool because of their jaw and mouth structure, which allows them to breath while performing water rescue. This is a characteristic inherent in the breed…some less than others.
DON’T BUY A NEWFIE IF YOU DISLIKE DOING REGULAR GROOMING. The thick shaggy Newfoundland coat demands regular grooming, not merely to look tolerably nice, but also to preserve the health of skin underneath. I offer grooming lessons with all puppies.
DON’T BUY A NEWFIE IF YOU DISLIKE DAILY EXERCISE. Newfie’s need exercise to maintain the health of heart and lungs, and to maintain muscle tone. Because of his mellow, laid-back, disposition, your Newfie may not give himself enough exercise unless you accompany or play with them.