Newfoundlands, or what some call Newfies, are people-pleasers. They are precisely gentle giants as they weigh at least 110 pounds and are, on average, 27 inches tall. Yet, they are very friendly and sweet.
Truth be told, they are perfect nannies for kids because of their protective nature and their lifesaving instincts.
Newfoundlands got their name from their place of origin – Newfoundland Canada. Their history traces back to their days helping out fishermen.
This is maybe why they absolutely love the water. They love the outdoors too and make as perfect hiking buddies.
Cost of a Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are quite expensive; perhaps because they are hard to breed. On average, they cost around $500 to $2,500. It depends on their lineage, their coat color, and the breeder.
Newfoundlands come in four color variations. They are usually black but there are also gray and brown varieties. The most expensive variation is the black-and-white type labeled the Landseer after the artist Sir Edwin Landseer.
There are already a number of Newfoundland breeders accredited by the American Kennel Club (AKC). One of which is Montana Mountain.
Its black Newfies are exactly $1,500, the brown ones $1,800, and the gray ones are priced at $2,100. It does not offer Landseers at the moment but they cost more than $2,000.
To make sure you are buying from actually permitted breeders, you can check out the authorized breeders list on the Newfoundland Club of America website.
Adoption Cost
There are a number of Newfoundlands open for adoption in various ages. Some may not be full-bred, but they are in dire need of a new family.
If you’re more than willing to adopt, you can apply for a number of adoption centers available in the US. If your application pushes through, you’d only have to pay for the adoption fee and transportation costs.
Windham County Humane Society charges $450 for puppies, $200 for adults, and $100 for seniors. Nevertheless, some adoption centers and foster homes will not ask a penny. They only ask for you to provide a good home for these dogs that were left behind.
Transportation Costs
If you plan on either buying or adopting, the Newfoundland price usually does not include transportation costs. Hence, if you’re not in the same town, you’ll have to pay for shipping fees.
Even when they are still puppies, Newfoundlands are large. This means transportation fee will be relatively higher than other breeds.
The cost will also depend on the distance and mode of the travel—ship or plane. uShip offers dog shipping for $120 to $250 within 300 miles and $250 to $500 if beyond.
Taking Care of Newfoundlands
- Diet
Newfoundlands are not usually picky eaters. However, you have to be critical about what they eat.
Because of their size, they are prone to orthopedic problems like cranial cruciate ligament injuries or hip dysplasia. Hence, as much as possible, you have to control their weight.
Newfie puppies need food for slow growth. They’re genetically giants so they do not need the extra growth enhancers. And again, they are prone to musculoskeletal problems – growth enhancers will just increase the risk.
So it is best that when buying dry foods, always opt for those that are for large puppy breeds.
Puppies will eat more than adults so it is advised that puppies be fed at least twice a day in controlled amounts. Their diet should include 22% to 24% protein and at most 15% fat. The same applies to adults.
A good choice for puppies would be Orijen’s Large Breed Puppy Formula (25-lb pack) which costs around $100. A more economical alternative would be the Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppies. (30-lb. Pack) which is priced at around $60.
When Newfies age, they will eat less. It is recommended that they are fed twice a day that total to 4-5 cups of dry food. Make sure to buy again food specifically for large breed but adult variety.
Adult Newfies weighing around 130 lbs. should have a calorie intake of 2,685 kcal. This is very important and you should not fall for their extremely persuasive sad dog eyes. Remember, their food intake should be controlled.
Some recommend a biologically proper raw food (BARF) diet. This is a controlled, completely raw diet.
To be sure, consult your veterinarian about this. This has been beneficial to them as canines really are made for raw food.
This also assures you that your dog is not consuming preservatives and additives present in wet or dry dog food. However, it may be very inconvenient for owners. So again, it’s best you consult your veterinarian.
- Grooming
Newfoundlands have a double coat. They have very thick hair and shed at least once a year.
It is advised that they are not bathed too often so their natural oils are maintained. For this reason, they need regular grooming. It is vital that you brush their hair daily to avoid unwanted knots and dust build-up.
Before or once you acquire a Newfie, make sure you have a slicker brush and a long-toothed comb ready. You may also want to invest on a dematting comb to keep that coat looking shiny. All three costs less than $10 each.
Even when they do not need to be bathed frequently, you cannot stop them from taking a dip in any available water source. They love water!
But then again, their thick coats take so long to dry. Thus, they need proper ventilation or you can just lay out money for a blaster which costs around $100 to $450, depending on the brand, sound, weight, size, and quality.
It is also important to note that Newfies do not do well in hot climates. They do best in cold places but they can thrive in warmer areas as long as it is well-ventilated.
- Exercise
Newfoundlands also need a moderate amount of exercise to control their weight. If you’re living in an apartment, you should really take them out for a walk.
However, because of their size, you also have to make sure they do not exercise too much. This may lead to joint injuries that are extremely expensive and painful for your dogs.
Again, Newfies can be very active or very stationary. It is important that you keep a balance with regards to their movement—too much movement can cause joint injuries or cardiac problems; too little can cause obesity.
Given their large size, they have incredible strength. They are smart and easy to train as well. In fact, they are sometimes trained for pulling, carting, and drafting that they even have a competition for it.
I Said Sit School for Dogs in Los Angeles offers 1 hour private dog training for $155 (at its office) to $295 (at your home) while group class cost $195.
Newfies can be very energetic throughout their life but they can be couch potatoes too. They love running around but they have no problem living in apartments. If you have kids, whether you’re living in the city or in the countryside, they are the perfect breed!
- Health Complications
It cannot be emphasized enough that Newfies are prone to orthopedic issues. One of the most common problems is Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) injury – a joint injury similar to an ACL injury in humans.
They are also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. To prevent this, their diet must strictly be controlled, as well as their activity to maintain a healthy weight.
Newfies may also be prone to obesity. Again, don’t fall for those sad eyes. Make sure to control their calorie intake as much as possible.
Newfoundlands are also susceptible to bloat or Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV). This happens when there is too much gas in their stomachs.
To prevent this, make sure their meals are divided into two. What happens is, if you feed them only once, they tend to eat very fast which may lead to the bloat.
Also, make sure they do not immediately play after they eat. They should not be fed when they’re anxious too.
Newfies are also prone to a number of heart conditions like aortic and subaortic stenosis. This condition is genetic like CCL issues.
The best way to prevent them from happening is again, making sure they get the right nutrition and the right amount of exercise. Everything should be in moderation.
And don’t forget to take them to the vet for checkups. An office visit typically costs $30 to $80 while emergency cases would cost around $120 or more, depending on their condition and your location.
Had two when I lived in California and they were great on the beach.
I had my Newfie, Lance, for 11 years! To this day I miss him. He was the best babysitter in the world – would not let my daughter near the sidewalk, pulling her back into the yard by her diaper; blocking her path, etc. If she was the one that needed a correction, like a little smack on the hand after being told “No” a few times, I had to put Lance outside, close the door and curtain, then correct her, before letting him back into the house! Once back inside, Lance would go straight to my daughter licking her face and nuzzling her head to make her feel comfort. Very protective of me too.. Only once did he growl and that was at my hubby when we were in an argument, lol. I loved that dog so much!