Dogs who were bred for jobs that require decision making, intelligence, and concentration, such as herding livestock, need to exercise their brains, just as dogs who were bred to run all day need to exercise their bodies. Newfoundlands are prone to suffering from allergies and it's important for a dog to see a vet sooner rather than later if one flares up. Normally the amino acid called cystine is absorbed in a dog's small intestine once it has been filtered through their kidneys after which time it is reabsorbed into their blood stream. Newfoundlands also need to be given lots of mental stimulation for them to be truly happy, well-rounded dogs because if left to their own devices such a large dog will start to find their own ways of entertaining themselves which includes being destructive around the home. Today, the Newfoundland has become a popular choice with many people the world over whether as a companion dog or family pet thanks to their wonderfully kind natures and the fact they are real gentle giants around kids. Because of that and his keen sense of responsibility, the Newfoundland is renowned as a lifesaving dog in water, capable of pulling drowning victims to shore. With this in mind a Newfoundland is the ideal choice of dog for people who are familiar with the breed and who boast large, secure back gardens for their pets to romp around in as often as possible. He's no long-distance runner, but he's a great swimmer. Friendliness toward dogs and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some breeds have hearty appetites and tend to put on weight easily. This would set you back between £70 - £100 a month. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Surely you remember Nana, the fictional Newfoundland employed as a nanny by the Darling family in Peter Pan? Young children and dogs of any breed should always be supervised by an adult and never left alone together, period. To protect him from heat stroke, keep him near air conditioning or fans when it's really hot. Breeds with very short coats and little or no undercoat or body fat, such as Greyhounds, are vulnerable to the cold.

He's a workhorse on land and in the water.

You should be able to see a waist. Ideally, a Newfie should be allowed to roam around a back garden as often as possible so they can really let off steam in a safe environment. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. The dogs were soon taken to Europe where breeders started to produce exceptionally good examples of the Newfoundland. So are breeds with short noses, like Bulldogs or Pugs, since they can't pant as well to cool themselves off. Without enough exercise, these breeds may put on weight and vent their pent-up energy in ways you don't like, such as barking, chewing, and digging. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a dog who needs a lot of grooming, or the money to pay someone else to do it. You may be surprised by who's on that list: Fierce-looking Boxers are considered good with children, as are American Staffordshire Terriers (which are considered Pit Bulls). A male's testicles should both be fully descended into a dog's scrotum and it is worth noting that a Newfoundland can be a little shorter or taller and they can be slightly heavier or lighter than stated in the Kennel Club breed standard which is given in a guideline only. Training should begin early because the breed gets big quickly and it can be tough to haul a 100-pound pooch off the couch. They thrive in a calm environment where they have lots of space to express themselves. Some dogs may attack or try to dominate other dogs, even if they're love-bugs with people; others would rather play than fight; and some will turn tail and run.

They are particularly good with young children and older people too although playtime can get a bit boisterous at times which is why any interaction between such a large dog and children should always be well supervised. Bathe as needed, every one to two months.