Information on Newfies

Hello All;

I have recently begun reading and researching dogs to get for our family...One that stands out is the newfoundland, I went to see some at a breeders on Friday, but I still am unsure...
I need to know more about the shedding, drooling, do they shed non stop like a golden retriever?  Or is it more a certain time of year shedding?  Also, the drooling I realize it happens more when they are hot, but is it non stop in reality?
The other comment I had is that I have a large home with lots of carpets (hence the shedding ) but also with a woodstove for heat?  Would this be to hot for this dog?

Thanks for your help
Tanya

Fur tumbleweeds! lolol.. Newflvr is right on all accounts. Newfoundlands shed all year, the only change is twice a year when they REALLY shed, and thats known as blowing coat. We had carpet at our last place and we broke 3 vacuums I believe. Now we live in a loft with concrete floors and sweep just about every day; it's all fur! Our Bear drools quite a bit, primarily when eating, drinking, or hot. Those times alone are enough to make some pretty uncomfortable, and then others love it. We've only had experience with one newf, but I can say anything over 80 degrees is starting to get warm for Bear. A wooden stove, he'll start panting and showing obvious discomfort. During the summers - the air conditioning is usually on full 24 hours a day. The winter, we warm the place just enough, or just let him out.

If you can get past all of that, he or she will be the greatest companion. We will likely always have a newf around.

Thanks to those who replied, I am sooo unsure...I do have a small child, she is a 4 year old daughter and I also have a miniature poodle.  The dog would be my companion for walking, we camp at a campsite all summer but I do not like to walk in the woods very far alone because of all the bears, I like the comfort of a dog with me.  As for children, does the breed love children like they say on the internet?  THe websites only give great reviews...As for visiting any obedience classes I cannot, we do not have any here and it is because where I live is so isolated, but I do have friends that have a Saint Bernard, I could always visit there a few more times and see how I feel.  Are they trainable for people that do not have access to obedience classes Man oh Man, making decisions like this is difficult...as for a neat freak that I am not, but I am not crazy about dog hair, would you say they shed as much or more than a lab or golden retriever?

Thanks so much for your replies, I just really want to make the best decision possible for my family and the new puppy, I would hate to get something that I would not want after a while...

They shed like a golden....but remember how much larger they are!!  A large golden is 80 - 90 pounds.  A Newf is usually at least 120 pounds (usually closer to 150!!!) so there is that much more fur!!!

As far as loving children, as far as I know it's absolutely true.  Every place we go (and I take them with me!) kids are drawn to them and we've NEVER had a bad reaction.  That said, if you look at the Newf thread here, you'll see a couple of people have had problems, but that's the exception.  Your daughter MUST be trained as well as to how to treat a dog and how to recognize when a dog needs its space. 

I have trained my dogs myself and it hasn't been a problem.  We have a dog playgroup that we hang out with for socialization, and as I mentioned before, they go everywhere with me so they can get used to as many people and situations as possible. 

I also walk my dogs in the wilderness near our cabin and I do feel very comfortable that they will warn me of dangers.  In walk the streets in Southern Calif., they also give me a sense of security:  when asked if they will bite/attack, I always answer "No, not if they feel I'm not threatened."  It's amazing how many people will step back!!

It sounds like you may have heaven-on-earth for a Newf, and it's great that you are doing your homework first!!!

Good luck with your search!!

Anna is our second Newf, and we also have a lab/rottie mix (Sheba).  I'd take the Newf shedding over the lab/rottie any day!  At least you can see the tumbleweeds.  With Sheba, it's just hidden everywhere.  We also have carpets throughout our home, so regular vacuuming is a must.

Our first newf, Barkley, was a droolaphobic's nightmare.  He could fling so high we're still wiping it up in places six months after he left us!  He was definitely not for the weak of stomach - our reality was that if you visited us, you got a hug and a towel when you entered   He topped out at 154 lbs, and was indeed a big floor mat.  Awesome with kids of all ages and stages, and gentle as all get out.  He was a rescue and came to us somewhere between 1 and 4 years of age (we were never sure).

Now Anna is a whole different story!  She is dry mouthed as yet - we haven't seen much drool at all - no more than other breeds I would say.  But it's possible that Barkley just makes her look really good...hard to say.  She sheds a bit more than he did.  She is 10 months old and weighs 91 lbs already.  I would not leave her unsupervised around any child that weighed less than her.  Our two are 9 & 11, and big for their ages, so can hold their own.  She is very boisterous, and loves to play.

We have also had very high success with training both of these Newfs.  Barkley was completely voice controlled and went everywhere off leash with us - and we were never worried.  Anna is not there yet, but she is getting much more voice controlled. 

They are a commitment, for sure.  This is not a pet that you can bring into your home and expect that it's not going to change the way you live a bit.  Their size alone will do that.  The other thing that I have noticed about every Newf I have met is that they all have incredible personality and character, and that sometimes brings adventure.

But it's a life change that I wouldn't swap for an instant!  You just have to be very aware of the commitment involved.  Good luck with your decision, and may I also say thanks for taking the time to be so thoughtful about your choice.  It's better to decide no from the onset if you're having doubts.