A large and sturdy breed such
as the Newfoundland would normally be expected to be
healthy and relatively free from disease or serious
medical conditions. As with many purebred dogs,
there are a few areas to consider. The first of
these health conditions to look for is hip dysplasia,
a hereditary disease that can cause pain and limit
the movement of many larger dogs.
Hip dysplasia, also called degenerative joint
disease, is related to various degrees of arthritis.
Some of the specific problems of this condition are
cartilage damage, inflammation, and pain from
damaged nerve endings. Level of exercise and intake
of calories are just two of the outside factors that
may also contribute to the problem.
The Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals (OFA) has developed a radiographic test for
this disease. You should ask your breeder about this
condition and the availability of the test when you
are looking for a puppy. Any dog you bring home
should be OFA-certified as free from indications of
this disease. In addition, it would be wise to ask
about the health condition of both parents of the
puppy you are considering.
The Newfoundland is also prone to a hereditary heart
disease known as sub-aortic stenosis. This
congenital heart problem has been traced in some
bloodlines. Therefore, this condition is something
that you should ask about when buying and raising a
young Newfoundland. Sub-aortic stenosis is generally
caused by varying degrees of obstruction that can
cause problems with blood circulation.
You may also want to learn about a kidney/bladder
disorder called cystinuria. In addition, we
recommend asking your breeder and your veterinarian
about eye problems with purebred dogs. Progressive
retinal atrophy is an inherited eye disease that, in
the most severe cases, can cause blindness. The
condition is not detectable in a puppy, so you
should discuss this condition with the breeder and
ask about the health of the parents of your puppy.
When it comes to feeding the Newfoundland, you might
think that there would never be enough food to
satisfy such a large, strong animal. Most owners
have found that their Newfoundland will eat about as
much as a less massive dog such as the retriever or
German Shepherd. As they develop and grow to their
adult size, puppies of this breed may need a bit
more food than some other dogs but an adult
Newfoundland will not require as much food as you
might think.
Experienced owners and veterinarians recommend that
new owners pay particular attention to the eating
and exercise habits of a Newfoundland, to make sure
that the pet does not get fat as it reaches adult
size. Dogs of this breed can be quite content to lay
around the house and move deliberately when getting
up to go to another location. If the owner will make
sure that the dog gets some regular exercise
outdoors, most problems with weight can be avoided.
If possible, a Newfoundland should have a diet that
contains some of the nutrients found in its native
environment or at least a diet that is not
completely, foreign to the dog. Some purebred dogs
have developed allergies to the grains in
less-expensive commercial foods, so it might be good
to avoid lower-priced foods. We recommend trying to
get the right amounts of minerals, protein, and
vitamins from fresh foods, lean meats and some
vegetables.
In fact, some scientists insist that dogs should get
raw foods because their stomachs are designed to
digest this type of material. A little bit of
planning and a few questions at the beginning can go
a long way toward giving your Newfoundland a long,
healthy life.
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