FAQS
🐾 Our Dogs: Temperament & Size
What is the typical temperament of our Newfoundlands?
Known as the "Gentle Giant," our dogs are selected for their calm, patient, and sweet dispositions. They are famously good with children and they get along flawlessly with other pets! They thrive on human companionship and consider themselves a true part of the family.
How big will my puppy get?
Our adults range from 130-160+ pounds. While this is the bloodline and genetics of your puppy, we cannot predict the exact size. Newfoundlands grow upwards the first 2 years and fill out year 3 and 4! A male will develop his big blocky features around age 3.
• OUR Females: Typically range from 120–150 lbs.
• OUR Males: Typically range from 130–170 lbs.
Because of their size, they stay "puppies" physically for a long time; their joints and bones continue to develop until they are about 2 years old.
🥣 Nutrition & Recommended Products
What dog food do you recommend?
We raise our puppies on a high-quality, large-breed specific puppy formula. This is vital because giant breeds need to grow slowly and steadily. Food that is too high in protein or calories can cause them to grow too fast, putting unnecessary stress on their developing joints.
We Feed:
“ DIAMOND NATURALS Large Breed PUPPY”
And
“DIAMOND NATURALS Large Breed Adult”
These can be purchased in store at Tractor Supply, Petco, Petsmart, etc.
Or Online at Chewy.com, etc
Vitamins:
Our dogs from the age of 4 weeks and up take a daily multivitamin! This is very important for pups especially. It is designed to boost immune systems and is packed with essential vitamins and protection! I strongly suggest ordering one container of Nuvet plus powder for your new puppy to continue using! One order lasts 3-4 months!
I give my teen and adult dogs the wafer Nuvet plus. They also have a joint supplement that I give my senior newfs!
TO ORDER: www.nuvet.com/798429
FISH OIL:
I keep my dogs and pups on a daily fish oil supplement. Amazon or local stores sell these. Salmon or fish oil is fine. This keeps their skin from getting dry or irritated, also gives them a soft coat!
What essential products should I have ready?
• Elevated Bowls: To make eating more comfortable for their height.
• Heavy-Duty Leash: A 6-foot leather or thick nylon leash is best for training.
• Large Crate: A 48-inch or 54-inch crate with a divider to grow with them. Or for early crate training, a small 20-24” crate works well!
✂️ Grooming Tools & Care
What grooming tools do I need at home? (with amazon links)
Newfoundlands have a thick double coat that requires consistent maintenance. We recommend:
• Long-Toothed Undercoat Rake: To reach through the topcoat and pull out loose fur from the undercoat.
• Slicker Brush: For daily brushing to prevent mats, especially behind the ears and on the legs.
• Steel Comb: To check your work and ensure you've reached down to the skin.
• High-Velocity Dryer: If you plan on bathing at home, this is a lifesaver for drying that thick coat thoroughly to prevent "hot spots." This is a MUST have around here, the time it saves and the efficiency is incredible.
How often should they be groomed?
You should brush your Newf at least 2–3 times a week. Professional grooming is recommended every 6–8 weeks to keep their coat manageable and their paw pads trimmed. (learn to do this yourself and save $$)
🏠 Training & House Tips
How do I handle house training a giant puppy?
• Consistency: Take them out every 2 hours and immediately after eating or napping for the first couple months! Rule of thumb, puppies can hold it an hour for every month they are for the first several months. By 5 months they should be able to sleep through the night!
• The "Bell" Method: Many of our puppy buyers find success hanging a bell on the door for the puppy to ring when they need to go out. Have a key word for going outside and make a big deal about it. Lots of youtube videos on this training!
• Limit Space: Use a crate or exercise pen so they don't have free roam of the house until they are fully trained.
What are your top training tips?
• Start Early: They are much easier to train when they weigh 30 lbs than when they weigh 140 lbs. Focus on "no jumping" and "loose-lead walking" from day one.
• Positive Reinforcement: Newfoundlands are very sensitive. They want to please you, so use lots of praise and high-value treats rather than harsh corrections.
BITING and chewing phase starts at 4 months old!
They turn into little dinosaurs. This video is recommended for tips!
• Socialization: Safely expose them to new sights, sounds, and people early on to build the confident, steady temperament the breed is known for.
When Can my puppy go in public for the first time?
After your puppy has had all THREE rounds of puppy shots! This is so important! Parvo is so real and so common, it also is fatal. If you have to take your pup in public, keep their paws off the ground. Take pee pads with you or blankets. Be creative! Here is a video to educate
