Do you know what you want in a Newfoundland? Newfoundlands make great pets, companions, and family members, usually getting along well with other pets and with little children. Further, all healthy Newfs should be capable of water work, draft work, obedience/rally, tracking, and even agility. However, since all dogs obtained from RKNC Rescue will be spayed/neutered, breeding them or showing them in the conformation ring will not be options.

Do Newfoundlands make good house dogs? Yes, even good apartment dogs, as their exercise needs are relatively low once they've reached adulthood. However, Newfoundlands do shed and drool — Newfie owners find themselves regularly cleaning their walls, and occasionally their ceilings — and Newfs can be messy drinkers and eaters.

How much do they eat? A growing puppy will eat about 4 - 6 cups of high-quality dog food a day (around 50 pounds of food every 3-4 weeks); adults will eat about 4 cups a day, depending on activity level. (That's about as much as an active retriever-sized dog, so the food bill isn't as high as some might expect given the size of Newfoundlands.)

Do you know how much they can weigh? Adult females can range between 90 - 120lbs and adult males can range from 120 - 150lbs. You must not let your Newf become overweight as this can cause lifelong orthopedic problems. Their size also raises practical issues; many Newf owners find themselves buying vehicles with their dogs as much as their family in mind. And since Newfs like to be with their people, be prepared to have them near at hand, and occasionally underfoot, when cooking dinner and watching TV.

Are Newfs good with children? Absolutely. Remember Peter Pan? In the original story by J. M. Barrie, the family nanny was a Newfoundland!   Newfs are usually wonderful with children, but from the beginning both the dog and the child should be taught to respect each other's rights and to interact properly. Very young children should always be supervised with any breed of dog.

Do Newfs Shed? Yes, profusely at times: twice a year they "blow coat," and that means lots of hair to deal with. They are regarded as "high-grooming-needs" dogs; Newfs require frequent brushing to remove loose hair, prevent matting, and to help maintain healthy skin. This may require the assistance of a professional groomer at times which will involve some expense on your part.

A Newf is a very large commitment and will be part of your family for the next 10 years or so. Therefore, it is very important that you understand exactly what owning and caring for one means. Newfs are sweet, wonderful dogs but they do require a lot of time, dedication, money, and Lots of Love.