A Newfoundland may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...

• A very bulky dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car
• A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet, lie on your lap, and lean his weight against your leg
• Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young
• "Separation anxiety" and destructiveness when left alone too much
• Fearfulness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
• Some stubbornness and/or dominance problems, especially in males
• Heavy shedding
• Slobbering and drooling
• Serious health problems and a short lifespan

A Newfoundland may not be right for you.

If I were considering a Newfoundland...

My major concerns would be:

1. Providing the proper balance of exercise. Young Newfoundlands need enough exercise to keep them lean and healthy, but not so much that their soft growing bones, joints, and ligaments become over-stressed and damaged. Adult Newfoundlands need more exercise to keep them in shape, but not in hot or humid weather for fear of overheating. The proper amount of exercise can be difficult to regulate in giant breeds.

   Since you have to minimize their exercise, young Newfoundlands can be very rambunctious. They will romp with uncoordinated gawkiness all over your house. You need to substitute extra quantities of companionship and supervision. Otherwise, left alone, young Newfoundlands become bored and destructive -- and their powerful jaws can literally destroy your living room.

    

   It is strongly recommended that you get your Newfoundland involved in obedience classes at the intermediate or advanced level, or tracking, or pulling a cart or sled, or even just hiking and swimming.

    

2. Bounciness. Young Newfoundlands (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.

    

   THIS IS A WORKING DOG WHO NEEDS DAILY EXERCISE & TRAINING.

    

3. Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Newfoundlands need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.

    

4. Providing enough socialization. Newfoundlands need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which is difficult to live with.

    

5. Strong temperament in males. Many Newfoundlands, particularly young males, are not pushovers to raise and train. Some are willful and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. Some Newfoundland males are also dominant or aggressive toward other male dogs.

    

   *** TRAINING IS A MUST for a NEWFOUNDLAND PUPPY ***

    

6. Heavy shedding. Newfoundlands are one of the heaviest shedders of all breeds. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this.

    

7. Slobbering. Most people are not prepared for how much Newfoundlands slobber and drool, especially after eating or drinking. When they shake their heads, you will literally be toweling saliva and slime off your clothes, furniture, and walls.

    

8. Serious health problems. The lifespan of a Newfoundland is short and an alarming number are crippled by bone and joint diseases and/or succumb to cancer in middle age.

If you're considering an adult Newfoundland...

There are plenty of adult Newfoundlands who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.

When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.