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General Care: Health care for a Newfoundland will include proper affection, nutrition, exercise, sanitized living environment, veterinary care, immunization against canine diseases, grooming, and ongoing protection against parasites. NUTRITION: Because a Newfoundland can be expected to grow on an average from one pound at birth to approximately 120 pounds at one year of age, it is important to provide the breed with a high-quality food needed to encourage proper bone to muscle growth ratios. It would be very difficult and expensive for a pet owner to match the balanced diet found within a quality commercial dog food. When selecting your dog food, important phrases like, "complete and balanced" and "meet or exceeds the nutritional levels established by the National Research Council" should appear on the label. Other considerations might include:
Be careful not to supplement unbalanced foods and try not to exceed ten percent by weight of the regular diet. Balanced supplements include:
The nutritional/dietary needs of each Newfoundland can vary according to their age and activity level. An average adult Newf will eat approximately three to eight cups of dry food plus one half to one pound of meat per day. A growing puppy may eat double the amount of an average adult during rapid growth periods. Average feeding schedule:
It is important to measure your dogs food each day and to never allow your puppy to get fat. Over feeding and underfeeding are both serious issues. Overfeeding will not allow your puppy grow any larger than his genetic makeup will grow, so feed smart. Excess weight on a dog reduces the life span expectancy, adds strain on tissues and growing bones, and enhances your pets chances of developing future problems. Because different foods contain different ingredients and Note: "Never" feed cooked or soft bones, chocolate, onion, raw meats, and oils. Here's why:
EXERCISE: Most Newfs go through some awkward and/or uneven growth stages of development during the first year. Be patient, as most puppies will mature to a temperament and appearance somewhat similar to that of their parents. Development states are as follows:
It is best to consult with your breeder regarding the best time to begin a proper exercise program for their specific bloodlines. Provide proper terrain for puppy play/exercise and avoid slippery floors/surfaces, including ice, which are dangerous for a puppy or adult at play. SANITARY CONDITIONS:
VETERINARY CARE & IMMUNIZATIONS:
Immunization decisions are a matter of personal and professional judgment choices based on research, statistics, and environmental and immunization risks. As with pediatricians, veterinarians do not always extend, nor understand, necessary information and/or research data that would enable parents/owners to make their own "educated" decisions on vaccination issues. Dr. W. Jean Dobbs is a well-known authority on canine health and behavior problems associated with thyroid and autoimmune diseases. She has published extensively on hematology and related subjects, and her contributions to the veterinary profession have earned her numerous awards. Her popular seminars on immunology, nutrition, holistic medicine and related subjects continue to attract veterinary professionals, concerned dog owners, and breeders from all over the United States. If you wish to consider her professional vaccination recommendations for discussion with your own personal veterinarian, you can her office directly to receive their vaccination protocol via fax or mail: Dr. W. Jean Dobbs, DVM Although Dr. Dobbs does not currently offer a web site, the following sites offer some of her information...
It is also important to have your dog examined for roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and hookworms every three months as a puppy and then twice a year thereafter. Heart worm is also a serious problem in areas where mosquitoes live. Consult your veterinarian regarding testing and prevention of these life threatening diseases. Note: Please consider having your puppy checked for worms every 3 months until he/she reaches one year of age in order to help fight against round worm larva/eggs from maturing in your puppy. GROOMING: Special attention must be given to bodily areas that develop mats easily, which are:
Most Newfs will look forward to their grooming sessions and the personal one-on-one attention. Grooming tools which can be useful for ease of grooming include:
For more information on grooming your puppy, I highly recommend this book for all puppy buyers. It includes a chapter on grooming and is a nice puppy reference book. "Newfoundland Puppy: Early Care, Training", by Judy Adler
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