The Newfoundland: Loyal, Intelligent and Soft-Natured

The county fire department got the call from the animal shelter that a large dog was trapped in a storm drain pipe. It took awhile but they finally succeeded in freeing the large black dog and she was taken to the local shelter for care.

They had to completely shave her to get rid of all the mats. She was obviously old and the days spent trapped in the drain pipe had affected her health. Who would ever adopt such a creature? They considered euthanizing her. But there was a shelter employee who would not give up on finding this dog a home.

The shelter employee called her neighbor, who happened to know someone who was interested in Newfoundland dogs. That is how Suzie ended up at our home.

Sweetness is the hallmark of the Newfoundland temperament, and Suzie was very sweet. They are also loyal, dignified, fun-loving and soft-natured, all characteristics that make them a great family dog.

They are also huge. Having Suzie lying across the family room floor was like having a black bear in the house. A male Newfoundland can weigh about 150 pounds. Suzie weighed in at 115 pounds. She ate as much as our other three dogs combined. Keep that in mind if you ever think of bringing one home.

The history of the Newfoundland could trace back to about 4 AD. Indian graves dating to that time have been found with skeletons of giant dogs. Whether those dogs were the ancestors of the Newfoundland is not verifiable, but it is known that the Newfoundland is one of the older dog breeds of today.

It is thought that the extinct American Black Wolf might be an ancestor to the Newfoundland. In turn, the Newfoundland is an ancestor of the present day Labrador and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and the St. Bernard owes its coat to the Newfoundland.

Today’s Newfoundland makes a wonderful pet. They are obedient, easygoing, fairly inactive indoors, and will even adapt to apartment living as long as they are taken on brisk walks every day. Their keen sense of responsibility makes them an excellent companion dog for children of any age.

How such a sweet-tempered dog ended up stuck in a drain pipe we will never know. Suzie, like so many dogs, was apparently abandoned and left to fend for herself. It is becoming more and more common in today’s world to discard anything that is no longer wanted, whether a cat, a dog, or a human.

Suzie was with us for a year, living a life of leisure and comfort, before we had to euthanize her for her own sake. Her age had caught up to her and she was in pain. She is dearly missed.

If you have a Newfie, or would like to get one, I highly recommend you read this e-book that tells you everything you need to know to live with your Newfoundland and to keep him/her healthy.

Some of the things included in the e-book are three major health problems that Newfoundlands experience, how to choose the best Newfoundland for you, how to keep your Newfie healthy, and much more. Check it out here: Newfoundland Dog Owner's Guide

The great thing about e-books is you can be downloading it just minutes from now and read it right away.