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10 Things That Are Very, Very Hard To Do If You Have A Newfoundland

We have a saying in the Newfie world that Newfoundlands are more than just a dog, they’re a lifestyle and nothing could be more true. 

Newfies are an amazing breed but if sharing your life with one was easy, everyone would have one. 

If you’ve never had a Newfie before, it’s hard to explain but if you’ve been blessed to have one or a few, you get it. 

Newfoundlands change the way you live your life. 

YOU change your life for them.

We do things differently than the general dog community. 

Some of those things we do are a little more difficult than others but in a kind of funny, I wouldn’t change it for the world,  type of way. 

10 Things That Are Very, Very Hard To Do If You Have A Newfoundland

brown newfoundland dog laying down

Take a Quiet Walk

I like to take the dogs for a walk and kind of zone out. 

Not to the point that I’m not aware of my surroundings but to the point that I’m getting some fresh, getting some exercise and clearing my mind. 

Most of the time you can’t do that when walking a Newfie because they’re show stoppers. 

Everywhere you go, people wanna know what they are so you tell them. 

Not only are there questions but also the stranger’s hands being shoved into your dog’s face and the stumbling toddler running directly towards their mouth. 

You are not out for a calming walk, you’re now a security guard for your dog. 

 

landseer newfie going for walk

Grow Grass

Throw some seed down, water it and watch it grow.

Sounds easy enough right?

It’s not. 

Newfies are hard on grass.

Every spring for the last 15 years we either put down sod or plant grass seed. 

brown Newfie laying in grass

The grass comes in but by the fall, it’s gone. 

We’ve even fenced off the new grass for months and because it’s so soft, my Newfie’s paws sink right through it. 

If your Newfoundland has access to the entire backyard, some parts are not going to thrive. 

Keep a Clean House

Newfies are messy drinkers, they shed every single day, they like mud, they bring the outside in with them and they fling drool on the walls and ceilings.

There’s no vacuum cleaner equipped to handle their hair.

Your fridge and freezer have dog hair in it at all times. 

I guarantee more than half of us have stray dog hair on the lid of ice cream right now.

Newfoundland dog sitting on couch

Your windows have a film of dried drool every day. 

Your couch is covered with sheets and you have a stockpile of Magic Erasers. 

Eat Food Without Dog Hair

Dog hair is a condiment now, this is your life.

It’s right up there with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.

It’s also a traveling condiment, so you don’t have to worry about packing extra because it’s there. 

And as soon as you touch that box of butter in the grocery store, it has dog hair on it.

10 Things That Are Very, Very Hard To Do If You Have A Newfoundland

Eat Snacks Alone

Newfies are all about sharing and they know if they stare at you long enough and block the T.V. with their massive head, you’re going to hand over some snacks. 

Forget about them coming running when they hear a chip bag open, my Newfs know when I grab the pan to make popcorn. 

Every snack you take, they’ll be watching you with a puddle of drool at your feet.

brown Newfie holding chip can

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Be An Introvert

As stated above, Newfies are show stoppers and people magnets.

I used to be an introvert but having Newfies changed that.

I’m prepared for all the common Newfie questions and sometimes I might even talk someone’s ear off.

You have to focus on what’s going on around you when you’re with your Newfie and you’ll probably need a nap when you get back home.

Newfoundland dog walking answer guide shirt

Found It On Amazon

 

Travel Easily

Whether you’re leaving your Newfie home while you go on vacation or you take them with you, it’s not easy.

First, it’s hard to find a person qualified to take care of a Newfie.

It’s not an easy job. 

Second, Newfies are devoted to their family so leaving them isn’t easy because you know they’ll miss you. 

And if you decide to travel with your Newfie, it’s like traveling with another adult human but more high maintenance. 

You can’t travel lightly if you bring a Newfie with you!

brown Newfie traveling in Jeep

 

Wear Black

While most dog owners are worried about dog hair on their clothes, we also contend with dog drool.

Regardless of what color Newfoundland you’re owned by, black is a tough color to wear because it shows so much slobber. 

We know that we have dog hair and slobber clinging to us at all times but we don’t necessarily want everyone else at the grocery store to know it too. 

See that dog slobber on both of my shoulders? That’s a sign that I was hugged by a Newfie 3 hours ago.

Store Butter On The Counter

I’m among the population of people that keep butter out of the fridge and on the counter. 

Well, now it’s stored in the cupboard but before I had Newfies it was kept on the counter in a butter dish. 

Newfies have a weird obsession with butter and they will find it and eat it all if they can reach it. 

Have a Clean Car

Newfie mobiles, regardless of size, color or shape are filled with dog hair, car seat covers, dried slobber on the windows, dried slobber on the seats and a few towels. 

You’ll figure out some easy ways to get drool off your car seats and eventually, you’ll stumble across a product that you didn’t know existed that keeps dog drool off the inside of your car doors. 

It’ll be too late because your doors are already ruined but you’ll get it anyways.

But don’t get too excited,  you’ll still have to scrape the dog drool off the car windows. 

And hey, in case you didn’t realize it yet, it’s their car now.

Newfoundland dog drooling

Walk Barefoot In The House

Unless it’s the middle of the night and I’ve to get up to pee, I don’t think I’ve walked barefoot through my house for over 15 years. 

If you’ve ever slipped in a pile of dog slobber, you know where I’m coming from. 

A fresh slobber puddle is a death trap.

Not only does the drool creep in between your toes but it’s also like walking on an ice skating rink. 

If your heel lands in the drool puddle at just the right angle, you’re a goner. 

 

Make Dinner Without Tripping

If you allow your Newfie in the kitchen while you’re preparing a meal, that’s another death trap. 

Newfies know the exact spots to lay to turn your kitchen into an obstacle course. 

Not only do they block all the important appliances needed for cooking and cleaning but they also sneak into the area like a snake. 

The only time you won’t hear a Newfie move is when they’re sliding into the spot right next to your heels. 

brown Newfie

 

No matter how hard some things are with these guys, life is so much better with them in it and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

So how about you?

What things do you find very, very hard to do with your Newfie?

 

 

 

 

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Elia

Wednesday 31st of January 2024

I couldn't stop laughing. Ah. My life with a Newfie.

Lydia

Friday 22nd of September 2023

You forgot that one can not go to the bathroom by yourself with a newf!

Madeline Mathews

Friday 25th of August 2023

I loved the articles! They were right on and made me laugh.When we got Grizzly I had no clue. My Oliver had just been put to sleep. I had a very large Yellow Lab Husky Mix who was depressed so off we went to bring our new dog home. Grizzly learned fast. Potty training easy, coming when we called, chewing toys provided. Got along with 2 cats. Did eat the heads off baby bunnies. Dragged me home if he saw stranger coming. Worse habit was when excited he would jump on me and bite my stomach. Very unnerving, got training advice and it stopped. Grizzy is 7 now. He barks for attention and biscuits. He is 170 lbs and very long. My neighbor asked why ours was so much bigger and longer?Lucky? Grizzy is a big drooler, car hair and even on the roof of my fort edge. Good with my 3 year old granddaughter . Most lovable dog I ever had. Grooming is definitely a chore. We groom ourselves because Grizzly’s anxiety was too much. We never go on vacation together. My husband stays home or my son comes to stay. Definitely have hairs on butter and when cooking it flies through the air if Grizzy walks by. Vet bills high. So far urinary infection caused walking and peeing . Then he wouldn’t go out alone. He would lean on me and pee on my shoes. New experience but resolved. Lately is starting to limp on back leg. Tried medicine and now going for X-ray. Most wonderful boy. At 67 not sure if I could have another. I watch rescue pictures a great deal. So hard to live through losing our fury friends.

Jen

Saturday 26th of August 2023

Grizzly sounds like such a wonderful Newfie Madeline! I'm happy to hear that the UTI issues resolved and I'm sending good thoughts that his limping is nothing overly serious. They are a lot of work but so worth it.

Linda Holt

Monday 14th of August 2023

That was priceless and sooooo true, all of it. But my cabin looks nothing like your room. Mine swim at will, run up to the yard, roll in sawdust from our mill then come in the cabin and shake. LOL, don't care, they make me smile and I'm a lousy cleaner anyway. They don't mind if I blame them. Very hard to travel in an emergency situation, is our big problem. No one here to dog sit, can't take them on the life flight planes so.... Love your articles, thank you!

Dr. Mike

Friday 11th of August 2023

I have tried to adopt: no luck

I have tried to Foster: no luck.

For now, I’m going sit back and just read about Newfy’s.

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