10 Controversial Newfoundland Questions That Will Always Have More Than One Answer

10  Controversial Newfoundland Questions That Will Always Have More Than One Answer

Not only do we all GET questions when we take our Newfies out in public, but many of us have personal questions when it comes to our Newfoundlands.

Whether you’ve owned several Newfies or you’re relishing life with your first one, there are some questions that you just can’t find a straight answer to.

Most of the time,  we will turn to fellow Newfoundland owners looking for a simple answer to our question but sometimes, when we do this in a public group or social media post, we get more than we bargained for. 

This leads us many of us being more confused and still without an anser. 

A lot of times it’s because these Newfoundland questions are so general and they have hundreds of possible answers. 

Here’s a list of 10 of the most easiest but also most controversial topics found in our breed:

1. How Much Food Should I Feed My Newfoundland?
2. What Type Of Food Should I Feed My Newfoundland?
3. Should I Shave My Newfoundland To Keep Them Cool?
4. How Much Should My Newfie Weigh?
5. Should I feed My Newfie From An Elevated Feeder?
6. How Often Should I Give My Newfie a Bath?
7. How Cold Is Too Cold For A Newfie?
8. How Often Should I Groom My Newfie?
9. Are Newfies Good With Kids?
10. What’s The Best Vacuum Cleaner?

1. How Much Food Should I Feed My Newfoundland Dog?

How much food you feed your Newfoundland at every meal depends on several factors including:

• type of diet they are eating (kibble, raw, home-cooked)
• brand of food
• age 
• weight
•  activity level
• how many “extras” that they get throughout the day. 

People can give you a ballpark figure for you to go off of but the number is going to require you to do some research and calculating. 

On average, most Newfie owners feed 4-5 cups of dry dog food per day.

This is broken down into 2 feedings so 2 cups of kibble in the morning and 2 cups of kibble in the evening. 

2. What Type Of Food Should I Feed My Newfoundland?

If you ask this question you are going to be even more confused than you were before you asked the question.

What type of food you feed your Newf is going to take some trial and error and it depends on your budget.

There is no perfect diet for all Newfies, you feed what your dog does best on and that may not be the same food that your friend’s Newfie eats. 

Always stick with what works for your dog and don’t be guilted into feeding a diet that you aren’t comfortable with. 

3. Should I Shave My Newfoundland Dog To Keep Them Cool?

Probably the most controversial question that there is in the Newfoundland comunnity and the answer seems to change every decade. 

No matter what you say someone will disagree.

Should you shave your dog so that you don’t have to groom them every day?

No. 

Should you clip your Newfoundland’s coat in the summer so they’re cooler?

Do they have a medical condition? 

Are they a senior dog?

Are they more comfortable with a shorter coat?

It’s your decision and it’s your dog.

The only REAL reason you shouldn’t clip your Newfie is because you don’t want to deal with grooming and dog hair. 

4. How Much Should My Newfie Weigh?

The American Kennel Club gives a range of 130-150 pounds for an adult male and 100-120 pounds for an adult female. 

These are an average range and if your Newfie falls below that it’s o.k.

Newfies vary in size and weight and you should never try to get your dog to the average range if they aren’t meant to be there. 

Size is often a huge draw for people who want a big dog and some people panic when their dog doesn’t fit into the average weight range.

A sound structure is always going to be more important than the numbers on the scale.

Odin weighs 120 pounds and that’s fine with me.

He would be obese if he weighed 130-150 pounds. 

Lou weighs about 140 pounds and that number fits his frame. 

Don’t forget, Newfies grow slower than other breeds so if your Newfie puppy is 90 pounds at 12 months, don’t worry, they still have more growing to do.

On average they don’t stop growing until they are between 3 and 4 years of age. 

And try to keep in mind that bigger is not always better.

There are very few Newfoundlands that are over 200 pounds and healthy.

5. Should I Feed My Newfoundland From An Elevated Feeder?

Another very controversial question since the latest Purdue study on bloat was released. 

Does your Newfie eat sitting, standing, or laying down?

Do they have medical problems?

I’ve always fed my Newfies from a semi-elevated feeder without any problems but you should always do what is best for your dog.

To me, it looks like the Newfoundland community is 50/50 on this one.

6. How Often Should I Give My Newfoundland A Bath?

When they’re dirty and stinky. 

The average is every 6-8 weeks but if your Newfie swims, loves mud, drools a lot, or has health issues, they may need a bath more often.

On the flip side, if your Newf doesn’t do much then maybe 2-3 times a year. 

7. How Cold Is Too Cold For My Newfoundland?

Is there such a thing as a Newfie being cold?

Yeah, there is.

Newfies can get cold but not as easily as other breeds of dogs. 

I think the bigger question is how cold is too cold for you to be comfortable with your Newfoundland being outside?

8. How Often Should I Groom My Newfoundland?

That all depends on your dog’s coat and tolerance to being groomed. 

Newfies can have different coats.

Some are more dense than others.

Sherman was a woolly mammoth and he needed to be line combed daily. 

Leroy had a thin coat and would be ok being groomed weekly. 

Odin is the middle of the road right now and gets brushed/combed a few times a week. 

Lou still doesn’t have his full adult coat yet.

9. Are Newfoundland Dogs Good With Children?

What could possibly be controversial about this one?!

Well…….the Newfoundland is often referred to as a nanny dog meaning that they are very good around children and have a unique sense when it comes to them. 

This is all true however, most Newfies grow into that nanny name over time. 

Before they become calm and gentle they are growing puppies that act like puppies. 

They intend to be gentle but in relaity they are clumsy, mouthy, and rambunctious. 

If you’re bringing in a Newfoundland puppy with young children it will take some time and training. 

Your child also needs to be taught to be good with the Newfoundland. This is an important part that is often left out!

And if someone asks you if a Newfoundland dog is good with children you should give them a proper answer instead of just telling them YES!

10. What Is The Best Vacuum Cleaner For Picking Up Dog Hair?

Hahahaha. 

No one knows. 

Everyone thinks they have the best vacuum and then it clogs and breaks. 

If you find yourself stuck on getting an answer to one of these Newfoundland questions your best bet is to sit back and really observe your dog. 

More often than not you’ll be able to find that answer right in front of you. 

 

 

 

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