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If Newfoundland Puppies Came With Warning Labels

Ah, Newfoundland puppies.

Big, fluffy, and undeniably adorable—what’s not to love?

Well, before you dive headfirst into the land of slobbery kisses and bear-sized paws, let’s imagine what it would be like if these gentle giants came with warning labels.

You know, like those ones on products that seem absurdly specific but somehow still manage to be painfully accurate.

Newfoundland puppy warning label

 

WARNING: Newfoundland Puppy Inside

  • Sharp objects inside. Proceed with caution. Failure to do may result in damage.
  • Fragile. Handle with care and patience.
  • Inner packages comply with specifications.
  • Contents under extreme floof pressure.
  • Notice. The contents of this package have been triple rinsed.
  • Not responsible for stolen snacks or missing sticks of butter.

Warning #1: Beware of the “Teething Shark Phase”

Newfoundland puppies are adorably mouthy, at first.

They are born with an insatiable urge to chew, nibble, and gnaw on just about everything—including you!

Imagine a fluffy shark, but with oversized paws and way more drool.

It’s all part of the package deal!

That sweet Newfie might look like a cuddle bear, but in their puppy stage, they’ll try to mouth anything within reach—your hands, furniture, shoes, or even the baseboards if you’re not paying attention.

a little of black and white newfie puppies

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Newfies take “affectionate” to a whole new level by using their mouths to communicate and work, so it’s best to invest in some tough chew toys, a few fetch sticks or bumpers, and, definitely, some patience.

Remember, Newfoundlands are a working breed that uses their mouth a lot to work so if you’re struggling to get that mouth under control, take a step back and see how, when and why your puppy is using their mouth the most. 

If it’s when they’re excited, try offering them something to carry like a fetch stick or bumper instead of your arm. 

It’s a lot harder to train out a breed trait than to modify it.

brown newfie puppy holding a bumper

Warning #2: Maturity… Pending

If you’ve been dreaming of a calm, gentle giant that lounges at your feet like the ones you’ve read about online, hold that thought—like, for the next three to four years.

That’s right!

While some dogs hit their “grown-up” stage at one year old, Newfoundland dogs prefer to take the scenic route.

These big goofballs don’t fully mature until around three or four years of age.

So, while you’re expecting a gentle giant, you’ll probably be wrangling a gentle toddler in an XXL body for quite some time.

Prepare yourself for all 100+ pounds of clumsiness, goofiness, and boundless enthusiasm—paired with the coordination of an elephant on roller skates.

Black Newfoundland puppy with silly face

Warning #3: A Dog with a Job—Whether You Want It or Not

Fun fact: Newfoundland dogs are a working breed!

Originally bred for water rescue and pulling carts, these dogs are happiest when they have a job to do.

But here’s the catch—most of them don’t care what the job is as long as they think it’s important.

It could be something grand like saving lives… or as simple as helping to bring in the groceries or relocating your laundry across the house.

If you don’t give them a task, they’ll invent one, and trust me, you may not like their creativity!

Better brush up on your dog-training skills, or your Newfie might be the one calling the shots!

 

Warning #4: The Never-Ending Floof

The floof is real.

Newfies are often described as big, walking clouds of fur—and with good reason!

Those glorious coats are not just for show.

While Newf puppies don’t shed a lot, adult Newfs do. 

There’s the seasonal shedding where you’ll find tumbleweeds of fur rolling through your house like a doggy version of the Wild West.

And then there’s the regular shedding, which is basically like a blizzard of fur every single day.

Don’t even think about wearing black unless you’re cool with looking like you’ve been hugged by a wooly mammoth.

Warning #5: Wet Dog Smell Included

Newfies love water—whether it’s a puddle, a lake, or their water bowl, they’re diving in!

Newfie puppies are obsessed with their water bowls so be prepared to have a wet teddy bear for the first year. 

And let’s not forget their built-in drool system.

This breed produces more slobber than you can imagine, and they’ll share it generously with you, your furniture, your clothes, and any guests who were unaware of what they signed up for.

Warning #6: Quick Learners with… Selective Hearing

Newfoundlands are smart—really smart.

These dogs catch on to training quickly, picking up new commands like pros.

But here’s the kicker: they also have a strong case of selective hearing.

Your Newfie will be fully aware of what you’re asking them to do… they just might decide it’s not worth their time.

The combination of intelligence and inflexibility means that while they know exactly what you’re asking, they may casually pretend not to hear you—especially if they’ve found something more interesting to do, like daydreaming about snacks or investigating a particularly fascinating patch of grass.

It’s not that they don’t know “sit” or “come,” they’re just weighing their options and considering whether it’s worth interrupting their busy schedule.

Contents under extreme floof pressure. May cause excessive drooling. Side effects include an overwhelmed vacuum and loss of personal space. Not responsible for stolen snacks or missing sticks of butter.

Common Misconceptions: Not Just a Giant Teddy Bear

Sure, a Newfoundland is a cuddly, friendly companion, but don’t confuse this for a giant teddy bear.

A Newfoundland is a dog first and a Newfie second.

They have strong protective instincts, and though they’re generally good-natured, they aren’t pushovers.

They’re also known for being strong-willed (especially when they’ve decided your sofa should become their sofa), and they’ll stand their ground if they think they know better.

Let’s just say that while they might look like a lazy snugglers, they’re no couch potato.

Be prepared for those bursts of energy where your adolescent Newfie goes from zero to 60 in a second, charging around like a fluffy freight train.

Landseer Newfoundland puppies

Refer to Instruction Manual For Questions & Concerns

Welcome to life with Newfoundlands!

This instruction manual (breeder) is designed to help you get the most out of your Newfoundland.

It contains important safety information, step-by- instructions and helpful tips to ensure that you and your Newfie have the best life together.

If you’re thinking of bringing home a Newfoundland puppy, you’re in for an adventure.

Sure, they come with a lot of quirks—mouthiness, late maturity, and enough drool to rival a small pond—but they’re also loyal, loving, and the perfect goofy companions.

Just remember: They may be big, but so is their heart!

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Heather P

Thursday 19th of September 2024

I’m looking for any suggestions your followers may have. I have a Newfy, a swimming pool, and a doggie door. When I’m home and I can catch him I can wipe him down and get most the dripping water off before he comes in the house, but if I’m not home and he decides he needs a drink of water, which is always a full body swim experience in the pool I end up with rivers of water running through my house. Thank goodness I have a tile floor and a very dog friendly house, but does anybody have any suggestions to minimize the amount of water that comes into my house? He is typically in the pool for five times a day.

Christina

Friday 30th of August 2024

I love your posts... Thanks so much xxx My girl is 5 months old brown, with her glorious big girl coat coming through... She is such a barker! Feels like my ears will burst at times.. take a breath... lol I'm looking for how to give her a job?, how to give her breed enrichment.. she's not great at using her nose, needs to see , then she pounces on treats etc. Training is coming along great. She's beside herself to get to people when we are out, bless her big paws.. Any tips or even a post will definitely help me and other first time newfie owners. Xxx Don't stop what you do Jen, your a star 🌟 ✨️ xxx

Jen

Friday 30th of August 2024

Thanks for the kind words Christina! Lou is a barker too so I can relate to the ears bursting. Hahaha.

Does she like obedience? A lot of Newfie owners do therapy or assistant work with their Newfs and tons of them do obedience, agility and trick dog work. Most Newfoundlands love to do anything with their people.

Michael

Thursday 29th of August 2024

I often think my almost three-year-old is a dog-sized football player who barrels through his world like a linebacker smashing through the opponent's line. It seems like he has a sense of how big he is and that he doesn't need to stop for anyone or anything. At the same time, I was able to stop him from using our deck as his bathroom by tying a simple chain from one side to the other. Other dogs might try to crawl underneath the chain since there's actually quite a lot of space to do so. But he thankfully won't be bothered and now walks down the steps to the yard like he should have in the first place.

Jen

Friday 30th of August 2024

I love this analogy. I always brace for impact when Lou or Odin come barreling at me but, except for one time, they always seem to veer off right before tackling me:) And yep, that's kind of how it is here with blocking certain areas off! We have a wooden baby gate that they can easily knock over because it's not heavy or attached to anything but they're too scared of it. I love this breed so much!

John Tollini

Thursday 29th of August 2024

I still have video of our girls when they were about a year old. They realized they fit through the gap in the theater seating and would jump through chasing each other before passing out on the couch resting up for another round.

Jen

Friday 30th of August 2024

Hahaha. It amazes me how they can figure out how to fit their big bodies through small areas. I bet that was good entertainment!

Christa

Thursday 29th of August 2024

Yes, every bit of this informative but charming article.

Our furniture has taken a hit from the shark teeth. We call her Molly the destroyer. I told her if she is going to chew the table legs, she needs to chew evenly as then at least the table will resemble "folk art" carving.

If we could just teach her to not pull her head out of the water bucket with a full [BIG] mouth full of water!

And the hair! How are they not bald?

Jen

Thursday 29th of August 2024

Hahahaha. I love that you told Molly the Destroyer that she has to chew evenly-that makes perfect sense to me!

I've often wondered how they're not bald with all the constant that they do too!

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