My new surface cover!

[Smiling Dragon]

Originally Posted by big_si

How heavy / tall will he get when fully grown?

Our guy is nearly done growing now and is currently at around 72kg or so, down from the 80kg he was at earlier. it's important to keep the giant breeds lean as their joints suffer otherwise, but I think he's looking a little _too_ lean now, might have to start giving him a little extra again.
That said, Hiro is quite small for his breed. He was born during a particularly cold snap and was the independant one of the litter so was often off exploring while the others where getting food from mommy. I'm told the 'normal' weight range is from 80 up to about 95kg or so.
Good exercise for me as I need to be able to control him (Newfs get very goofy when they are excitied) and I've had to carry him down to the car for a trip to the vet once after a bad fall down the stairs (see the note on goofyness).

Originally Posted by big_si

Already have a name (and have done for about 18 months now!!! We've thought a lot!!! ) for him too.... Want him to be a nice dark brown and we shall call him.... Branston! (Like the pickle! )

<grin>Hiro's mum is a chocolate Newfy, it's a lovely colour alright. I was convinced I wanted a landseer (black and white Newfie) that I was going to call 'Panda' but Hiro managed to win me over within about 3 seconds of meeting him.

Originally Posted by big_si

(Damn! I'm sounding a right wuss now!!! Erm.... And we'll train him to hunt things and take him for manly adventures! Phew! think I butched it up again! )

heh, don't worry, as soon as you have to take him for a walk and he sees a jogger, you'll get loads of manly scratches and scars as you get dragged into and over any obsticles in the way

They make really good family dogs too - Most Newfs (Hiro included) are excellent around small children, they know to be gentle and actually make very good baby sitters as they will herd the kids to keep them away from danger. Hiro's also quite fearsome if he thinks there's a threat, but can't follow through on it of course!
Naturally lazy, you'll have to be the motivated one getting him out for exercise but once he's out and about he'll love it. You have to be very careful for the first year re: exercise though, a lot of giant dogs get injured by their owners because they et too much exercise while the joints are still developing. Take him swimming instead!
Much better jumpers than you'd expect, Hiro's scaled a shoulder high brick wall because I was on the other side and he wanted to say hi.

Couldn't recommend them enough Glad we've got two dogs though as they can keep each other company when we're both at work. Consider getting two Newfs!

[Helen F H]

We have Hera the Leonberger. Currently the size of the Labrador and she is 16 weeks old Destined to be 34 inches to the shoulder when fully grown.



Beating the brainless labrador up (he has stopped losing all the time and gets his own back now)

[big_si]

Originally Posted by Smiling Dragon

Good exercise for me as I need to be able to control him (Newfs get very goofy when they are excitied) and I've had to carry him down to the car for a trip to the vet once after a bad fall down the stairs (see the note on goofyness).

Awww, that is goofy

Originally Posted by Smiling Dragon

They make really good family dogs too - Most Newfs (Hiro included) are excellent around small children, they know to be gentle and actually make very good baby sitters as they will herd the kids to keep them away from danger. Hiro's also quite fearsome if he thinks there's a threat, but can't follow through on it of course!
Naturally lazy, you'll have to be the motivated one getting him out for exercise but once he's out and about he'll love it. You have to be very careful for the first year re: exercise though, a lot of giant dogs get injured by their owners because they et too much exercise while the joints are still developing. Take him swimming instead!
Much better jumpers than you'd expect, Hiro's scaled a shoulder high brick wall because I was on the other side and he wanted to say hi.

Couldn't recommend them enough Glad we've got two dogs though as they can keep each other company when we're both at work. Consider getting two Newfs!

Awww, that's exactly the temprement that I've read about. Sound just like me. Such lovely lovely dogs!!! You've re-awoken my thoughts of getting one! (Don't think two is likely right now!!! )

[Smiling Dragon]

Originally Posted by Helen F H

We have Hera the Leonberger. Currently the size of the Labrador and she is 16 weeks old Destined to be 34 inches to the shoulder when fully grown.

oooh! I've not heard of Leonburgers before, google tells me they're pretty cool dogs though. Looks like they make good family or working dogs - it's unusual to get a breed that can do both so well. Hiro tends to get quite focused when we're 'working' (ie walking at heel, doing the rescue training etc) but returns to cuddly family dog mode pretty quickly afterwards. It'll be his breeding, Newfs are quite a primitive breed, not as highly domesticated as some other breeds.

[annatrnr]

Originally Posted by big_si

Sound just like me. )

What you mean huge, dopie and soft hearted?
I love all these pics of everyones' monsters - I was trying to workout the 2nd photo Helen until I read that it was of 2 dogs not one!

[big_si]

Originally Posted by annatrnr

What you mean huge, dopie and soft hearted?

Yep! That's just about right And gentle and good with kids (And lazy! ) and of course good for a nice cuddle!

[annatrnr]

if you don't mind the drool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[big_si]

Originally Posted by annatrnr

if you don't mind the drool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Depends who I'm with as to whether I drool or not!

[annatrnr]

A gift for Mrs Si for Valentines Day with my sympathy

[big_si]

Hi Smiling Dragon. You've a lot to answer for! My Newfoundland interest has been re-awoken big time. We're not ready to get one just year but hopefully sometime this year we might also be getting a bit hairy, drooling beastie

I'm made contact with a breeder and are going to visit her FOUR adult girl Newfies and SIX puppies!!! Words cannot explain how excited I am to see them all!!!