While Newfoundland dogs are one of the most giant dog breeds in the world, many people wonder if their size affects their lifespan. So, how long do Newfoundlands live?
A typical lifespan for a Newfoundland is between 8 and 10 years. However, Newfies can live even longer than this with the right owners. Many factors influence how long a Newfoundland can live, and it is on the owners to ensure they do their part to keep their dog healthy!
Read on as we share 9 things you should know about helping your Newfoundland stay alive as long as possible!
Typical Lifespan
When it comes to Newfoundlands, they can live for many different periods of time. While some dogs will only live a few years, others can make it as long as 12 or 14 years! Dog owners have important roles in helping the longevity of their pets’ lives.
You can do several things to help your Newfoundland live as long as possible. It is essential to consider these factors to ensure you are not unintentionally cutting time off your Newfoundland’s life. Stick around as we share some tips to help you do this!
Common Health Problems
Newfoundland dogs are prone to many health conditions, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and gastric torsion. They may also suffer from eye problems, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
In addition, Newfoundlands are susceptible to several skin diseases, including ichthyosis and pyoderma. What exactly are all these conditions?
- Hip Dysplasia: a condition where the dog’s hip joint is not formed correctly. This can lead to pain and lameness.
- Elbow Dysplasia: a condition where the dog’s elbow joint is not formed correctly. This can lead to pain and lameness.
- Gastric Torsion: also known as bloat, this is a life-threatening condition where the stomach flips over, trapping air and gas inside. This cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and can cause it to burst.
- Cataracts: a condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, impairing vision.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: a degenerative eye disease that leads to blindness.
- Ichthyosis: a skin disorder that results in dry, flaky skin.
- Pyoderma: a condition where the dog has an inflammation of the skin that results in pus developing on the surface of the skin.
Factors That Influence a Newfoundland’s Lifespan
As previously mentioned, the lifespan of a Newfoundland is heavily reliant on several factors, many of which dog owners have control over. Let’s check out what some of these factors may be.
Breeding & Genetics
One of the main factors contributing to the determination of your Newfoundland’s lifespan is its breeding and genetics. Depending on which breeder you adopted your dog from, you may have a better idea of how long your dog is likely to live.
Some purebred Newfoundlands have been known to live up to 12 years, while others may only make it to 8 years old. It is important to note that, as with any breed of dog, the environment and care they receive will also play a role in their overall health and well-being.
“When it comes to adopting a new puppy, try to gather as much information on the litter and the parents since this will give you an idea of how big your dog will get.“
If you are interested in adopting a Newfoundland, it is also essential that you contact the breeder to find out how old the parents lived, and to get an indication of the expected lifespan.
Exercise Frequency
One of the most important things you can do for your Newfoundland is to make sure they get plenty of exercise. Dogs that don’t get enough exercise are more likely to develop health problems and live shorter lives.
Ensuring your dog is well exercised can help them live longer than the average lifespan for this breeder and have a happier, more fulfilling life overall.
Dogs should be walked regularly, but besides this, you can also exercise your Newfoundland in many different ways.
If you love the great outdoors, why not go for walks in some of the most beautiful areas you can find? Dogs that are out and about tend to be healthier than those that stay indoors all day.
Newfoundlands like to swim, so if you have access to a dog-friendly beach or lake. They will enjoy taking part in this traditional Newfoundland hobby with you!
If your pup isn’t used to swimming, you should always let them try things out when they’re on dry land first. You can gradually increase how long they spend in water once they get more confident.
This breed is known for being powerful swimmers who have been known to navigate dangerous waters alone when looking for help for their owners.
Newfoundlands also enjoy playing fetch and Frisbee, so these are other great ways to keep your dog active. If you’re creative, you can even come up with fun new games for you and your Newfoundland to play together!
Quality of Veterinarian and Health Care
If you own a dog, one of the best things you can do is make sure that its vet and health care needs are being met.
A Newfoundland’s first-time owner needs to have a veterinarian they trust because many common illnesses may affect dogs, such as heartworm disease or even cancer.
Other issues might not be life-threatening but still require professional attention from time to time, such as fleas or ticks. To keep your dog healthy and happy throughout its entire lifetime, you must regularly take it to the vet.
If you are not currently in touch with any veterinarians, all hope is not lost! There are many places where it’s possible to find medical help for animals, including mobile veterinary services and, of course, local vets’ offices.
If your dog is in good health and looks like it’s in no immediate danger, then you should be able to request an appointment at a veterinarian’s office without too much fuss. Just keep in mind that there may be times when an emergency arises and your dog requires immediate treatment.
Always make sure that you have contact details for a 24-hour clinic or animal hospital if such circumstances arise.
Brushing Teeth
The Newfoundland is a large dog breed and can weigh up to 150 pounds. This means that they also produce a lot of plaque, accumulating on their teeth and causing gum disease if not removed.
It would help if you brushed your Newfoundland’s teeth at least once per day (preferably in the morning) with an appropriate toothpaste for dogs.
Be sure to use gentle strokes back and forth along the gum line using circular motions on the chewing surfaces. Don’t forget to clean underneath the tongue too!
Once you have finished brushing your dog’s teeth, please give them a treat as a reward for being so cooperative while getting their dental care done!
While you may not think brushing your dog’s teeth will extend your dog’s life, proper dental hygiene will make them healthier overall, and in return, lead to a longer and healthier life.
Environmental Factors
One of the most well-known environmental factors that can affect your dog’s lifespan is the area you live in. Dogs who reside in warmer regions are expected to have a shorter lifespan than dogs in colder regions.
That being said, certain things may not be entirely up to you since you cannot relocate to a new part of the world just for the well-being of your dog.
However, it is still an important factor impacting your Newfoundland’s lifespan.
Appropriate Mental & Emotional Stimulation
It’s important to provide your dog with appropriate mental and emotional stimulation. If you don’t, boredom can lead to destructive behaviors.
If you have a breed prone to chasing, chewing, or barking out of frustration, keeping them engaged can help curb those behaviors.
Not only can a lack of mental and emotional stimulation cause bad behavior in your Newfoundland, but it can also cause them to develop mental health problems such as depression (yes, dogs can be depressed too!).
Socialization with Other Dogs & Animals
Newfoundland dogs are the largest of all dog breeds, and they’re also known for being gentle giants. They’re loyal, patient, and calm with children.
One important consideration is socialization. Your Newfoundland puppy must meet new people and other animals often during its early life. This will help them become used to them later on in life without fear or aggression.
Companionship & Affection
Dogs like to be friends. They need people who will love them and play with them. Without this, they become bored and sad, so you should spend time playing with your Newfoundland dog.
Although Newfoundlands make great house dogs, they enjoy a spacious environment because of their large size and their ability to roam
This point goes hand in hand with appropriate emotional and mental stimulation as these are very important to your dog’s mental health. Both mentally and physically, a healthy dog will enjoy life more and live longer too!
Final thoughts
All things considered, if you are ready to take proper care of a Newfoundland, you can expect them to have a decent lifespan of 10 years or longer! However, many factors can affect the lifespan of your Newfoundland, and we hope this article has helped you understand what they are. Thanks for reading.
