Newfoundland dogs

[flipnflap]

What's the average lifespan of a Newfoundland dog? Can any of you compare them as pets to Great Danes?

[wa33letops]

newfies have a life span of about 10 to 11 they do make wonderful pets.
Dont know how they compare to great danes though.

[lankeela]

They need an awful lot of grooming, they have such thick coats and they slobber a fair bit, and when they shake their heads it goes all over the walls, so you are constantly cleaning the walls.

Everything is expensive as it is for most of the giant breeds, you need more food (obviously) kennelling is dearer and you need bigger stronger collars and leads, you need a large vehicle to transport them and so on.

Some lines don't live quite so long, about 8 or 9 although that is much the same as Danes.

Most have lovely temperaments though,

[kita1]

Plus if you live near water it is virtually impossible to keep them out of it!!!

I remember seeing a TV programme once, this lady had a Newfie and lived near a river - every time she took the dog out she got dragged to the river and the dog ended up stood in the river for hours at a time - no one could get him out!

Also if you have a giant breed and have it in the house you always have to remember they are nose height to the work surfaces in the kitchen and can easily help themselves to pans off the cooker etc.

My friend looked after a Great Dane. Her husband had come in from a long day at work and she had put his tea on the table - just as he picked up his knife and fork the Dane (who was sat next to the table) shook his head - remember what Lankeela said about the slobber!!!

Apart from that they are great as pets - I have never heard of a bad one.

[learntojive]

My friend bought one last christmas, he died a couple of weeks ago, just before his first birthday.
He had cancer, started with a lump under his front leg like a golf ball, was like a melon after a month.
Just heartbreaking, he was beautiful and such a lovely temperament - he was just a big lolloping lovely teddy bear.
His siblings are fine and the breeder hadn't come across it before, he has a good pedigree - apparently the vet said it can be common in the breed though.