This section of our website has become so popular that we are opening it up for other Newf people to include photos of their Newfoundland dogs. Feel free to send in your own pics for our Newfoundlands around the world page, on the basis that we reserve the right to decide which pics are published and for how long they are on our website. No commercial material will be accepted. We hope you enjoy Wellington's Newfoundland dog page...
We are often asked how big Newfoundland pups are when they are born.
Newfoundland dogs start life very small. This pup is just five days old.
To the right is Wellington at four months old. In his prime Wellington weighed in at around 70 kgs, an average weight for a male Newfoundland dog. Now, as a "senior citizen" Wellington Weighs around 64 - 66 kilos. The largest Newfs we have seen have been around 85 kilos, but we have heard of them going well beyond that.
Here Wellington keeps our young friend Shelby company at breakfast time. Newfoundlands eat a lot when they are growing, but as adult dogs tend to take less feeding than you may think.
Many people think you need a huge sheepstation or ten acre block to keep a Newf. In fact Newfoundland dogs are fine in reasonably confined spaces and make great family dogs. They were bred to spend a lot of time on fishing boats in Newfoundland.
When fully grown Newfoundlands need a good walk every day but care should be taken not to excersise a young Newf too vigorously. A very short walk is safe after a few months until the pup reaches about a year of age, when his / her bones have strengthened enough to take all that weight.
...A Newfoundland dog usually also enjoys a swim as often as possible.
Like most Newfoundlands Wellington likes carting...
...Posing while carting...
...Anything to do with snow...
...and children...
He gets along well with his "cousin" Kelsey, the Shetland Sheepdog, pictured here as a pup with our sister Maree.
Right and below, Wellington at almost eight years old meets Kiwa, a nine week old Newfoundland pup bred by Ellen & Mick Dabner. Kiwa lives with our friend Hadyn in Christchurch and is big brother to our new Newfoundland dog, 'Henry'.
A cute and cuddly Newfoundland pup often turns into a big, boisterous teenager who wants to be in charge of your pack. Wellington was no exception.
Training for you and your Newf from a very early age is absolutely essential.
Thirteen months after the above photo was taken Kiwa had gained a few kilos...
...and the boys enjoy a swim together at a north Canterbury beach.
Here they are another few months later taking a river swim.
A wet Newfoundland is a happy dog...
...The wetter the better!
Pictured here at almost ten years of age, we think Wellington is still a very handsome chap.
Here (right) are Wellington's Newfoundland friends Topsy & Magnum. They seem to be into Christmas and we reckon Charlotte, their mum might be into icecream.
Due largely to their size, Newfoundland dogs have a life expectancy of only around ten - twelve years. Unfortunately Topsy is no longer with us.
This is Wellington's litter mate and brother Hootie at around two years of age. What a face!
We take Wellington out and about as much as possible, usually to the delight of the people we meet. Now, at over ten years of age, Wellington is no longer up to lengthy walks & a short stroll around the block & plenty of rides in the car are more suitable.
Over the years we have been seriously asked many times if Wellington is a dog or a bear. At least once every walk someone would ask the obligatory "Have you got a saddle for him?" One of the best questions was "When will he turn black?". Newfoundlands come in four colours. Black, White and black (Landseer), Brown and very occasionally grey. Both blacks and browns sometimes have splashes of white.
AGAINST MICROCHIPPING DOGS
If you live in New Zealand's South Island, you may well have seen Wellington in 'the Press'. Wellington is pictured here with four month old Henry on a short protest march, which was their first and our first too.
It seems that many NZ politicians believe that implanting microchips in dogs will prevent people from being bitten.
We believe that dog attacks are the result of irresponsible owners, who in all likelihood will not register their dogs, let alone have them microchipped.
Surely introducing compulsory microchipping can be nothing more than a political side step away from addressing the issue properly. Unfortunately the approach potentially hurts innocent dogs like our boys and no doubt yours too.
Here's our old boy on his eleventh birthday. He is no longer up to much, even a short walk is a big effort. Although he needs a hand to get in the car he still enjoys going places.
Despite the deterioration of his mobility he remains happy and alert.
