Newfoundland Dog Lifespan – How Long Do Newfoundlands Live
Newfoundland dogs are termed as nanny dogs or gentle giants because they can be good with kids as well as being mellow beasts.
If you come across this breed, you will never forget their lovable appearance, soft brown eyes, and the reassurance of a gentle giant protecting you.
They can be wonderful with their clownish companionship but also have a heroic streak. They are instinctive rescue dogs that will jump into the water to save a life.
Newfoundlands are heavily built and have a long body with a broad head proportional to its body. They also have a double coat that is resistant to water.
Having heard that description you may now want to know how long do Newfoundlands live? Giant dogs like Newfoundlands tend to live shorter lifespans than smaller dogs. The Newfoundland life expectancy varies between 8 to 10 years.
This article will outline all the essential information you need to know about the Newfoundland dog lifespan, understanding the factors underpinning a long and healthy Newfoundland life.
Newfoundland Life Expectancy
Giant dog breed lifespans typically vary between 8 to 12 years. Newfoundland fall in the category of giant dogs, and its life expectancy varies between 8 to 10 years.
However, some exceptions can live up to 15 years, but this is extremely rare. The Newfoundland dog lifespan, like any life expectancy, depends on the health condition. Newfoundlands are prone to specific diseases compared to other dog breeds which also contributes to their shorter lifespan.
These diseases which are commonly found in Newfoundlands include arthritis, cardiac problems and joint problems.
More serious problems that affect Newfoundlands include hip and elbow dysplasia. Newfoundlands age faster and therefore reach maturity earlier and leading to a shorting life expectancy.
How Can I Extend the Life of My Newfoundland?
Feed Him Healthy Diet
Good and healthy meals with ample care help improve the quality of your dog’s life and also keep them happy.
These dogs do well on high-quality dog food whether they are home prepared with the help of your veterinarian or commercially manufactured.
Diet should be appropriate to the age of the dog. Newfoundlands are prone to being overweight, therefore it is important to watch the calorie consumption and monitor their weight levels regularly.
Also, ensure you aware of which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.
Always check with your vet to rule out any concerns about your dog’s diet and weight. Newfoundlands commonly experience bloatation therefore it is advised to give the dog smaller meals per day and avoid vigorous exercise around mealtimes.
This can help reduce the chances of bloating. Lastly, give your dog a consistent diet.
Exercise and Training
Training and exercise help dogs to live longer and stay healthy but don’t overdo it. Newfoundlands are big dogs and it takes a lot of energy for them to exercise.
It is common for them to stay indoors and this laziness often makes people fall in love with them. This does not mean that a Newfoundland doesn’t need exercise, they need it especially activities that deal with water.
They have natural lifesaving abilities and are adept at draft work. Newfoundlands are natural swimmers and they love swimming a lot.
Moderate exercise of about 30 minutes daily helps the dog to stay healthy and happy. Taking them on daily walks keeps them in good condition.
Newfoundlands are quite sensitive so any exercise training sessions should be focused and relaxed. They respond well to positive reinforcement so avoid scolding or raising your voice at them as they may get dispirited.
They love pleasing their owners and they will follow your lead when you establish yourself as the pack leader. They can also be trained for water sports and drafts, as rescue dogs or they can also be therapy dogs.
Visit the Vet Regularly
Ensure that your veterinarian is experienced in large dogs. Ensure to take your dog to the vet immediately after getting them even if you don’t have the latest health certificate.
Double-checking is good and you will receive good advice on your dog’s local health problems and shots. Regular checks of your puppy’s parasites are crucial in preventing any long-term digestive issues.
Ask your vet about tick and flea control because infestation of these parasites can cause a lot of problems. Be aware of any endemic diseases in your area and avoid unnecessary contact with other dogs.
Visiting the vet regularly will help keep your Newfoundland from any danger and offer preventive care.
During their early stages ensure that they get all vaccines required to keep them healthy. Regular vet visits will keep you up to date with the vaccines required to administer to them.
Your dog should visit the veterinarian at least once a year and in case you notice any unusual behavior with your Newfoundland pet
Brush Your Newfoundland’s Teeth
Brush your dog’s teeth several times a week as well as taking him to professional cleaning as recommended by your veterinarian.
If you brush a Newfoundland’s teeth two or three times a week, it will help remove tartar buildup and bacteria that are lurking inside them. Brushing their teeth daily is even better in preventing bad breath and gum diseases.
However, unless your dog is extremely calm, they might not let you brush their teeth often, but Newfoundland teeth need regular cleaning and examination.
About 70% of dogs get diagnosed with periodontal diseases by 3 years of age and need regular check-ups to manage your dog’s dental problems
Overweight Newfoundland Live Shorter Lives
Being overweight can be a life-threatening condition and a great health challenge for Newfoundlands.
It predisposes to serious diseases like joint problems, digestive and metabolic disorders, heart diseases, and back pain. Newfoundlands have big appetites and are usually sedentary indoors so overfeeding is common in them.
Do Mixed Newfoundland Live Longer Than Purebred Ones?
Purebred Newfoundlands can reduce the lifespan of canines. Mixed breed have a longer lifespan as compared to purebreds.
This is because pure Newfoundland breeds have the risk of carrying genetic illnesses that are common to the breed while mixed breeds tend to have fewer health problems and live longer.
Mixed breeds are healthier because they are less likely to develop any hereditary diseases that can ruin the dog’s health.
Mixed Newfoundlands are usually hardier, stronger, and have a longer life expectancy. No matter how well you feed, exercise or care for your Newfoundland, you will not be able to determine how they turn out physically due to their genetics.
A mixed Newfoundland breed is cheaper to purchase than a purebred.
Newfoundland Age Group Explained
The following are the different stages of growth for a Newfoundland:
Puppy
Newfoundlands are considered puppies between the ages of zero to nine months. This is the stage where you get to snuggle, carry, and know your puppy better. The puppy stage involves teething, playtime, naps, and growing.
During this stage, you must start training your Newfoundland on acceptable behavior before it gets out of hand as well as potty train.
Juvenile & Teenager
This is the adolescence stage and is between the ages of 9 months and 3 years. This is the most trying stage of a Newfoundland as they are clumsy, mouthy, suffer from selective hearing, and have awkward looks with the different shades of brown or black.
During this stage, Newfoundlands are becoming more independent as they find themselves and are full of energy. You can now teach them how to socialize, the basic commands, and even introduce them to water.
Adult
The adult stage is between the ages of 4 and 6 years. Most Newfoundlands have found themselves at this age and are settling in. All the training that you did during the teenage stage is finally paying off as your dog knows what to do and expects from you.
At this stage, Newfoundlands are done growing and start showing their smart brains.
Senior
The senior stage starts from the age of 6 years to the lifetime of your dog. Even though their muzzle starts getting grey, they are the most loving at this stage. They may start limping a little and slow down because their joints are getting tired.
There are fewer walks, more sitting down on the couch or driveway, naps, massages, and belly rubs. At this stage, you strive to make your home comfortable for them to make their life easier.
Does Neutering & Spaying Affect The Lifespan?
Spaying or neutering your Newfoundland is one of the best things to do because it decreases the risk of some types of cancer as well as helps your dog from having unwanted puppies.
This process can promote a longer life than intact animals. Spayed or neutered Newfoundlands live happier, healthier, and longer lives because they develop fewer behavioral issues and they have stronger immunity.
Neutered or spayed dogs are also protected because they will not struggle with disorders of intact dogs that might end them being killed by the community. Spaying female dogs protect them from mammary cancer if they are spayed before their estrogen cycle.
Newfoundland Common Health Issues That Can Affect Their Lifespan
The following are the most common health disorders that can affect the lifespan of Newfoundlands. Visit the vet for regular check-ups so that early treatments can be administered to lengthen their life:
Heart disease – Several heart issues affect the Newfoundland including sub-valvular Aortic stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and patent ductus arteriosus.
Skeletal conditions that affect Newfoundlands include hip and elbow dysplasia where the development of the elbow and hip joints is abnormally leading to painful deterioration.
Arthritis causes inflammation of the dog’s joints while Patellar luxation makes the kneecap move out of place.
Thyroid disease – hypothyroidism damages the secretion of thyroid hormones, leading to low metabolism.
Eye problems – this includes problems such as cherry eye and cataracts as well as ectropion and entropion.
Cystinuria – this problem leads to kidney failure and kidney stones.
Intestinal disorders – Newfoundland is also prone to intestinal disorders such as bloating, which is easily affected by heat, so you may need to increase the air conditioning during the hot summer days.
Megaesophagus happens when esophageal motility is decreased. Neurological conditions that affect Newfoundland dogs include epilepsy and degenerative myelopathy.
Newfoundland Lifespan FAQs
What Is The Longest Living Newfoundland?
The longest Newfoundland dog lifespan can be between 13 to 15 years. As mentioned earlier, these cases are pretty rare due to the genetic make-up of Newfoundlands.
However, you can give your Newfoundland the best chance of a long life by following some of the guidance in this article.
Indoor Vs Outdoor Newfoundland
Newfoundland can thrive outdoors because of its heavy coats. However, if you consider keeping them either outside or inside, do so consistently, and not when you feel like, as for the sake of their health they need consistency.
An outdoor dog needs a good shelter where they can be comfortable even during harsh weather conditions. A healthy adult dog can tolerate cold better than puppies or senior dogs.
Newfoundland dogs are best equipped to stay indoors during their infancy as this is a time when they are developing their immune system and are going through a process of adaptation.
Does Newfoundland Live Longer Than Saint Bernards?
Both Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards are large dogs therefore, they have a shorter lifespan than smaller dog breeds. Their average lifespan is the same with the average lifespan of both dogs being between 8 to 10 years.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this article has answered the question of how long do Newfoundlands live? Newfoundlands are considered worldwide as one of the most intelligent dog breeds and are an ideal companion.
However being a member of the giant breeds, their life lifespan between 8 to 10 years is shorter compared to smaller dog breeds.
Due to their genetics, Newfoundlands will likely encounter a fair share of health problems throughout their lives. But with great care and healthy genetics, you may own an exceptional Newfoundland which could live up to 15 years.
Visit your veterinarian frequently to keep your dog’s health on track and give them the best chance of living a long and happy life.
