CARING

_{Caring for your newfie involves feeding, grooming, medical care and of course love.}

FEEDING

<sub>When you first get your newfie, it will normally have been weaned on a good quality branded puppy food.

Never change your dog's food without firstly blending in your preferred food and gradually changing over. Three or four days should do it.

To minimise the chances of bloat, feed your adult newfie twice daily. Two thirds should be fed in the morning and a third in the evening. Never excercise your newfie an hour either side of feeding.

Always leave plenty of fresh drinking water in easy reach of your newfie.</sub>

GROOMING

_{Grooming your newfie not only makes him look nicer by controlling mats and shedding, but also cleans his coat and skin, and reduces odour.}

_{Use a long-toothed steel comb and a wire slicker brush with bristles bent at the end. Work against the grain back to front, then reverse.}

_{Be sure the hair is brushed down to the skin, being careful not to scratch the skin.}

_{Mats of dead hair accumulate behind the ears and inside the hind legs.}

_{After the permanent coat develops, shedding occurs but twice a year - spring and autumn.}

_{Newfies need extra care and observation to combat parasites and skin problems. Grooming is essential. Brushing often means less bathing.}

_{When you do give your dog a bath, be sure to remove ALL the soap to avoid skin irritation. Rinse and rinse again.}

_{If toenails are not kept at a moderate length through exercise, they should be clipped, but learn how to do it properly before you try it.}

_{Consult a local groomer, or your veterinarian for assistance.}

MEDICAL CARE

Having a good vet that you can trust is part and parcel of owning a newfie. Like all giant breeds, newfies are prone to joint and heart problems. A newfie's medical needs can prove to be a huge subject. Take out insurance - as giant dogs = giant bills!

For more in depth information about your newfie's health and conditions that they may suffer, please follow the link to the Newfoundland Dog Health Information site (www.newfoundlandog-health.info)