As a rule, a Newfoundland needs to be exercised twice a day for several hours. This should ideally be done in the forest or where he can run without a leash. The Newfoundland must be exercised physically and mentally. The large family dog is especially fond of water and would like to splash in the water around the clock.
Your pet needs daily exercise. In addition, your dog can run around in the garden or go to a fenced exercise area.
Your dog needs to go outside at least twice a day.
Beyond that, you can decide according to your dog whether you go more often and how long your rounds will be.
Walking – When does the dog need to go out?
The question of how often a dog should go out depends crucially on its individual needs. Some dog breeds need a lot of exercise due to their special urge to move, while others are content with smaller rounds.
When a dog needs to go outside is also very individual. Decisive factors include cleanliness and walk training.
As a rule of thumb, however, dogs can last five to six hours before the next business is due.
This also tells you how often a dog should go out every day. According to this, you should plan at least four to five rounds per day.
Ideally, you should schedule your dog’s walks so that he does not have to go out at night. In this context, it is important that the most urgent walk is in the morning. The walk after getting up must be integrated into the daily schedule.
As a rule, a routine rhythm is established after a certain time, so that the morning round takes place at 6:00 a.m. every day, for example.
Dogs make themselves known when they have to go out
Normally, every dog makes itself known as soon as it has to go out. However, this only applies to dogs that have already completed their cleanliness training. It is not yet to be expected from puppies. As soon as the intervals between rounds become too long, dogs start whining, possibly barking, are restless and otherwise draw attention to themselves.
Some dogs may scratch at the door, others may put the leash at their master’s feet. Pay attention to how your dog makes itself known and don’t let it get that far in the first place.
Your dog will be in better health if you react before your dog even contacts you.
If you are going to be away for a long time and your dog has to wait for you at home, find out here how long your dog can be left alone.
Whether young or old – all dogs need to go out.
Puppies and seniors need more exercise
A puppy stays with the breeder until at least 8 weeks. At least with a good breeder. After that, you can take your dog with you.
Once you have arrived at your new home, the first few weeks are especially important. During this time, you must pay special attention to the walks. Everything needs to be explored, from traffic to the forest.
Experience shows that puppies need more walks than adult dogs. Until they are truly house-trained, it is recommended that you take your fur friend out at least every two hours.
This way puppies learn that they have to do their business outdoors and not indoors.
The amount of time between each round can be extended individually over time. In addition to puppies, seniors also need to go outside more often.
Your dog is getting old and counts as a senior dog if your dog is over 12 years old.
With age, dogs get difficulties to control their urge for a longer period of time. It’s a good idea to cater to your dog’s individual needs.
You could take your dog out more often, but for shorter periods.
If the dog doesn’t go outside – What can happen?
If your dog doesn’t get out enough, it will sooner or later do its business indoors.
However, what is much more decisive and to the dog’s disadvantage – lack of exercise leads to considerable limitations. Dogs that do not get out or only get out too rarely are often overweight, which has an impact on their health.
In addition, in such cases dogs tend to engage in destructive behaviour, for example by destroying things or starting to go berserk.
If your dog gets too little exercise, it can quickly lead to obesity or depression.
Among other things, shoes or furniture may be chewed up. Furthermore, the lack of exercise leads to aggression towards people and other animals in the long run.
Some dogs start to withdraw because they are not stimulated enough physically and mentally. In this case, the behaviour resembles a typical depression.
Other dogs, on the other hand, become hyperactive. Finally, the muscles of the affected dog can stiffen, which leads to considerable pain. Further illnesses of the four-legged friend are also possible due to lack of exercise and too few walks.
For example, bladder or kidney diseases can occur due to continuous stopping.
To prevent this from happening to your four-legged friend, make sure he gets enough exercise!
If you don’t have enough time, you can look for someone who will walk your dog for a small fee.
Typical Newfoundland breed characteristics
- Character: friendly, intelligent, loyal,
- Height: female 66 cm, male 71 cm
- Weight: female 54 kg, male 68 kg
- Colours: brown, black, white-black
- Life expectancy: 9 to 12 years
In the past, the Newfoundland was often used as a draught dog on the island whose name it bears.
The Newfoundland is particularly fond of water and acts like a magnet to it. This is why he is especially popular with lifeguards as a rescue dog and is quickly trained as such due to his high intelligence.
The Newfoundland has a very good-natured as well as calm character and does not let himself be ruffled by anything.
His size of up to 71 cm and his weight of maximum 68 kilograms make him appear extremely robust and strong. It is not for nothing that he looks like a loving teddy dog at first sight.
Typical diseases of this dog breed include cruciate ligament rupture, bone cancer and hip problems.
Care and training
Newfoundlands need to be brushed several times a day. Especially during the coat change in spring and late autumn, the old hair must be brushed off. Otherwise parasite infestation or eczema can quickly develop.
The training of the Newfoundland is usually very easy. He is very willing to learn and has a high intelligence.
Nevertheless, the training should be carried out very consistently, but also with a lot of love and gentleness, otherwise it can lead to problems in later life.
Newfoundlands are especially popular as rescue dogs in water and can be quickly trained for this.
If you want to know which dog breeds don’t shed very much, you can read about this and much more in our great article Which dog breeds don’t shed?
Good-natured and not easily put off by anything.
Who is a Newfoundland suitable for?
Newfoundlands need a lot of space in the house and also in the garden. Ideally, there should be a large lake or other water source where he can swim and run around daily.
He is a perfect family dog who is also good with other pets such as cats. Especially with small children, nothing can upset the Newfoundland and he can stand the occasional tug or tug on his coat.
The Newfoundland needs a lot of exercise in his daily routine and loves to be petted by children.
Newfoundlands are not well suited for cycling and jogging. They rather love the water and longer walks.
We tell you which dog is best suited for jogging in our latest article From when to jog with a dog.
In summer, Newfoundlands need a shady retreat, as they have a very thick coat.
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