About Newf Friends

Newf Friends Newfoundland Dog Rescue is a volunteer run, foster home based rescue group for Newfoundland Dogs in need in Ontario, Canada.
We place Newfs into carefully screened homes in Ontario and surrounding provinces and states.
Established in 2008.

Follow us on Facebook for daily updates
Also find us on
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/newffriends/
Twitter @NewfFriends

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for general information about our program and our adoption policies and procedures.



Sunday, November 23, 2014

Draft work with your Newf

The Newfoundland Dog breed has a rich history of working abilities including both water rescue and draft work.  Newfs played an important role in the lives of the residents in their native province, particularly fishermen whose dogs helped by hauling their fishing nets in from sea.  Once on shore, the dogs were then hitched to wagons or carts to take the fish to market.  The dogs also helped around their owner's homes hauling loads of firewood and supplies.

National and Regional Newfoundland Dog Clubs around the globe work to preserve the natural working dog abilities of the breed and promote this heritage by offering workshops and seminars on draft work as well as draft tests.

2008 NDCC National Specialty Draft Dog Test
photo by Black Dog Barnyard

As the holiday season approaches many regional clubs participate in Christmas tree pulls, a fun activity for the entire family.  We recently posted a link on our Facebook page to this excellent article from the Newf Club of America on how to modify your dog's cart for carrying a Christmas tree.  The photo (shown below) that accompanied the article shows a happy, healthy 4 year old newf pulling a tree on a wagon.

Photo from the NCA facebook page

Many of us have enjoyed participating in draft work with our Newfs and know first hand that a correctly balanced cart and properly fitted harness ensures that the dog is not bearing the weight on its body. 

Participating in draft work is a great way for Newf owners to build a stronger bond with their dog, to learn a new useful skill, and to preserve the heritage of the breed we love.  To learn more about draft work and upcoming seminars and tests in your area, or to join in on Christmas tree pulls or parades contact your regional Newfoundland Dog Club.

In the Newf Friends area there are two clubs:
Central Ontario Newf Club
South Eastern Ontario Newf Club

For a full list of  regional clubs across Canada visit the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada website

For information about regional clubs across America visit the Newfoundland Club of America website

In the UK visit the Newfoundland Dog Club UK's website

2008 NDCC National Specialty Draft Dog Test
photo by Black Dog Barnyard

For more information about Working Dog activities visit the Newf Club of America website which is an excellent resource for all things Newf!

2008 NDCC National Specialty Draft Dog Test
photo by Black Dog Barnyard

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Nellie

 Nellie
2014-032

Nov 30: I was adopted!

They don't get much cuter than this!

Gorgeous gal Nellie is a sweet and spunky girl who is looking for a fabulous family to call her own.

Born around Sept 9/14 this not so little darling is ready to find a loving home where she will get all of the training, attention and love she deserves.  We are told that she is a Newf/Great Dane cross -- her mom was a Newf and her dad a Dane.  Looking at the size of her feet, she is going to be a very big girl.  At 10 weeks of age she was already over 30 lbs.


Nellie is a very confident puppy who will be best matched to an equally confident owner who has giant breed experience and excellent dog handling skills.  Nellie is not a suitable puppy for first time dog owners given her larger than life personality and her expected giant size.  Owners who have the time and desire to work with Nellie to properly socialize and train her are what she needs.

Nellie is crate trained and her foster family are working on teaching her basic commands.    She is a mouthy puppy and her confidence means that she can be a pushy girl so she is not suited to a home with children under 12 years of age living there or visiting regularly. She is a bright pup who is eager to please and is an absolute delight.  With proper training, socialization and lots of hard work she will mature into a wonderful companion.
 

She loves to romp and play with other dogs and would be happiest in a home where she will have the company of another well socialized and well trained dog.  Preference will be given to homes with another well mannered large or giant breed dog.

Nellie is an active girl and will need LOTS of opportunities for age appropriate exercise to keep her out of trouble.  As with all giant breed puppies, exercise should be tailored to her needs as a growing puppy -- no overdoing it!


Nellie has been dewormed and received her first shots.  Given her young age she has not yet been spayed.  She will be placed on a strictly enforced non-breeding contract with a mandatory spay contract in place.  A partial refund ($100) of her adoption donation will be issued once her spay is completed, which should not be done until her growth plates close.


Nellie is being fostered in the Bancroft, ON area and her approved adopters will be required to pick her up in person.  Preference is given to homes within a 5 hour drive -- this includes parts of Ontario and Quebec.  Please note, unlike with adult rescues, we do not place young puppies into the US due to vaccine requirements at the border.

An adoption donation of $700 applies - see note above regarding the partial refund after her spay.

To be considered for adopting Nellie please complete the adoption application found here and email it back to us.  Homes without a securely fenced play yard will not be considered.

Faye

 
Faye
2014-031

January 18: I was adopted!
Friendly, gentle, well mannered and eager to please.  Faye is the whole package!  This gorgeous girl is perfect in every way.  She has excellent house manners, walks nicely on lead, has great off leash recall, knows basic commands and is gentle and affectionate.  Yep, she's pretty terrific!
 

A very people focused girl, Faye loves to give hugs and get loads of attention.  She is excellent around children -- calm and non threatening and could join a family with young kids.  Faye would be a fabulous dog for a family interested in doing therapy work, she loves to meet new people.

Faye is a playful girl who gets along very well with other dogs. She has excellent doggie social skills and is calm, cool and collected, looking for fun. She loves to romp, wrestle and play and would be happy to join a family where she has another gentle and friendly playmate. 
She is also fine with cats, and even baby goats! Such a good girl!


Faye is estimated to be around 3 years old, has been brought up to date with vaccines and has now been spayed.  A mild problem with the cartilage in her eye was corrected at time of spay.  She is at a slightly increased risk of problems with the gland in her eye, but at this point no further issues are evident.

Faye experienced complications the morning after her spay and began bleeding internally from a site that was not related to her surgery. She underwent emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and was hospitalized for 5 days.  The cause of the bleed has not been determined, it may have been a side-effect from medications, or she may have an underlying condition like hemophilia or Von Willebrand Disease.  We have sent out her blood for full testing to rule these disorders out and will have the results by the end of December. 
 

When she has been playing hard she has a very slight limp on her left shoulder, but it passes quickly and her vet exam found nothing concerning - xrays show no problems with her shoulder or elbow.  Slowly working to increase her muscle mass and getting her in shape should make a big difference for her.

Nothing of any concern was found with her knees, although her hip xrays show that she is moderately dysplasic, her right hip is worse than her left.  This may be contributing to the limping we are seeing on her front end.  Her hocks don't have great range of motion, but overall are ok.  No arthritis was visible on xrays.

At this point meds are not needed.  Faye's mobility is excellent, and steps to slow deterioration of her joints will make a difference for her.  Faye will be best served by continuing an exercise regimen specifically geared towards increasing her lean muscle mass and getting her in shape.  Down the road, as she ages, Faye will likely require nsaids.



She is being fostered in the Bancroft area and her approved adopters will be required to pick her up in person. An adoption donation of $500 applies.






Sunday, November 9, 2014

Adopter Update: Koda

Have a look at these great photos and update sent to us from Koda's adopters!  We love these happy endings!
Looking handsome!
He is absolutely the best match for this family! He is great with all the kids, all the dogs that visit, he's protective & very loving! He is the best & he loves his life! 

 We love him!

Snuggled up with his best friend
Swim time with his buddy

Friday, November 7, 2014

Charlotte (aka Charlie)


 Charlotte (aka Charlie) 
2014-030
Nov 15: I was adopted!

Sweet, friendly, gentle and playful -- Charlie is the whole package!  This adorable girl is going to make one lucky family very happy!  She's a well mannered girl who follows direction well and is affectionate and people focused.

Having a GREAT time racing along the snow covered trails at her foster home

Charlie arrived in our program on Nov 7 after her owners made the heartbreaking decision to surrender her. With several very young children in their family, Charlie's needs were always coming last.  Her owners decided to turn her over to us to find her a home where she will get the time, care and attention she deserves.

Charlie was born on Dec 2, 2009 so will be turning 5 years old this year.  Other than being underweight and in need of building muscle, she is in overall good health.  She has received regular vet care and good nutrition throughout her life.  She has been spayed and is up to date on all vaccines.

She comes from a reputable breeder who we have been in touch with.  Discussing Charlie's options and looking at what would be in her best interest, it was evident that we would be able to find an excellent home for Charlie very quickly.   At our request she is staying in our care with her breeder's support.  Her adopters will be put in touch with Charlie's breeder who will be available to them for advice throughout Charlie's life.


Charlie gets along well with other dogs and could happily join a family where she would have a four footed playmate.  She shares toys well, has nice manners meeting new dogs, is able to eat side by side with other dogs without any issue.  She is also friendly with cats.

She is very happy outdoors enjoying nature with her foster family and certainly loves romping along the snow covered trails at her foster home!  Her previous family had a cottage and she enjoyed visiting there and apparently is an avid swimmer.



Charlie lived with young children and could join a family with older children who are well mannered around animals.  She enjoys playing with older children very much but can be rather enthusiastic while playing!  She found the activity of a home with very young children/toddlers to be a bit much and would often retreat to the quiet of her backyard to get away from the activity.  For this reason, we are not considering homes with children under 10 years of age.

A happy, healthy girl!

Charlie has nice house manners and follows commands well. She is responding well to basic commands but definitely needs work on her leash manners.  She is VERY food motivated and a quick learner.  She'd be a great candidate for obedience work, draft work, water rescue and more.

She is a sensitive girl who lacks confidence in new situations and is hesitant in surroundings that are unfamiliar.  It took a few days in foster care for her to pick up the routine and get comfortable, but she is now making herself right at home.  A confident owner who will take time to build her confidence will benefit her greatly.  The more opportunities she has to visit new places, the easier it will be for her.

She is very people focused and eagerly accepts attention from everyone she meets -- she has perfected the classic newfy-lean!  She loves to be near people and enjoys hanging out at her foster mom's side.

Charlie on intake -- in need of some grooming.
Applications are being accepted now and we are reviewing our waiting list to look at the possible matches for this wonderful girl.  Charlie is being fostered in Bancroft, ON and her approved adopters will be required to pick her up in person.  An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

In Remembrance

Gander with C Company Royal Rifles of Canada Oct 27/41

Remembrance day is a time to honour our veterans, including the many animals who play an important role in our military.  Pictured above is Gander, a Newfoundland Dog who saved the lives of many soldiers.

From Wikipedia:

Gander was a Newfoundland dog posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal, the "animals' VC", in 2000 for his deeds in World War II,[1] the first such award in over 50 years.[2

Military service

Gander, initially a family pet named Pal, accidentally scratched a child's face with his paw. Worried that he would be forced to have Pal put down, the original owner gave the large dog to the Royal Rifles, a regiment of the Canadian Army stationed at Gander International Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador. The soldiers quickly renamed him Gander and "promoted" him to sergeant. When the unit was shipped to Hong Kong in the fall of 1941, Gander went along.

Gander with Fred Kelly, in barracks, 1941
The Battle of Hong Kong began on December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Gander helped fight the Japanese invaders on three occasions. The last time, Gander picked up a thrown Japanese hand grenade and rushed with it toward the enemy, dying in the ensuing explosion, but saving the lives of several wounded Canadian soldiers.[3]

After efforts by the Canadian War Museum, the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals awarded Gander the Dickin Medal on October 27, 2000, the first such award since 1949. The citation reads:
For saving the lives of Canadian infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in December 1941. On three documented occasions, Gander, the Newfoundland mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada, engaged the enemy as his regiment joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters "C" Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous defence of the island. Twice Gander's attacks halted the enemy's advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers. In a final act of bravery, the war dog was killed in action gathering a grenade. Without Gander's intervention, many more lives would have been lost in the assault.[1]
At the insistence of survivors of the battle, his name was listed with those of 1975 men and two women on the Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Wall in Ottawa, Canada.[3]
____________________________________________________________________________________

Pictured below, is a photo of Sable Chief, another Newfoundland dog who was known for his roll in the military.  Sable Chief was the mascot of  the 2nd Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I.

Photo Source http://www.rnfldr.ca/regiment.aspx?item=191

References

  1. ^ a b "PDSA Dickin Medal: 'the animals' VC'". People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Retrieved August 15, 2009.[dead link]
  2. ^ Judd, Terri (August 16, 2000). "'Animal VC' will honour Gander's dash for grenade". The Independent. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Ward, Bruce (August 13, 2009). "Gander the Canadian war dog to be included in veterans' memorial". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved August 15, 2009.[dead link]

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Adopt a Senior Pet Month

Did you know that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month ?

Senior dogs make wonderful companions but sadly are often overlooked at shelters and rescues in favour of younger animals.  There are many advantages to adopting a senior pet:

  • What you see is what you get.  There are no surprises when you adopt a mature pet - you know exactly what their size, coat type, grooming needs and exercise needs are.
  • Most senior dogs are already trained, know basic commands and have good leash manners.  They are ready to get out and explore the world with you.
  • Generally, older dogs have good house-manners (they won't eat your shoes!) and are already housebroken so they require less time and energy to integrate them into your home than younger dogs do.
  • Mature pets have been around the block a few times and have learned a lot over the years about life's lessons. They tend to be more laid back and settle in easily and adapt to new situations quickly.  
  • Many senior dogs have met a lot of other dogs and have learned how to get along with them.  They tend to have good doggie social skills and have a calming influence on younger more rambunctious dogs.
  • Senior dogs are mellower and more focused than younger dogs making them easier to train.
  • Senior dogs have lower exercise needs than young dogs so they are well suited to most families.  They are often satisfied with a nice walk followed by a nap by the fire.
  • Senior dogs have so much love to give -- they appreciate a kind hand, a warm bed and love and affection.
  • When you adopt a senior dog you save a life.
Senior dogs make wonderful companions -- if you have been thinking about adding a new dog to your family, please consider adopting a mature dog, you won't be disappointed!