The majority of dogs who enter our program come from families who for a variety of reasons are no longer able to provide for their Newf. The cost of owning a Newf is quite high and should be a serious consideration for anyone thinking of adopting one.

One of our volunteers did a little math and came up with the following.......

The accountant in me has decided it was time to disclose some valuable information that will hopefully draw some insight into the "true" cost of owning a Newfoundland. I decided to price out one year with a newf (I did the first year, so this does include a lot of initial puppy purchases, which I think are relevant - also, I did include a spay in there as well even though it didn't occur until the second year)

Here are my figures - keeping in mind some of these are just rough estimates as I didn't go and pull out the actual invoices. These are in Canadian dollars.

Initial "Purchase" (sounds strange saying that) = $1500

Dog Food (Orijen 6-fish – 2 bags per month approx.) = $85 * 2*12 = $2,040

Joint supplements ($60 per month – Sasha's blend and salmon oil - we are actually paying double this price, but I split in half since this is for only one newf even though we have two - also didn't start this in year one, but it is now an ongoing expense for us, so I included it) = $720

Puppy training = $200+ per class (we took 3 levels) = $600+

Crate = $150

Bed(s) - multiple since she chewed or peed all over some = $100

Vet (puppy wellness, shots, ear infections, skin issues, spay (not until she was 2 years old)) = $1500 (rough estimate – the spay alone cost $750 with gastropexy)

Toys = $10 per month (guessing) = $120

Treats = $20 per month (guessing) = $240

Puppy sitter (came twice a day until Ayasha was 9 months, then once a day after that) = $400*9 + $200*3 = $4,200

Grooming (we bought a grooming table and dryer, so your cost may be different here - K9II dryer, grooming table, grooming tools/products) = $1000

Per Insurance ($40 per month (our premium used to be $24 and then got bumped up for no reason - newf insurance is more expensive than “typical” dog breed insurance because of their health issues) = $480

Grand Total = $12,650!!!!

Initial "purchase" price as a % of total = $1500/$12650 = 11.9%

I am probably missing a bunch of things! Yes, the first year can arguably be more expensive since there are a number of up-front costs, BUT, Ayasha is also a healthy Newf that hasn't had any major health issues. As soon as that becomes a factor, the above figure grows rapidly!! I know other Newf owners that

I love my fur babies and wouldn't change a thing, and the love of a newf is a gift, but I do think people fail to recognize the true expense of owning a giant breed dog (I know we did! Luckily we are in a position that we can support two of these fur babies). We see a number of newfs surrendered to rescue because of this. Please, REALLY consider the actual costs of owning one of these special creatures. People get hung up on the $1500 initial cost. I am here to tell you that is NOTHING compared to what you're in for! As they age, it will only get worse.

Say hello to Star, a simply adorable old gal who is looking for a loving family to spend her golden years with. This lovable girl is a registered, purebred Newf born July 3, 2000 and will be celebrating her 11th birthday this summer!

She arrived in our care on May 19/11 as an owner surrender and had a busy day of vetting, grooming and meeting lots of dogs in her temporary foster home. This calm, cool, collected gal took it all in stride and happily spent her first evening snoring away.

Is that a kissable nose or what? Star is a real love bug and she is full of kisses, loves to be hugged and petted, is super affectionate and gentle as can be. All she wants is a lap to rest her chin on, and someone to hang out with.

She has a lovely, true Newf temperament -- gentle, patient and loving. She seems to get along fine with other dogs and was wonderful meeting all of her foster family. She has sought out the company of the older dogs and enjoys napping in a heap with them. She is not particularity thrilled with younger dogs who want to engage in play with her, but is very appropriate telling them to leave her be, just giving them a "bug off" bark. She would be fine joining a family with another well mannered dog to hang around and nap with.


Upon intake Star's coat was in very bad condition. She was filthy and covered in very large, thick matts over her entire body. The matting was so thick and close to the skin that it was determined that given her age, putting her through the stress of trying to save her coat would be too hard on her. In consultation with a vet and professional groomer we made the decision to shave her, a choice we never want to have to make for a Newf, but in this case the only option for her health. She was a super Star during her grooming session and although tired (she actually fell asleep in the bath tub and was snoring while being bathed!) she was rejuvenated once she was all done. Clean, smelling fresh, and free of painful matts, Star's tail has not stopped wagging since! We were pleasantly surprised to find that under all of the matts her skin was not as bad as we had feared, and she has no severe skin infections.

Upon intake we took Star straight to the vet for a check-up and ran full blood panels to assess her health. As we suspected she is hypothyroid and we have started her on thyroid meds. Currently Star weighs 150 lbs is about 45 lbs overweight - she is not a tall girl, nor is she particularly heavy boned, so her ideal weight would be around 105 lbs. With thyroid meds, a healthy diet, and opportunities for low impact exercise the pounds will start to melt off quickly. Star will look like a totally different dog in a few months time!

Being 11 years old, Star is a little slower moving than younger Newfs, but does not have any serious mobility issues. She is best suited to a bungalow style house where she does not have to contend with many stairs as she does not like them. Slippery floors are not an option for her. She likes to be near people and a home set up so that she can easily stick by her care-giver's side is best.

Star has cataracts in both eyes and her vision is impaired but she can see enough to get along just fine. Her teeth are not great, but at her age we are not willing to risk putting her under anesthetic to clean them. She will be getting some raw bones to chew to try to clean her teeth up a bit.

Star is looking for a home where she will be loved and cared for. Is that home yours? Her needs are simple -- good food, low cost thyroid meds, lots of Omega 3s and most important, LOVE!

Our usual adoption donation of $500 will be waived for Star given her age. Instead we ask for a donation of your choice. Star will be moving to her long term foster home this weekend, which is in the Guelph area.

To be considered as Star's adoptive family please complete our adoption application and return it to us to start the screening process.

Ace joined his new family yesterday - what a lucky boy. He found a great home where he will be loved and cared for and get everything he needs. A big THANK YOU to Dr. Janice for all of her hard work and excellent care of Ace to help get him healthy and on the road to a new life. Thanks to you Ace is now pain free, happy, healthy and his future is bright!

And more good news.....

Sweet gal Penelope has made her way to an awesome new home where she will get all of the love and care she deserves. Way to go Penelope, it's been a long road, but thanks to the hard work of your amazing foster family you are ready to blossom! Congratulations!


As two dogs head out to start their new lives, 3 more head in. Tomorrow we have 3 girls arriving. Stay tuned for details in the coming days.

Handsome boy Larry is still searching for the right family. This sweet boy's bio can be found here

Beautiful Jade is recovering from knee surgery in the care of a loving foster home. She is doing well with her physical therapy and will be ready to join an adoptive home very soon. She is a wonderful girl and will make a lucky family very happy!
Details about Jade can be read here.

Yogi the Saint is doing really well in the care of an awesome behaviourist and is now ready to find a family to call his own. Read all about him here

Care to be inspired on Sunday?? Newf Friends will be at the All About Pets Show promoting our rescue, selling cool Newf stuff and showcasing 1 of our adoption success stories - Mimi, who's lost 40 lbs since being adopted. To see her 'after' look you have to come to the show & support Newf Rescue!

http://www.allaboutpetsshow.com/consumers.html

Hello: Newf Friends

Just a short note on Bella. She has settled in very nicely. She loves walks and playing with other dogs in the neighborhood.

She could do with a little filling out. She's eating very well, so we'll give her some time. It's great to see her fit in so easily into our family; everyone just falls for her.

A fun email from Bear's adoptive family:

Oh the fun you can have when your Newf is shedding........

If ever there was a time to step up and support Newf Rescue, it is now. With a large number of dogs in our care our resources are rapidly being depleted. Today with have 3 Newfs undergoing surgery and donations are needed to help us cover the costs.