Anyone hear a Newfie that

[Paegan]

hasn't blown out a hip, knee, brain, nose? I'm sort of kidding. But after being here for a while and reading all the medical injuries, I'm wondering how many of you have had the good luck of having a very healthy Newf. This is my first experience with the breed, and now I'm almost paranoid.

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

I havent been that lucky, wish I could say I was!!!
Unfortunately, this breed can be very expensive to have and care for.

Mary

 

[Abbey]

I too have turned into a basket case worrying about what "might" happen.
Is that a hot spot?
Abbey's ear is really red!
Is Zeke limping?
I think they have a cold, their nose is running.
Abbey's eye looks funny, do you think it's a tumor?
Zeke's whinning again, what's wrong now?
Someone has bad gas, could they be getting Bloat?
And I could go on and on and on!!!

 

[Windancer]

None of my house dogs or kennel dogs have had any problems...There has been the occasional cruciat/hip/elbow puppy. but the percentage is very low....relax....you just hear about the problems

 

[newfam]

I look at like this...it's like one of my seven kids...you can watch them, talk with them, teach them, care for them, but in the end God knows what is instore. If all you do is worry, then all you do is get caught up in fear and don't focus on the special moments they share.

Thank God that Tsunami is healthy and whole. I try to focus on the little joys that he brings each and every day. In the end all I can do is provide a loving and caring home for him...and in turn he will be "Man's (my) best friend"

Just some thougths to ponder.

Eric

 

[jane]

I've have'nt had good luck at all. My first newf died at 2 of leukemia. I put down my second at 8 due to DM. He also had a heart condition from the age of 4. My Roger I knew had a murmur when I got him. He has blown both knees. His brother Merlin is 2 and, knock wood, no medical issue's (he just makes me mental...LOL).

But, a post, by Bluedog, in another thread summed it up for me...
It is a gamble of uncertainty with living creatures. A gamble I would take on in a heartbeat all over again...a gamble that has enriched and changed my life a hundredfold.

 

[Paegan]

None of my house dogs or kennel dogs have had any problems...There has been the occasional cruciat/hip/elbow puppy. but the percentage is very low....relax....you just hear about the problems

I've always had English Springers in my family, and other than the odd one who had ear problems, for the most part they were a very healthy breed. Crazy hyper and active, but none had joint problems. I understood when I decided to look for a Newf, that there were health issues. I purchased pet insurance on Willow just in case. Can't help thinking every time she bounces up and down like a crazy animal, that one day she is going to do herself some serious injury.

 

[NinaA]

This may be a jinx, but I'd have to say that my Moonlight is healthy as a horse - or as she's known around here - freight train. She's 4-1/2, so still young, but her hips are good, she's very agile and has a good build. I got her from a breeder who breeds her Newfs to pull sleds, so I'm hoping that's a good thing. Echo was fine until she reached about 8 when she blew her first knee, and now the second has gone but is doing well with no treatment, except a sling forever. My first Newf was fine until she reached 10 when she developed bone cancer. Can't complain about that. She just didn't stay long enough.

 

[Paegan]

This may be a jinx, but I'd have to say that my Moonlight is healthy as a horse - or as she's known around here - freight train. She's 4-1/2, so still young, but her hips are good, she's very agile and has a good build. I got her from a breeder who breeds her Newfs to pull sleds, so I'm hoping that's a good thing. Echo was fine until she reached about 8 when she blew her first knee, and now the second has gone but is doing well with no treatment, except a sling forever. My first Newf was fine until she reached 10 when she developed bone cancer. Can't complain about that. She just didn't stay long enough.

They never stay long enough. I lost my last 2 Springers to cancer last year. They were both over 12 which is a good age but I wasn't at all ready.

Please keep the conversation going here. I love reading about everyone's doggies.

 

[wrknnwf]

I think it's like watching the news at night. You get alot of bad news and about 30 sec. of good. No one is ever going to post something like, my Newf is 100% healthy. It's sort of not "news worthy", although I suppose it should be.

The posts you see about health issues are because people are seeking opinions and need moral support. Are there healthy Newfs out there. Sure there are. But we all know this is a breed that does have issues.

In the beginning, I was paranoid as well, but have learned to relax and enjoy my dogs and not look for things to be wrong. My dogs are tested at the proper ages for the major health issues, so I don't have to worry much about the unknown. If something does come up, I deal with it then, but I don't spend all my time watching and waiting for something to go wrong. If I did, we'd never have any fun!

 

[Murphy]

I like the quote from Jane. It is a gamble of uncertainty with living creatures. A gamble I would take on in a heartbeat all over again...a gamble that has enriched and changed my life a hundredfold

My Murph has not been lucky enough to escape health issues, but I count my blessings every day that he is such a beautiful and precious part of my life.

 

[LiquidBlue]

When I get worried about Kuai Le's future health, my husband just tells me "there is nothing wrong with the dog...but you have 'too much information-itis' "...and he is right. Its good to be informed, but I have to remember that, like wrknnewf said...its alot like watching the news...

 

[Lisa@Caeles Hills]

Been super lucky with my first boy. All health clearences good, he stays nice and slim and his parents are nice and slim. Had some itchy skin issues from the get go which good food free of wheat and corn took care of. He is 3 1/2 and a very healthy, happy, athletic boy. He LOVES to jump up on things and at the farm we have a brick pile thats 5 feet high and he always jumps up there from a standing position and sits on top of it.

 

[ina/puusty]

So far..HB is healthy..no issues at 8 and a half yrs, Kesa..is only 8 months..but so far..fine. ina n HB n Kesa

 

[Erika]

Out of 4 Pyrs and 3 Newfies we have been fortunate..lost my 11 yr old Pyr Glory to cancer and related immune stuff.We lost Garrett the same yr to mental illness.I wouldnt trade any of this for the love and spirit they gave us.We have 2 pyrs now and 3 newfs, all healthy even Gerik at 10 is Ok.What ever comes up we will go with the flow, nothing can compare or be given back to our Luvs that could ever match what they have given us...........FEEL THE LOVE and dont worry.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Our Maggie was diagnosed at a very young age as having severe bilateral hip dysplasia, and now her elbows are getting compromised from carrying so much of the load, and she has spondylosis. She has good days and bad ones, but on her good days, she is a sassy, bratty, IN-your-face, muffin head, and we love her dearly.

Lucy, our landseer, was diagnosed at her routine cardiology screening (at 2 years) as having "tricuspid valve dysplasia". We had a board certified vet cardiologist do a color doppler on her. The valve never comes close to closing. At that point, there was always at least a 1/2 inch gap through which the blood "regurgitated" (backwashed). Since then, the gap has probably widened, as her heart has enlarged. The vet didn't think she would live very long...but she just turned 5 on Christmas Eve. She is our sweetheart and serious "mommy's velcro dog"...even sleeps in the bed with us some nights.

Brenna, our rescue girl, is pretty darned healthy and solid, but she's got a huge barrel of a chest, so I do worry about the possibility of bloat. We feed two small meals a day and keep them all very lean.

We just treat them all as normal dogs, but do what we can to keep Mags and Lucy from over-tiring themselves. None of us knows the number of our days, so every day should be lived as if it might be the last...so we just enjoy our girls and give them the best life we can.

 

[ozzysma]

i think it may seem like alot of injuries and problems but that is when people ask questions and seek advice. my two are healthy and injury free. knock on wood!!

 

[zennewf]

One newfie out of the four I've had had to have a TPLO. Everyone has been otherwise fairly healthy. Something has to "take" them in the end ... cancer,etc. but that's true with every last one of us. Both my oldster newfs lived to 11.

Liz

 

[R Taft]

I think that there are plenty of healthy newfs around. They are just the quiet majority. It is just a good place to ask questions if you do have a problem. If you actually add up all the newfs here who do have a problem compared to all the funny stories and events. The positives far outweigh the negative. Some of the darling newfs are actually old and they do age younger then some breeds. But then you have Rim, who 12 years young today.............
I suppose that is why some of us are also so against backyard breeding. And that is why we should support the breeders who are responsible and caring enough to improve our beloved newfs health issues.
It is a bit like where I work, I get to see a lot of people with cancer etc, sometimes you think OMG. But you have to remember it is only a part of the community gathering in one area.
Just enjoy your dog and keep learning
Sofar I now have a healthy super athletic silly newf. Who loves to jump on things and lie on them. Maybe it is because she is short for a newf

 

[tonkatruck]

Any breed of dog is going to have problems during their lifetime, just like people do. Some have more than others. Tonka is my first newf and is the healthiest dog I ever had. Only real problem he had was ear hematoma that needed surgery but nothing major. He is 8 now and I do worrry about anything happening to him but I just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. My dalmation that past away over a year ago had more problems than any other dog I ever had. Kidney problems, going blind, had a stroke and couldn't use both rear legs for about 5 months and still live to be almost 12. He was a fighter What I'm saying is even if Tonka had a lot of problems thru out his life, I would still want him next to me. Newfs are very special