Flooring for Newfs

[Bonnke's Mom]

1. Not sure if this is the right place for this question. We have stripped 32 yr old carpet off the floors in our house and are in need of flooring. I am looking for your thoughts of the best flooring for Newfs. Can't go too expensive but want the best we can afford. When we look at displays in the stores, its hard to tell by just running your hand over the surface. I would hate to go through the process and find out that Bonnke would be sliding and pounding his joints as he slips all over the place. What are your experiences?

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

That's a tough one! Carpet is good for non-sliding material, but difficult with the fur and it's warm for them to lay on. Tile & hardwood are nice and cool, and easy to clean, but slippery.

We have some of all 3, and cover the hardwoods & tile with runners where she walks to prevent slippage. She also has booties for her back feet to help get up when she's laying on the slippery surface.

I think Ronnie has slate tile? It has an uneven surface so not as slippery.

Interested to know what other people say...

 

[Cascadians]

http://www.thefloorpro.com/community/flooring-potpourri/2804-best-flooring-with-big-dogs.html
Interesting discussion among professionals about Newfies on floors

We had just installed $5000 carpet before getting Orka. Really gorgeous carpet *sigh* Have runners going thru all passageways and Orvis mats in kitchen on ceramic tile and near slider and front door.

The carpet is great for traction. Not good for water and mud. If I were wealthy I'd put down rubber flooring:
http://www.johnsonite.com/Default.aspx?tabid=764

or
Marmoleum
http://www.forbo-flooring.us/Residential-Flooring/Products/Marmoleum-sheet-tile/

 

[miriamstolle]

We have tile in the kitchen, it is a smaller cut, so there is plenty of grip for the newfie. We also have hardwood. This is NOT friendly to the newf, but I have a lot of fun buying accessory rugs.

 

[Cascadians]

Just spent a very enjoyable time designing own custom rubber flooring -- have fun! To be able to get exactly what you want is so over the top cool!

http://www.johnsonite.com/designaspace/

 

[slilli]

Love the idea of rubber flooring! Don't think my husband would go for it though :lol:

 

[nsmarlis]

I too pulled up carpet & found out that laminate, altho' cost effective, is very slippery - avoid it. I put sheet flooring down in my kitchen a few years ago. Thought it wouldn't be slippery but it is. Wish I had checked into flooring designed for nursing homes - it can't be slippery.

 

[TerriW]

Carpet for me (because it can be inexpensive, easily replaced, and it's easiest on Ben's joints). Plus easier to vacuum than sweep up hair that hides in hardwood/tile corners.

But that said, I do have a ceramic foyer, so Ben likes to lay there, of course. Nowadays he is having a lot of trouble getting up, so I have to scatter rugs on it.

 

[lmfoltyn]

We have wood, carpet & tile...all have issues! Wood is easy to clean if it is light wood, do NOT get dark as it shows ALL footprints...carpet is great for the traction but sucks at being dirty all the time, hair, wet feet etc...cannot keep it clean. Tile is good as far as durable but find it is more slippery than the wood floors. All have their drawbacks...just make sure that you teach them to walk and not run through the house...very important so they don't fall. I would do wood personally but as I said light color next time...I hate the foot prints everywhere!!

 

[Bonnke's Mom]

Thanks everyone, I am going to look into the rubber floor, I like the sound of that and also wood floors. I wasn't sure how the wood floor would be with the wet newf laying on it. You have all been a great help. I'm gonna take my time and think about it before I decide.

 

[victoria1140]

heavy duty rubber backed runners in the hallway and kitchen as dont want them slipping, laid special non slip tiles in the living room, it has a gritty surface.

we have tiled floors throughout our ground floor
one trick we found if you are looking at tiling is take a small phial of water with you , dip your finger in it and run it across surface of tile and you will know quickly if its slippy.

check out ebay as you may find cheap nonslip flooring on there

 

[R Taft]

We hav a very rough surface slate tile, that has worked really well for even our elderly newfies...we do have a couple of area rugs, just for our feet. But our house is a solar home, so it need the tiles to bank the heat.......The dogs love the tiles. But like I said they are rough, non-slip. We use a vacuum /broom/steam mop for cleaning

 

[NinaA]

I have wood, carpet and tile and all have their faults. I'd get rubber for the kitchen (like they have in restaurants and stables) if I could as even with research my tile in slipperier than I thought - so I use the interlocking rubber mats. Runners on the wood, and vacuum the carpet every day, plus bought a steam cleaner. So far no good answer.

 

[Jager's Mom]

After two TPLO surgeries...only carpet for our house.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

We have a mix of carpet, wood, and tile. Elvis wears non-skid booties on his back legs and does fine. He had a TPLO in the fall and I can't have him slipping and sliding around, but he loves the wood and tile. He's rarely on the carpet.

 

[Connie w Tuck]

When - if we build - I was thinking colored concrete. Our vet has it in his office. He use to have that Nature Stone.

 

[newfy]

Weathertech has a neat rubber flooring system.