New to puppy life and had some questions.

[katharina.grant]

Hi there!
First off, I would like to start out by saying that I am thrilled to have found a community which is all about newfoundlands Its amazing how many hours I have spent searching the internet for answers to a few questions that I had just to compare how my new is doing to a lot of other newbies out there!

So on to the Question-
My Landseer is now a little over 4 1/2 months old and weighing in at 61 pounds. I was curious to see how big he will eventually get. His father weighs about 170 and his mom weighs about 150 pounds. I've been doing a little research online and all I came across was that apparently a lot of puppies are 80 pounds at 5 months????! So I was just wondering if my puppy was going to end up being on the small side or if 80 pounds at 5 months is a little abnormal???

 

[Jeannie]

As a general rule for growing newfs a pup should weigh 10 lbs for every month of age. So a 4 1/2 month should weigh about 45 lbs. Some are higher some lower. The only way to tell is to put your hands on the dog and feel the ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs without having to push but you should not be able to feel the spine. If given a choice lighter is always better than overweight due to the extra stress on growing joints. Many of the bigger newfs tend to have a lot of joint problems. I know people who say "my newf is 160 lbs" but they are overweight. Do you know for certain that the parents were not overweight? Did you actually feel them?

Here is what the breed standard says about the size of a newf

Size, Proportion, Substance: Average height for adult dogs is 28 inches, for adult bitches 26 inches. Approximate weight of adult dogs range from 130 to 150 pounds, adult bitches from 100 to 120 pounds.

 

[katharina.grant]

I didn't get to feel his parents but I suspect that his dad may have been a bit overweight. As for Beaumont, I can feel his ribs just stroking over them and when looking from up top I can definitely see a "waist"
I think I just got a little confused with all the people saying that the average for news at 5 months is 80 pounds. I don't know how that could even be possible in a healthy way.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Much better to keep your pup thin for good joint development. He seems a good weight now.

 

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

My Ella is on the smaller side but proportionate. She is 6 months old and weighs 68lbs. My vet said she is a good weight for her age and will probably weigh 90-100lbs. When I was researching breeders I found that reputable breeders don't breed these gigantic Newfs because it lowers their lifespan. Most of the male show dogs I met at the Morris Essex show were right around 130lbs, and in my opinion they looked great and most importantly healthy. If your pup is 61lbs at 4 1/2 months, I would think he's growing nicely. The thing to watch out for is that he doesn't grow too fast. I always loved lanseers, your pup is beautiful!

 

[Angela]

Decker is 8 months and weighs 82 lb. Bigger is NOT always better imho. I had a little female Gracie who was 24 inch and 100 lb fully grown and she lived to be 14 3/4 years, so, I personally am not for these huge Newfs!!! I see Jeannie posted the standard weights.

 

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

I would be thrilled if Ella lived to be 14 3/4. Stay small Ella, I want as many years as I can get!

 

[Newfs Forever]

Welcome from Newf Hampshire!

 

[wrknnwf]

I don't think you can guess how big he will be. He will reach the size (height wise) that he is genetically programmed to be and it might not be the same size as his parents. Looking at pups from earlier litters by the same parents might be a way to guesstimate, but there are no guarantees that your's will be the same size. And bigger is certainly not better if it's at the expense of structure and health.

An 80 lb, 5 mo old Newf would cause most of us great concern along with predictions about that dog's orthopedic health and probable lack of longevity. It would never be something I'd brag about.

Believe me, people are just as impressed with a 100-120 lb. Newf as a 170 lb. one. I always have to chuckle when people try to guess my dogs' weights. Usually in the 200 lb range, but as much as 300 lbs for my first male who was 125 glorious pounds in his prime. He was magnificent looking and no one ever commented on his smaller stature for a male. My only female was 120 lbs in her prime. I adopted two rescued males who are/were considerably larger and both with horrible ortho problems.

You also want to think about how you are going to assist an elderly Newf when his hind end start to give out. It will happen. There's a huge difference between lifting 120 lbs and 170 lbs dead-weight even with a specially designed harness.

It is, as others have said, far more important that you don't allow him to become overweight or grow too fast. This should be your main focus for now as far as his eventual size.

Don't forget that he will continue to grow until he is around 3-5 years old. The growth rate (height/weight) will slow down at around a year of age, but it's still happening. He may look slender until around 2 or so. Then he will start to mature and fill out. Just don't try to rush the process. Keep him thin and nature will do the rest.