History
The Landseer and the Newfoundland are assumed to be the offspring of St. John’s Water Dogs which is presently extinct, it was one of the excellent breed famous for its game retrieving quality and swimming. Depending upon its size this breed was divided into two groups Greater Newfoundland and Lesser Newfoundland. In England, the former developed as the Labrador Retriever while the latter developed as the present-day Newfoundland and Landseer breeds in Canada.
The former breed reached England during the 18th century and became very famous due to their appearance and temperament. One of the famous painters, Sir Edwin Landseer recognized these dogs in his paintings which represented their heroic character.
In European countries except for Britain, Newfoundland and Landseer are recognized as two different breeds. But in the USA, Canada, and the UK, they are recognized as a single breed. AKC considers Landseer breed as only the color variant of the Newfoundland, and it refers to the white and black varieties of the Landseer Newfoundland.
Temperament & Personality
Their giant stature describes them to be aggressive, but they are just the opposite with calm, sweet, generous and kind nature. They are great family protectors with loyal and trustworthy nature. They can do anything to protect its family members and this trait makes them an ideal guard dog. These puppies develop a firm bond with its family members and try to seek their attention by doing playful activities. If they are left alone for a longer duration they might develop odd behaviors like excessive barking and digging. If raised with other pets and children they do well with them, but their interaction requires supervision, as kids or these large dogs can unintentionally knock down the babies. They are not fit for apartment living due to their large size and do best in a house with a yard.
Exercise
Being energetic they require a heavy exercising schedule. Apart from taking them for long walks and jogs owners can leave them free in a yard where they can run and play to release their excess energy. They appreciate water games, hence, water games and swimming is also an excellent option to release their energy. Owners can also prepare them to take part in mushing, obedience, agility, carting, herding events etc. They also need puzzle toys and different training methods to stay mentally active.
Grooming
They have a heavy coat which requires regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles. They are heavy shedders and requires brushing twice a day during their shedding period. Bath them occasionally when they are exposed to waters, as it can wash off their natural oils from the coat with a vet prescribed shampoo to keep their coat smooth and soft.
They tend to grow nails faster which can crack if not appropriately trimmed and hinder regular activities like walking, run, etc. However, cutting them twice a month will serve the purpose. Their ears can catch infections due to water, dirt buildup and hence needs regular checking to prevent infections and pain. They have a tendency to drool, and owners must pay attention by cleaning them with a dry towel. Clean their ears with Vet prescribed ear solution. Also, brush their teeth twice a week to avoid development of tartar and oral problems. Owners should wipe their eyes with a warm washcloth.
Health Problems
It is a healthy breed, but inherit some of the diseases like stenosis, hip and elbow dysplasia, cystinuria and ear infections. But proper diet and an occasional veterinarian visit will keep the dog healthy and active.
Training
These dogs are intelligent and very easy to train, but positive training methods with short sessions will allow them to pick up tricks easily.
To prevent their loneliness, crate training is essential. Owners can train them on their own or take help from the professional trainer. Their big size can develop unpleasant occurrences, hence leash training is must for this breed.
Early Socialization with different environments where it can meet unknown faces and unfamiliar sounds will give them a positive view. Command training is essential to polish their skills, and minimize their herding behavior.
Feeding
Dry dog food specially made for larger breeds or homemade foods rich in vitamins, minerals, cooked grains, veggies, etc are perfect for this breed. It is essential to visit a dietitian or a vet before choosing a food. But it is advisable to plan a diet depending upon the dog’s size, age, activity level and metabolism. It is advisable to offer them small meals multiple times a day and prevent heavy exercises to minimize the risk. They tend to obese, hence owners should keep a thorough check on their calorie consumption, as obesity can lead to a variety of health complications. If they gain weight, reduce table scraps, treats, etc.
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