Health Issues in Pyrs & Newfs

Both breed have numerous health problems ranging from hip & elbow dysplasia, heart defects, patellar luxation, eye, thyroid, hearing and skin problems.  Health testing can be expensive, but well worth the money if one plans to breed.

Great Pyrenees Issues 

Newfoundland Issues

Highly recommended reading for dog owners, Especialy Great Pyrenees owners.

Pyrs are a guardian breed, quite stubborn and can be dominate to other dogs.  These books have helped numerous Pyr/guardian owners to help re-establish the 'Pack' in their home, especially those with multiple dogs and those going through the testing 'teenage' stage.

Be The Pack Leader by Cesar Millan

Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan

 Items Needed for Grooming  

The following items are highly recommended if you own a Pyr or a Newf. Pet or Show dog, a regular grooming regime is a MUST for any coated breed.

All of these items can be bought at a local retail store like PetCo, Petsmart, www.Petedge.com a dog show or the links we have on our site.  See 'supplies' links for where to purchase these items.

Dog shows are also great place to purchase dog items as most of the time they are cheaper than the retail stores with a Huge variety!  See links for a list of shows in your area or contact us.

Most of these tools can be purchased for under $20.  With the exception of the grooming table ($120+) grooming arm ($65+) or Dryer ($150+)

  You can also follow or adjust the plans on this page for your own grooming table 

           

I have also heard / seen them made from 4" round PVC plumbers piping and 1/2 plywood table-tops.

 

 DDC Veterinary: DNA Services for Animals- Offers DNA tests for canine and equine species. Services include parentage, DNA genotyping, DNA banking, disease screening, and coat color prediction.

Information on Caring for your Newf or Pyr

Responsible Breeding & Health

The most important thing in breeding is that the breeder should be honest with you. There are no lines clear of any genetic diseases that affect the Newfoundland breed and there is no guarantee that obtaining a puppy from clear parents will provide you with a sound disease free puppy.

Breeding health cleared parents produces both clear, carriers and affected puppies with genetic diseases.  Affected parents also produce puppies that are clear, carriers and effected with genetic diseases. Breeding cleared stock decreases the chances of hereditary disease, but again does not guarantee disease free puppies.

Remember that no dog is perfect.  Health testing is a tool that helps a breeder know their breeding stock. Each dog should be studied as a whole and bred accordingly, based on health clearances, temperament & structure.

A dog who has cleared all hereditary tests, but lacks the sweet soulful disposition of a Newf or is shy or aggressive,

does not make a better breeding candidate, than a dog that has  not passed a specific health test.

For this reason, we must study a dog as a whole and breed with the knowledge we have of each one and each pedigree.

 

Please feel free to ask any questions about us, our dogs, or breeding program.

FOOD  & NUTRITION   

    We feed our dogs a chicken & rice (corn free) balanced diet(and some are fed a Raw diet) and have had wonderful results. Please make sure your dog is on a good Quality dog food as it is very important for the well being of your dog.    

   Don't over feed your dogs, maintain a healthy weight by monitoring how much they eat and their size.  Newfs and pyrs have different metabolisms, therefore they do not eat the same amount, same as puppies and adults.  Pyrs have slower metabolisms, but both breeds do not mature til they are close to 3 or even 4 years old.

Here is a great dog food comparison link.

HEALTH  INFO 

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals ~ OFA  is an excellent site for researching health problems and clearances with dogs of many breeds. You can also go to their links page for more great information.

 Grooming

With plenty of coat, newfs and pyrs need to brushed on a daily basis. Keeping up with any mats, hair on the feet, hindquarters and tails is very important for the dogs. A pin brush, comb, scissors, de-matting tools are all used along with good shampoos and conditioners.

SHED, SHED, SHED!!! This is Lola AFTER shedding her tremendous coat (notice she has no mane or feathering)  NOW....imagine all that hair in your house...food....bed, and stuck to your walls!!  Be prepared for hair and lots of it with both of these breeds.  Daily combing & brushing keeps loose hair from matting and your house from fiesty hair balls.

Newfs tend to 'fade' or get sunburned in the outdoors on bright sunny days so we use a sunscreen on them.    Neither breed should ever be left out in intense heat or hot direct light for a long length of time with proper shelter & access to Cold fresh water. 

Here is a picture of our grooming area. Grooming table, dryer, tools, shampoos, conditioners and Tons of towels! We also have a special tub just for bathing our large breeds. Vaccuming or sweeping almost daily when you have these big dogs. 

This is over 800sf just for grooming, crating and supplies.  Having proper facilities is a must for anyone who is serious about their dogs.  Our dogs have over 4 acres to play in seperate areas.  Most of the time our dogs are spent in the house with us, though they do love their yard to play !

Please be aware of the responsiblity of aquiring a newf or a pyr.  They are not the kind of dogs to be kept outside all day, alone, or in the heat of summer.  Having a newf or a pyr as a pet means a good weekly brushing, trimming of nails and plenty of love and training. 

We STRONGLY feel that a grooming table is Required before you bring home your pyr or newf.  The Grooming table is also a great Training Tool.  We start our pups on the table as early as 4 weeks old.  They get nails trimmed, brushed, given love and attention and on the grooming table is also where they learn to Enjoy being groomed. Which is Very important when you have a 100+ lbs dog !

 Please note All of our show owners MUST own a grooming table, arm & dryer before they receive their puppy.

 Newfs & Pyrs love to be with their people.  They are also a giant breed, therefore they do need basic training.  Full grown at 110-150+lbs average for newfs, 85-100+lbs for a pyr, you don't want a dog that won't listen or behave when you have company or want to take them places.

We recommend puppy classes and a good daily routine and you pup will understand its boundries and what is expected of it.  A well behaved dog is a happy dog too !!

Crate training IS required with puppies until they are trusted to be loose in you house and sometimes they just prefer their crates !  A crate is a 'safe' place where your pup can relax and know they can retire to when they want to.

 Need a Grooming Table ? Build Your Own !! 

This table is approx 4ft long, 24 inches wide and 26+ inches tall (give or take your prefered height)

Supplies:  4 - 2"x4"s, 3 - 1x4's, nails or screws, depending on your preference.

Notice the table lip extends Over the frame of the table.  You want it to extend enough to be able to attached a Grooming Arm to either the side or the end of the table, whichever is your preference.