Often referred to as a New Shep, this mixed breed is a gentle giant with fur to spare. If you are curious about what it would be like to invite this pup into your family, then you have come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about the Newfoundland German Shepherd mix.
What are the Fundamental Traits of the Newfoundland German Shepherd?
- Height: 23 – 28 inches
- Weight: 87 – 123lbs
- Coat: Double coat, medium to long fur
- Level of Affection: High
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog Friendly: Yes, if socialized properly
- Cat Friendly: Yes, if socialized properly
- Preferred Climate: Cold
- Shedding Levels: High
- Trainability: High
- Potential to Bark/Howl: High
Will a New Shep Look More Like a German Shepherd or Newfoundland?
Apart from their size, the parent breeds of New Sheps don’t have too many physical characteristics in common. As such, there can be quite a bit of variation in how these pups look. Here is some insight into the potential traits of these mixed breed pooches:
Will a Newfoundland Germand Shepherd Be Considered a Large Breed Dog?
The one thing you can be certain of is that your New Shep will be a big dog, almost certainly larger than their German Shepherd parents. The Newfoundland German Shepherd can be classified as a large dog breed and if they grow enough may even reach the extra-large breed category.
Will a Newfoundland German Shepherd Have a Thick Coat?
New Sheps will always have a double coat. The outer coat will be on the longer side, between a medium and long length. The fur is likely to be coarse and thick – it can either be straight or slightly wavy. The undercoat is dense and thick and may be soft as well.
There are a few different color options for a Newfoundland German Shepherd. If both parents are solid black, the pup may turn out this way too. Or, they may have bicolor or tricolor markings in white, brown, red, silver, tan, grey, blue, or sable.
What Kind of Personality Traits Does a Newfoundland German Shepherd Have?
The New Shep is suitable for families. This dog is incredibly loving and affectionate and loves to spend time with its family. They will always want to be where you are.
This instinct is so strong that most Newfoundland German Shepherds can’t be separated from their owners for too long. If you are away for an extended period, they can revert to bad or destructive behavior. At most, they shouldn’t be left by themselves for more than a few hours at a time.
This pup’s friendly nature may not always extend to strangers. They may be a bit aloof or wary of people they don’t know. To ensure that this doesn’t happen, make sure to socialize your dog properly at a young age.
The New Shep is great around children. Despite their size, they are gentle with little ones and tend to be protective of the younger members of the family as well. It is important to not leave your Newfoundland German Shepherd alone with kids, though.
This is because the pooch is pretty big and can easily knock or fall over children without meaning to. It is best to keep an eye out.
The mixed-breed can be great around other dogs, cats, and small pets in the household. They are friendly and highly tolerant. It is best to introduce other animals to your dog when they are still young and continue to expose them to other dogs and animals to ensure that this early socialization sticks.
How Healthy is a Newfoundland German Shepherd?
As a mixed breed, New Sheps may be healthier than purebred dogs. Nevertheless, some conditions can pose a threat to your dog’s health and wellbeing. Being aware of these ahead of time can improve their prognosis.
How Long Can a Newfoundland German Shepherd Live For?
As a bigger dog, New Sheps may not live as long as some other breeds. They have an expected lifespan of around 9 to 12 years. You can help your dog live longer by providing them with proper nutrition, care, and regular vet checkups.
What are the Potential Medical Conditions of Newfoundland German Shepherds?
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Addison’s disease
- Bloat
- Hypothyroidism
- Cherry eye
- Allergies
It is important to keep a close eye on your dog’s health. If you notice any symptoms or changes to their appetite, mood, or energy levels, make an appointment with your vet. Catching any disease in its early stages can improve treatment effectiveness and boost your dog’s quality of life.
What Kind of Dog Food is Best for a Newfoundland German Shepherd Need?
As a large mixed breed, New Sheps may tend to grow and develop rapidly. This can cause bone and joint issues in the long run. To avoid this, it is important to control your dog’s food so that they enjoy slow and steady growth.
To ensure this, get a vet’s recommendation for the best food for your dog. This is often a higher quality food that is lower in calories. It is important for this food to contain high-quality ingredients and to be free of any fillers, preservatives, or additives that will unnecessarily add calories to the food.
When feeding your dog, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for portion sizes. Don’t keep out food for your dog, either. Always measure out the appropriate amount for each meal. As a puppy, it is best to restrict treats and snacks too.
Does a Newfoundland German Shepherd Need a Lot of Exercises?
Even as a puppy, your New Shep will require regular exercise. As mentioned, though, these pups are at higher risk of bone and joint issues since they grow so rapidly from the age of four to seven months.
You need to be careful with how you exercise your puppy for this period. Steer clear of hard pavements and surfaces – anything that can be tough on their bones or joints. In particular, prevent them from jumping around on such surfaces.
It is fine for them to play on grass and similarly soft surfaces. If your pup takes after their Newfoundland parent, they will love to swim, so this is an activity that you can try. Swimming is a great way for your pup to get a workout without putting too much stress on their joints.
As an adult, your dog will need between 30 to 60 minutes of exercise. For high-energy dogs, break this up into two sessions. A brisk walk is the easiest physical activity. Frisbee and fetch are great for keeping things interesting.
A good way to decide how much exercise your dog needs is to give them about 30 minutes and take note of their energy levels. If they seem content and not overly tired, you have hit the right time limit. If your pup still seems to have a lot of energy, slowly increase their playtime until they are satisfied.
You should be aware that some New Sheps can be a bit lazy when it comes to exercise. Despite this, your dog should get a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity a day. You may need to be a bit firm about taking them outside.
If your pooch is on the smaller side and takes after their German Shepherd more, they may also enjoy agility training. On the other hand, make sure that you schedule a regular swimming session if your New Shep takes after their Newfoundland parent a bit more.
Does a Newfoundland Shepherd Require a Lot of Grooming?
You can expect quite a bit of shedding with this mixed breed. The best way to minimize this is to brush them regularly. Make it a point to brush your dog at least three times a week to reduce loose fur around the house.
You will need to use a slicker brush and an undercoat rake as your dog has a double coat. The undercoat rake doesn’t need to be used as often, but still, try to brush your dog with it at least once a week. It will make all the difference.
If your New Shep has a coat that is more similar to Newfoundland, you should be aware that it will attract dirt, grit, and burrs. This means that your dog needs to be brushed whenever you take them out to a wooded area or a dog park. Failing to do so can leave the fur matted and dirty.
Your dog will likely blow their coat a couple of times a year and the shedding will reach peak levels at this point. During this period, you should brush them out every day and use the undercoat rake more regularly. You will also have to add a de-shedding brush to the routine.
Newfoundland German Shepherds don’t need to be bathed that often. Once every month or two is more than enough unless your dog gets dirty. Bathing them too often can dry out their skin and damage their coat.
It should be noted that their coat can be rather overwhelming to the groom. This is why owners will often hire groomers to handle this task.
Can Newfoundland Shepherds Live in Small Homes?
This mixed breed doesn’t tolerate warm weather well. They are best suited to cool or cold climates.
In warmer months, take care that your dog doesn’t overheat. They should always be kept indoors when the sun is out. It is best if they are close to a fan or air conditioning. Keep a close eye on your pooch to make sure that they are as cool as possible.
Avoid taking your dog out during the hottest parts of the day as they can overheat quickly. Give them exercise early in the morning or later in the evening.
New Sheps are far too big for apartments. They need a lot of space so they will work better in larger homes. In smaller spaces, they may be prone to knocking things over.
As long as your dog gets enough exercise throughout the day, they don’t need a yard. If your New Shep is of the high energy variety, though, having access to a yard can help them to burn off some excess energy.
These dogs love human companionship, so never leave them alone in the yard for a long period. Instead, give them the option of coming in and out so that they can spend time with you when they want.
Is It Easy to Train a Newfoundland German Shepherd?
Newfoundland German Shepherds are highly trainable. They have a great work ethic and are intelligent to pick up a wide variety of commands and instructions.
You should start their training from the moment you bring your pup home. They can be difficult to control as they get bigger so starting young can help to avoid a lot of issues.
These dogs are people pleasers so use positive reinforcement to get them to learn tricks more readily.
How Can You Buy a Newfoundland German Shepherd?
You will need to find a breeder that specializes in this particular mix. Look for one that has tracked the health of both parent breeds, going back several generations. This can help to prevent various diseases in your pup.
Are Newfoundland German Shepherds Available for Adoption?
This is a rare mixed breed and is a designer one to boot. You may not always find one in a shelter, but looking at German Shepherd or Newfoundland-specific shelters may help.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Newfoundland German Shepherds:
How Big Will a Newfoundland German Shepherd Get?
These dogs can grow as tall as 28 inches and weigh over 120lbs and might need to be classified as an extra-large breed.
How Much Will Newfoundland German Shepherd Puppies Cost?
These designer puppies can go from $500 to $1500 depending on the breeder, region, and availability.
Are Newfoundland German Shepherds Good Family Dogs?
They are excellent family dogs and are great with children and other pets.
This wraps up our guide to Newfoundland German Shepherds. With this information, you can now decide whether this pup is a good fit for you.
