Ludde - a big, fluffy friend!

Today's blog post is about one of my first newfies, Ludde. He has since long passed the rainbow bridge, but oh boy, do I miss him! He was certainly a BIG dog (probably was about 160 pounds or so, can't remember exactly).

I bought Ludde as a friend to my very first newfie. No one would let their dogs play with my first newf. Even though most newfies are gentle giants, they are definitely big dogs. I guess those people weren't too familiar with the awesomeness of the newfie breed...  They would all say he was too big, oh no, we can't let our dog play with him (this would hold true for dogs as big as labrador retrievers too, I'm not talking about chihuahuas here). So, I saved up and bought Ludde.

Recognize this dog from some of my artwork? Yep, the Newfoundland dog 32 portrait is a portrait I made from an old photograph of my beautiful, handsome Ludde.

What a cute dog he was, and my newfies were such good friends. When I take Cleo (my current newf) for walks now in the fall weather I see leaves blowing all over the place. Cleo, she doesn't care too much, she just looks at the leaves (although she does love to play mind you, just she isn't so interested in leaves blowing around). Whenever I see those leaves flying all over the place I think of my newfy boys and I miss them. Lots. They used to be so interested in these leaves, and I would have to hold on to the leash with all my force as they took me for leaf runs on occasions! I remember it with a smile now, it was less than fun sometimes but I never lost the leash. They would just pull me with them, let's play!!!

I would take them for walks separetely, but also together for walks so that would make for eventful fall walks sometime...

~ Gunilla Wachtel - Kanweienea Kreations

Gunilla Wachtel is a professional artist currently residing in PA. Her artwork is collected throughout the U.S. as well as internationally. She loves all kinds of animals, especially horses and Newfoundland dogs. Gunilla supports animal rescues, including different horse rescue organizations and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. For original artwork and prints from Gunilla Wachtel, check out Gunilla's Artfire Studio Kanweienea Kreations - fine art by Gunilla Wachtel.

Chloe - cute adoptable black Newfoundland dog in Indiana

Chloe is a beautiful 7 year old Newfoundland girl who is spayed and up to date on all her vaccinations. She is currently being fostered north of Indianapolis, Indiana. Although she has a very mild heart murmur, it should never affect her. She has been seen by a cardiologist for the heart murmur. She has a high energy level and she is anything but a couch potato! She does not like cats or horses and that's about the only time she barks according to her description on Petfinder. The rescue also mentions that perhaps it is better she goes to a home without small children because of her high energy level.

One thing to keep in mind although she does not jump over a 6 ft fence, she can try to find a way to go underneath the fence. Secure fencing is a must. The rescue says that she doesnt go anywhere and comes when called, so we think she just see's a fence as a challenge to occupy herself. Check this listing to find out more about Chloe - cute adoptable Newfoundland dog.

*As a side note, Newfoundlands are usually wonderful with kids any size. However, it is best to follow the rescue's recommendations. Not all Newfoundland dogs are the same. If you have kids and still are interested in this lovely Newfoundland dog, do contact the rescue still to find out more exactly what they consider to be small kids. Sometimes shelters and rescues consider "small kids" to be anything below age 10, and sometimes even 14. It can also depend on if your children has experience with giant dog breeds before, so it is best to ask to make sure.


Gunilla Wachtel - Kanweienea Kreations Zazzle shop - t-shirts, shoes and more

Want to check out original artwork and original prints? Original prints are prints produced and sold directly by the artist as opposed to reproduction prints. For original artwork and prints from Gunilla Wachtel, surf on over and check out Kanweienea Kreations Artfire studio.

Gunilla Wachtel is a self-taught, professional artist currently residing in PA. She loves all kinds of animals, especially horses and Newfoundland dogs. Gunilla supports animal rescues, including Hog Heaven Rescue Farm and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Be sure to check out all the guild artisans who are participating in our current promotion to raise funds for Close to Home Animal Rescue. Check it out HERE or the box below.

The Newfoundland dog

Newfoundland dogs are known as the big, gentle, giants. Considered a large dog (and I guess really they are..), but to most Newfoundland dog owners they are not thought of as huge dogs. They are just the right size! :).

They can come in a variety of colors, and not all colors are approved by different countries National Kennelclubs. The colors approved by the American Kennelclub are (base color with a little bit of white is okay for all) brown, black and gray. There is also the landseer color, white basecolor with black markings (as described by the AKC).

There are other colors that do appear such as brown and white landseer. Although not very common, it does still exist, and perhaps one day it will be an approved color.

The average height for adult dogs is 28 inches. For adult females, 26 inches. The approximate weight of adult dogs ranges from 130 to 150 pounds, adult females from 100 to 120 pounds. Weight can vary from the standards of course, and you need to consider that you might have a dog that is larger then the standard and thus probably is more massive in body structure.

There are overweight Newfoundlands, and I remember seeing an ad for Newfoundland puppies where they first said that there were nice AKC blood lines (okay, that's a good thing), but then.. the father of the puppies is a 200 pound landseer! Now, that is not a healthy weight for a newfie.

My first newfie was definitely bigger than the standard height and he weighed about 170 pounds, he was a BIG newf. He was not overweight, but for a newfie to weigh 200 pounds? That certainly does not sound healthy, and to be described as a plus? I don't think so...

I now have my third Newfoundland girl. I often call her "little girl" and people that hear that usually go "LITTLE?" Hehe. She'll always be my little girl, 130 pounds and all! Cleo is a wonderful girl and she is a brown white newfie. We (Cleo and I) often hear, is that a St Bernhard? And I can see Cleo go "um NO," and I say no, she is a Newfoundland. She is not built like a St Bernhard at all, she doesn't even have similar markings. She looks just like a black and white landseer, except she is brown and white.

Here is a youtube video I made of my beautiful girl Cleo so you can see what she looks like :).

In summary, the Newfoundland dog is a big, beautiful dog but they are not for everyone. The puppies look like little bear cubs and you need to consider that the cute little bundle of fluff will become a big, strong dog with an even stronger personality. When dogs like German Shepherds and Rottweilers often have an attitude of "Ok what next, what do you want me to do now?" a Newfoundland (in general) comes with the attitude of "Alright, and you want me to do this WHY?"

Until next blog post,
Gunilla Wachtel - Kanweienea Kreations

Gunilla is an artist that loves animals. She is a member of the Crafting for Animals Guild on Artfire. She is a supporter of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Gunilla's artwork features many animals such as dogs, dolphins, orcas, horses and more. She sells her artwork as originals and prints, as well as printed on mugs, t-shirts, mousepads and much more.