將會成為我哋一份子嘅紐芬蘭犬 Newfoundland 21 May 2012

原產地: 加拿大嘅紐芬蘭島，據說祖先有大白熊犬或雪橇犬嘅血統。

性情溫和，唔會表現遲鈍或暴躁, 唔單止係忠實嘅伴侶, 仲有天生救生本領, 非常優秀嘅水上救援犬, 不過必須要首先接受完整，漫長而且專業的訓練才可！

體型巨大，威風凜凜，睇上去似隻小熊。

平均高度28吋，體重約130-150磅。

聰明，和藹可親，甜蜜, 可愛係紐芬蘭犬最大嘅特點。

1919年一隻專業的紐芬蘭犬救援犬被授予金質獎章，因為佢喺一次海難嘅時候拖拉一隻救生船將二十個遇難者救到安全地。 二次大戰嘅時候，紐芬蘭犬曾喺阿拉斯加等地喺暴風雪嘅惡劣氣候下幫軍隊運送食糧同彈藥. 太威風嘞！

* Country of origin: Canadian Newfoundland island 

* Loyal and intelligent

* Wonderful working partner and dependable

* Sweet-natured, responsive family pet.

* Large, strong dog, originally used as a working dog, well suited to work on land or water. Strong swimmer and equally strong "pack horse." 

* Male weight around 100 to 150 pounds and Female weight Up to 110 pound.

* They loves children, naturally gentle and friendly, as well as protective, a natural-born babysitter.

* Learn quickly and there is little this dog can't do.

* Training should begin early because the Newfoundland get big quickly and it can be tough to haul a 100-pound pooch off the couch.

* Prone to certain health conditions. Not all will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if considering this breed.

* A good breeder will show you health clearances for puppy's parents, prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

* Should expect to see health clearances for hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease.

Also aware of the following:

Addison's Disease: Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, extremely serious condition caused by insufficient production of adrenal hormones by the adrenal gland. Vomit, poor appetite, and lethargy are some signs, which are vague and can be mistaken for other conditions, easy to miss this disease as a diagnosis until it reaches more advanced stages.

Cataracts: As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. They may develop at any age, and often don't impair vision, although some cases cause severe vision loss. 

Cherry eye: Occurs when the gland known as the third eyelid swells. It looks like a red mass--a cherry--at the inner corner of the dog's eye. The treatment for cherry eye is usually surgery

Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis: This heart problem is caused by a narrow connection between the left ventricle (out-flow) and the aorta. It can cause fainting and even sudden death. Your vet can detect it and prescribe the proper treatment. 

Epilepsy: Often inherited and can cause mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be 

exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. 

Hip dysplasia: A heritable condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop.

Elbow Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. It's thought to be caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog's elbow, causing joint laxity. This can lead to painful lameness. 

Hypothyroidism: Disorder of the thyroid gland that's thought to cause conditions such as epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy, dark patches on the skin, and other skin conditions. It's treated with medication and diet. 

Cystinuria: An inherited disorder caused by an inability to reabsorb cystine, which is an amino acid, in the kidneys. This results in kidney or bladder stones that cause blockage and urinary tract inflammation. If left untreated, it can lead to death. Cancer: Symptoms that may indicate canine cancer include abnormal swelling of a sore or bump, sores that do not heal, bleeding from any body opening, and difficulty with breathing or elimination.  

Gastric Torsion: Commonly called bloat, this is a life-threatening condition that affects large, deep-chested dogs like Newfoundlands, especially if they're fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, or drink large amounts of water or exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid himself of the excess air in his stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. 

Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Common knee injury and tends to occur in young, large dogs during play or older overweight dogs; the anterior cruciate ligament tears or ruptures resulting in a sudden lameness.