(updated with pics) We got a 140 lb dog saturday

[brokenangel]

I found this 5 yr old female Newfoundland on Craigslist saturday, a couple saved her from going to the pound but couldn't keep her. She is so loving and sweet, we call her a leaner because anyone she encounters she leans on them to show her love. She weighs about 140lbs from what we can tell, we are taking her to the vet later this week.

Anyone have a dog this big and if so do you give them something like Glucosamine for dogs? I can tell that she is kinda stiff in the legs after sleeping, hate for her to be in pain. What kind of dog food is good for larger breeds? and last but not least.... FLEAS. she doesnt have any but I would hate for her to pick them up then give them to our 4 inside cats, I will keep frontline on her but what about the yard. Someone told me to go buy a big box of cheap laundry soap and spread it on my yard, anyone ever try this?

Any insight on these questions or the breed would be apriciated, thank you.

[justusgals]

congrats on the new addition, i have owned great danes for years so i can help a bit. as i only have great dane info, not newfoundland info, look up a breed website or the breed rescue site for more specific breed info. that is where i get all my info and i find them a great resource.

as far as stiffness, a dog that size and that age will have it, i had a prescription for my older dog (no longer with us) but it wasnt very expensive at all, i think it was an anti-inflamatory and i think it was only about 20 a month.

i use the frontline drops (the kind that you put down the middle of the dogs back) and have never had a problem with fleas.

as far as food, here is where the breed website comes in, it isnt the brand so much as the protein and fat percent and age of the dogs, i know you have to keep a great danes protein at 20% or under (according to breed sites anyway) and because danes are subject to bloating, not sure if newfoundlands are, keep away from rawhide and soy.

I found this 5 yr old female Newfoundland on Craigslist saturday, a couple saved her from going to the pound but couldn't keep her. She is so loving and sweet, we call her a leaner because anyone she encounters she leans on them to show her love. She weighs about 140lbs from what we can tell, we are taking her to the vet later this week.

Anyone have a dog this big and if so do you give them something like Glucosamine for dogs? I can tell that she is kinda stiff in the legs after sleeping, hate for her to be in pain. What kind of dog food is good for larger breeds? and last but not least.... FLEAS. she doesnt have any but I would hate for her to pick them up then give them to our 4 inside cats, I will keep frontline on her but what about the yard. Someone told me to go buy a big box of cheap laundry soap and spread it on my yard, anyone ever try this?

Any insight on these questions or the breed would be apriciated, thank you.

[oceanbreeze]

Congrats!

I don't own a huge dog but used to walk a friend's 135pd black lab- big dogs can be total sweethearts. She was a leaner too!!

Your vet can tell you what is best for flea treatments.

When i babysat miss Gracie dog, she was eating the Purina Fit & trim... I'd also picked up a couple sample packs of Dad's for large breeds & she would gobble that stuff down in a heartbeat.

There are really good powdered joint suppliments you can ask your vet for them, we used to give it to our Pug ( i forget the name of the product) but it was expensive. It seemed to work better than the store brands though.

Good luck with your new doggie! is there any chance you might post a picture of the new addition to your family??

[cpaige]

Can't help you with your questions, but I wanted to say that I wish there were more people like you!! So many people always want to get puppies that the older dogs get pushed aside!! It is so wonderful to see that you took in a 5 year old mini moose!! LOL Congrats to you and your family, and I hope (and know) that she will bring you all tons of joy and happiness!!!! Good luck with her, and enjoy her!!!

[momof2inohio]

Aww congrats and good for you for giving this dog a new home I have 2 shelter dogs and they are wonderful! One of them is a doberman. We feed both of our dogs healthwise lamb and rice dog food. Our doberman had some digestive problems so our vet recommended this food and it has really helped. As far as the flea meds, we have used front line and k9 advantix. Both have worked great and our dogs have never had fleas. I wouldnt worry about treating your yard as long as you put the flea preventative on your dog. My doberman is starting to have some joint pain, he is going to the vet next week and I am going to see if the vet can put him on something.

[Merczilla]

We have Saint Bernards....at the moment there's 5 of them in the front yard. lol One is a stray I found Friday, but I believe I've tracked down the owner, so I think he may go home tonight when they get home from work. I've always liked Newfies too.

We use Nutro lamb and rice formulas. Seems to be less hard on the tummies. I avoid any'all foods that have corn in them. I have a jar of MSM from Animal Health in Eugene, Oregon that can be sprinkled on the food. It's came with one of the dogs when I got her. It's got pictures of horses on it, so is most likely in the horse section, though it does have directions for dogs and cats on it.

Our old gal who is almost 11 (had a vet tell me that he'd never seen a Saint make it to 13, when I brought a 12 year old in for a check), is getting really stiff in the rear end. Saints are "famous" for that. They are also notorious for hip problems.

We don't have fleas up here, so can't help with that.

[petsrule]

I have a saint Bernard mom and pups and they are sweet yes you can give them glucosmine and a lot of different treats have it to I have to buy these brreders choice joint treats for my cat spunky who I took in as a stray who has arthritis and they help him a lot and when he is in a lot of pain he can have a baby aspirin every 3 days but he's only about 15 lbs so probably more for yor dog ask your vet

[paisleypark20]

There is a product out for dogs and cats called Glycoflex. My dogs was on it for years and it DOES work for joint/arthritis problems. As long as you keep them on a routine you will notice a difference. I have sworn by this stuff for years. It is pricey....about $60.00 for a 90 day supply on 1-800 petmeds site but WELL worth the expense. FYI...my dog started having problems at around age 6 (vet said this is normal for his breed) he has always been on Glycoflex 2.

[wealthybarney]

Congrats! What a special, loving addition. Perfect for your son. S.

[meems]

LOL @ the "leaner" description, I have one of those!

Newfies have such a wonderful temperament, congratualtions & bless you!