If you are a canine owner who takes a dog everywhere you go, it will be good if you have a breed with a similar temperament to yours. If you are passionate about hiking then it would be nice to have a dog with a certain level of energy and physical capability to support your idea of spending time outdoors. Are Newfoundlands good at hiking?
Newfoundlands can go hiking, but those hikes shouldn’t last long though. These large, sweet-natured dogs often have joint problems and do get tired after a couple of miles. Since Newfoundlands can bear a maximum of 60 minutes of daily activity, short hikes are just perfect for them.
To learn if your Newfoundland dog should go hiking with you and to be able to adjust the activity level that is best for this breed, please keep reading.
Table of Contents
Are Newfoundland dogs good for hiking?
I understand that you may rise this question, especially if you are a passionate hiker and keen to get a canine companion for outdoor adventure. On the other hand, you may already have a Newfie in your home ( and heart, of course) and suddenly have decided to start with hiking. So is this breed the right choice for long walks in the wilderness?
The truth is there is no dog breed where each and every member of that breed is going to be a great hiker buddy. Plus many dogs are mixes, mutts, they are not purebred so nobody can tell you that a certain dog would be perfect for hiking.
Take all that into consideration, Newfoundlands might be just as good as other dogs for hiking.
Actually, the breed matters only in terms of health. Some dog breeds like brachycephalic breeds ( English Bulldog, Pugs, Mastiff) experience difficulties with breathing while some others like Newfoundlands and other giant breeds may have joint problems which may significantly shorten the hiking lifespan.
Apart from a breed, there are other characteristics that may tell you if your Newfoundland dog is good for hiking or not.
How To Know If My Newfoundland Dog is Good For Hiking?
We have come to a conclusion that Newfies can be as good hiking companions as any other dog breed so the next question is if your Newfie can be good at hiking.
Health Issues
Besides joint problems, Newfies can have heart problems as well. They are especially prone to DCM- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (the heart becomes too large, thin, and weak, losing the ability to pump the blood effectively through the body).
That’s why if you plan to make a perfect hiking buddy out of your Newfie, annual vet’s check-ups are a must. Also, make sure you keep your dog’s teeth healthy and his /her weight at a normal range in order to reduce the chance of having heart problems. An only a healthy dog can be a good hiker.
Size Issue
Some general rule of thumb says that not too small nor too large dogs are perfect for hiking. If we speak about perfection, the dog that has somewhere between 25-50 Lb is just perfect for hiking. Of course, your dog doesn’t have to be perfect to be able to enjoy hiking with you.
The actual problem with your Newfie size is that too large dogs cannot go on very long walks and certainly cannot keep up with you for several hours of wandering through nature. Plus if your Newfie gets injured will you be able to carry him/her all the way to the car/place where he can get help? Think about that.
If you consider putting some backpack on your dog’s back, follow the general rule, that the load shouldn’t be heavier than 10% of the dog’s weight. No matter how endurable and strong your dog looks, don’t strain his joint with too heavy a backpack.
Backpacks are, on the other hand, a great thing for a working breed such as Newfoundlands. Once you put a backpack to your canine friend’s back, he enters work mode. He has some job to do! This means that he might be more focused on you and your commands.
Remember not to put any weighted backpack on the back of your Newfie unless he is more than 2 years old.
Coat Issue
Always bear in mind that you have a double-coated dog that doesn’t tolerate heat well. So if you plan to go hiking pick the right season ( avoid late spring and summer, even an early fall if the temperatures are higher ). Note that place where your dog was raised plays a big role in how he handles the heat. If he was raised in California he definitely handles higher temperatures better than some Newfie from Ohio.
Some owners do remove the Newfie’s undercoat to keep them cooler during summer months but whatever you do, 90 F will be too hot for every Newfoundland dog.
Senior Newfies handle the heat even worse, so if you have an older dog and you go hiking during a warm sunny day, consider leaving your dog at home.
Don’t forget that you need to do a nightly check of ticks, injuries, skin irritations, etc. With the long-haired dog, this job becomes more difficult. Long hair offers more hiding places for critters. Dogs with lush, long coats are going to get dirtier, their hair will catch more debris.
On the other hand, long hair dogs like Newfoundlands are less likely to get skin injuries.
Personality and Trainability
When it comes to the personality of a dog that is perfect for hiking, Newfies generally fit into the model. They are calm, sweet nature, friendly dogs. Just the type of dog that is ideal for hiking trails.
Your Newfie should be friendly both to people and other dogs. If he is fearful or anxious, he might not have a good time on a hiking trail. If he is aggressive you need to work on the behavioral issues first and then hit the road.
Regarding trainability – note that if your Newfoundland dog is highly trainable he is going to be a good hiking companion. If he is not willing to learn your commands he will make your life more difficult out there.
Commands like Sit, Stay, Lie Down, Heel, Leave it, Quite are just basic things without which you cannot go hiking with your dog. If you have a puppy, spend some time with him, get to know him before you go hiking together. A Newfoundland with good trainability potential should be food motivated and pay a lot of attention to you, your face, voice…
Energy Level And Exercise Issues
Last but not least is how much energy your Newfie has. Newfoundlands are working dogs but due to lack of work tasks, these dogs may become lazy and easily can turn into couch potatoes.
For hiking, you need a dog with a moderate level of energy.
Of course to keep the energy level and but also to keep your dog healthy daily exercises are a must. Especially if you plan to go hiking you need to strengthen your dog’s muscles and increase his stamina.
Walking, running, free play, swimming are favorite activities for one Newfie. If you add some weighted backpack ( max 10% of his body weight ) this can strengthen his muscles and tire him properly. In order to increase resistance, you should include walking on the sand surface or uphill sections. When you are in the house, stair climbing is a great exercise for stronger muscles in your dog.
Conclusion
To summarize – Newfoundlands can be as good for hiking as any other dog. Bear in mind that giant breeds like Newfie are more likely to have joint and heart problems. Regular vet check-ups are a must. Besides that, everyday physical activity that will help their muscles become stronger is an inseparable part of hiking preparations.
No matter how passionate a hiker you are, bear in mind that Newfies cannot go for extra long walks. Adult Newfies can walk for 30-60 minutes. If you see any sign of fatigue, excessive panting, bring the walk to an end.