Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Newfoundlands Live. Newfoundland Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Newfoundland Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Newfoundland, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Newfoundlands
- How Old is Your Newfoundland in Human Years
- How Long Do Newfoundlands Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Newfoundland Live Long
- Conclusion on Newfoundland Life Expectancy
How Long Newfoundlands Live. Newfoundland Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Newfoundland is from 8 to 10 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Newfoundland. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 269 pet Newfoundlands lived.
From the study, it was found that Newfoundlands have a average lifespan of 9.67 years. Furthermore, the study found that Newfoundlands can live for as long as 15.8 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Newfoundlands.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Newfoundlands are:
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Congenital Disease: Issues involving genetics and development
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Newfoundland to make your Newfoundland live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Newfoundland have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Newfoundland is in human years? Then, check out our Newfoundland age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Newfoundland Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Newfoundland compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Border Terrier Lifespan | 14.00 |
| Bearded Collie Lifespan | 13.50 |
| Shih Tzu Lifespan | 13.10 |
| Parson Russell Terrier Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Whippet Lifespan | 12.70 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier Lifespan | 12.70 |
| Beagle Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Siberian Husky Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Dalmatian Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Shetland Sheepdog Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Australian Cattle Dog Lifespan | 11.60 |
| Pekingese Lifespan | 11.40 |
| Affenpinscher Lifespan | 11.40 |
| Finnish Spitz Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Cocker Spaniel Lifespan | 10.30 |
| Newfoundland Lifespan | 9.67 |
| Bullmastiff Lifespan | 7.46 |
| Irish Wolfhound Lifespan | 7.04 |
| Saint Bernard Lifespan | 7.00 |
| Neapolitan Mastiff Lifespan | 2.33 |
Common Causes of Death in Newfoundland, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Newfoundland, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Newfoundland.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Cardiovascular Disease in Newfoundlands
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 23.8 percent of all deaths in Newfoundlands.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Newfoundland
Heart disease in Newfoundlands may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Newfoundlands
You can prevent heart problems in your Newfoundland by exercising your Newfoundland regularly and feeding your Newfoundland a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Newfoundland. The supplement is not only good for your Newfoundland`s heart, but it is also good for your Newfoundland`s overall health.
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Neoplastic Disease in Newfoundlands
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 19.9 percent of all deaths in Newfoundlands.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Newfoundland
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Newfoundlands
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Newfoundlands (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Newfoundlands is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Newfoundlands is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Newfoundlands is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Newfoundlands with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Newfoundland. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Newfoundland`s gums look pale.
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Congenital Disease in Newfoundlands
There are hundreds of types of congenital issues, and many of them are breed-specific. Congenital issues are inherited from birth by Newfoundland puppies from their parents.
Congenital Disease is responsible for 17.5 percent of all deaths in Newfoundlands.
Causes of Congenital Disease in Newfoundland
The causes of congenital abnormalities are genetics and abnormal development. There is often not much you can do to prevent these after the puppy is born; however, breeders and those responsible for the care of pregnant females can influence the health and development of her puppies.
How to Prevent Congenital Disease in Newfoundlands
Congenital problems in Newfoundlands can be prevented by responsible and professional breeding practices. Amateurs are discouraged from breeding Newfoundlands, because it is difficult and can be very heartbreaking if something happens to the mother or the puppies. However, if you are an amateur and find yourself caring for a pregnant female Newfoundland, you must be sure that her needs are being addressed, including diet and nutrition, stress level, and medical care. Many veterinarians have resources to guide amateurs through the support of the mother during pregnancy, birthing/whelping, and early life care.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Newfoundlands
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 16.1 percent of all deaths in Newfoundlands.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Newfoundland
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Newfoundlands are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Newfoundlands can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Newfoundlands
One way that you can help improve your Newfoundland`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Newfoundland joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Newfoundland to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Newfoundlands a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your Newfoundland`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Newfoundland eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Newfoundland is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your Newfoundland is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Newfoundland on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Newfoundlands
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 11.5 percent of all deaths in Newfoundlands.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Newfoundland
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Newfoundland eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Newfoundland stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Newfoundland is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Newfoundland has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Newfoundlands
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Newfoundland`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Newfoundlands
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Newfoundland is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Newfoundland`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Newfoundland`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Newfoundland offsprings by only breeding Newfoundland that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Newfoundland puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Newfoundland breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Newfoundland has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Newfoundland for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Newfoundland a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Newfoundlands for:
How Old is Your Newfoundland in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Newfoundland. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Newfoundland is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Newfoundland is 9.67 years.
Newfoundlands are giant-sized dogs. Newfoundlands weigh 100 to 150 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Newfoundland in converting Newfoundland age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Newfoundland`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Newfoundland`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Newfoundland`s human age. If you do not know your Newfoundland`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Newfoundland is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Newfoundland`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Newfoundland`s up-to-date human age.
Newfoundland Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Newfoundland age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Newfoundland`s human age based on your Newfoundland`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Newfoundland`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Newfoundland Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20 |
| 2 | 26 |
| 3 | 31 |
| 4 | 37 |
| 5 | 42 |
| 6 | 47 |
| 7 | 51 |
| 8 | 56 |
| 9 | 61 |
| 10 | 66 |
| 11 | 71 |
| 12 | 77 |
| 13 | 83 |
| 14 | 89 |
| 15 | 96 |
| 16 | 103 |
How Long Do Newfoundlands Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Newfoundland is 9.67 years. In human years, the Newfoundland lives for 64 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Newfoundland in Human Years?
A 1-year old Newfoundland is 20 years old in human years.
How Old is 2-year-old Newfoundland in Human Years?
A 2-year old Newfoundland is 26 years old in human years.
How Old is 5-year-old Newfoundland in Human Years?
A 5-year old Newfoundland is 42 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old Newfoundland in Human Years?
A 7-year old Newfoundland is 51 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Newfoundland Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Newfoundland live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Newfoundland fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Newfoundland does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Newfoundland will have a shorter lifespan than a Newfoundland that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Newfoundland high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Newfoundland. Check out our Newfoundland feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Newfoundland from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Newfoundland existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Newfoundland has access to clean water whenever your Newfoundland needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Newfoundland. See our Newfoundland water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Newfoundland.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Newfoundland might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Newfoundland.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Newfoundland is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Newfoundland’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Newfoundland teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Newfoundland Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Newfoundland`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.