Newfoundland: heart, urinary stones and hips to watch
A gentle swimming giant, the Newfoundland is a large dog whose health hinges on three well-documented hereditary predispositions: a heart malformation, a urinary disease and joint dysplasia. Knowing them means screening early and covering the risk better. All our pointers are in the dog care and grooming section, with the full profile on the Newfoundland page.
Subvalvular aortic stenosis
Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) is a hereditary narrowing of the heart, frequent in the breed. A study by Stern and colleagues, published in 2014 in Human Genetics, identified an insertion in the PICALM gene linked to this familial Newfoundland disease, inherited in a dominant pattern (study on Google Scholar). Careful auscultation of the puppy, then an echocardiogram at the slightest doubt, allow detection.
Cystinuria and urinary stones
The Newfoundland is prone to a severe form of cystinuria, which favours urinary stones. Henthorn and colleagues described in 2000, in Human Genetics, the SLC3A1 gene mutation responsible for this recessive hereditary form (study on Google Scholar). A DNA test and an adapted diet reduce the risk of obstruction, which can become an emergency.
Hip dysplasia
Like other large dogs, the Newfoundland is subject to hip dysplasia. A study by Wood, Lakhani and Dennis, published in 2000 in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, estimated its heritability on more than 1,500 British Newfoundlands, confirming that selecting on the radiographic score lowers prevalence (study on Google Scholar).
What care budget to plan
Cardiac monitoring, urinary work-ups and possible joint surgery make the Newfoundland costly to follow. Our guide to pet insurance for dogs helps you decide, and our page on insuring a Newfoundland spells out the cover to prioritise.
Frequently asked questions
How is aortic stenosis detected in a puppy?
A heart murmur on auscultation should lead to an echocardiogram: it is the reference exam to confirm and grade the stenosis.
Can cystinuria be prevented?
A tested dog can be monitored and given an adapted diet to limit stone formation; intact males are the most exposed to obstruction.
Should a Newfoundland be insured early?
Yes: as its cardiac and urinary predispositions are hereditary, early cover keeps them from being excluded as pre-existing conditions.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.