Joint Support for Newfoundlands and Other Giant Breeds

Bruno does not walk into a lake, he arrives. Ears back, front paws already paddling before the water reaches his chest, tail going like a rudder. At just over 60 kilograms, this Newfoundland was more or less built for exactly this moment, webbed feet, a water resistant double coat and a body designed for the sea rescue work the breed is famous for. It is also, as it happens, one of the best things he can do for his joints.

Why Newfoundlands Carry So Much Joint Stress

Newfoundlands are one of the true giants, regularly reaching 60 to 70 kilograms, and that kind of mass puts sustained, everyday pressure on hips, elbows and knees from puppyhood through to their senior years. Joint looseness is a well recognised issue in the breed, largely a straightforward consequence of sheer scale, a lot of frame for four joints to carry, every single day, for a lifetime. It is not unique to Newfoundlands either. Saint Bernards, Great Danes, Rottweilers and Bernese Mountain Dogs all share some version of the same story, big, powerful bodies that ask a great deal of their joints simply by existing.

The Exercise That Actually Helps (And What Adds Up Over Time)

Here is the part that surprises a lot of new giant breed owners, swimming is genuinely one of the best things you can do for a dog like Bruno. Water supports his bodyweight and takes the load off his joints entirely, while still letting him build real strength and range of motion. Vets widely recommend it for dogs already managing joint stiffness, and it is just as valuable for a young, healthy giant breed as a way to stay strong without the wear.

What actually adds up over time is higher impact activity on hard ground, running flat out, jumping on and off furniture, quick sharp turns at speed. None of that needs to be avoided entirely, a dog like Bruno needs to run and play, but it is worth knowing the difference. A lake swim helps him. Repeated hard landings on a paved yard, over months and years, is the kind of cumulative load that a big frame feels first.

What to Look for in a Joint Supplement for a Giant Breed

For a dog carrying this much weight, the basics matter even more than usual. Look for glucosamine and chondroitin at a clearly stated amount, not buried in a vague blend, plus something like MSM or green lipped mussel for broader joint support. A giant breed also benefits from a supplement dosed with their size actually in mind, rather than a one size fits all approach built around a much smaller dog. And, as with anything you give a dog this size for years on end, it is worth knowing exactly where it is made and whether anyone independent has tested it.

This is personal territory for us at SolaPup. Our founder Vips has spent 35+ years rescuing large and bull breed dogs, including Roxy, her French Mastiff rescued from a puppy mill with only hours to live, whose health needed exactly this kind of careful, natural support. It shaped everything about how SolaPup is made.

Where SolaPup Fits In

The SolaPup Hip & Joint Chews are built with big, active dogs like Bruno in mind, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, turmeric, Boswellia, green lipped mussel, hemp seed oil, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, nine actives in a bacon flavoured, chicken free chew. They are made in an FDA registered facility that is also NSF Certified and SQF Certified, with every batch third party lab tested, so you know exactly what a dog this size is getting, and why.

As always, check in with your vet before starting any new supplement, particularly for a giant breed puppy who is still growing, or a dog with an existing health condition. They know your dog's individual history best.

If you want to help your dog's joints keep up with a lake, a hike or just an enthusiastic sprint to the door, here's what we use at SolaPup. For more on what this looks like across other big, athletic breeds, our piece on Labradors and other big, athletic breeds is worth a read too.