If you ever have the opportunity to meet a Newfoundland dog in person, you will never be able to forget those soft brown eyes, that lovable expression, and the distinct feeling that a gentle giant is watching over you. These dogs can be wonderfully clownish companions when the mood calls for it, but don't underestimate them. They have a heroic streak that runs a mile wide and they are well known for their natural rescue instincts. If that means jumping into the water to save someone that fell in, so much the better! If you have room to keep a very big dog, one that displays a good deal of common sense as well as affection, the Newfoundland might just be your ideal companion.
Newfoundland Dog Characteristics
General Appearance
According to the American Kennel Club breed standard:
- Body - This is a heavily built dog that is a bit longer than he is tall. He is heavy boned and has a broad chest, strong legs and large, webbed paws. Although he is large, his weight should be in balance with his frame size. The tail hangs downward.
- Size and Weight - Male Newfoundlands typically weigh between 130 and 150 pounds and stand approximately 28 inches tall. Females range between 100 and 120 pounds and stand about 26 inches tall.
- Head - The head is broad and appears massive, yet is still very much in proportion with the rest of the dog. The width and length of the muzzle are about equal. The crown of the skull is slightly arched. The bite is either scissors (top teeth close just in front of bottom teeth) or level (top and bottom teeth meet evenly at the edges). The jowls are moderately heavy and loose, which leads to some drooling. The triangle-shaped ears are relatively small. They are set nearly level with the dog's brows or just below them, and they hang down.
- Eyes - The eyes are wide-set and dark brown on black dogs, although they may be a lighter shade on dogs of lighter colors. The most important thing is that the eyes have a soft, sweet expression that conveys a sense of good-natured dignity.
- Coat - These dogs have a double coat that is water resistant. The outer coat is longer than the undercoat and is straight or may even have a slight wave to it. The undercoat is dense although it is naturally thinner during summer time. When you brush the fur against the direction it grows, it will flip back and lay flat again. There is feathering on the legs (fringe) and the tail is covered in long hair.
Colors
Newfoundlands are usually black or chocolate brown, but gray/blue varieties do exist, although they are very rare. There is also a black and white color combination referred to as Landseer. The base coat is white, and the head and saddle are black. There is also some black on the croup, which is the rump area in front of the base of the tail. There may also be some white on the muzzle and a blaze of white between the eyes, but not always.
Most kennel clubs consider the black-and-white Landseer to be a color variety of the Newfoundland. However, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), or in English, the World Canine Organization, considers the Landseer a separate breed. Regardless whether this is a different breed or simply a color variety of the Newfoundland, Landseers are generally less massive than Newfies and stand a little taller. They are said to drool less than their darker counterparts.
Personality and Temperament
Newfoundlands are known and loved for their gentle dispositions and their sweet, affectionate natures. What is simply amazing about this breed is that despite their enormous size, these dogs are extremely docile with creatures big and small. This makes them ideal family dogs. They are loyal companions to adults, kind playmates to children, and have a low tendency toward barking. Patience is another hallmark of this breed, and many people describe the Newfoundland as the perfect pet.
Newfies may be gentle, but they also have a courageous side when the situation calls for it. They are usually friendly to everyone they meet, but they can be quite protective of their families if they sense a threat to their safety.
These dogs also have a great love for the outdoors and especially the water. Their feet are webbed for a reason - they love to swim! In fact, these dogs have a strong instinct for water rescue.
Gait
Newfies move with an effortless, rhythmic gait. Their reach in the front and drive in the rear allows them to cover a lot of distance with a minimum of steps. Their legs usually move parallel, but they tend to single track when they move at greater speeds. Their skin naturally rolls back and forth a bit as they trot along.
| Quick Facts About the Newfoundland Dog | |
|---|---|
| Do they shed? | Newfies tend to shed a lot due to their thick, long double coat. |
| How big do they get? | Males can be 130 to 150 lbs and 28 inches tall and females can be 100 to 120 lbs and about 26 inches tall. |
| Are they good family dogs? | Newfies are gentle, sweet dogs who are very good with children. |
| How much is a purebred puppy? | A purebred Newfie puppy from a breeder will be about $800 to $1,500. |
| Do they bark a lot? | They are not known for being non-stop barkers, although they can bark if they are being protective or if they are bored. |
| Do they like to swim? | Newfies love the water and were bred to work and play in cold lakes and the ocean. |
| Are they friendly? | They are very friendly dogs although they can be protective of their families. |
| What is their life expectancy? | The typical lifespan of a Newfoundland is about 8 to 10 years. |
| Do they drool a lot? | Newfies are heavy droolers and are not a good choice if you don't like slobber. |
| At what age are they fully grown? | A Newfoundland is fully mature around two years of age. |
| Are they difficult to train? | Newfies are not hard to train and do best with positive reinforcement. They excel in training for therapy, weight pulling, water sports and search and rescue. |
Grooming
Practically all dogs shed. Newfoundlands just tend to shed a little more than some other dogs. That's because they have a lot of thick undercoat. During the spring and fall, Newfies shed this undercoat, a process referred to as "blowing coat." Extra grooming may be required during these times.
- Brushing - Newfoundlands have a thick double coat. It's best to brush the coat daily to keep it in good condition and to avoid uncomfortable and unsightly matted fur.
- Trimming - It is not necessary to trim your Newfoundland's fur, but if you feel you must trim, just trim the extra feathering on the legs and tail if you find it difficult to brush out tangles.
- Bathing - It's best to avoid shampooing these dogs because stripping out their natural coat oil reduce their coats' water-resistant quality. Brushing goes a long way toward keeping these dogs clean, and you can always use a dry shampoo product on more soiled areas.
- Nails - Trim as needed and take extra care not to cut into the quick. It may be easier to use a nail grinder to grind off the sharp tips rather than clip the nails since they are so strong and thick.
- Teeth - Brush the teeth several times a week and take your dog in for a professional cleaning once or twice a year as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Ears - It's important to keep an eye on the ears and watch for possible infections since drop ears typically have less air flow. Plan to clean your dog's ears once a week.
Exercise Requirements
No doubt about it, a Newfoundland is a big dog, and simply being that big takes a lot of energy. So, the fact that they love to lounge around the house is no surprise. That is why so many people who live in apartments argue that even though Newfies are huge, they can adapt happily to apartment life. However, that does not mean that Newfies do not need exercise, and if the activity has to do with water, the Newfie will love it all the more! These dogs are natural swimmers.
Even though these dogs love to relax, they should still go on daily walks to help keep them in good condition. About a 20-minutes walk per day should be sufficient, and then they should also have time to roam at will in the yard. Of course, they would also love a daily swim as long as you have a safe body of water for them to swim in.
Training
Along with their gentle ways, Newfies are also quite sensitive. So, training sessions must be calm and focused. Never raise your voice or scold your dog during these sessions or you won't get very far. These dogs respond well to positive reinforcement since they love to please their people, but you do need to establish yourself as the pack leader so they'll follow your lead.
In addition to training Newfs for drafting and water sports, they can also be trained as excellent search and rescue dogs or as therapy dogs.
Health Issues
The Newfoundland Club of America has put in great effort to identify and compile a comprehensive list of genetic disorders that affect this breed. From that list, here are the conditions the club strongly recommend all dogs be checked for before being used in a breeding program.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia - Abnormal development of these joints leads to painful deterioration.
- Heart disease - There are a number of heart problems associated with this breed which include, but are not limited to, patent ductus arteriosus, cardiomyopathy and subaortic stenosis.
- Cystinuria - This condition causes kidney stones and kidney failure.
- Eye problems - These include conditions like entropion and ectropion, cataracts and cherry eye.
- Thyroid disease - Hypothyroidism impairs the production of thyroid hormones this gland is supposed to secrete, which results in a lower metabolism.
- Patellar luxation - This condition allow the knee caps to slip out of place.
These dogs are also prone to bloat, and they do not do well in the heat. A comfortable Newf is a happy Newf, so you may need to crank up the air conditioner on those really hot days.
Life Expectancy
It's difficult to predict the lifespan of any breed, but giant dog breeds tend to live shorter lives than smaller dogs. These dogs live an average of eight to ten years.
Breed History
Origin
According to the history of the breed as recorded by the American Kennel Club, no one is exactly sure which breeds served as the foundation for the Newfoundland. There's speculation that the Great Pyrenees might have contributed some genetics to the Newfie, and there is indeed some similarity in appearance between these two giant breeds to lend that theory some credence. The one thing most breed experts agree on is that the Newf is most likely a descendent of dogs brought to the island of Newfoundland by European fisherman.
The breed developed as a working dog that was well-equipped to work on the land as well as in the water (as evidenced by those webbed feet). They could pull heavy carts or carry packs as easily as they helped fishermen drag in their nets and literally retrieve anything that wound up overboard. Along with these qualities, the Newfie also developed a rather heroic aptitude for water rescue, and these dogs have long been used to pull both children and adults out of the water to safety.
Official Recognition
In addition to the American Kennel Club, Newfs are recognized as an official breed by many clubs around the world, including:
Famous Newfies
If you enjoy breed trivia, here are a few famous, or at least historical, Newfs.
- Ch. Seaward's Blackbeard - Won Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club in 1984
- Ch. Darbydale's All Rise Pouch Cove - Won Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club in 2004
- Ch. Shelton Viking - Best Champion at Crufts dog show in 1908
- Luath - J.M. Barrie's Landseer; inspired the character "Nana" in his novel, Peter Pan.
- Robber and Russ - Both companions of composer Richard Wagner
- Brumus - Companion to Robert F. Kennedy
- Faithful - Companion of President Ulysses S. Grant
Newfoundland Dog Clubs
Here are a few of the most prominent Newfie clubs around the world. One of these clubs may be able to help you find an affiliate near your own region.
Books
If you're truly interested in this breed and you're considering bringing one into your home, it's a good idea to read everything you can about them. Here are a few books that can help you learn more.
- The Newfoundland, Gentle Giant by Jo Ann Riley
- Newfoundland (Comprehensive Owner's Guide) by Angela Barlowe
- Newfoundlands (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals) by Joanna Kosloff
Rescue Groups
Purebred puppies from a breeder prices can run from $800 upwards to $2,000 per dog. However, a rescue is an affordable option. No Newfie should ever go without a loving family of its own. Here are several rescue shelters that work to rehome dogs in need.
Is a Newfoundland the Right Breed for You?
The Newfoundland is an outstanding family dog if you have room enough to keep one. This dog's sweet disposition, reliable nature and keen intelligence have been highly-prized for hundreds of years. The breed is disposed to a number of inherited conditions, so it's important to learn as much about an individual dog's breeding line as you can in order to understand which problem(s) you may have to face in the future. Also make sure that any dog you're interested in has been vet checked and health screened. To find reputable breeders you can visit in order to meet these dogs in person, check the Newfoundland Club of America's breeder referral page.
