Breed Standards

Newfoundland Overview

The Newfoundland is a sweet and gentle giant known for its love of children and its heroic nature. This breed gained recognition through the fictional character Nana, the Darling family’s nanny dog in J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. While the portrayal of Nana as a constant babysitter may stretch reality, the Newfoundland’s affectionate and protective nature towards children is accurate. Originating from Newfoundland, Canada, the same birthplace as the Labrador Retriever, Newfoundlands share many characteristics with their popular cousin. They are eager to please, intelligent, hardworking, friendly, adaptable, and versatile. Weighing around 100 pounds, Newfoundlands are considered a giant breed and require daily exercise to stay in shape. One thing to note is that Newfoundlands are not the best choice for dog owners concerned with cleanliness, as their long, heavy coats attract dirt and debris. Regular grooming is necessary to minimize the mess. Additionally, they are known to drool—a lot. However, their trainability is exceptional, and they are quick learners. Early training is recommended due to their rapid growth and potential difficulty in managing a 100-pound dog. Fortunatey, they are not too energetic and often prefer lounging on the couch. Newfoundlands have a natural affinity for water and possess a strong swimming ability. This inherent trait has led to numerous accounts of these dogs rescuing people from cold waters, such as during shipwrecks or saving children from icy depths. Their bravery and heroism are well-documented. Whether as a working dog or a loyal companion, the Newfoundland will undoubtedly capture your heart. Their innate qualities, combined with their size and strength, make them a remarkable breed worth admiring and cherishing.

Newfoundland Highlights

The Newfoundland is a large dog that requires space and would be happier in a roomier environment rather than a small apartment. While they have a mellow demeanor, they still need regular exercise and mental stimulation. Engaging in training and dog sports can be an ideal way to channel their working abilities.

If you’re not fond of dog slobber, the Newfoundland may not be the best choice for you. This breed is known for drooling excessively.

Maintaining the Newfoundland’s thick coat in good condition necessitates regular grooming. You can choose to groom them yourself, although it can be time-consuming, or opt for a professional groomer, which may incur additional costs.

The Newfoundland thrives in cooler climates, although they can adapt to warmer climates as well. To protect them from heat stroke, it’s important to ensure they have access to air conditioning or fans during hot weather.

Avoid purchasing puppies from irresponsible breeders, puppy mills, or pet stores. Instead, consider adopting from a shelter, rescue group, or reputable breeder who conducts genetic testing on their breeding dogs to ensure they are free from hereditary diseases and possess stable temperaments.

Newfoundland History

The Newfoundland breed hails from the eponymous Canadian province and has a historical association with the local fishermen. While the exact origins of the Newfoundland are unclear, several theories have been proposed. One theory suggests that the breed is a result of crossbreeding between the Tibetan Mastiff and the now-extinct American Black Wolf. Another theory suggests that Vikings left their dogs behind during their exploration of the New World in the year 1000 A.D., and these dogs interbred with native wolves in Eastern Canada. A third theory proposes that the Newfoundland is the product of crossbreeding between various European breeds, such as the Pyrenean Sheep Dogs, Mastiffs, and Portuguese Water Dogs, during the 15th and 16th centuries. However, these theories are difficult to validate, as is often the case with breed origins.

What is known is that in the late 18th century, English botanist Sir Joseph Banks acquired several Newfoundlands, and it was in 1775 that George Cartwright named them. The breed’s existence faced a threat until the late 1800s when Professor Albert Heim of Switzerland identified and described the Newfoundland, contributing to its preservation. In the 1780s, the breed faced near extinction due to government-imposed restrictions that mandated Canadian families to pay taxes on the one dog they were allowed to keep.

Sir Edwin Landseer, an artist known for including Newfoundlands in his paintings, played a role in the breed’s resurgence. The Landseer variety of the Newfoundland, characterized by its white and black coat, was named in his honor. The breed’s future was further solidified when the Honorable Harold MacPherson, governor of Newfoundland, chose the Newfoundland as his preferred breed.

In 1860, the first Newfoundland was exhibited in England. The breed was officially registered with the American Kennel Club in 1879, and by 1883, the first American Newfoundland champion had earned its title.

Newfoundland Size

Physically, Newfoundland dogs are impressive in size and stature. Males can reach a height of 28 inches (71 cm) at the shoulder and weigh up to 150 pounds (68 kg), while females are slightly smaller. Their strong, muscular bodies are covered in a dense, water-resistant double coat that comes in various colors, including black, brown, gray, and Landseer (black and white).

Newfoundland Personality

The Newfoundland possesses a sweet and lovable disposition, reminiscent of a big, cuddly Teddy Bear. This breed is known for its affection towards children, high intelligence, and a strong desire to please its family. They thrive when in the company of their loved ones and should not be left alone for extended periods or isolated in the backyard or kennel.

Similar to all dogs, early socialization is crucial for Newfoundlands. Exposing them to various people, environments, sounds, and experiences from a young age helps shape them into well-rounded and confident dogs. Enrolling a Newfoundland puppy in a puppy kindergarten class is an excellent way to kickstart their socialization journey. Regularly inviting visitors, taking them to bustling parks, dog-friendly stores, and leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also aid in honing their social skills.

Newfoundland Care

The Newfoundland is a relatively calm breed but still requires regular physical activity. While not built for long-distance running, they excel at swimming. When raising a Newfoundland puppy, it is important to take special care. Like other giant breeds, Newfoundlands experience rapid growth between four and seven months of age, which makes them susceptible to bone disorders. Additionally, due to their large size, Newfoundlands age more quickly than smaller dogs.

To protect their growing joints, it is advisable to avoid having a Newfoundland puppy run and play on hard surfaces like pavement or engage in activities such as cart pulling until they are at least two years old and their joints are fully developed. Normal play on grass is generally safe, as well as participating in puppy agility with one-inch jumps. Swimming is an excellent exercise option for Newfoundland puppies as it helps build their muscles without risking joint injuries.

Training should commence as soon as you bring your Newfoundland puppy home. They are generally eager to please, making training relatively easy. Leash training is particularly important for Newfoundlands, especially considering that they will reach over 100 pounds when fully grown. Enrolling them in puppy kindergarten and obedience classes is highly recommended to provide structured training and socialization opportunities.

Newfoundland Children And Other Pets

The Newfoundland is a gentle giant known for its high tolerance of children, making it an ideal family companion. However, due to its size and abundance of soft fur, it can unintentionally knock over toddlers or small children. To ensure safety, it is crucial to teach children how to approach and interact with dogs properly. Supervision is necessary during interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any potentially harmful behavior such as biting or pulling on ears or tail. Children should be educated not to approach dogs while they are eating or sleeping, and never attempt to take away their food. Regardless of a dog’s friendliness, no dog should be left unsupervised with a child.

The Newfoundland breed generally demonstrates an easygoing and friendly nature towards other pets, including cats and small mammals. However, proper socialization and training are important factors in fostering harmonious relationships between the Newfoundland and other animals in the household.

Newfoundland Coat Color And Grooming

The Newfoundland possesses a flat, water-resistant double coat, consisting of a coarse and long outer coat and a soft and dense undercoat. Shedding is moderate, with the heaviest shedding occurring in the spring and fall seasons. The breed showcases various coat colors, including solid black, brown, gray, or Landseer (white with black markings). Proper coat maintenance involves brushing two to three times a week, while bathing should be done every one to two months. Due to the challenging grooming task, many owners prefer professional groomers, although regular brushing is still necessary.

Newfoundlands, like other fluffy-coated dogs, tend to get dirty easily. Expect muddy paws, entangled leaves or burrs, and feces on the hindquarters. Nail trimming should be done monthly to prevent painful tears and other issues. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, seek assistance from a vet or groomer to avoid cutting the nail quick and causing bleeding.

Weekly ear checks are essential to identify redness, odor, or signs of infection. Use a gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner on a cotton ball to clean the outer ear, without inserting anything into the ear canal. Start acclimating your Newfoundland to brushing and examination from a young age. Regularly handle their paws and inspect their mouth, making the experience positive with praise and rewards. This sets the foundation for easy veterinary exams and handling in adulthood. While grooming, be attentive for sores, rashes, redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, nose, mouth, eyes, and feet. Clear eyes with no redness or discharge indicate good health. Conducting a thorough weekly examination aids in early detection of potential health concerns.