Back to Breeds Listing

Newfoundland

Newfoundland
History:

Country/Date of Origin: Canada/1700s

Developed in the Newfoundland province of Canada, this dog looks the part of a rugged northland worker. On land it pulled sleds and carried packs. At the shore it helped fishermen haul in nets and carried objects from ship to shore. In dire times, it carried rescue lines to shipwreck victims. The breed is both tireless and fearless; the stuff heroes are made of. Much of the refinement of the breed took place in England where it was enormously popular in the 19th Century. This admirable companion has been shown in the United States since dog shows began.

 Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns

Back to Top

None

AKC Group: Working

Breed Club: Newfoundland Club of America

Rescue Club: Newfoundland Rescue

Back to Top

Body Type:

  • A large, powerful dog that has a massive head and webbed feet
  • Height: 26-28 inches (at shoulder)
  • Weight: 110-150 pounds. Many Newfoundlands reach close to the 200 pound mark, however
  • The tail is long, bushy and carried low. It is not altered
  • The ears are small and hang close to the head. They are never altered
  • Feet are webbed to assist in swimming

Personality:

  • A lovable bear. A Newfoundland named Nana, owned by James
  • Barrie, was the model for the nursemaid dog in his Peter Pan story
  • Newfoundlands love children of all ages
  • Moderately intelligent with a strong desire to please

Coat:

  • The heavy double coat is flat, coarse and dense
  • Its oily nature makes it highly water-resistant
  • In the US three solid colors are permitted: black, bronze and blue. Only one parti-color pattern is allowed. It is called Landseer and consists of a white body with cleanly delineated black patches. The head should be black with or without a white blaze. It is difficult to find a properly marked Landseer.
  • Needs regular brushing
  • Seasonal shedding is considerable; there are a lot of square inches of dog here

Health Concerns:

  • Prone to hip dysplasia
  • Possible allergic skin disease
  • Subject to congenital heart defects
  • Possible arthritis
  • Can suffer from epilepsy
Back to Top
Tasty Tidbits:
  • Short lived
  • Wow, can this dog drool! Owners tend to carry bibs and wiping towels around with them
  • For a family with a country way of life, this is an ideal pet
  • A Newfie was chosen to accompany Lewis and Clark on their historic cross country expedition