Newfoundland Dog Breed Information And Interesting Facts

• Origin: Newfoundland, Canada
• Size: Large
• Dog Breed Group: Molossian (FCI)/ Working (AKC, KC)/ Guardian Group (UKC)
• Purebred: Yes
• Lifespan: 8-10 Years
• Height: Males 70 – 74 Cm(27 – 29 Inches), Females 70 – 91 Cm(64 – 27 Inches)
• Weight: Males 58 – 70 Kg(130-150 Lbs), Females 45 – 54 Kg (100-120 Lbs)
• Coat Appearance: Weatherproof Double Coat
• Coat Colors: Black, Black & White, Brown, Brown & White, Grey, Landseer, White & Black
• Temperament: Alert, Affectionate, Easygoing, Dedicated,  Devoted, Friendly, Intelligent, Loyal, Keen,  Protective, Responsive, Relaxed
• Good With Children: Yes
• Intelligence Level: High
• Good With Pets: Yes
• Hypoallergenic: No
• Grooming: High
• Shedding: High
• Barking: Barks When Necessary
• Suitable For Apartments: Yes
• Need For Exercise: High
• Easy To Train: Yes
• Good For First Time Owners: Yes
• Health Issues: Gastric Torsion, Elbow Dysplasia, Pulmonic Stenosis, Hip Dysplasia, Subvalvular, Aortic Stenosis
• Litter Size: 4-12 Puppies
• Average Price: $1000 – $2000 USD (USA), £1,100 For KC Registered, £950 For Non-KC Registered

Size

• Height – Males 70 – 74 cm(27 – 29 inches), Females 70 – 91 cm(64 – 27 inches)
• Weight – Males 58 – 70 kg(130-150 lbs), Females 45 – 54 kg (100-120 lbs)

How Long Do Newfoundlands Live?

The average Newfie life-span is about 8-10 years which is relatively modest particularly when compared to other large breeds.  Advances in husbandry and veterinary medicine as well as with proper care, the dogs can live up to 12 years.

Appearance

The Newfies are heavily boned, deep bodied, muscular and well-balanced dog.  They have a short muzzle, clean cut rather square in shape, with moderate Slope of the stop.

They have well-developed cheeks with small, of a dark brown color.  Their deeply set eyes not showing any haw.

Ears are small, triangular, set well back, square with the skull (or slightly above the brow), lie close to the head.

The neck of the male is thicker and more muscular than that of the female.   Their hindquarters are muscular and wide with powerful back legs.

They have large, well-shaped and webbed paws like ducks.

Coat Color 

• Black
• Black & White
• Brown
• Brown & White
• Grey
• Landseer
• White & Black

The dogs have a water-resistant double coat with a thick undercoat. It has a straight, moderately long, and full, either straight or wavy.

The close-lying, dense outer coat hair protects the dog from the long, cold winters.

Their back legs are slightly feathered whereas front legs are nicely feathered. The hair on the face and muzzle is short and fine. The tail is well-covered with long dense hair.

As a part of the working group, Newfies are famous for their docile nature and gentle disposition. They have incredible instincts and a great affinity for children.

Their heart is as big as their huge body but they would never harm a fly intentionally.

He is a renowned seaman’s dog, well-known for his strength and natural swimming ability.

With a water-resistant coat and naturally webbed paws, he became a famous water rescue dog. These dog breeds have immense courage and strength,

That lamp on your coffee table may be any time smashed down by his sweeping tail.

Your couch is not going to be used anymore gently. You better just allow one to the dog now and get a new one for yourself. But, beware it may be invaded anytime.

And your toes will be stepped on several times by 150 pounds of love machine.

Do you want a spotless, sparkling house? Don’t think about it. You will eventually have massive drooling and shedding machine taking over your house.

Did you want to locate your Newfie? Just follow the trail of water from the water bowl through the house!

It’s not done deliberately, it’s done out of pure love, but there’s nothing gentle about it.   The damage can be limited with proper training. You really can’t explain how to do it. They have to experience it on their own.

Which dog do you think is better than a Newfie? Another Newfie! Newfie fever can never go away. Sure, you will get another one. You will be ready to enjoy the two-fold work, two-fold fun, and two-fold love.

Caring your canine involves its exercise requirements and grooming needs. So, let’s take a look at the Newfoundland breed’s requirements.

Exercise needs

Newfoundland is a not so active breed. But, this doesn’t mean that it won’t like to do exercises. It requires exercise for at least an hour in a day.

The Newfoundland dog can walk up to 5 miles. So, take it for daily walking along with you to a moderate distance.

As it is an average player, you can let it play in the backyard covered with grass. But, ensure that it is playing in a fenced yard.

As this dog grows rapidly between 4 and 7 months of age, it is prone to bone disorders. So, it is wise to let it play on the hard surfaces (i.e. pavement) and pulling cart activities until its 2 years of age.

Newfoundland dog is an ideal swimmer, too. Swimming also helps it to prevent joint injuries. So, take it for swimming whenever you can.

Grooming needs

This breed is a heavy shedder, specifically during fall and spring seasons. It also has a water-resistant double coat with different textures.

Also, it gets dirty easily and you can expect its paws get muddy, leaves in its coat and even feces on the hindquarters. So, it is a good idea to take it to the professional groomer to meet its grooming needs.

Don’t forget that a Newfie is a dog first. Then comes the role – a nanny, a rescue dog, a lap dog or a companion dog.

Any dog can be a test to the trainer during his ‘teens’. With Newfies, the adolescence starts at six months and continue until the dog is about two years old.

Newfoundland dogs are easy with housebreaks. Train them in such a way that they can go only where you want them to go. Give them regular opportunities to eliminate outdoors. Obedience training needs to be consistent and reasonable.

Start your training when your dog is a puppy before bad habits have a chance to take hold.

Newfies learn fast and they are a wicked smart breed. They will zone out quickly if they’re asked to do the same thing over and over again. So if they get it, move on and don’t turn off them.

They do not like inconsiderate treatment and can easily wind up if they get yelled at or punished. Keep that in mind while training them. Discipline them at the right time and not when you’re frustrated or while training them.

Just like every person, every dog is different, so are Newfies.  Different personality necessitates different approaches to training.

Thumb rules for Newfie training

• Do Your Homework
• Stay Positive and be consistent
• Break Down Your Training Sessions
• Train Everywhere You Can
• Don’t Stop Your Newfoundland Dog Training…ever

Calorie considerations

Typical, healthy Newfies should be fed about 20-30 calories worth of food per pound of body weight.

The average adult Newfie (weighing 150 lbs) should get anywhere from 3500 calories per day.

A young Newfie weighing around 100 pounds may require at least 2000 calories per day.

For Newfies with a more sedentary lifestyle and for older Newfies, they may need fewer calories -2500-3000 calories

Foods For Your Newfoundland Dog

• Rice (Brown or White)
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Peanut butter
• Apples
• Eggs
• Spinach leaves
• Bananas
• Sweet potatoes
• Cheese
• Fish
• Whole Meat (cooked) like chicken, beef and lamb

“Do not Eat” Foods

• Onion
• Dairy foods
• Almonds
• Garlic
• Alcohol
• Grapes and Raisins
• Chocolates
• Caffeinated items like coffee
• Foods without additives

• Coat Density – Dense
• Coat Length – Long
• Coat Texture – Wavy
• Brushing Frequency – Daily
• Trimming/Stripping – No
• Hypoallergenic – No
• Shedding – High

They are one of the heaviest shedders of all dog breeds. They have a thick water-resistant and dense double coat. So, they are of high maintenance in the grooming front.

Like most dogs, they also blow their coat more during the spring and in autumn. Frequent brushing will keep their coats and skin in good condition. It will also help in keeping the shed hair under control.

Their coats are oily which means they are tremendously water resistant. The coat dries very quickly when a Newfie gets wet or has been swimming, which these large dogs love to do.

You need to brush the coat every day to prevent any Matts or tangles from forming. Clean the ears to prevent infections.

Newfoundland Dog Grooming Planner

• Start with the nail trimming on the 1st of every month
• Trim the paws first of every second week. All the paws
• Trim the ears every fortnight -15th of the month
• Clean the ears every 2 weeks. Use EarthBath ear wipes. One of these days will coincide with ear trim day. Do that both.
• Week 1 – brush week -use a slicker brush.
• Week 2 – comb week.
• 3rd Week – rake week- use the rake
• Dry blow once in a month –preferably in week 4

Depending on your preferences and time, you can also include other things such as game day, adventure day, park day, photo shoots, vitamin shots, and vet appointments.

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Major concerns

• Gastric Torsion
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Pulmonic Stenosis
• Hip Dysplasia
• Subvalvular
• Aortic Stenosis

Minor concerns

• Entropion
• Cataract
• Osteochondritis
• Dissecans

Its a big question – How such a courageous and gutsy dog came to know as a nanny dog?

It happened after Senator and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy’s Newfie who was the first to garner the moniker. The Newfie, named Brumus, is famous for the nanny role he took during the rearing of Kennedy’s 11 kids!

Lord Byron has constructed a monument dedicated to his Newfoundland dog, Boatswain. The poet mentioned this in his epitaph ‘firmest friend’. The memorial is in his family estate at Newstead Abbey. It is a popular attraction for tourists who are surprised at the fact that the dog’s tomb outsized that of his master.

Byron enjoyed pitching himself in water just to check if Boatswain would come to his rescue. The dog never disappointed the poet.

Do you know that the famous 8,000-mile long trek of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in 1802?  They explored the Missouri River over a period of 2 years, 4 months and 10 days. It was a Newfoundland dog that aided their exploration.

An unnamed Newfie is credited for saving Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815. When he escaped from exile on the island of Elba, rough seas knocked Napoleon overboard. Luckily, a fisherman’s dog leaped into the sea and kept Napoleon afloat long enough for sailors to turn the boat and come to his rescue.

History is replete with heroics of these dogs and they have saved thousands of lives, to say the least. Even now, they rescue people from drowning every day.

Italian coast guard statistics reveal that almost 300 of these canines are on duty across Italy’s beaches. They are responsible for saving around 3,000 people each year. That piece of statistic is from Italy alone.

Newfoundland Dog Price

Average: $1000 – $2000 USD (USA), £1,100 for KC Registered, £950 for Non-KC Registered

Newfoundland Dog Breeders

Top Newfoundland dog Breeders of 2018

1. Mooncusser Newfoundlands Orleans, Massachusetts
2. Gentle Giant Newfoundlands Belleville, Kansas
3. Moonribbon Newfoundlands Callicoon, New York
4. Bear-Acres Newfoundlands and Bernese Mountain Dogs Bedford, Kentucky
5. Precious Thoughts Family Farm Hillsboro, Kansas
6. Sugar Bear Newfs Henryville, Indiana
7. Happyvalley Newfoundlands Nampa, Idaho

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