The Newfoundland, also known as the Newfie, the Gentle Giant or the Blackbear is a powerhouse of a dog. It is generally accepted as probably the strongest of any breed, including Irish Wolfhounds, Mastiffs and Great Danes. They were originally bred to work alongside fishermen in Newfoundland, Canada, and are noted for their huge size, sweet, even temperament and loyalty to their owner. Newfoundlands have webbed feet, a water resistant double coat and are excellent swimmers; rather than ‘doggy paddle’, they move their legs in a style more akin to a breaststroke. Newfoundlands are celebrated for their water rescue abilities.

Typical Newfoundland

Height: 27 – 30 inches
Weight: 132 – 176 lb
Average Litter Size: 4 – 12 puppies
Life Expectancy: 8 – 13 years
Good With Children: Yes
Kennel Club Classification: Working Dog

Colour of an Newfoundland

The most common colours for a Newfoundland are black, black with white markings, black with blue highlights, brown and grey. White dogs with black markings are know as Landseers, and are considered as Newfoundlands in the UK and America. However, in Europe Landseers have longer legs and less muscle mass, and so compete separately in dog shows.

Grooming a Newfoundland

Newfoundlands have a double coat; the outer coat is thick and coarse, whilst the undercoat is dense, oily and soft. Your Newfoundland will require daily or weekly brushing with a hard brush and its undercoat will usually shed in the spring and autumn. Extra care with grooming is required at these times. Newfoundlands that live indoors tend to lose their undercoats. It is best to avoid bathing unless it is absolutely necessary, as the natural oils in the coat will be stripped away. Instead of bathing, dry shampoo occasionally.

Newfoundland Common Ailments/Health Issues

Newfoundlands can be susceptible to hip or elbow dysplasia, which is a malformed hip joint. However, lots of breeds are prone to this, especially larger ones. Some Newfoundlands may have hereditary cystinura, or bladder stones, and a smaller proportion may have (more…)