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Newfoundland - Breed Introduction

The Newfoundland—or Newf—is a gentle giant among canines. The Newf is sweet, and devoted, ready to do whatever you want him to do. Protect your children. Pull carts with branches and firewood. Save drowning people. Compete in obedience and tracking trials.

A sweet, devoted companion, the Newf will protect children, haul leaves and firewood, save drowning people, and compete successfully in obedience and tracking trials.

The newf is a large dog. It is strong, elegant, harmonious, agile, and hardy. Average height is 28 inches (70 cm), but many are larger. Their average weight is between 120 to 150 pounds (54 to 68 kg).

History of the Breed

There are conflicting theories about the origin of the Newfoundland. There are those who claim the breed derives from Nordic dogs brought to Newfoundland in 1600. Others feel the breed has British origins and date its development from the year 1700 when the island of Newfoundland became a British possession.

According to this theory, the British brought Tibetan mastiffs to Newfoundland, and the Newfoundland dog was the result of a long period of breeding between these mastiffs and local dogs.

The third theory is that the Newfoundland is a close relative of the Labrador. This theory is based on the similarities between the two breeds and the fact that the costs of Newfoundland and Labrador are very close to each other. It is possible that the Labrador, which is an excellent swimmer, was able to swim the Strait of Belle Isle or cross on foot when the water was frozen.

One theory is the Vikings and Basque fishermen visited Newfoundland as early as 1000 AD and discovered the dogs working with their owners. But the dog we know today did develop in England. The island of Newfoundland registered the breed as extinct back in 1780.

After World War I, Siki was highly recognized as the best Newf show dog, and became the foundation stud for the breed that is of today. Most Newfs can trace their lineage back to Siki.

Other famous Newfs were Seaman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expeditions. And in the children’s book Peter Pan, Nana, the children’s nurse, was a Newfoundland.

The Newfoundland is an instinctive water rescue dog. Many owe their lives to members of the breed. In 1919 a gold medal was awarded to a Newfoundland that pulled to safety in a lifeboat some twenty shipwrecked people. It has been called the St. Bernard of the water.

Today, safer ships and improved communications have limited the dog’s professional activities, but its appeal has not diminished due to the fact that is considered a handsome, devoted, delightful companion.

Color and Coat

A bumper sticker sold by the Newfoundland Club of America reads, "No, I'm not a black St. Bernard!"

Actually, it is the St. Bernard that looks like a Newfoundland. And that stems from the almost extinction of the St. Bernards during an avalanche. The Monks who bred the St. Bearnads up in the Alps used the Newfoundland to build up the stock again. So now today’s St. Bernard look like the Newf.

The Newf has a flat, slightly wavy, long coat. It is coarse to the touch and a it oily. The undercoat is also oily, to keep water from reaching the skin. Dogs that liver outdoors tend to lose their undercoats.

Its drop ears also keep out water, and their very loose flews (droopy upper lips) allow him to breathe while carrying something as he swims. While most Newfs are black, brown and bronze are recessive, and accepted. Sometimes the black and brown combine with a recessive dilution gene to produce gray and cream-colored dogs. Splashes of white on the chest, toes, and tail are allowed.

There also is the Landseer which has a white base coat with black markings. The head is solid black, or black with white on the muzzle. There is a black saddle and black on the rump extending into a white tail.

Personality and Temperament

The newf is a dog with an outstanding temperament: god, courageous, generous. Intelligent, and humanlike. They show courage without ferocity. A patient dog, it is mild with guests and not obsequious with its master.

Show Characteristics

The Newf should be large, but it should still be balanced with a sound structure and correct gait. It is slightly longer than tall. Its substance should be determined by a good rib cage, strong muscular and heavy boned frame.

Its head is massive with a broad skull and well developed cheeks. The eyes are dark brown, small, spaced wide apart and deep-set. The ears are small and triangular set on top of the head near the brow. This gives the Newf its soft facial expression which speaks of intelligence, dignity and benevolence.

The Newf’s neck is strong and well set into the shoulders. A strong back, broad and muscular, is level from the withers to the croup. It’s deep chest gives it the power it needs to do the jobs the Newf likes to tackle. Its shoulders are muscular and well laid back. The forelegs are heavily boned, with the distance from the elbow to the ground equal to about half the dog’s height. Its hindquarters are powerful, muscular and headily boned.

Typical Health Concerns

The Newf is subject to several health conditions including hip dysphasia; the congenital heart defect known as subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) which is a narrowed, malformed aortic valve; cystinuria; eye problems including entropion and ectotropian; hypothyroidism; van Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder; and bloat.

Bloat is caused by your dog gulping down its meals too quickly, swallowing air which then distends, and twists the stomach. This is typically fatal. You can control bloat by feeding smaller, more numerous meals; raising the bowl off the ground; and not exercising your dog for a few hours after its meal.

Grooming

A Newfoundland requires a thorough brushing once a week. You can trim the feathers on the feet, ears and hocks to keep them neat and clean. Use a mild shampoo when bathing your Newf so it doesn’t strip out the natural oils it needs to keep it water resistant.

Average Life Span

The average life span for a Newf is 9 years.