IS THE Newfoundland dog RIGHT FOR YOU?
- 1Newfoundland dogs are an amazing breed, as comfortable in the water as out.
- 2Newfoundland puppies are intelligent and ready to show off.
- 3As a Newfoundland grows they develop a thick coat making them ideal for cold climates.
HISTORY
Believed to be a relative of the more popular Labrador Retriever, Newfoundlands have been around for hundreds of years. Possibly a descendant of the Viking Bear Dog, maybe coming from the Tibetan Mastiffs brought over to Canada, the genealogy of the Newfoundland is still shrouded in mystery. We know that they were used for water rescue and the retrieval of anything that fell overboard. They were also used for cart pulling and lumber hauling, being such massive pieces of dog.
Quick Facts
Size
Extra Large
Lifespan
10 years
Hair Length
Medium
Male Height
27-29 inches (69-74cm)
Male Weight
130-150 pounds (59-68 kg)
Female Height
25-27 inches (63-69cm)
Female Weight
100-120 pounds (45-54kg)
Litter Size
8-10 puppies
Personality
Newfoundlands are well known for their tender disposition. They are certainly massive dogs, but they counterbalance their size with the calmness and patience that makes them in no way threatening to be around. They are quite sociable, and have a tendency to be very friendly with strangers. They are also quite intelligent, but not always easy to train, as they can lose their focus. Also, being as large as they are, it is best to train them early so as to cut down on pulling on the leash. .
Color
Newfoundlands can be black, brown, gray and black, or white (Landseer).
Health Concerns
The major diseases that affect the Newfoundland breed are:
- hip dysplasia
- subvalvular aortic stenosis
- cystinuria
- elbow dysplasia
Appearance
The Newfoundland is a gigantic dog. They have a huge, broad head with a short, wide, squared-off muzzle. Being water dogs, they have webbed feet and a coat that is water-repellant, with flat, oily fur. They have muscular legs and a strong neck and back. They also have small, triangular ears, and little dark eyes.