Breed Profile: Newfoundland

When I was very little (probably about 5 or 6 years old), my parents bought a purebred Newfoundland and I can remember very clearly the day we went to pick him up. My parents had an old Bronco and the Newfie they bought was a couple years old. When we pulled up to the house and saw the huge black dog standing in the front yard, my little sister (she was about 1 or 2 at the time) and I started screaming. We were absolutely terrified of him. We cried the whole way back home with Shadow (that's what we decided on calling him) sitting calmly in the back.

As time went by, my sister and I came to love Shadow and I can say hands down he was the sweetest dog I have ever owned. People are put off by their size, but Newfoundlands are gentle giants of the dog world. Today, it is my pleasure to talk about Newfoundlands and give you general information about the breed. Enjoy!!

Physical Description of the Newfoundland:

Height: 26-28 inches

Weight: 115-150

Life Expectancy: Anywhere from 9-15 years - the average is approx. 10 years

To say that Newfoundlands are big is an understatement. This breed is huge! They are incredibly strong and they were originally bred to retrieve anything lost in the water. They originated off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada and were used to haul in fishing nets, rescuing shipwrecked and drowning victims. They are a great breed still used today for water rescue.

The coat is most often black, but markings of white are common. Their feet are webbed - an adaptation for better swimming, and their coat is water repellent.

Personality of the Newfoundland:

This breed is incredibly laid back with people. They can be incredibly protective, but rather than be aggressive, this breed will place himself in between the intruder and family. Aggression is not common at all in this breed, and Newfoundlands are incredibly patient with children. Newfies are very sensitive to the tone of your voice, so training must be done in a calm, soothing manner. They get along well with other animals and they are considered a very social breed.

Exercising Your Newfoundland:

Newfies should be taken on a daily walk to keep them healthy. The rest of the day, they are quite content to laze around the house.

Living Requirements for Your Newfoundland:

Newfoundlands have a preference for cooler climates due to their thick coat. They need to have plenty of shade and water available on warm days. I do not recommend keeping this breed in an apartment. They do not require a huge yard, and they are relatively inactive indoors, but an apartment just does not seem like a logical choice for this breed.

Common Health Issues of Newfoundlands:

Due to their weight, this breed is prone to hip dysplasia. Walking your Newfoundland daily will help keep him in shape. If your Newfie becomes overweight, his risk of developing hip dysplasia greatly increases. A condition known as SAS (sub-aortic stenosis) is common in Newfoundlands and puppies should be checked for this condition before purchase.