Dog Breed Information: Newfoundland

General Appearance
The Newfoundland is a very large, powerful breed of dog. Dignified in bearing and gentle in temperament, the Newfoundland ranges in average height of 28" for dogs; 26" for bitches, and in weight between 130-150 lbs for dogs; 110-120 for bitches. Smaller or larger specimens are not outside the realm of possibility.

A noble breed, the Newfoundland carries itself with the impression of effortless power. The Newfoundland is a working breed, and the ideal specimen is capable of impressive feats of strength. However, the most important feature of the Newf is its sweetness of temperament. This single characteristic makes the Newfie a wonderful companion and family dog.

Bred for the cold waters off the coast of Newfoundland, the Newfie possesses a thick, flat water-repellant coat that can make them appear much larger than they actually are. Their toes are fully webbed, enabling them to swim efficiently. The Newfie does not dog paddle, but swims in a purposeful motion, moving each leg in an outward stroke. Their deep chest encases a heart and lungs that give the dog the stamina it needs to perform the duties for which it was bred. The walking gait of the Newfoundland is unusual, as well. When it moves, its body undulates from side to side, giving the appearance of swaying as it walks.

Newfoundlands come in a variety of coat colors:
• Black, sometimes with white on the chest, chin, toes, or tip of tail
• Landseer (white with large black areas on the head, back and tail)
• Brown (also called bronze)
• Gray (also called silver or pewter)

Variations occur, such as black with large white areas on the chest, belly and feet (referred to as Irish Spotted). Acceptable colors within the breed standard vary by country. For example, the Newfoundland Club of America accepts all color variations noted above. The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes only the black and Landseer colors. And, some countries recognize the Landseer as a separate breed.

The Newfoundland is a giant breed, and generally have shorter life spans than smaller breeds of dog. Newfies live to between 8-10 years, although with recent improvements in veterinary science and nutrition, it is not unheard of for Newfs to live to 13 years or more.

History
The breed was developed in the Newfoundland province of Canada, where the dog gets its name. It was bred for the purpose of assisting fishermen of the area with tasks, such as pulling in nets, carting the catch to market, and most famously, to rescue drowning people from the water. However, the history of its origins is steeped in obscurity. Some believe that the Newfie's ancestor first came to the province by way of the Vikings more than a thousand years ago. More likely, the Newfoundland's main ancestor was an indigenous breed in the area, the St. John's dog (now extinct), and crossbred with other breeds, including mastiff-type dogs for their large size and Portuguese water retriever dogs, to create the Newfoundland dog of today. Some say that the Newfoundland (more likely, the progenitor of the breed) is the ancestor of all American retrievers, including the Labrador, Chesapeake Bay, curly-coated, flat-coated and the golden retriever, although that too, is largely speculative.

The Saint Bernard reportedly owes its continued existence to the Newfoundland. In the 1860s, distemper nearly wiped out the dogs at the Saint Bernard hospice in Switzerland. The monks of the hospice imported Newfoundlands for crossbreeding, thereby saving the dogs made famous for the area in which they performed heroic rescues. The Newfie itself nearly became extinct around the end of World War I, and then World War II, mostly due to wartime deprivations. It is rumored that dedicated fanciers saved the breed by smuggling the dogs away from war-affected areas.

Newfies have been noted nearly everywhere in human history since the breed's development. Newfies resided at the White House as the first dog for Presidents Grant, Hayes and Buchanan and Robert Kennedy, brother of John F. Kennedy, owned a Newf named Brumus. A Newfoundland was credited to have rescued Napoleon Bonaparte after he fell from the ship in choppy seas during his famous escape from exile in 1815.

Other Notable Newfies include:
• Seaman - accompanied Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition of the Pacific Northwest.
• Gander - a Canadian war hero remembered for saving the lives of several soldiers during WWII.
• Boatswain - pet of English poet Lord Byron and whose poem 'Epitaph of a Dog' is carved on the beloved dog's tomb.
• Josh - winner of the Westminster Kennel club dog show in 2004.
• Nana - pet dog in J.M. Barrie's story, Peter Pan

Temperament
Affectionate and loyal, Newfies want to be with their people. These dogs thrive when they are in the home and among the activity, even if they're just snoozing on the floor.
Newfies are on average easily trainable, but they can have a stubborn streak. Work with this trait rather than against it. Positive reinforcement methods are recommended, as they can be sensitive to harsh handling.

Newfoundlands are affable dogs, and most adore attention from friends and strangers alike. It seems to be the Newfie creed to love everyone they meet. The quintessential nanny dog, Newfoundlands love children. Some will even pull their owner in the direction of a nearby child. However, their large size demands that they be monitored with children. A Newfie may accidentally bump a toddler or small child, and young Newfies can get rambunctious. Easy going and friendly, Newfies take play very seriously. However, a romp in the living room is bound to set the windows rattling, so take care to secure breakable items and move furniture away if possible. Play outside is preferred.

Newfies are family dogs, but may have a favorite human. In the case of one-person homes, the Newfie's loyalty might make it difficult to rehome, if it becomes necessary. Newfies have been known to suffer from depression at the loss of a person or home.

Although Newfies are big and intimidating-looking, they are not protection dogs. A Newfie will prefer to stand between their person and the threat, rather than attack. The Newfoundland is not a constant barker. When it does bark, it has something to say. However, its loud and deep bark may startle some unsuspecting folks.

Exercise
Newfies are low-energy dogs, with most of them snoozing on the floor much of the day. However, that lazy exterior disappears quickly when offered a favorite activity. As large as they are, Newfies do not need large amounts of exercise. Keep your Newfie on the light side, however. Overweight Newfies are prone to musculoskeletal ailments, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. The right amount of exercise will keep your Newfie trim and fit. Newfs love the water, so use this trait, if possible.

Environment
The Newfie is a somewhat adaptable breed, able to adjust to nearly any living environment, from farms to apartments. Keep your Newfie out of extreme weather and he or she will do well, as long as they are with their people.

Developed in Canada, the Newfoundland is a cold weather dog. However, they can adapt fairly well to moderate climates, as long as they have plenty of shade and water to drink on warm days. However, in extreme heat, Newfies should be in a cool, shaded area to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Grooming
The Newfoundland's beautiful double coat is medium length, with a fluffy, soft undercoat and a coarser outer coat. The coat is mostly flat and straight, but can sometimes have a wavy quality. That beautiful coat needs regular brushing. Brushing helps detangle the coat, get rid of dead undercoat and distribute the oils in the coat, helping to avoid hot spots. The Newfoundland sheds twice a year in spring and fall, so make sure you have a vacuum that will handle the stresses of daily vacuuming during these times. Brush at least 3 times per week during non-shedding times and at least every other day during shedding season.

Newfies drool. There is no such thing as a dry-mouth Newfie, no matter what is on the Internet. Some drool more than others, so keep a few towels around the house and be ready to do occasional wall cleaning.

Health Issues
The Newf is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, so keep them lean to avoid stressing the joints. They also are prone to Subaortic Stenosis (SAS), cataracts, Cystinuria and Addison's Disease, among other disorders. Puppy buyers should check to see if the breeder has done appropriate health checks.