Mary Allen
Newfoundlands are big and strong and, above all, infinitely sweet. Find out all the important information about the dog breed from Canada here.
Something big, dark, and furry is coming panting towards you! The first thought that pops into your head is “Help, a BEAR!”. But the hairy something is not a dangerous predator, but rather the good-natured and cuddly Newfoundland dog.
Its size is impressive and its fur seems to grow without limit, but inside it slumbers an extremely gentle, relaxed, and peaceful dog that loves water, water, people, and more water than anything else.
Here you can find out everything about the appearance, the character, the right attitude, and the optimal care of Newfoundland.
How big is a Newfoundland dog?
One of the most striking characteristics of Newfoundland is clearly its size. Males can reach an average height at the withers of between 69 and 74 cm and females between 63 and 69 cm. While the breed doesn’t make the top 7 largest dog breeds in the world, it’s not far off.
How heavy is Newfoundland?
You can tell from his looks: Newfoundland is a real heavyweight or a huge mountain full of love. A full-grown male weighs an average of 68 kg. This makes the Fundi one of the heaviest dog breeds in the world. And bitches don’t have to be shy with their average weight of 54 kg. Lifting the adult dog into the car becomes quite a feat.
What does Newfoundland look like?
The comparison with a bear is not far-fetched, because the Newfoundland is always big and strong. The dog has a very muscular and athletic build, which is somewhat hidden under the thick fur.
The physique
At the latest, however, when the Newfoundland dog wants to cuddle on the couch with its master and mistress, you can feel the power of the dogs. It is striking that bitches are often smaller but longer than males. As a result, they do not appear as bulky as their male counterparts. The dogs have a large and broad head with an almost square muzzle and rather small lop ears.
The fur
The Newfoundland is also reminiscent of a (teddy) bear with its coat of fur: the fur is mostly smooth, sometimes in slight waves and the dogs have a very lush and soft undercoat.
A keen swimming bear, the Newfoundland has waterproof and water-repellent stick hair. This makes the care of the fur very expensive.
Dog coat colors permitted by the FCI in Germany are black, brown, or black and white. White markings on the chest, paws, and tip of the tail are acceptable on black and brown coats.
Incidentally, Newfoundland was crossed decades ago to upgrade the Hovawart breed. So the big, furry newbie has played his part in the current appearance of the Hovawart.
How old does Newfoundland get?
Unfortunately, Newfoundland is not the healthiest of the large dog breeds. Its life expectancy is considered to be lower than other large dog breeds and most dogs live to an average age of between 8 and 10 years. However, with good health and care, some Newfoundland dogs can live as long as 12 years old.
What character or nature does Newfoundland have?
The dog may have an intimidating appearance, but one look deep into the Newfoundland’s good-natured eyes is enough to discover its true nature.
The dogs are generally considered to be very friendly, peaceful, and gentle. They’re cuddly and affectionate, and most of the time they seem like no drama in the world can get in the way of their peace of mind. With appropriate socialization, Newfoundland is not considered aggressive or loud; it rather earns respect through its appearance.
The bond with his family is usually very close. The dog also gets along extremely well with children, not only because of its playfulness but also because of its patience and composure.
At the same time, Newfoundland dogs have a strong protective instinct towards their families. If real danger threatens – or the dog thinks so – he does not hesitate to face the supposed threat with body and life. Despite his gentle nature, you should always keep a watchful eye on situations in Newfoundland.
While the strong dogs prefer to lie on the couch with their family at home, they can get pretty boisterous outside. Puppies in particular have a strong play instinct and tendency to prank. And if a Newfoundland dog sees water, there are no longer any limits to his enthusiasm and joy in splashing around.
Where does the Newfoundland dog come from?
The official place of origin of the breed is the Canadian island of Newfoundland. As with many other dog breeds, the exact ancestors of Newfoundland can no longer be traced back today.
It is believed that the first European settlers brought various dog breeds, including the Molosser, to the island and then mixed them with the dogs of the indigenous inhabitants. Genetically, Newfoundland is considered a relative of the Labrador, the Irish Water Spaniel, and the Curly Coated Retriever.
Hardworking helpers at work
Because of their hardy, strong, and fondness of water, Newfoundlands were prized by local fishermen as hardworking workhorses. The dogs helped the fishermen haul in the nets, pull out the fishing boats, and haul heavy loads ashore. The breed benefited not only from their extremely dense fur in the water but also on land, as the dogs coped excellently with the sometimes harsh and cold climate conditions of Newfoundland.
However, the dogs leave a very special impression mainly because of their status as hairy rescue angels. The Newfoundland is considered a unique lifeguard dog, for whom rescuing drowning people is apparently anchored deep in the dog’s furry body as an instinct. Reports of Newfoundlands saving people from drowning have abounded since the 19th century. The breed was officially recognized for the first time in 1886.
Newfoundland Dogs: Proper Training and Keeping
The training in Newfoundland is easy to manage due to its attentive and peaceful character. He loves to learn and be kept busy and usually submits to his humans with ease. The prerequisite for this is that the puppy is consistent – but always lovingly – shown who is the boss in the family. Puppies in particular can be small, wild bullies who love to romp, play and chew shoes.
Despite its character and its rather easy upbringing, Newfoundland is not a beginner’s dog. Due to its size, it is not suitable for a city dog. He needs a large garden, plenty of exercises,s and, above all, a lot of water around him. Unlike other large dog breeds, Newfoundland is not necessarily an active athlete. Jogging or cycling are activities that are rather unhealthy for the dog due to its weight or even life-threatening in the heat. Dogs don’t tolerate long hikes that well either.
However, swimming, romping, and playing in the water are some of the funniest fun in the world for big water babies and should always be planned for when welcoming a Newfoundland dog into your family.
What care does the Newfoundland dog need?
As you can already guess, the Newfoundland dog’s luxuriant, dense coat also requires a correspondingly high level of care. This includes daily brushing to keep the hair from becoming matted.
For optimal care of the fur of these dogs, you should get a special brush. Also, be prepared to see a whole armada of dog hair floating through your home at the latest when she sheds her fur every six months because Newfoundland sheds like crazy. People who are fussy about cleanliness and order should certainly not bring a Newfoundland dog into their home for this reason alone – and because the dogs love to roll in the mud. Dogs that shed little are certainly the better alternative.
The right diet
As always, good care and health also include nutrition. Chewing bones are always good for cleaning teeth. Also, make sure your diet has a high protein content. So that the puppies have enough nutrients available for their growth, it is advisable for them to eat a diet rich in calcium.
What are the typical diseases of Newfoundland?
Unfortunately, due to their size and weight, Newfoundland dog often has to deal with various health issues. Breed-specific diseases include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cruciate ligament rupture.
Similar to other large dog breeds, Newfoundland also has an above-average incidence of bone cancer and dilated cardiomyopathy, damage to the heart muscle.
How much does a Newfoundland dog cost?
The Newfoundland is a popular family dog. Due to their susceptibility to certain diseases, however, breeding them with the necessary medical controls, examinations, and treatments is very expensive. The prices for puppies from reputable breeders are correspondingly high. Count on prices between 1,200 euros and 1,500 euros for puppies.
Be sure to refrain from dubious offers from the internet or from puppy dealers from abroad. Puppies from these breeders are mostly bred there under undignified and uncontrolled conditions. German breeding clubs such as the General German Club for Newfoundlanders e. V. or the German Newfoundland Club e. V. provide information about breeders and the correct husbandry, training, and care of bearded Newfoundland dogs.