Mary Allen
As the name suggests, Newfoundland comes from the Canadian Atlantic island of Newfoundland.
It probably originated from a cross between local dogs and the big, black bear dog, which the Vikings brought there. Its original roots are not so well defined to this day. It is believed that his ancestors were various European dog breeds brought to the island by fishermen, as well as the island dogs of the Indians living there. Perhaps the polar dog of the Inuit has crossed in as well.
In the 18th century, Captain Cartwright spoke of Newfoundland for the first time. As a result, this dog breed was then recognized as a separate breed in the 19th century.
Newfoundland – Its Uses
The Newfoundland has been a working dog. Its use in the 17th century was as a load puller and water dog. It was mainly used by fishermen to get their nets out of the water. The dense, water-repellent fur with the thick undercoat is perfect for swimming. The Europeans took him with them as a draft animal.
You can still use your physical strength to pull a sled, for example. Its fetching skills have often been used, for example, to haul in fishing nets or as a rescue dog and lifeguard.
In the 19th century, the English upper class in particular discovered this dog as a rescue dog. The legendary stories told about this dog breed made the Newfoundland dog a fashion and luxury dog.
What Does the Newfoundland Look Like?
The Newfoundland looks like a big, cozy cuddly bear. The male is up to 71 cm high and the female is up to 66 cm. Newfoundlands weigh up to 70 kg.
The body is strong and solidly built, but it doesn’t appear clumsy. The small triangular ears and the dark eyes – somehow he always has a somewhat melancholy expression on his face.
Coat, Colors & Care
The dense fur is relatively long. The topcoat is dense, long, and strong with a soft and water-repellent undercoat. That thick, soft undercoat really makes him appear bearish. The fur needs a lot of care, otherwise felt knots form easily. There are good brushes for proper grooming.
According to the breed standard, it comes in three colors, namely black (a slightly reddish tinge is possible), brown (from chocolate brown to bronze), and black and white (similar to the Landseer). Sometimes badges can also appear.
Nature, Temperament
It’s a real family dog. His nature is very good-natured and friendly. He is very loyal, enterprising, peaceful, good-natured, and very capable of learning.
Although Newfoundland dog is very active outside, they are very comfortable indoors. You can almost see it like that – it is thinking, is it worth getting up or barking or not?
It puts up with a lot of children and if it gets too much for him, he just gets up and goes somewhere else. The same goes for the Labrador, which by the way is descended from him.
Its size and bearish appearance earn him the respect of the people – that alone is enough to protect his family. It is definitely not aggressive in any way – neither towards people nor towards other animals.
You can still use your physical strength to pull a sled, for example – which was done for a long time.
Upbringing
On the whole, dogs of this breed are very easy to train, because their positive qualities outweigh them. You enjoy working with people and consequently want to do everything right.
A Newfoundland dog is very active outside – above all, they love to swim and also dive. Dogs also need work and this can be used in training.
Posture & Outlet
However, Newfoundland should not be taken as an apartment dog, as it needs a lot of space due to its size. A house with a large garden is ideal for keeping them.
Newfoundland loves long walks and a swim in cool water. If you choose this breed of dog, then you must always be prepared for it – it will jump in at a stream or river or quarry pond and then happily frolic around in the water.
It likes to be in the fresh air, rain, wind, and sun don’t bother him, but the sun shouldn’t be too strong. A shady spot in summer should always be available. On the beach, it likes to be buried in the cool, damp sand.
Breed Diseases
If you buy a Newfoundland dog from a breeder, look for proof of HD freedom. Because HD (hip dysplasia) is, unfortunately, one of the possible bone diseases of large dogs. However, it is above all a hereditary disease and is avoided by responsible breeders through prevention and selection.
Life Expectancy
Like most heavy and large dog breeds, this breed’s dogs don’t get very old. On average, Newfoundland dogs reach an age of 8 to 10 years.
We wish you a lot of fun with your bear!