In this Dog Breed Corner, we meet the consummate fishing dog: the Newfoundland. Join us as we learn about the Newfie’s personality quirks, history, trainability, and more! And if you need the right meal choice for your Newfoundland, try Mad Paws Dinner Bowl’s tailored dog meal plans!
Quick Facts ✔
Height – 65 – 75cm
Weight – Up to 65kg for females; up to 80kg for males
Lifespan – 8 – 10 years
Country of origin – Canada
Breed type – Working Group
- Families with children
- Homes without small animals
- Households with pets
Newfoundland Breed History ♜
One of only a handful of uniquely Canadian dog breeds, the Newfoundland’s history is full of hard work, salty seas, and even British Romantic poetry. Let’s take this water dog’s lead and dive in!
Much like the Labrador, the Newfoundland dog was named after the region where they were first developed. But, it’s possible that this doggo was around much earlier than the European settlers who would eventually name them. According to genetic research, indigenous groups may have introduced dogs to the region as far back as 17,500 years ago during one of the earliest human migrations from Siberia.
There is another theory that the Newfoundland was one of a few dog breeds brought over by the Vikings sometime around 1000 AD. Beyond the skeletal remains of large Newfoundland-like dogs in Viking sites, there’s not a wealth of evidence that these early explorers were responsible for the introduction of the breed. But, it’s an intriguing possibility, all the same!
Regardless of the true origin of the Newfoundland, the reality is, all native dog breeds in the region struggled with the arrival of European colonists in the 16th and 17th century. Indeed, only a small group of native breeds, such as the Alaskan Malamute and Greenland Dogs, were able to survive colonisation while staying true to their roots. Others, including the Newfoundland, avoided extinction only because of crossbreeding with European Breeds.
At the time, the Newfoundland was split into two types: the Great Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland. The Lesser Newfoundland, also known as St. John’s Water Dog, no longer exists, but may have been the step between Portuguese Water Dogs and Labradors.
Both varieties of Newfoundlands were crucial for the fishing industry off the shores of Newfoundland. The Great Newf’s stature and swimming ability meant that this dog could do everything, from pulling in fishing nets to carting the day’s catch at market. And, if a crew member were to fall overboard, it was the Newfoundland who would jump in to save them.
Like many other fishing boat dog breeds, the Newfoundland’s job would eventually become obsolete. Luckily for these big dogs, though, they had a backup plan. As it turned out, the English adored the breed, and owning one was a symbol of status and wealth. Even famous poets of the 19th century, including Lord Byron and Emily Dickinson, wrote about their love for their Newfoundlands. And thanks to this pop-culture boost in the Romantic era, Newfs would enjoy a new title as family pet.
Today, you’re more likely to see them splashing in the waves as part of a family beach day than working on a fishing boat. They don’t seem to mind the swap!
Newfoundland Personality Traits ★
According to the breed’s experts, a Newfoundland isn’t a Newfoundland unless it’s got a good attitude. So, you can expect this doggo to be gentle, friendly and calm.
Newfs get along with animals of all shapes and sizes. They’re not likely to see anything as prey, although they might be fascinated at the sight of a fish. And a day at the dog park is like social hour to this dog. While other puppers will be running in circles and fighting over toys, the Newfoundland will be the dog soaking it all in with a big grin.
The exception to the rule is with young male Newfoundlands, who can become aggressive towards other dogs. Some early socialisation will help to quash these unfriendly behaviours.
When it comes to humans, they’re sweet as can be. Kids especially love these living teddy bears, and Newfies fall into the babysitter role perfectly. As with any big pooch, very young children are liable to be knocked over, so it’s best to keep an eye on things.
Newfoundlands are loyal doggos, and they form strong bonds with family members. They also tend to open up quickly to their beloved humans’ loved ones, which means houseguests and neighbours will always get a warm Newfie welcome. These puppers are affectionate, and they’ll seek out attention anywhere they can get it. That means that personal space is not likely with this dog. Be ready to contend with a big fluffy magnet.
When push comes to shove, Newfoundlands will stand up for their pack. While some Newfoundlands are more prone to barking than others, most are on the quiet side. They save their resounding bark for when it’s really needed, like warning you of an incoming stranger.
Trainability & Training Tips
Training is necessary with all dogs, but especially with a dog the size of a Newfoundland. And if you want a chance at training a reasonably sized pup, then time is of the essence—these dogs go from big puppies to full-grown giants in a blink! So start early, and focus on basic obedience commands and leash etiquette, as these will be the most useful when your Newfie becomes gigantic.
You may also want to pay close attention to the behaviours that are cute in puppyhood but less so with full-grown dogs. These could include jumping up or crawling onto your lap for some cuddles. You certainly don’t have to train these habits away completely, but you’ll need to make sure that your adult Newfoundland learns when to respect personal space.
In general, Newfoundlands are smart and willing to work. But don’t expect them to be as eager and quick as some other dog breeds. Training a Newf takes time and patience, as well as plenty of treats to keep them focused. Positive reinforcement training is ideal for the Newfoundland, and training sessions should be short and fun.
Overall, these are highly intelligent doggos who can learn anything from basic commands to freestyle dog dancing. But they need the encouragement and support of an enthusiastic and patient trainer.
Newfoundland Exercise Needs & Living Conditions ⌂
During their past lives on fishing boats, Newfies were ready to exercise for hours on end. A full day of lifeguarding, net retrieving, and cart pulling was no challenge for this working pup.
At the same time, with such a demanding work environment, the Newfoundland also knew how to make the most of their off hours. These dogs are wonderful loungers, and will happily snooze away the day when they’re not working.
It’s common for Owners to assume, in fact, that Newfies are low energy dogs, simply because of their expert-level napping tendencies. But, just like all doggos, Newfoundlands need daily exercise to stay happy and healthy.
The hard part is finding a way to get a Newfie excited about getting off the sofa. They don’t tend to be enthusiastic about games like fetch or even roughhousing with other dogs. Instead, the best way to exercise a Newfoundland is by putting them in their ideal environment: the water. Newfoundlands are specially designed with webbed feet, powerful muscles, and a superior lung capacity. That means, they’ll take to water sports like, well, a fish takes to water.
If you don’t live around water, this dog will happily be your walking partner. Calling in a friendly Dog Walker can help to get this couch potato moving!
As far as living conditions go, it’s best to remember that these are oversized doggos. They need at least enough space to be able to move around without knocking things over. And, ideally, you’ll want furniture that can accommodate a human-sized dog—unless, of course, you’re willing to give up the couch to this lounge-loving pup.
Temperature is a common concern for new Newfie Owners, but don’t fret. These doggos are built for the cold, but they can adapt to warmer climates quite easily. And, unlike some other energetic dogs, they’re not likely to exercise themselves into heat stroke. That being said, Newfies shouldn’t be left outside for too long, and they’ll love it if you could turn on the air conditioning during the warmer months.
Now, there are a few other minor things to keep in mind when living with a Newfie. One is that they are notorious counter surfers. Whether it’s food laid out for a dinner party or ingredients left on a cutting board while your back is turned, a Newfoundland can easily swoop in gobble up whatever is in sight. If you’ll be leaving your Newfoundland in the care of Dog Sitter, make sure to warn them of your pup’s impressive counter cleaning skills!
Even with good habits, the counter surfing tendency reveals another quirk of living with a Newfoundland: the drooling. When these doggos follow their nose, they’re likely to leave their wet mark on your furniture. It’s simply a fact of life with a Newfie.
Finally, because these doggos are so large, slippery floors can be a safety hazard, especially for young or senior Newfoundlands. Carpets or floor rugs are a good idea in homes with tile or polished wood floors.
Newfoundland Health +
You might have noticed that, like other large breeds, Newfies have a short lifespan. And unfortunately, health concerns are common in this breed, including:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia, as well as a few other bone and ligament issues
- von Willebrand’s Disease
- Eyelid disorders, such as entropion and ectropion
- Subaortic Stenosis
- Allergies from improper grooming
- Ear infections
Another area of concern with the Newfoundland has to do with their diet. Because these big pups love to eat and aren’t too keen about exercise, obesity is common. And, with that large, heavy coat, weight gain can be tricky to notice. In addition to keeping them on a regular exercise schedule, feeding them nutritious, portion-controlled meals can help keep them healthy. Mad Paws Dinner Bowl is a great way to create a Newfie-friendly meal plan.
Newfoundland Grooming ✄
Newfoundland grooming is time-consuming, tricky to master, and absolutely necessary. Without regular grooming, this dog can be vulnerable to skin conditions, matting, and even mould. So, you’ll need a plan!
Brushing twice per week is a good way to deal with shedding and tangles. These dogs tend to blow their coat, or shed the entire underlayer, about twice per year, so be ready for more brushing sessions during that time.
Bathing is also necessary to keep that water-resistant coat clean. Bathing about every 6 weeks is a good goal. And the really important part is the drying process. Most Newfie Owners become quite skilled with a hairdryer, since it’s the best way to prevent mould from developing after a bath.
As you can see, that thick double-coat is a handful! So it can be a relief to leave it to the pros. That said, proper etiquette is key here—an untrained Newf will be a challenge for even the most experienced groomer.
Fun Fact about the Newfoundland ♥
We mentioned that there are only a select few dog breeds from Canada, and when you see the list, you may think you’re seeing double. Surely, the Newfoundland and the Landseer are the same dog in different colours! And, that’s partly true. In fact, the Landseer dog breed came about thanks to the less common black-and-white coat variation of the Newfoundland.
The famous painter, Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, loved the B&W Newf so much that he featured them in his work far more frequently than the traditional black doggo.
Eventually, his enthusiasm for the bi-colour Newf morphed into an entirely new breed, named after Landseer, himself.
Now, how about a fun fact within a fun fact! If the name Landseer sounds familiar, it may be because this artist also had an influence on our recent Dog Breed Corner star, the Saint Bernard! Before he was credited with starting the Canadian breed, a teenage Landseer was responsible for painting the Saint Bernard with the signature brandy barrel. Just how many more dog breeds will this prolific painter have a hand in developing?
Final Thoughts on the Newfoundland
Eye-catching, huggable, intelligent, and hard-working, the Newfoundland has adapted to its many roles throughout the years. Having been an impressive fisher dog, the muse of many an English ode, and now, the ideal family dog, Newfies have something to offer every kind of household.
Newfoundlands are not without their challenges—their size, grooming needs, and longer-than-average list of health concerns—can be taxing on Newfie Owners. But if you’re able to meet the needs of this gentle giant, a Newfoundland can be the perfect companion.
