Description

Under the Newfoundland’s shaggy black coat hides a powerful body, built for swimming. The dog’s slightly elongated body houses a very deep chest that gives the Newfie a compact sturdiness that gives it both power and agility. The Newfie’s hefty head is comprised of a broad, domed skull and a deep, short, cuboidal muzzle. Newfoundland dogs have a large nose that matches the colour of their coat. Its eyes, resting just beneath the Newfie’s slightly pronounced brow, are deep set, small and dark, and are set well apart. The dog’s triangular ears hang from either side of its head, closely hugging its skull.

Body wise, the Newfoundland is big boned and muscular yet is surprisingly nimble and relatively athletic for a dog of its size. The Newfoundland dogs are easily distinguishable by their graceful noble gait, made possible through a powerful body and strong neck. Further enhancing its regal demeanour, the dog’s straight back and deep chest give the impression of substance and volume that affords the Newfie its active lifestyle. Its most distinguishable feature is probably the dog’s webbed feet, which come at the end of the Newfoundland’s powerful legs and make the dog one of the better swimmer among canines. Facilitating its swimming technique, the Newfoundland’s bushy tail serves as a handy rudder.

Origin: Canada

Look

The Newfoundland’s coat comes in black, black and white, and brown colourations. The Newfie’s coat is made up of a soft, dense undercoat with a long, waterproof topcoat that is either straight or slightly wavy. The hair on the head of the dog is shorter than that on the rest of the body. Feathering can also be found on the back of the dog’s legs.

The Newfie’s dense coat needs to be brushed daily. These dogs are seasonal shedders, shedding twice yearly in spring and fall with the heaviest shedding occurring in spring. Newfoundland dogs should rarely be bathed, as doing so will strip away their coat’s natural oils. An occasional lathering down using dry shampoo will keep any doggy odours in check.

Health

The Newfoundland is generally considered to be a healthy breed. However, some health conditions are still associated with it. These are:
• Sub-aortic stenosis
• Hip Dysplasia
• Obesity
It is recommended that Newfoundland breed visit a veterinarian at once yearly. Newfoundland puppies must also get their hip scores evaluated in order to predict the possibility of hip dysplasia later on in their lives. Strict monitoring of a Newfoundland’s diet ensures that the dog does not add unnecessary weight that might increase the severity of already existing hip dysplasia.
At Newdoggy.com we promote puppies coming from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

Training Newfoundland dogs is not easy, as they often prefer to learn things at their own pace. It is best to take a balanced approach to training as these dogs are most receptive to a calm, confident owner. Consistency is key with Newfies, as they tend to be confused by changing rules and shifting boundaries. Newfies are very intelligent dogs that often learn a lot through random social interactions. They also get along great with other dogs and animals. If sporadic aggressive behaviour is an issue, Newfies rarely need more than a mild scolding to keep them in line. Newfies and water go together like biscuits and milk, often jumping in lakes and the open sea without hesitation. Water sports help some of these massive dogs exercise for long periods of time without putting excess strain on their questionable hip joints. Taking part in water rescue classes will give the Newfie much needed exercise while teaching it to be of service to others.

Temperament

First impressions might not reassure most people, but it only takes a few seconds for a Newfoundland dog to win them over with its calm, sweet disposition. Newfies love nothing more than some fuss and the company of people, but if need be, these dogs will not shy away from showing their brave, protective side. It is therefore very fortunate that these dogs are exceptional judges of character, easily differentiating between friend and foe. Violence is not in this breeds nature, often only resorting to cornering intruders or wedging themselves between threatening individuals and their family. Due to these dog’s calm, patient nature, they are also very good with other animals and children. This makes this breed one of the best candidates for the role of family dog.

Living with

Despite its size, the Newfoundland breed does well with apartment life. Although Newfoundland dogs like nothing more than lazing about, it is still essential to take the dog out for a swim at the lake or a daily brisk walk. These dog’s dense, dark coats makes them unsuitable for warm climates.