Not all areas on a Newfoundland’s coat are equally prone to matting, especially in the winter.
Mats tend to form where moisture, friction and pressure and limited airflow all come together to create a mess.
Knowing where to look for mats on your dog and why you should be looking in these areas makes winter grooming a lot more manageable and productive.
I can attest to this because the other day I had Lou up on the grooming table and I found some small tangles in a few of the high-risk matting areas.
For reference, we had a big snowstorm in Ohio over the weekend and before the storm, I had groomed and trimmed Lou and Odin.
After a few days of dashing through about a foot of snow and lying out in bitter cold temps, I did a quick comb check.
I found a few small tangles in the armpit area, the groin and in the pants.
They weren’t huge and they weren’t pulling on the skin but if I had left them, they would have become a problem.
Below are the areas most likely to mat during the winter.
Where & Why Winter Matting Happens
Behind the Ears
This area experiences constant movement, friction and limited air flow.
Moisture from snow and damp air often lingers here.
Why it mats
Fine hair + warmth + moisture + movement = fast tangling
Neck & Collar Area
Collars trap moisture and create friction.
Newfies drool and then stick their head and neck in snow.
They come inside and the snow melts into their coat.
Why it mats
Friction + warmth + trapped moisture + rubbing from a collar or harness
Chest & Armpits
Snow and slush collect easily here and constant movement throughout the day creates friction.
Why it mats
Dense undercoat + constant motion + trapped moisture
Belly & Groin
These areas often stay damp after walks or playtime in the snow, especially if the coat is thick.
Why it mats
Moisture + warmth +pressure from lying down
Back of the Legs (Pants)
Snow tends to cling to this area the most due to the texture of the coat and airflow is limited when the dog is sitting or lying down.
Why it mats
Friction from walking + moisture + compressed coat
Base of Tail
This area is often overlooked and it can trap moisture after being out in the snow.
Why it mats
Bottom of the Paws
The bottom of your Newfoundland’s paws are constantly exposed to snow, slush, ice, salt and moisture.
And anyone that is owned by a Newfie knows that their paws act like sponges.
Hair between the paw pads can quickly compact ice or form tight mats.
Why it mats
Moisture + movement + friction cause the hair to twist and clump
Dense coat + moisture + limited brushing
Winter Matting Conclusion
You don’t need to groom the entire dog all at once.
Instead:
- Check these areas first and often
- Focus on drying these areas after snow play or walks
- Use targeted, gentle brushing instead of full body grooming.
Trust me, winter grooming becomes much easier and less of a chore when you stop treating the coat as one BIG problem and start paying attention to where the main issues actually begin.
I normally spend about 15 minutes checking and combing these areas on Odin and Lou.
If winter grooming feels harder than it should, I put everything I’ve learned over the years into a No-Stress Winter Grooming Guide for Newfoundlands.
A simple resource that explains moisture, matting and winter care all in one place.