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About the Newfoundland

A large dog and a true workhorse, the Newfoundland is a master at long-distance swimming and has true lifesaving instincts in the water. He is large and strong, possessing a heavy coat to protect him from icy waters. Equally at home in the water and on land, today’s Newfoundland competes in conformation, obedience, agility, tracking, draft and water tests, and carting. His coat can be black, brown, gray, or white and black.

A Look Back

There are many conflicting stories as to the origin of the Newfoundland – some say he descended from the Great Pyrenees or a “French hound” – but nearly all agree that he originated in Newfoundland and his ancestors were brought there by fisherman from the European continent. In Newfoundland he was used as a working dog to pull nets for the fishermen and to haul wood from the forest. He also did heavy labor, such as powering the blacksmith’s bellows.

Right Breed for You?

The Newfoundland’s sweet disposition makes him a good fit for families. Although he appears somewhat docile, he is an active dog and will need daily exercise. Regular brushing is important to maintain his plush coat. Newfs are also an intelligent breed and are readily trained.

Ranging in size from 26 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder and 100 to 150 pounds.

General Appearance

The Newfoundland is a sweet-dispositioned dog that acts neither dull nor ill-tempered. He is a devoted companion. A multipurpose dog, at home on land and in water, the Newfoundland is capable of draft work and possesses natural lifesaving abilities.

The Newfoundland is a large, heavily coated, well balanced dog that is deep-bodied, heavily boned, muscular, and strong. A good specimen of the breed has dignity and proud head carriage.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Average height for adult dogs is 28 inches, for adult bitches, 26 inches. Approximate weight of adult dogs ranges from 130 to 150 pounds, adult bitches from 100 to 120 pounds. The dog’s appearance is more massive throughout than the bitch’s. Large size is desirable, but never at the expense of balance, structure, and correct gait. The Newfoundland is slightly longer than tall when measured from the point of shoulder to point of buttocks and from withers to ground. He is a dog of considerable substance which is determined by spring of rib, strong muscle, and heavy bone.

Head

The head is massive, with a broad skull, slightly arched crown, and strongly developed occipital bone. Cheeks are well developed. Eyes are dark brown. (Browns and Grays may have lighter eyes and should be penalized only to the extent that color affects expression.) They are relatively small, deep-set, and spaced wide apart. Eyelids fit closely with no inversion. Ears are relatively small and triangular with rounded tips. They are set on the skull level with, or slightly above, the brow and lie close to the head. When the ear is brought forward, it reaches to the inner corner of the eye on the same side. Expression is soft and reflects the characteristics of the breed: benevolence, intelligence, and dignity. Forehead and face are smooth and free of wrinkles. Slope of the stop is moderate but, because of the well developed brow, it may appear abrupt in profile. The muzzle is clean-cut, broad throughout its length, and deep. Depth and length are approximately equal, the length from tip of nose to stop being less than that from stop to occiput. The top of the muzzle is rounded, and the bridge, in profile, is straight or only slightly arched. Teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. Dropped lower incisors, in an otherwise normal bite, are not indicative of a skeletal malocclusion and should be considered only a minor deviation.

Neck, Topline, Body

The neck is strong and well set on the shoulders and is long enough for proud head carriage. The back is strong, broad, and muscular and is level from just behind the withers to the croup. The chest is full and deep with the brisket reaching at least down to the elbows. Ribs are well sprung, with the anterior third of the rib cage tapered to allow elbow clearance. The flank is deep. The croup is broad and slopes slightly. Tail–Tail set follows the natural line of the croup. The tail is broad at the base and strong. It has no kinks, and the distal bone reaches to the hock. When the dog is standing relaxed, its tail hangs straight or with a slight curve at the end. When the dog is in motion or excited, the tail is carried out, but it does not curl over the back.

Forequarters

Shoulders are muscular and well laid back. Elbows lie directly below the highest point of the withers. Forelegs are muscular, heavily boned, straight, and parallel to each other, and the elbows point directly to the rear. The distance from elbow to ground equals about half the dog’s height. Pasterns are strong and slightly sloping. Feet are proportionate to the body in size, webbed, and cat foot in type. Dewclaws may be removed.

Hindquarters

The rear assembly is powerful, muscular, and heavily boned. Viewed from the rear, the legs are straight and parallel. Viewed from the side, the thighs are broad and fairly long. Stifles and hocks are well bent and the line from hock to ground is perpendicular. Hocks are well let down. Hind feet are similar to the front feet. Dewclaws should be removed.

Coat

The adult Newfoundland has a flat, water-resistant, double coat that tends to fall back into place when rubbed against the nap. The outer coat is coarse, moderately long, and full, either straight or with a wave. The undercoat is soft and dense, although it is often less dense during the summer months or in warmer climates. Hair on the face and muzzle is short and fine. The backs of the legs are feathered all the way down. The tail is covered with long dense hair. Excess hair may be trimmed for neatness. Whiskers need not be trimmed.

Color

Color is secondary to type, structure, and soundness. Recognized Newfoundland colors are black, brown, gray, and white and black.

Solid Colors–Blacks, Browns, and Grays may appear as solid colors or solid colors with white at any, some, or all, of the following locations: chin, chest, toes, and tip of tail. Any amount of white found at these locations is typical and is not penalized. Also typical are a tinge of bronze on a black or gray coat and lighter furnishings on a brown or gray coat.

Landseer–White base coat with black markings. Typically, the head is solid black, or black with white on the muzzle, with or without a blaze. There is a separate black saddle and black on the rump extending onto a white tail.

Markings, on either Solid Colors or Landseers, might deviate considerably from those described and should be penalized only to the extent of the deviation. Clear white or white with minimal ticking is preferred.

Beauty of markings should be considered only when comparing dogs of otherwise comparable quality and never at the expense of type, structure and soundness.

Disqualifications– Any colors or combinations of colors not specifically described are disqualified.

Gait

The Newfoundland in motion has good reach, strong drive, and gives the impression of effortless power. His gait is smooth and rhythmic, covering the maximum amount of ground with the minimum number of steps. Forelegs and hind legs travel straight forward. As the dog’s speed increases, the legs tend toward single tracking. When moving, a slight roll of the skin is characteristic of the breed. Essential to good movement is the balance of correct front and rear assemblies.

Temperament

Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed.

For more information on the Newfoundland please visit the Newfoundland Club of America. 

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Anna

Monday 15th of August 2016

I'm picking up a brown female Newfoundland in 10 days and I can't wait! I saw my first Newfoundland a year ago when my neighbors bought one and literally cried when I met him because I love big dogs and had never seen one this beautiful before! Since then I've done a ton of research on them and finally a year later managed to find one in my state two hours away from me and she is a very nice Newfie breeder with well cared Newfoundlands.

Jen

Monday 15th of August 2016

Congratulations Anna! That is great! Enjoy, they are an amazing breed!

Maureen

Sunday 10th of January 2016

I, too, just stumbled upon your blog, almost three years after Amanda (above), and love it too. I grew up with a great Cocker Spaniel, after I got married my husband came with a beagle mix, which is loved also. Soon after that some people became friends with had a puppy that needed a good home "in the country." It was a 6 monthe old Newf, all legs and tail, that was too playful with the neighborhood kids. We knew nothing about Newf or even large dogs. We learned! He was a wonderful companion to us as well as our little beagle mix who loved to fight (w/other dogs) and could now take on more and bigger dogs, as his big brother always jumped into the fray, thinking they were playing, and scared everyone else away. That was in the mid 60's, I am now on my 10th Newfie, usually two at a time, and have never looked back. I've had two females, one Landseer, and the rest all black. I live on a lake and the Landseer always seemed to have a "bathtub" ring around her. That's why there was only one. It doesn't show on the black, and the white fur seemed to show more on everything. It was a long time before we even knew there were the brown ones. We looked at getting one, but it never happened. The black was easier to find. Not easy, just easier.

I loved the Q&A"s. I got a lot of them myself. Althogh I never really had trouble walking with two. I took all of them to Obedience classes as puppies, except the first, as I was told it was a waste of time taking "big" dogs to classes as they did whatever they wanted anyway. That is seriously not true. He turned out OK even without the classes, I think because the other dog helped with the training.

Sorry to bend your ear for so long, but I'm here in FL now and don't see many Newfs around, and I'm sure you know how Newfie people love to talk about their dogs.

Keep up the good work, now that I know about you, I will be checking in more often.

Amanda

Thursday 28th of February 2013

OMG, I just stumbled upon your blog! Love it. My first giant breed dog was a Newfie named Ebo. I think I was 4 when we got him and he lived to be almost 14. Throughout my childhood we owned several more and some Saint's too. When I got married and settled down it was time for my husbands first dog and my first "on my own" dog, I knew I wanted a giant, but less hair so we went English Mastiff and I don't think I could ever look back! I am now OCD obsessed with Mastiffs (and dogs in general) and too keep up a blog about them. Your dogs are beautiful, your writing is creative and interesting. Keep doing what you're doing :) Amanda

Mary

Monday 7th of January 2013

Thank you! I love her so much already! Her name is Scarlett and she is such a sweet puppy.

Jen

Sunday 6th of January 2013

Congratulations Mary!

Oh, I love the Irish Spotted Newfies! They are so beautiful! Congratulations on your new girl and I wish you many years of happiness with her! What's her name?

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