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Newfoundland Breed Information

Newfoundland

Recognized By: ACR , AKC , ANKC , APRI , CKC , CKC , FCI , KCGB , NCA , NKC , NZKC , UKC
   
AKA: Newf, Newfie, Newfy
   
Mispellings: Nefoundland, Neufoundland, New Finland, New Foundland, Newfoudland, Newfouindland, Newfoundlad
   
 

Caring for a Newfoundland

Feeding: Newfoundland puppies require a lot of food. Adults require less on average. It is important to keep your Newfoundland from eating too much and becoming overweight. This can be hard on their hips which are prone to difficulties already. Newfoundlands are known to drink a lot of water and tend to drool a lot.

Living with a Newfoundland

Temperament: Newfoundlands are sweet, even-tempered dogs. They are courageous, intelligent and patient dogs. Newfoundlands make gentle and loyal companions. Newfies can become very attached to their masters and unable to adapt to a new home. Newfoundlands are very protective guard dogs. They will honorably step in between their master and any sign of danger. Newfies generally accept other pets favorably. They make great family pets and accept children very well.

Grooming: Newfoundlands require weekly brushing with a firm bristly brush due to their thick coat. The Newfoundland's thick undercoat is shed twice a year during spring and fall. They require extra care around these times. Newfies should only be bathed when absolutely necessary. Bathing will strip their coat of the essential oils. A good option for the Newf is a dry shampoo. This will get the coat clean without stripping the natural oils.

Training: Newfoundlands may prove slightly difficult to train. When training a Newfie it should be done in a calm manner with a soothing tone to your voice as they are very sensitive to the tone of people's voices.

Weather: Newfoundlands are sensitive to heat. It is important to always make sure your Newfie has plenty of shade and water when outdoors. Newfoundlands do best in cooler climates.

Exercise: Newfoundlands are very happy to relax in the cool comfort indoors. A daily walk is recommended for all Newfies. During the summer months or warmer weather, Newfoundlands would love to go for a run or swim.

Living Conditions: Newfoundlands will do okay in an apartment or with a small yard if given plenty of time to exercise. Newfies are relatively inactive when inside.

Newfoundland Appearance

Appearance: The Newfoundland is a large, muscular dog with a heavy coat. Newfoundlands are a proud breed and should carry their head high.

Size: Fully grown male Newfoundlands should be around 28 inches tall and weigh between 130 - 150 pounds. Adult female Newfoundlands should be approximately 26 inches tall and weigh between 100 - 120 pounds.

Companionship: Newfoundlands are great in the water. They have natural lifesaving abilities.

Head: Newfoundlands have a massive head with a broad skull, very developed occipital bone and well-defined cheeks. The Newfoundland's face should be smooth and wrinkle-free. The stop is moderately sloped with a well-developed brow line.

Eyes: The eyes of a Newfoundland should be dark brown. Newfoundlands with brown or gray coats may have lighter eyes. The eyes should deep-set and small with ample space between them. The Newfoundland's eyelids should be closely fit and not inverted.

Ears: The Newfoundland's ears should be small and triangularly shaped except for the rounded tip. The ears should be set at or slightly above the brow line.

Muzzle: The Newfoundland's muzzle is broad and clean-cut. The top of a Newfoundland's muzzle should be slightly rounded. Newfoundlands should have a scissors or level bite.

Neck: Newfoundlands have a strong, muscular neck. The neck should be just long enough to allow them to carry their head high and proud.

Body: A Newfoundland's body should be slightly longer than it is tall. Newfoundlands have large, strong, heavy boned bodies. Newfoundlands have a broad and muscular back. The back should be level. Newfoundlands have a broad, deep chest.

Forequarters: The front shoulders of a Newfoundland are strong, muscular and well laid back. A Newfoundland's front elbows should be directly below the highest point of their shoulders. The front legs should be straight and parallel to each other. They should be strong and muscular. The upper and lower portion of the legs should be approximately equal.

Hindquarters: A Newfoundlands rear legs should be heavily boned and muscular. They should be straight and parallel to each other when viewed from the back. A Newfoundland's thighs should be long and broad.

Gait: The Newfoundland should look effortless when running. The gait should look smooth with large steps covering maximum amount of ground with each stride.

Feet: The Newfoundland's feet should be proportionate to the size of the body and webbed. Newfoundlands may have their front and rear dewclaws removed.

Tail: The Newfoundland's tail should follow the natural line of the back. The tail should be broad and strong and free from any kinks or bends. The tail should be straight or have a gentle curve near the end when the Newfoundland is standing still. A Newfoundland's tail should not curl over its back.

Color: Newfoundlands may be black, brown, gray, and white and black. Black, brown and gray Newfoundlands may have white on their chin, chest, toes or the tip of the tail. Newfoundlands may also be white with black markings, commonly known as Landseer. Landseer Newfoundlands typically have a solid black head or black on the muzzle, a black saddle and black rump.

Coat: Newfoundlands have a double coat. The outer coat is coarse, flat, water-resistant and of medium length straight or slightly wavy fur. The Newfoundland's undercoat is soft and very dense during the winter and slightly less dense during the summer months. A Newfoundland's coat should fall immediately back into place when rubbed against the nap. The hair on the face is short and finer than the hair on the rest of a Newfoundland's body. The fur on the back of the legs should be feathered. A Newfoundland's tail should be covered with long, dense fur.

Newfoundland Facts

Category: Mastiff, AKC Working

Life Expectancy: Newfoundlands have a life expectancy of 9 - 15 years.

Characteristics: Newfoundlands are at home on land or in the water and have instinctual live saving abilities.

Newfoundland Health

Health: Newfoundlands are prone Sub-Aortic Stenosis (SAS) which is a hereditary heart disease. Puppies should have their heart checked by a veterinary cardiologist at around 8-12 weeks of age.

Bone Health: Newfoundlands are prone to hip dysplasia.

Newfoundland History

History:

There are many different stories about the original origin of the Newfoundland. It is believed that they may be a descendants of nomadic Indian dogs, Viking 'bear dogs' or crosses between Tibetan Mastiffs that were brought to Canada by British or European fisherman during the 1700s. There is believed to be a strong relationship between the Newfoundland and the Labrador.

Newfoundlands were able to find a home helping fisherman off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It is believed that along with assisting in hauling fishing equipment, the Newfoundlands were helpful in rescuing many fishermen from the water. Newfies also played an important part during World War II, as they were responsible for hauling supplies and ammunition to the troops through blizzard like conditions in Alaska.




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