Introduction

The Newfoundland was developed in Newfoundland, Canada for use by fishermen. The dogs quickly became synonymous with the area and were named after the provenance it hailed from.

Research shows that the breed is related to the Irish water spaniel and Labrador retriever. In the 1880s, there were actually two types of Newfoundlands. The St. John’s Water dog, also called a Lesser Newfoundland, is the modern founder of most retriever breeds; however, it has been extinct since the 1980s. The Greater Newfoundland is the breed we call a Newfoundland today. Known for being a large dog with a heavy build and long coat, the dog quickly became a staple pet in several countries.

The exact origins of the Newfoundland are unknown; however, it seems most likely that they were developed in the late-1700s. The Greater Newfoundland is thought to have been bred with English mastiffs to make the breed bigger and give them those flappy jowls we all love so much.

Since its inception, the Newfoundland has become both a beloved pet and staple in literature due to its strength and caring nature. Some of the most famous tales involving Newfoundlands are:

Nana

Nana in Peter Pan is a Newfoundland. Based on JM Barrie’s actual Lanseer Newfoundland named Luath, the beloved nanny dog is often mistaken for a St. Bernard. However, Barrie was quite clear on Nana being a “prim Newfoundland.” The mistake may be due to people associating the Landseer’s brown and white markings with a St. Bernard. Whatever the case, Nana, the most famous nanny dog of all time, was most assuredly a Newfoundland.

Seaman

Seaman may not be recognizable strictly by name, but he actually holds a prime spot in history, working on the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the United States. Purchased by Lewis for $20 in 1803, Lewis selected the dog due to their prime ability to swim and the breed’s inherent loyalty. Of all the animals taken on the expedition, Seaman was the only dog to survive the three-year trek which took the explorers from the East coast to the West coast in order to understand how the United States were laid out. The trip was treacherous for both man and beast, and Lewis kept a detailed record of Seaman’s adventures.

The dog was used as a hunting companion throughout the trip, ensuring its masters had food. It would regularly capture squirrels and even went so far as to capture an antelope for the starving explorers. At one point in 1805, the dog was severely mangled by a beaver. Lewis and Clark performed emergency surgery on the dog to care for an artery that had been bitten. Miraculously, the dog survived. Towards the end of the expedition, the dog was napped by Indians. Lewis sent three of his men to rescue the dog, ensuring Seaman wouldn’t meet a grizzly fate.

After the expedition, Seaman went home with Lewis to live out his days. Sadly, Lewis passed away within three years. Seaman, unable to cope without his beloved master, passed away shortly after, refusing to eat or drink after Lewis’ death.

Boatswain

Perhaps no other dog is as revered in English literature as Boatswain, the beloved Newfoundland of Lord Byron. At fifteen-years-old, Byron was given Boatswain as a present. He quickly fell in love with the little puppy and considered him a dear friend. Their bond ran deep, and it was not uncommon to see the two with one another at nearly all times. From walks in the forest to dinner time, Boatswain would not leave Byron’s side.

Unfortunately, at five years old, Boatswain came down with rabies. Byron, who was studying at Trinity College, became obsessed with nursing the dog back to health. He spent hours coddling the poor animal, going so far as to hand feed him and using his handkerchief to wipe the frothy drool associated with the disease from the beloved dog’s face. Sadly, the dog passed away in Byron’s arms after a seizure. Distraught and finding it difficult to cope with the loss of his best friend, Byron wrote an extremely long eulogy dedicated to Boatswain. He eventually had it carved on a headstone which still stands today. For the rest of his life, Byron would always hold dogs in higher regard than humans.

8 - 10 Years

Lifespan

66 - 71cm

Size

45 - 58kg

Weight

5/5

Cold weather tolerance

2/5

Hot weather tolerance

Working

Breed group

1 hour + a day

Exercise

Flat, Double

Coat

4/5

Dog friendly

Behaviour and personality

Your Newfoundland is likely to have a loving personality that can make it a welcome addition to any home. However, as with all breeds, there are some things to take into consideration before making the leap and purchasing a puppy.

Newfoundlands are very social animals, and you must be dedicated to spending a great deal of time with your pet. Dogs with limited socialization are prone to separation anxiety which can lead to an assortment of behavioral problems. You must take time out of each day to give your Newfoundland plenty of cuddles and playtime as well as some time with other dogs. An unsocialized Newfie can quickly become a giant ball of terror.

Newfoundlands typically do not have a high prey drive however that doesn’t mean that it’s not a factor in many dogs. You must get your dog used to smaller animals relatively early in life although some dogs will keep their hunting desires even with the upmost training. This can lead to dangerous situations when taking the dog for a walk (it’s hard to control a 45kg dog who sees something it wants to chase), and obedience training is key.

Because Newfies are a relatively intelligent breed, they can easily find themselves getting bored. Having plenty of puzzles and brain teasers for your Newfoundland is usually more than enough to keep them entertained and prevent stress in the animal. A puppy training class can help alleviate boredom as well as establish obedience training.

Overall, Newfies are sweet and loving dogs that usually do well in households with children. The key to getting a well-rounded dog is to remember to give them plenty of learning activities and lots of cuddle time. While a Newfoundland is likely too big to sit on your lap, they very much would love to do so. With patience and love, a Newfoundland can become a treasured pet for years to come.

Ideal owner / home

Active owner

Large garden

A Newfoundland needs plenty of time to exercise because it is traditionally a working dog. While they love to spend time on the couch, they need mental stimulation and exercise to ensure they’re well-rounded. Far too often, people get a Newfie only to realize they can’t keep up with the exercise requirements the dog needs.

If you tend to spend a lot of time indoors, a Newfie probably isn’t the right breed for you. In its natural habitat, the breed spends a lot of time in the water and mud. These personality traits are still prevalent in the breed and they will want to spend plenty of time getting nice and mucky outdoors.

We’re going to start by saying that there are plenty of Newfoundland owners who keep their dogs in a small flat with a small garden. Sometimes you’ll get a dog that simply want to lay around all day. However, most Newfies do better with a large garden to run around in, ideally with some sort of water feature. If you can’t provide adequate garden space, you’ll most likely need to take your dog somewhere else so it can get its energy out.

As a Newfie owner, you need to be prepared to start training your dog as soon as you take it home. Far too often, new owners will expect their “nanny dog” to be on its best behavior as soon as they get it home. This can lead to disastrous results. A sweet, loving, obedient dog is almost always the result of years of training rather than naturally behaving that way.

Newfoundlands can be quite congenial with other dogs. They love to meet other canine friends and spend time running around in the park. However, males are known to be aggressive with other male dogs if not properly socialized and trained. Due to its size, it is integral you start training the dog quite early.

If you are a first-time dog owner, a Newfoundland can be an excellent choice. You are likely to receive a lot of love and affection from a loyal companion. However, you must be prepared for its size as well. Far too often a Newfoundland will push someone down or out of the way simply because of its size. When purchasing a dog that grows to such a large size, it is integral you consider exactly how it will fit in your current lifestyle and whether you’ll need to make some changes.

Grooming

We hope you love brushing your dog because you’re going to spend hours doing just that with a Newfoundland.

Newfoundlands are one of the heaviest shedders of all dog breeds and require constant care for their coat. If you are considering a Newfoundland, you must make your vacuum your new best friend as you will find their long hair in nearly every nook and cranny you can imagine.

Due to their long coat, a Newfoundland is prone to matting. To alleviate this issue, you must be prepared to brush their hair regularly.

If you think that shaving is an option, think again. Shaved Newfoundlands are prone to skin burn and can develop rashes. Instead, the dog must be clipped to ensure hair will grow back evenly without any problems.

Finally, remember that a Newfoundland is made to run outside and get dirty. Because of this, most members of the breed cannot resist a mud puddle or jumping in the nearest creek. They can quickly become a smelly, matted mess that tracks mud throughout your home. If you plan on your Newfie spending a lot of time outdoors, you need to be prepared to give him a bath and thorough brushing quite regularly.

Common health issues

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is often, but not always, inherited.

The condition causes mild or severe seizures which may show themselves as unusual behaviour such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, hiding, or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness.

Although seizures are frightening and saddening to watch, the long-term prognosis for sufferers is generally very good.

If you suspect your dog has epilepsy, take your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment as there could be other reasons for seizures.

Cataracts

Cataracts is generally inherited and is described as cloudiness of the crystalline lens of the eye, which varies from partial to complete opacity.

Cloudiness of the crystalline lens prevents light from passing through the retina, which will often cause some loss of vision.

Symptoms generally relate to the degree of vision impairment. For example, those with only a small level of cloudiness may not show any symptoms, however those with high opacity will suffer from loss of vision.

Cataracts is a progressive disorder that may lead to your dog becoming completely blind if not treated quickly. One method of treatment is surgery, but that is only usually recommended for hereditary forms.

Other forms of treatment are phacoemulsification which involves emulsification of the eye's lens with an ultrasonic handpiece. Once the lens is emulsified and aspirated, aspired fluids are replaced with a balanced salt solution.

Most cases are inherited, however it can be caused by a few other things including electric shock, diabetes mellitus, old age, inflammation of the eye or abnormal levels of calcium in the blood.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.

The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.

Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland which is believed to be a cause of issues including epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy and skin conditions.

This is a disorder that can be quite easily treated through a dog’s diet and medication.

Gastric Dilation Volvulus (Gastric Torsion or Bloat)

Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.

Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.

To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.

Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.

Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.

Newfoundland