Newfoundland Dog Breed Profile
Description: The Newfoundland is a large, massive
dog of immense strength. It is said to be even stronger
than such dogs as the Great Dane and English Mastiff.
The Newfoundland dog measures 27 to 29 inches at the
withers, with the bitch 2 inches less. The male will
weigh 130 to 150 (or more) pounds with the female weighing
100 to 120 pounds. The Newfoundland has a long, heavy,
water-proof coat that is usually black, but sometimes
brown or grey. The feet of this dog are webbed, to aid
in swimming, as it is a dog that loves the water. The
Newfoundland usually lives for only 8 to 10 years. It
is also called the Newf or the Newfie.
History: The Newfoundland had its beginnings in
Newfoundland, Canada. It is believed to be descended
from an indigenous dog, the St. John's Water Dog, and
the black bear dog that the Vikings brought to the New
World with them. It is known, that whatever its early
ancestry, it did cross with Mastiffs brought over by
fishermen from Portugal. Used to help the fishermen,
the Newfoundland would haul in heavy nets and help bring
boats to shore. This dog has excelled in rescuing people
from the water and is powerful enough to swim in heavy
tides and high waves. The Lewis and Clark Expedition
was accompanied by Lewis' Newfoundland, Seaman.
Temperament: The Newfoundland is justly famous not
only for its strength, but also for its loving and gentle
disposition. This is a calm dog that is quiet in the
house. The Newfoundland is very good with children,
although some care should be exercised because of the
dog's great size. It is very loyal and devoted to its
family and is easy to train. This dog is not likely
to initiate a biting attack with an intruder, but will
content itself with holding the person or positioning
itself between the intruder and its family. This is
a Mastiff breed characteristic. The Newfoundland will
get along without problems with other household dogs
or other pets.
Health Issues: The Newfoundland can be subject to
hip and elbow dysplasia. This breed can also develop
bladder stones, which will usually have to be removed
surgically. The most serious health problem is subvalvular
aortic stenosis, a serious heart condition that can
affect even young dogs. As with most large dogs, the
Newfoundland can be stricken with bloat. A quiet time
after small meals can help prevent this, but if it does
occur, the dog must be taken to a veterinarian immediately
to save its life.
Grooming: The thick coat of the Newfoundland must
be carefully brushed every week. During the spring shed,
the heavy undercoat must be brushed out. The volume
of hair produced will often be astounding, almost taking
up as much space as the dog itself. The dog should not
be shampooed as this might remove the oils that contribute
to the waterproof coat.
Living Conditions: While it is said that the calm
and gentle Newfoundland can live in an apartment, the
size of the dog and the fact that it prefers cold temperatures
should provoke thought. This dog will probably be best
suited to living in a house with a yard. While not the
most active dog, the Newf does need daily exercise.
This dog bonds strongly with its human friends and does
best and is happiest when with its family. A family
that enjoys outdoor activities, especially those involving
water will probably be the best owners for this dog.
Fishermen or hunters or people engaged in winter sports
will find this dog a perfect companion.
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