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The Newfoundland is a
gentle giant of a dog that continues to attract more
and more attention, as an excellent pet and
companion. Many Newfoundland owners will tell you
that they started out liking a particular dog of
this breed and soon found that Newfoundlands in
general were a passion. What is it about this breed
that makes them so popular among a select group of
dog owners?
Maybe it is their calm demeanor, or perhaps the
breed’s deliberate way of moving. It might also be
the dog’s surprising intelligence. For many owners,
it is all of these, and more. We have put together
10 common questions about the Newfoundland to help
you understand the breed better.
1. What is the
Newfoundland’s history?
This distinct breed was common on the Atlantic coast
of Canada, along with the Labrador Retriever. Both
were working dogs, with the Newfoundland being the
heavier breed of the two. The dogs were used to pull
equipment and even haul the heavy fishing nets. Some
historians believe the dog was originally brought to
North America by British or European travelers. In
addition, the Newfoundland may have some ties to the
large dogs of Tibet. Then, some stories exist about
the Newfoundland involved in heroic rescues of
shipwreck victims as well.
2. What colors can I look for with a
Newfoundland?
Generally, there are four distinct colors common to
the breed to include black, brown, gray, and bronze.
Many dog associations and clubs also recognize the
white Newfoundland with dark markings, although this
is considered a separate breed in many European
countries. You will also find that some dogs of this
breed have darker colors with white markings on the
feet, tail, or chest.
3. How big should I expect my Newfoundland to
get?
The adult male Newfoundland may grow to be 29 inches
tall and weigh up to 150 pounds. The female will be
about two inches shorter and weigh 100 to 120
pounds. A healthy Newfoundland will have a bear-like
look with a full coat.
4. Is it true that the Newfoundland has webbed
feet?
The answer is yes, the Newfoundland does have webs
between the toes. The webbed feet have developed to
give the dog a stronger swimming stroke. In
addition, the Newfoundland’s outer coat is oily and
rather flat, making it very water repellant. Then,
this breed has a good undercoat that may be lost if
they spend all their time indoors. Interestingly,
the Newfoundland is one dog that seems to be just as
much at home in the water as on land.
5. Why is the breed Newfoundland called a “gentle
giant”?
The description comes from the combination of size
and personality of a healthy, well-bred
Newfoundland. Remember, this dog can weigh up to 150
pounds. Every club and organization connected with
Newfoundlands considers ill temper or timidity to be
uncharacteristic of the breed. Instead, a well-bred
and happy Newfoundland is friendly, calm, and
capable of fun in its own deliberate way.
Additionally, the breed is known to be very careful
and protective of children and older adults, seeming
to adjust to its surroundings.
6. Should I consider getting my Newfoundland from
a rescue source?
This can be an ideal way to add a great pet to your
family. However, some things about this process are
much different from getting a puppy through a good
breeder. You should find out all you can about the
adult dog’s background, making sure the rescue
organization has given the dog a complete health
checkup with all the required vaccinations. You may
also want to plan on some professional help in
training the dog if you believe there will be some
behavior problems. Basic obedience and handling
classes may help.
7. Is the Newfoundland good at some special
tasks?
You have heard correctly. The Newfoundland is
especially good at water tests such as retrieving
and rescuing. They are strong enough in the water to
actually, save a drowning person and have done so in
the past. Newfoundlands are very good at pulling a
small cart, which can be great fun for the children.
In addition, the Newfoundland can serve as a pack
animal and good companion on hiking and camping
trips. This breed loves the water, however, so when
around water, keep an eye on your dog unless you
want it splashing around.
8. What should I do to housebreak/toilet train my
Newfoundland?
There are a number of ways to accomplish this. You
could try crate training, which works for some dogs
better than other dogs. A crate provides the dog a
safe place to go when it needs to be alone. In
addition, dogs will naturally try to keep its “den”
clean, meaning it will try not to use the crate for
a bathroom. With the Newfoundland, you should be
very calm and consistent. Designate one place
outside as the “toilet” and give the dog several
opportunities to go there at regular times during
the day. Treats may also work as a reward when your
Newfoundland does what he is supposed to do.
9. Does the Newfoundland do well with children?
In a word, yes. This breed is loving and very
friendly. The dog will live with and among children
quite well, if it is well bred and trained from the
beginning to know there are limits. You should
always watch for signs of the child treating the dog
too roughly. The Newfoundland is very sensitive and
cannot handle rough treatment very well. It is
interesting that the Nana in the original Peter Pan
story was a Newfoundland.
10. How much food and exercise does this big dog
need?
The Newfoundland needs a sufficient amount of food
for their size, but surprisingly many owners find
they do not eat much more than a slightly smaller
dog like the German Shepherd, or Retriever. You
should plan to give your Newfoundland some regular
exercise because they will tend to get lazy and
overweight. In most cases, your Newfoundland would
love activities such as hiking and camping.
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