Newfoundland dogs, affectionately called Newfs or Newfies, are the gentle giants of the canine world. Known for being sweet and gentle, this giant breed is well-known for being obedient and loyal to their owners.
While the Newfoundland is now popularly chosen as a house pet, they were originally bred as working dogs. Their love of the water stems from the fact that Newfies were bred for fishing, being tasked to haul fishing nets to and from the sea, as well as retrieving any objects or people that have fallen into the waters. Their size and strength make them more than capable of filling these roles that were given to them, and their large lung capacity allow them to swim long distances at a time. Off the water, their other tasks included pulling wagons for delivery.
While Newfies are quite gentle and friendly, they can make for great guard dogs, as they are constantly alert and always on the lookout to protect their familys safety and welfare.
Our 4 Paw Rating – to the suitability of the Newfoundland to your home and lifestyle:
Size
Male Newfoundland dogs are about 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh 150 lbs on average, while females are about 25 to 26 inches and weigh about 115 lbs.
Coat Care
Newfies commonly have a black coat, although there are some that have brown, gray, or mixed (usually with white coats with a black head and black spots) colors. They have thick, dense coats that may be wavy or straight. The external coat is long and rough in appearance, while the undercoat is dense and soft. The Newfoundland is a shedder, so you will need to brush the coat every day in order to maintain it.
Family Life
The Newfoundland make for great pets if you have the space for these giants, since they are very affectionate and loving, even with children, so much so that they have been described as the perfect nannies in the canine world. In spite of their huge sizes, they can be very playful, although older Newfies are prone to being lethargic and will need to be encouraged to exercise.
While gentle and loving, they can be very protective of their family, especially if they feel that their loved ones are being threatened, thus making them effective guard dogs.
The Newfoundland can slobber a lot, so you will need to be prepared to clean up after them.
Lifestyle
The Newfoundland easily adapts to the familys lifestyle. However, they are not ideal for those who live in small homes, such as apartments, given their large size and their need to exercise. Similarly, they arent great for areas with warm climates, given their thick coats.
Health
Life expectancy of 9-14 years. While Newfoundlands are strong and healthy, they are also prone to certain health problems, such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, subaortic stenosis (SAS), and obesity.
Exercise
Newfies are prone to become obese, so they will need to be exercised daily. Taking them out for a swim is always a great idea since they love water.
Training
Newfoundland dogs are quite smart, but you will need to be patient and kind when training them, as they are very sensitive and can be hurt or afraid if you become angry or harsh to them. Use praise and encouragement when training them, since they respond positively to these.
Newfoundland Training…
