Newfoundland Dogs

The Newfoundland, also called ‘Newfs’ or ‘Newfies’, is a breed of dog that is very large, with a coat that is thick and coarse, and is usually black, and was developed in Newfoundland as a working dog, mainly used in the fishing industry. It was used for hauling fishing nets out into the sea and bring them back to the fishing boat, and it also retrieved people or objects that fell into the sea. Quite at home on land as well as the water, the Newfoundland dog’s size enabled it to drag a drowning man out of the water or dive into the icy northern ocean by breaking through the ice. The capacity of its lungs enabled it to tackle ocean currents and swim great lengths out to sea.

A Glimpse into the Origins of Newfoundland Dogs

As is evident from the name of this breed, it has its origins in Newfoundland from the indigenous dogs that existed in this island. It is though that they may be partly the descendents of the large black bear dogs, which the Vikings introduced in 1001 AD. Although other people are of the opinion that the Newfoundland dog gets its size from the big mastiffs that were brought to Newfoundland by Portuguese fishermen. By 1610, when colonization was allowed, the Newfoundland’s distinctive mental attributes and physical characteristics had already been established.

By the 1880s, when fishermen from England and Ireland made their way to Newfoundland, they found two chief kinds of working dogs: one had a longish coat, was large in size, and heavily built, which was the Newfoundland, and the other was a water dog that had a smooth coat, was lighter built, and very active, which was the St. John’s Dog, the predecessor of the Labrador Retriever. Both the breeds were used for similar work, to pull fishing nets and heavy pieces of equipment.

The Physical Features of Newfoundland Dogs

The Newfoundland dog has a coat that is water resistant and its feet are webbed. The male weighs around 130-150 lb, or 60-70 kg, while the female weighs about 100-120 lb, or 45-55 kg, which places them in the ‘giant’ range of weight. Some Newfoundland dogs can weigh more than 200 lb, or 90 kg. The largest sized dog of this breed on record weighed 264 lb, or 120 kg, measuring more than 7 feet when measured from nose to tail. Then can grow up to 22-30 inches in height when measured at the shoulder.

The eyes of the Newfoundland should ideally be tight, which helps it to keep out water as well as infection, and without the third eyelid. The drop ears also help to keep water out, while the loose upper lips enable it to breathe when it carries anything as it swims. The outer coat is stiff and oily, and of moderate length, and it also has a fleecy undercoat to cope with the harsh climate of its native island. Because of its oily outer coat, the Newfoundland can remain absolutely warm and dry at the skin even after swimming for hours. The webbed feet enable it to swim, which it does using the breast stroke rather than the usual dog paddle.

The Newfoundland’s colors that the AKC, or the American Kennel Club, recognizes are gray, brown, black, and Landseer, which has a black head along with a body that is white and black. While the TKC, or The Kennel Club, allows only the Landseer, brown and black, and the CKC, or the Canadian Kennel Club only recognizes the Landseer and black. The Landseer has gotten its name from Sir Edwin Landseer, an artist who has portrayed them in several of his paintings. The Landseer is treated as a part of the Newfoundland dog breed by the CKC, TKC, and AKC, while others consider it a separate breed.

The Temperament of Newfoundland Dogs

The Newfoundland has a gentle and sweet temperament. That along with its eagerness to please its owner and devotion makes it one of the best of the large breeds of dogs.