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A large dog and a true
workhorse, the Newfoundland is a master at long-distance swimming
and has true lifesaving instincts in the water. He is large and
strong, possessing a heavy coat to protect him from icy waters.
There are many conflicting stories as to the origin of the
Newfoundland – some say he descended from the
Great Pyrenees or a
"French hound" – but nearly all agree that he originated in
Newfoundland and his ancestors were brought there by fisherman from
the European continent. In Newfoundland he was used as a working dog
to pull nets for the fishermen and to haul wood from the forest. He
also did heavy labor, such as powering the blacksmith's bellows.
General Appearance
The Newfoundland is a stately, strong, and
massive dog with a broad heavy head. Elegant, harmonious, agile and
hardy. The wide muzzle is rather short and squared-off. The small
triangular ears are pendant. The small eyes are dark brown; the
conjunctiva should not show as it does in the St. Bernard. The nose
is generally black except on bronze-colored dogs, which have brown
noses. The feet are webbed for better swimming. Dewclaws should be
removed on the hind legs. The tail hangs down. The water-repellent
long outer coat is flat, oily and slightly wavy with a thick oily
undercoat. Dogs that live indoors, however, tend to loose their
undercoats. The coat most often comes in black, (sometimes with a
little white on the feet, end of the tail, or chest) black with blue
highlights, bronze sometimes also in brown or gray and Landseer
(White with black markings), note: in the USA and Great Brittan the
Landseer is considered the same breed as the Newfoundland, however
in some European countries the Landseer is a totally different breed
than the Newfoundland. Landseers in Europe have longer legs than
newfies, Landseers are not so massive, they are more sporty dogs. In
shows, they compete separately.
Temperament
A sweet natured, calm, and loyal dog, the Newfoundland is an
excellent choice for a family pet, suiting both inexperienced and
experienced dog owners. These giant dogs are docile and mild
manners, carrying themselves with dignity and offering plenty of
love, devotion, and affection. This is a very intelligent and
responsive breed, and training should not prove too difficult. The
Newfoundland is a dog that is eager to please his owner, although
males may be a little more stubborn than females. Too large to fare
well as an apartment dog, this breed enjoys space in which to play
and exercise, and should be provided with a large, secured, and safe
area. He loves water, and will be happy to go for a swim at any
time. Regular walks are recommended in order to help this gentle
giant keep fit. The Newfoundland is a very friendly and sociable
breed, but some lines can be dominant or overly timid, and therefore
early socialization is required. The Newfoundland thrives on
affection and attention from his owners, and is not the dog for you
if you do not have the time to commit to a pet. These dogs do drool
a lot, and this is something to consider when thinking about taking
on this breed. The Newfoundland gets along very well with children,
and will also get along with other pets, although some can be
aggressive with same sex dogs. This sweet natured and patient dog
will also welcome strangers. However, he can still make an effective
watchdog simply because of his bark and his size.
Grooming
The Newfoundland is an average shedder throughout the year and does
need regular grooming to keep the thick, dense double coat from
hopelessly matting. Most breeders recommend at least four times per
week that the dog be completely groomed with a stiff wire brush,
grooming rake or long pin brush designed specifically for large size
dogs. This regular grooming will keep debris and knots from becoming
irritating or problematic.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy
As with most other giant breeds, the life expectancy of the
Newfoundland is far shorter than that of smaller dogs, and these
dogs live to around ten years of age. There are a number of problems
associated with this breed, and this includes
bloat, SAS, entropion,
thyroid problems, ectropion, OCD, HD, heart problems, allergies,
skin conditions, and heatstroke in humid or hot conditions.
Activity Level
The Newfoundland is a very calm breed that is prone to turning into
a non-exercising dog if allowed. They will happily go with owners on
walks or outside to explore, but they are not good at
self-exercising. Newfoundlands are prone to weight gain and do need
to be exercised on a regular basis to prevent obesity and health
concerns related to increased weight.
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