Newfoundland

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Mostly home
Grooming
As needed
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Robyn Parkin (PLANHAVEN)

robynparkin@hotmail.com
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Breeder - Mrs Donna Bailey (Magnewficent)

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History

Newfoundlands are named after their province of origin in Canada. They are believed to be the product of indigenous and black bear dogs that were introduced to the area by the Vikings. The chief industry of Newfoundland, an island of Canada, was fishing. ‘Newfs’, as they are colloquially known, were used to haul fishing nets and to retrieve objects or people who fell into the sea. The breed’s massive frame, large lung capacity and webbed feet allowed it to swim long distances, and the water-resistant double coat protected it from the icy temperatures of the ocean.

The breed’s immense size and strength also made it useful for hauling carts to town with the day’s catch, or for delivering milk and mail. Newfoundlands were kept as crew on sailing ships, and swam to land carrying a line if the seas were too choppy. It is well known for its natural lifesaving instincts, and there are many legends of Newfoundlands carrying lifelines to sinking ships to save a drowning crew.

Characteristics

As a utility and rescue dog, the Newfoundland was bred for its aptitude in the water. Its swimming technique is closer to a breaststroke than a doggie paddle, following a strong, down-and-out motion that allows it to power through long distances. The Newfoundland is known for its muscular build and calm disposition.

A caring, loyal dog, it is a true gentle giant. The breed shares many of its characteristics with Mastiffs and mountain dog breeds, including a large head and broad snout. The Newfoundland is prone to excessive drooling.

Temperament

The Newfoundland’s sweet disposition is the hallmark of the breed. Breed standard states that sweetness of temperament is the most important single characteristic and any sign of poor temperament cannot be tolerated. It is calm, intelligent and loving, but that’s not to say that these big, furry giants can’t be a handful. Obedience training is a must from an early age, as an undisciplined mass of fur and drool can do a lot of damage. It is an extremely social dog and must be treated as part of the family. Left in its own company for too long these dogs can become depressed and destructive. Although they possess a strong guardian instinct, the Newfoundland is a companion dog, not a guard dog.

Appearance

The Newfoundland is massive, deep bodied, well muscled and coordinated. Although it is large, its size should not be to the detriment of agility and gracefulness.

When viewed in profile, it should appear almost square with the length of the dog from the top of the withers to the base of the tail being equal in length to the distance from the top of the withers to the ground.

As an unrivalled canine swimmer, lung capacity is paramount. Being well ribbed up and back is a matter of survival in this breed. The accepted colours under the breed standard are black, brown and white with black markings.

These markings are called Landseers, named after the British artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who painted many portraits of this type of Newfoundland.

Maintenance & Suitability

The breed doesn’t require a lot of exercise, but will lean on the side of laziness if allowed. As puppies, exercise should be kept to a minimum to avoid joint damage.

As it gets older, a daily 30-minute walk is enough to keep an adult Newfoundland healthy and happy. Being a water breed, swimming is a preferred exercise because it puts very little pressure on its joints. Newfoundlands tend to shed all year round, and blow coat at least once a year. One of the pitfalls of having one of these beautiful dogs is the excess of hair – it tends to spread throughout the house.

Regularly grooming is an absolute must. As they have a double coat, matting is a common problem for Newfoundlands and failure to maintain a regular brushing routine can lead to skin infections that are difficult to overcome.

Even if your Newfoundland isn’t a showdog, it will still require occasional fur trimming. Excess hair around the pads of the feet and between the toes can cause unsure footing on slippery surfaces.

Health

Joint problems can be a common problem, as with most large breeds. Registered breeders will provide detailed instructions for growing the breed as soundly as possible. Parents should be hip and elbow scored and buyers should ask to see them. It is important for breeders to supply a clearance form for cystinuria. Heart problems also tend to be a common concern for the Newfoundland, so it’s imperative to send your puppy to the vet for a heart check as early as possible.

Words: Sheila Roberts

Image courtesy of Sue & Clifford Gray

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Newfoundland, you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Newfoundland and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 25 May 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The dog should impress the eye with strength and great activity. Bone massive throughout, but not to give a heavy, inactive appearance.

Characteristics

A water dog, used for life-saving.

Temperament

He should have an exceptionally gentle and docile nature.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head should be broad and massive, the occipital bone well developed; there should be no decided stop; the muzzle should be short, clean cut and rather square in shape and covered with short, fine hair.
Eyes	Should be small, of a dark brown colour; rather deeply set, but not showing any haw; should be set rather wide apart.
Ears	Should be small, set well back, square with the skull, lie close to the head, and covered with short hair without a fringe.
Mouth	Should be soft and well covered by the lips, should be neither undershot nor overshot but teeth should be level or scissor bite.
Neck	Should be strong, well set on to shoulders and back.
Forequarters	Legs should be perfectly straight, well covered with muscle, elbows in but well let down; feathered all down.
Body	Should be well ribbed up with broad back and strong muscular loins. Chest should be deep and fairly broad, well covered with hair, but not to such an extent as to form a frill.
Hindquarters	Should be very strong. The legs should have great freedom of action; slightly feathered. Slackness of loins and cow-hocks are a defect. Dew-claws are objectionable and should be removed.
Feet	Should be large and well shaped. Splayed or turned out feet are objectionable.
Tail	Should be of moderate length, reaching down a little below the hocks. It should be of fair thickness and well covered with hair, but not to form a flag. When the dog is standing still and not excited it should hang downwards with a slight curve at the end; but when the dog is in motion it should be carried up, and when he is excited straight out with only a slight curve at the end. Tails with a kink or curled over the back are very objectionable.
Gait/Movement	He should move freely on his legs with the body swung loosely between them, so that a slight roll in gait should not be objectionable.
Coat	Should be flat and dense, of a coarsish texture and oily nature, and capable of resisting water. If brushed the wrong way it should fall back into its place naturally.
Colour	The three recognised colours are:Dull jet black. A slight tinge of bronze or splash of white on chest and toes is acceptable. Black dogs having only white toes and white chest and white tip of tail should be exhibited in classes provided for black.Brown. Can be chocolate or bronze. Should in all other respects follow the black except in colour, splash of white on chest and toes is acceptable. Brown dogs to be exhibited in classes provided for blacks.White with Black markings only - Landseers. For preference black head with narrow blaze, evenly marked saddle and black rump extending on to tail. Beauty in markings to be taken greatly into consideration. Ticking is not desirable.Any variation from above may be penalised.
Size	Size and weight are very desirable so long as symmetry is maintained.A fair average height at the shoulders is:Dogs: 71cms (28 ins)Bitches: 66cms (26 ins)and a fair average weight is, respectively:Dogs: 64-69 kgs (141-152 lbs)Bitches: 50-54.5 kgs (110-120 lbs).

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dogWeak or hollow back, slackness of the loins.Cow-hocks. Dewclaws.Splayed or turned-out feet.Tails with a kink in them or curled over the back.