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The Newfoundland dog

Newfoundland (dog), breed of working dog, that originated in Newfoundland from the crossbreeding of native strains with foreign breeds, the latter possibly the Great Pyrenees or the boarhound.

Most pedigree Newfoundlands of today are descended from dogs bred in England.

The male is about 71 cm (28 in) high at the shoulder and weighs from 64 to 68 kg (140 to 150 lb); the female stands 66 cm (26 in) high and weighs from 50 to 54 kg (110 to 120 lb).

The Newfoundland has a broad, massive head; small, deeply set, dark-brown eyes; small ears lying close to the head; a deep chest; a dense, water-resistant double coat, usually dull black in color; and a broad, strong tail. The feet are large, strong, and webbed, for traversing marshlands and shores. Powerful swimmers, Newfoundlands are known to have rescued human beings from drowning and to have carried lifelines from shore to ships in distress.

Today they are used primarily as watchdogs and companions, but they were once used to draw carts and carry burdens. Because of their loyalty, intelligence, and tractability, Newfoundland dogs are ideal pets.

 

 

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Check Out the Newfoundland Dog Owners Guide at Canismajor.com:

A bumper sticker sold by the Newfoundland Club of America reads, "No, I'm not a black St. Bernard!"

Actually, it is the St. Bernard that looks like a Newfoundland. Around 1860, the St. Bernards at the hospice in Switzerland were almost wiped out by an epidemic of distemper. Since the breeds look similar, the Monks imported some Newfoundlands to regenerate their famous rescue dogs. These crosses led to the birth of the first long haired St. Bernards, a variety that proved unsuited to snow rescue when ice balls formed and clung to the hair, weighing the dog down. To this day, at the hospice, when a long haired St. Bernard is born, it is rejected as a throwback to the Newfoundland.

Saints and Newfs are similar since they were bred for similar jobs. Both breeds are large enough to pull a man to safety. Male Newfoundlands average 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh around 150 pounds. Females average 25-26 inches tall, and weigh around 115 pounds. Individuals vary in size, and symmetry takes precedence over size. The Newfoundland differs from the St. Bernard by many features adapted to the water. A Newf's eyes should be tight to keep out water and infection with no haw, the third eyelid seen in the St. Bernard.

A Newf's drop ears also keep out water, and very loose flews (droopy upper lips) allow him to breath while carrying something as he swims. While most Newfs are black, recessive colors brown or bronze (the color of an Irish Setter) are acceptable. Black and brown combine with a recessive dilution gene to produce gray and cream-colored dogs. Solid colors may have splashes of white on the chest, toes, and tail.

Another color combination is the Landseer, named for artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who featured this striking white and black dog in many of his paintings. The Landseer Newf is a white dog, with a black head, black on the rump extending onto the tail, and an evenly marked black saddle over the back. Solid-color dogs with markings other than white are disqualified in the conformation ring.

The Newfoundland has a stiff, oily outer coat of moderate length and a fleecy undercoat to adapt to the harsh climate of its home island. The oil repels water. A Newfoundland can swim for hours, yet remain completely dry and warm at the skin. The breed has completely webbed feet and swims with a breast stroke instead of a dog paddle.

The hallmark of the breed is his sweet and gentle temperament. This combined with his devotion and eagerness to please his owner make the Newfoundland the best of the giant breeds in the obedience ring. In 2003, two Newfs – one of them a breed champion – earned the coveted American Kennel Club Versatile Companion Dog (VCD1) award by completing titles in obedience, agility, and tracking competitions. (Obedience and agility titles require that the dog achieve three qualifying scores in the novice level of competition; the tracking title is awarded after a single successful completion of a tracking test.)

In 2004, a Newf named Josh defied the odds and won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Josh beat many of the country's top dogs for the honor, including CoCo, the Norfolk Terrier who won the AKC/Eukanuba Invitational in December 2003.

Today, the Newfoundland Club of America encourages Newf owners to maintain the breed's working instincts by awarding working titles in both water and draft work.

The junior title, Water Dog (WD), and the senior title, Water Rescue Dog (WRD), put the Newfs through a difficult series of life saving water rescue exercises. Dogs earn the Draft Dog (DD) title by maneuvering and hauling various draft apparatus. A team of two or more Newfs performing the same set of exercises required for DD can earn the Team Draft Dog (TDD) title. The NCA draft test is being adopted by many other breed clubs.

Finally, to encourage well-rounded Newfoundlands, the NCA bestows the ultimate honorary certification of Versatile Newf (VN) on any Newf who earns the titles of AKC breed Champion, obedience Companion Dog, and the NCA WRD and DD.

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