From a distance, you might mistake a Newfoundland dog for a brown bear. But appearance is all that bears have in common with this breed. You’ll find that Newfoundlands are actually gentle giants with a deep love of their human families. 

History of the Newfoundland Dog Breed

Curious about the origin of the Newfie dog breed? It’s right in the name. These giant furballs hail from the cold Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s the same homeland of the beloved Labrador Retriever. 

Newfoundland and Labrador is a coastal province at the very Northeastern tip of Canada. Fishermen would bring a Newfie dog on voyages to haul fish nets and help rescue sailors who had fallen overboard. With their webbed paws and natural swimming abilities, a Newfoundland dog could easily save a grown man from drowning. 

Newfoundlands are a working breed through and through. Even when ships pulled into port, they still had work to do. Back on dry land, Newfies were expected to transport the catch of the day to the market. 

Newfies are an important part of US history, as well. A Newfoundland dog named Seaman helped lead Lewis and Clark on their 8,000-mile journey from Pennsylvania to Oregon. Seaman would hunt squirrels and beavers. The brave pup even saved his humans from a pack of charging bison. 

Another noteworthy bit of Newfoundland breed history is their impact on JM Barrie. The Peter Pan playwright was fond of the breed and had a Newfie dog named Luath. Barrie specified that Nana, the Darling family’s canine caretaker in Peter Pan, was a Newfoundland dog. 

Physical Traits of Newfoundlands

A Newfoundland dog isn’t your average large breed. Newfies, as they are affectionately called, are technically classified as a giant breed. Even at four months old, Newfoundland puppies will weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. 

A healthy, fully grown Newfie dog weighs between 100 and 150 pounds. Males tend to stand around 28 inches tall. Females are a little shorter, at about 26 inches tall. Gender aside, a Newfoundland dog could easily outweigh their humans. 

Dark, fluffy fur is the hallmark of the Newfoundland dog breed. These pups have water-resistant double coats of long, soft fur. Black, brown, gray, and beige are the most common coat colors. Some Newfoundland puppies have one of these colors mixed with spots of white fur. 

Keeping up with the bear-like appearance, Newfies have large heads and short, triangular ears. They have broad shoulders and strong legs to support their large stature. Under facial fur and a broad forehead, you’ll find a soft gaze of dark brown eyes. 

Newfoundland Dog Personality

Don’t judge a Newfie dog based on their appearance. Though their size may be intimidating, the opposite can be said for their personality. Newfoundlands are teddy bears, with a patient, affectionate, and calm aura.

Newfoundlands are deeply devoted to their humans. Infants, young children, adults, and seniors can all form deep and meaningful connections with their Newfie dog. Their devotion and loyalty make Newfoundlands one of the best dog breeds for families.  

Unlike other breeds, Newfies have a natural patience and gentleness with children of all ages. They become a caretaker of sorts, enjoying playtime with the kids and ensuring they’re protected from danger. Some even call Newfoundlands the “nanny dog” because of their parental instincts. 

While these pups are eager to please, training can be a challenge. Newfoundland puppies should receive obedience training and socialization with other dogs early on. The bigger Newfoundland puppies get, the more difficult obedience training can be. Start enforcing commands early on with your Newfie dog. 

Social and people-oriented are the best ways to describe the Newfoundland dog personality. They get lonely if they aren’t around their humans or other dogs. When you are with your Newfie dog, make up for lost time with cuddles, belly scratches, and playtime.

Health & Grooming

For a consistently smooth coat, brush your Newfoundland dog at least once a week. Use a long-toothed comb to detangle matted hair. A slicker brush can also help remove dead hair. 

Newfies shed all year-round, with a heavier shedding around the spring and fall. We recommend daily brushing sessions during heavy shedding periods. Get an undercoat brush or spring for a full-service grooming to help your Newfie dog rid their winter and summer coats. 

Trim your Newfie’s nails every so often and brush their teeth regularly. Newfoundland dogs can be prone to ear infections, so keep those clean, as well. 

Due to their large size, Newfoundlands are more likely to develop hip dysplasia, cardiac disease, and cystinuria. Take your Newfie dog to the vet for regular check-ups to avoid such health issues. Newfies have a shorter life expectancy of 9 to 10 years, so every day counts. 

Exercise Requirements

Compared to other breeds, Newfoundlands have relatively mild exercise requirements. Just getting their big bodies around takes enough energy. But Newfies do enjoy activities like swimming, hiking, and playing with children. 

A half hour of moderate exercise is enough to keep your Newfie dog happy and healthy. Take them for a walk around the park or throw the ball around. Dedicated playtime with your kids can also help your Newfie stay active. 

Nutrition & Best Dog Food for Newfoundlands

Quality nutrition is key with giant breeds like the Newfoundland. Big dogs are more prone to obesity and bloating, which can both be life-threatening in some cases. For this reason, Newfie parents should avoid feeding their pup any recipes with artificial ingredients, supplements, or flavors.

So, what is the best dog food for Newfies? We recommend Sundays for Dogs. Each Sundays’ recipe is 100% human-grade dog food, with zero artificial or synthetic ingredients. Real meat is always the first ingredient in Sundays, followed by nutritious fruits, veggies, and whole grains. 

There’s no need for added flavors or supplements because Sundays is gently air-dried. This gentle cooking method preserves the natural nutrients and taste of each whole food ingredient. Plus, air-dried dog food is shelf-stable and ready to eat without any additional prep. Just open, pour, and serve right into your Newfie dog’s bowl.

Save 20% on every reorder when you subscribe to Sundays for Dogs. Choose from the All-Natural Chicken, USDA Beef, and All-Natural Turkey recipes. You’ll get automatic deliveries, exclusive subscriber savings, and more when you choose Sundays' dog food.