Skin stretches between its toes. The FCI standard expressly requires this webbing and considers its absence a fault, because the Newfoundland is built to swim. Its tail acts as a rudder in the water, and its coat is waterproof. On land, it is a calm giant with a big heart for its family.
| FCI | Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs), Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds, Mountain type, Standard No. 50, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Height at the withers | Average males 71 cm, females 66 cm |
| Weight | Average males approx. 68 kg, females approx. 54 kg |
| Life expectancy | Median 11,0 years in a British analysis of 584.734 dogs (McMillan et al. 2024) |
| Coat | Waterproof double coat, moderately long, straight outer coat with soft, dense undercoat |
| Colours according to the standard | Black, white and black, and brown (chocolate to bronze); black and brown dogs may have white markings on chest, toes and tail tip |
Origins
According to the standard, the breed developed on Newfoundland island from indigenous dogs and the large black bear dog brought by the Vikings after 1100. Its type was already established when colonisation began in 1610. It hauled heavy loads in a harsh climate and, as a water dog, rescued people from the sea.
Temperament
The standard describes a dog radiating benevolence and gentleness, majestic, cheerful and enterprising, known for its constant kindness and composure. In daily life, that means patience with children and friendliness towards visitors, but its weight makes it a dog you cannot simply hold back on the lead. Training begins in puppyhood.
Exercise and activities
Water is its element. Swimming is gentle on the joints and visibly enjoyable, as are water work and pulling a light cart. It tolerates heat poorly, so summer walks move to the cooler hours. Moderation matters while it is growing.
Grooming
The dense coat needs brushing at least twice a week, daily during shedding. The standard does not recommend trimming or clipping. Expect hair around the house, drool and a wet dog that likes shaking itself in the hallway.
Health
The Newfoundland has an increased risk of a congenital narrowing below the aortic valve, subvalvular aortic stenosis. A French breed-club cardiac screening programme shows that prevention is worthwhile: of 921 Newfoundlands examined, 99,1 per cent were free of aortic stenosis, with no further cases found in the last three years (Chetboul et al. 2025). Ask for the parents’ heart ultrasound results. As a large breed, it is also among the dogs at increased risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (Glickman et al. 2000).
Who does the Newfoundland suit?
Families with space, a garden and ideally water nearby, who want a composed companion and do not shy away from grooming.
Who should consider another breed?
People in small flats or hot attic apartments, very house-proud households and anyone on a tight budget.
Check whether a dog of this size fits your life with the breed quiz or our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For those first weeks with a puppy, try our free Puppy Starter Pack. Find a picture of your Newfoundland among our dog portraits from your own photo, perhaps as a magazine cover on canvas.
Further reading
- Bernese Mountain Dog: why our time together is so short
- Labrador Retriever: why a quarter are always hungry
- Autumn shedding in dogs and cats: what is normal and what is not
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 50 Newfoundland (Neufundländer) (fci.be, version dated 09.12.1996); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024; Chetboul V et al., Congenital pulmonic and aortic stenosis in Newfoundland dogs: Results of a 14-year French cardiovascular screening program (921 dogs), PLOS ONE 2025; Glickman LT et al., Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2000.
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