About Newfoundland Dogs

History

• The Newfoundland is a breed with ancient roots. Thought to be descendants of the massive black bear dogs the Vikings imported in the early 11th century, the Newfoundland still holds true to those large, black ancestors. The local dogs of the island were crossed with large mastiff breeds brought over by Portuguese immigrant fisherman in the 1400's, increasing the overall size and bone density of the developing breed. By the late 19th century, the Newfoundland was reproducing true and the sturdy, heavy black dogs had become a fixture on the island.

Identification

• Newfoundlands are a heavy-bodied, thick breed developed to withstand the cold, brutal winters of the northern Canada. Newfoundlands are large dogs, with males averaging 28 inches tall and 150 pounds, while females are a bit smaller at 25 inches and 115 pounds. The Newfoundland has a large, rounded head with small, triangular ears set low on the skull. The breed sports a rounded muzzle with a normally black nose, although dark brown noses may be present on brown or gray dogs. The coat is generally a medium to long length and lays flat against the body, with moderate feathering along the legs.

Types

• The Newfoundland has developed into two distinct lines: the solid-colored Newfoundland and the Landseer. Both variations of the breed are basically the same in size, structure and temperament, with the main difference being coat color. Solid-colored Newfoundlands are normally recognized in ether black, chocolate or gray, with white markings allowed on the chest, chin, tail and the toes. Landseer Newfoundlands are broken-colored dog, with large amounts of white along the back, chest and legs.

Considerations

• Newfoundlands are a gentle, loving breed that has found its way into some very prestigious places. The breed has been a favorite in the White House of Presidents Grant and Buchanan, and is the original breed of Nana, the dog made famous in the children's story "Peter Pan." Despite this popularity, owning a Newfoundland can be a challenge. The Newfoundland is a very large, intelligent breed that can make them difficult to own. Their size makes them difficult for many people to adequately contain, and their intelligence often leads them into mischief unless they are properly stimulated.

Warning

• Newfoundlands are very large, and their size alone can make them dangerous. While they are not known as a vicious breed, a bite from much a massive set of teeth can cause severe damage. The Newfoundland's size also makes for a much shorter lifespan than other breeds. The typical lifespan for a Newf is only 8 years, so one should take this brevity into consideration before adding a Newfoundland to his home.