Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a giant breed that comes originally from the Canadian island bearing its name. Males typically weigh between 130 and 150 pounds, with females at 100 to 120 pounds, making it one of the heaviest dogs kept as a family pet anywhere. For all that bulk, the temperament stays remarkably gentle and even tempered; owners often describe the breed as a working dog that is perfectly content to potter about the house.

The breed was developed to work alongside fishermen off the Newfoundland coast. A thick double coat, webbed feet and powerful shoulders all suit cold water work, and the dog is capable of swimming long distances; there is a well documented history of Newfoundlands pulling people and equipment from the sea. The same strength was put to use on land too, hauling carts and fishing nets.

In the home the Newfoundland is affectionate and patient, forming a close bond with its family and showing a level of tolerance towards children that has given the breed its reputation as a careful, trustworthy companion. The trade off for that gentle nature is the practical side of owning a dog this size: space, food costs, regular grooming and a fair amount of drool.

Who it suits

The Newfoundland suits a household with room for a large dog and the time to keep on top of heavy grooming and a sizeable food bill. It suits an owner after a calm, devoted companion rather than a dog bred for sport or high energy work, and families with children often get on particularly well with the breed thanks to its patient temperament. It is less suited to a small flat, a hot climate, or an owner who cannot live with drool and shedding.

The breed is named for the island of Newfoundland off Canada's eastern coast, where it took shape during the 1700s among fishing communities working the cold North Atlantic. Its exact ancestry was never fully recorded, but the working dogs kept on the island are generally accepted as the foundation of today's breed.

Fishermen relied on these dogs for water work: hauling nets and lines, retrieving gear that had gone overboard, and helping people who had ended up in the sea. Webbed feet, a water resistant coat and real swimming strength made the breed well suited to this work in freezing conditions.

The Newfoundland found favour in Britain during the 1800s, kept by a number of notable owners and appearing in paintings and literature of the period. That exposure helped the breed move beyond its working roots and shaped its development as both a companion and a show dog.

The breed was among those recognised by the earliest organised kennel clubs in the late 1800s. In Ireland today, the Irish Kennel Club acts as the national registry for pedigree dogs, including the Newfoundland, and the breed is now kept mainly as a family companion, though water rescue and draft work remain part of its recognised character and are still practised by some breed clubs.

The Newfoundland is a large, powerfully built dog with heavy bone and a broad, deep body. The head is large with a broad skull and a soft, gentle expression. The whole build favours strength and stamina over speed. Webbed feet and a strong tail aid swimming, with the tail working as a rudder in the water.

Coat and colour

The outer coat is coarse and water resistant, with a soft, dense undercoat beneath it. Solid black is the most common colour, and solid brown and grey are also accepted. The black and white pattern, known as Landseer, has a white base with black markings and takes its name from the painter who depicted the breed. The double coat sheds steadily all year round and considerably more during seasonal changes.

The Newfoundland is known for a gentle, steady temperament. It tends to be calm around the house and forms a close bond with its family. The breed is affectionate and seeks out human company, and it can become unsettled if left alone for long periods.

The Newfoundland is usually patient and tolerant with children, which forms a large part of its reputation. Given the dog's size, supervision around very young children still makes sense, simply because of its weight rather than any aggression. With strangers the breed tends to be friendly or politely reserved rather than defensive, so it is not really a guard dog, though its sheer size is a deterrent in itself.

With other pets the Newfoundland generally gets on well when raised together or socialised early. It is not a high energy breed and rarely shows a strong prey drive. The main things to plan around are its need for company and its tendency to drool.

Grooming

• Brush the double coat at least two to three times a week, and daily during seasonal shedding
• Use a slicker brush and an undercoat rake to reach the dense undercoat
• Bathe every one to two months or as needed; the thick coat takes a while to dry out fully
• Check and clean the ears regularly, as drop ears can trap moisture
• Trim nails and keep the hair between the paws tidy
• Wipe the mouth and jowls often to keep drool under control

Exercise

• Aim for about 30 to 60 minutes of activity a day
• A daily walk at a steady pace suits the breed well
• Swimming suits the Newfoundland particularly well and is easy on the joints
• Avoid strenuous exercise in warm weather and during a puppy's rapid growth phase

Environment

The Newfoundland does best in a cool climate with plenty of room to move about, which makes Ireland's cool, damp weather a good match for a coat built for cold water work. The thick coat makes hot, humid conditions a genuine concern, so shade, fresh water and a cool spot indoors matter during any warm spell. The breed settles well indoors given its calm nature, but it needs enough space to lie down and turn around comfortably given its size.

A Newfoundland needs a complete and balanced diet formulated for large or giant breeds. Because the dog carries so much weight, keeping it at a healthy body condition takes real pressure off the joints and heart. Measure food rather than leaving it down all day, and adjust the amount to the individual dog's activity level and condition. Puppies should be fed a large breed growth formula that supports slow, steady development rather than rapid weight gain.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to around ten per cent of daily calories to avoid weight gain. Some owners add joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin given the breed's size, along with fish oil for the coat and skin. Check with a vet before adding any supplement, as needs vary from dog to dog.

A Newfoundland typically lives around 9 to 10 years, in line with other giant breeds. The breed is generally hardy, but its size brings a specific set of health concerns affecting the joints, heart and digestion. Buying from a breeder who screens their stock, and keeping the dog at a healthy weight, both help reduce the risk.

Preventive care

• Annual vet check ups, with more frequent visits for older dogs
• Hip, elbow, heart and DNA screening in breeding stock
• Keep the dog at a healthy weight to protect the joints and heart
• Feed measured meals and avoid strenuous exercise straight after eating to lower the risk of bloat
• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date
• Routine dental and ear care

The Newfoundland is intelligent and genuinely keen to work with its handler, which makes it a fairly straightforward breed to train. It responds best to calm, consistent guidance and reward based methods, and harsh correction tends to backfire with a dog this sensitive. Because the adult dog ends up so large, teaching manners while it is still a puppy matters a great deal: a 130 pound dog that pulls on the lead or jumps up is a genuine handful, while the same dog trained early is easy to live with.

Basics

1. Start socialisation early, exposing the puppy to people, places and other animals
2. Teach a reliable lead walk before the dog reaches full size and strength
3. Build the core cues: sit, stay, come and down
4. Practise calm greetings so the dog doesn't jump up on people
5. Introduce water work and swimming if the dog shows interest, and many do
6. Keep sessions short, positive and consistent

Responsible Newfoundland breeding waits until the dog is physically and mentally mature, generally around two years old, so that health screening can be finished beforehand. Recommended screening covers the hips, elbows, heart and inherited conditions such as cystinuria. Gestation runs to roughly 63 days, much the same as other breeds. Litters tend to be large, and whelping a giant breed carries added risk, so veterinary involvement is well worth arranging.

Rearing the litter takes planning. Puppies grow fast and need a large breed diet built around controlled growth rather than rapid weight gain, which protects the developing joints. The dam needs strong nutrition and enough space to manage a sizeable litter, and early socialisation from the breeder lays the groundwork for the calm adult temperament the breed is known for. Anyone hoping to buy from a reputable breeder should expect a wait, since well bred giant breed litters do not come along often.

How to register a Newfoundland in Ireland

Get the profile sorted first: your Newfoundland's name, his date of birth, a photo, and your phone number, saved in a couple of minutes. The record is free for the whole of his life, and the chip number slots in whenever the vet has done his part. Dog registration is where it starts.

The implant is the vet's job; the record is down to you, and the 2015 rules assume you'll keep it current. Register the microchip free on the lifetime plan: whatever brand the vet reached for is grand, a house move costs nothing to record, and the number stays searchable day and night. Create your free account and have the pair of jobs done before the tea goes cold.