Dog Breeds 101: Newfoundland

Photo – Wikipedia – lic. under CC 2.0

The Newfoundland is a massive dog that was used to work both on land and in water. It can grow up to 23 inches tall at the withers and weigh up to 150 pounds. It is also strong enough to pull a drowning man from a turbulent sea. These big dogs have a gentle and intelligent expression reflecting their friendliness. They love the outdoors and enjoy any activity when they can be with nature – camping, hiking and swimming are among their most favorite activities. Due to their size, they are best suited to live in large houses with yards because they need plenty of room for them to move around comfortably. [1][2]

The dog originated in a Canadian province called Newfoundland from where the breed got its name. In the 1880s, fishermen and explorers from Ireland and England traveled to Newfoundland and discovered two types of working dogs there. One was large with a long coat and the other is smaller and smooth-coated. The larger dog was known as the Greater Newfoundland (which evolved to the modern Newfoundland) and the smaller was referred to as the St. John’s Dog which was the ancestor of all retriever breeds. The dogs worked in farms by hauling carts and also helped fishermen pull in fish nets. [3]

These dogs are known to be very patient and will do well in households with small children. In fact, Nana the dog from Peter Pan who watched over the Darling children is a Newfoundland. These dogs are very sweet and affectionate and will want to be involved in every family activity. Their ideal exercise should be long, daily walks and if possible, they should be given a weighted pack or a cart to pull. They love to feel that everything they do has a purpose. However, these dogs are prone to overheat especially during summer months, so taking them out for a cooling swim might be the ideal physical activity during warm weather. [2]

References:

[1] http://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_newfoundland
[2] https://web.archive.org/web/20190116231404/https://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Breeds/Newfoundland/Personality.aspx
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_(dog)

Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_(dog)#/media/File:Newfoundland_dog_Smoky.jpg

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSP8we71DSY