Is a Newfie the Right Dog Breed for You?
Newfoundland dogs are known for their gentle and sweet nature. They have a thick double coat that keeps them warm in cold water, webbed feet for swimming, and a large build that makes them excellent rescue dogs. They are also known for their ability to be trained as therapy dogs.
The Newfoundland breed
is a working dog that originated in the Canadian island of Newfoundland in the late 18th century. The dogs were used as working aquatic animals such as pulling fishing nets and rescuing people from drowning. They are one of the best dogs breeds for cold weather climates.
The Canadian Kennel Club
recognizes 5 dog breeds native to Canada: The Newfoundland, The Labrador Retriever, The Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever, The Tahltan bear dog and the Canadian Inuit dog. A 6th dog, the Salish Woolly dog originating in Vancouver became extinct around 1900.
As with many Breeds, the Exact
origin of the Newfoundland are unclear. Some believe the are descendants of “black bear” dogs brought to the island by Vikings around 1000 AD. Others believed the evolved from the American black wolf. Another, more likely theory, is that they were developed from the St. John’s Water Dog.
The Newfoundland is a natural swimmer
it has webbed toes that help it swim easily. They were bred for rescuing people from drowning in the rocky Atlantic waters on Canada’s eastern shores and pulling in fishing nets and other objects. There are hundreds of documented rescues of people being pulled from the sea by this live-saving dog.
According to FCI Breed Standard
Newfoundland dogs can reach up to 28 inches in height and 150 pounds in weight. Accepted coat colors of this large dog are:
1. Black: The traditional colour is black.
2. White and black: This variety is of historical significance for the breed. The preferred pattern of markings is black head with, preferably, a white blaze extending onto the muzzle, black saddle with even markings and black croup and upper tail.
3. Brown: The brown colour goes from chocolate to bronze
While the FCI does not include grey in their breed standard, the color grey is included in AKC breed standard.
Growing Up Newfoundland!
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In this Same Research
Newfoundland dogs rank very low, 108 out of 124 breeds, in aggression towards other unfamiliar people. They also rank very low, 102 out of 124 breeds in aggression towards other unfamiliar dogs. Aggression is defined as growling, bearing teeth or in extreme cases, lunging and/or biting. The Newfie is large size dog that seems to love everybody!
Newfie Humor!
In the Landmark Book
entitled, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, professor Stanley Coren researched and documented the intelligence of over 130 different dog breeds. In his book, the Newfoundland ranks 34th out of 130 breeds in working/obedience intelligence. Essentially this means they will learn new commands in 15 to 25 repetitions and obey first commands more than 70% of the time. This puts them in the “above average working and obedience intelligence” category. In contrast, the lest intelligent breeds will require 80-100 repetitions to learn and follow the same commands and the most intelligent, 5 repetitions or less! Being a very intelligent breed, Newfie’s require regular mental stimulation!
What do you get with a Newfie?
The Newfoundland is a big bundle of love and loyalty. Their gentle and loving nature makes them the perfect companion for families, especially those with young children (they are the perfect nanny dog) and, most of the time, other animas. Their affinity for water and natural instincts for rescue make them incredible heroes in emergency situations and keeping them out of a puddle or pond may be difficult! While they may require daily exercise, regular grooming, and a lot of space, the rewards of having a Newfoundland by your side are immeasurable. Whether you’re taking them for daily walks or engaging in fun outdoor activities, these huge pups will always be up for an adventure. Just be prepared for some slobber, drool, and shedding along the way! Newfies are gentle giants that will love and protect their families will all of their hearts and will leave a gaping hole in yours when they cross the rainbow bridge.
Check Your Facts about Newfoundland Dogs and Take a Fun Newfie Quiz
Quick Facts About Newfoundland Dogs Infographic
