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Breed profile

Newfoundland

A big, sweet-natured water dog bred to haul nets and pull swimmers ashore. Expect drool, hair and a lot of affection.

Close portrait of a black and white Landseer Newfoundland in front of a wooden fence
A Landseer Newfoundland's broad, gentle face.Photo: Mbewegrey / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
45–70 kg99–154 lb
Height
66–71 cm26–28 in
Lifespan
9–11 yrs
Group
Working
Origin
Canada
Popularity
#46 US#68 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsCold climatesGood with other dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Sweet-natured, Patient, Gentle, Water-loving.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Cranial cruciate ligament rupture
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Bloat (GDV)
  • Osteosarcoma

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily walks, and swims if you can. Keep them cool in warm weather. Brush two or three times a week, daily during the moult.

A good fit for

Families with children, cool climates, people who live near water and don't mind mess.

Probably not ideal for

Hot climates, the house-proud, small cars and small flats.

Sources

  1. American Kennel Club: Newfoundland
  2. PetMD (vet-reviewed): Newfoundland
  3. Wikipedia: Newfoundland dog

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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