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Newfoundland
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The Newfoundland is a large, usually black, breed of dog originally
used as a working dog in Newfoundland. They are famously known
for their giant size and tremendous strength, and for their sweet
dispositions, loyalty, and natural water rescue tendencies. The
Newfoundland dog excels at water rescue, due to their great
muscles and partly to their webbed feet and acute swimming
abilities. Newfoundland dogs require grooming at least once per
week (and frequently more often). They are extremely loving and
patient, and Newfoundland puppies are laid-back and considered
easy to housebreak. When it comes to physical strength, this
breed is thought to be the strongest--even beating some
characteristics of the Great Dane, Mastiff, or Irish Wolfhound.
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Description
Appearance
Newfoundlands ('Newfs' or 'Newfies') have webbed feet and a
water-resistant coat. Males weigh 60–70 kg (130-150 lb), and
females 45–55 kg (120-140 lb), placing them in the "Giant" weight
range. Some Newfoundland dogs have been known to weigh over
90 kg (200 lb). The largest Newfoundland on record weighed 120
kg (260lbs) and measured over 6 feet from nose to tail, ranking it
among the biggest Mastiffs and St. Bernards. They may grow up to
22-28 inches tall at the shoulder.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard colors of the
Newfoundland dogs are black, brown, gray, and landseer (black
head and white and black body); The Kennel Club (KC) permits
only black, brown, and landseer; the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
permanents are only black and landseer. The Landseer is named
after the artist Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, who featured them in
many of his paintings. AKC, CKC, and KC all treat Landseer as
part of the breed. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
consider the Landseer to be a separate breed; others consider it
only a Newfoundland color variation.
The Newfoundland's extremely large bones give him mass, while
his mammoth musculature gives him the power he needs to take
on rough ocean waves and powerful tides. He has an enormous
lung capacity for swimming extremely long distances, and a thick,
oily and waterproof double coat which protects him from the chill of
icy waters. His droopy lips and jowls makes the dog drool, but the
purpose of his design gives passageways that allow him to breathe
even when his mouth is full and swamped by waves.
In the water, his massive webbed paws gives the Newfoundland
another advantage, giving him maximum propulsion with every
stroke. The stroke is not an ordinary doggy paddle. Unlike other
dogs, the Newfoundland moves his limbs in a down-and-out
motion, which can be seen as a modified breaststroke. This gives
him more power with every stroke.
Temperament
The Newfoundland dog is legendarily known for its benevolence
and strength. It is known to be one of the kindest and gentlest
dogs, if not the very best and gentlest dog of all when it comes to
children. It is for this reason that this breed is known as "the gentle
giant". International kennel clubs generally describe the breed as
having a sweet temper. They have deep barks, are easy to train,
are fine guardians and watchdogs, and are extremely good with
children.
The Newfoundland dog is also extremely good with other animals.
Its caring and gentle nature comes out in play and interaction with
both humans and animals alike. As with any breed, Newfoundland
dogs can have dominance issues, but this is unusual for the breed.
"Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland;
this is the most important single characteristic of the breed." -
Newfoundland Club Of America.
"Its soft expression reflects its benevolent and dignified
temperament." - Animal Planet about the great Newfoundland Dog
Health
There are several health problems associated with Newfoundlands.
Newfoundlands are prone to hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and
socket in the hip joint), Elbow dysplasia, and cystinuria (a
hereditary defect that forms calculi stones in the bladder). Another
genetic problem is subvalvular aortic stenosis, also referred to as
subaortic stenosis or SAS. This is a common heart defect in
Newfoundlands involving defective heart valves. SAS can cause
sudden death at an early age.
History
The breed originated in Newfoundland from a breed indigenous to
the island, that later became known as the St. John's Dog. The
speculation they may be partly descended from the big black bear
dogs introduced by the Vikings in 1001 A.D. is based more in
romance than in fact. It is more likely that their size results from the
introduction of large mastiffs, brought to the island by many
generations of Portuguese fishermen, who had been fishing the
Grand Banks of Newfoundland since the 1400s. By the time
colonization was permitted in 1610, the distinct physical
characteristics and mental attributes had been established in the
breed. In the early 1880s fishermen from Ireland and England
traveled to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, where they
described two main types of working dog: one more heavily built,
large with a longish coat, whereas the other was lighter in build, an
active, smooth-coated water dog. The heavier one was the
Newfoundland and the other was the known as the Lesser St.
John's Dog, the forerunner of the Labrador Retriever. The dogs
were used in similar ways to pull fishnets and heavy equipment.
Many tales have been told of the courage displayed by
Newfoundland's in lifesaving exploits and this has attracted the
attention of a large number of artists, who have portrayed the dogs
in paint, stone, bronze and porcelain over the last two centuries.
The breed prospered in the United Kingdom, until 1914 and again
in 1939, when its numbers were almost fatally depleted by wartime
restrictions. Since the 1950's there has been a steady increase in
numbers and popularity, while still remaining a relatively
uncommon breed, this is not least because a Newfoundland's great
size, appetite and fondness for playing around in mud and water
make it very unsuitable for most homes.
Rescues
During the Discovery Channel's second day of coverage of the
AKC Eukanuba National Championship on December 3, 2006,
anchor Bob Goen reported that Newfoundlands exhibit a very
strong propensity to rescue people from water. Goen stated that
one Newfoundland alone once aided the rescue of 63 shipwrecked
sailors. Today, kennel clubs across the United States host
Newfoundland Rescue Demonstrations, as well as offering classes
in the field.
In 1832, Ann Harvey of Isle aux Morts, her father, and a
Newfoundland Dog named Hairyman saved over 180 Irish
immigrants from the wreck of the brig Dispatch.
In the early 1900s, a dog that is thought to have been a
Newfoundland saved 92 people who were on a sinking ship in
Newfoundland during a blizzard. The dog retrieved a rope thrown
out into the turbulent waters by those on deck, and brought the
rope to shore to people waiting on the beach. A breeches buoy
was attached to the rope, and all those aboard the ship were able
to get across to the shore.
An unnamed Newfoundland is also credited for saving Napoleon
Bonaparte in 1815. During his famous escape from exile on the
island of Elba, rough seas knocked Napoleon overboard. A
fisherman's dog jumped into the sea, and kept Napoleon afloat
until he could reach safety.
Further evidence of Newfoundlands' ability to rescue or support life
saving activities was cited in a recent article by the BBC.
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Newfoundland
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Country of origin
Canada / England
Weight
Male: 130-150 lb
Female: 100-120 lb
Height
Male: 28 in
Female: 26 in
Coat
Thick and straight
Color
Black, brown or black-and-white
patches
Life span
8-10 years
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Newfoundland dogs are well-known
for their jolly, light-hearted nature.
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