Best dog food for a Newfoundland
A Newfoundland is a genuine giant breed, reaching up to around 68kg as an adult, which makes controlled, steady growth through puppyhood and ongoing joint support through adulthood the two things worth prioritising over any particular flavour or protein source. A large or giant breed formula, sized to that stage of life, is generally the better starting point than a standard all-breed food.
Feeding a Newfoundland
A giant breed
An adult Newfoundland typically weighs 50–69 kg, so a healthy Newfoundland eats a lot, and the sack size matters as much as the recipe compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A giant breed is usually done growing at 18–24 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 9–10 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Joint support is worth looking for
Their size and frame put more load through the joints than a smaller dog carries, so a food with joint support on the label is worth reading for — and keeping them lean does more for their joints than any supplement.
Weight matters more than usual here
A long back or a heavy frame makes every extra kilo count twice. Weigh portions rather than eyeballing a scoop, and reduce the food rather than the walks if the waist starts to disappear.
How much should a Newfoundland weigh?
Adult 50–69 kgfully grown at 18–24 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 4.4–6.1 kg | 9% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 7.1–9.9 kg | 14% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 14.3–19.7 kg | 29% |
| 12 months | Adolescent | 28.6–39.4 kg | 57% |
| 18–24 months | Fully grown | 50–69 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a giant breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Newfoundland
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Newfoundland's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Field & Trial Skinner S Field Trial Light Senior
A lower-fat dry food for older, overweight or less active dogs, including working breeds
From£9.85
Autarky Complete Grain Free Adult Turkey
Grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, with turkey and a marine-algae joint care package
£12.79
Autarky Grain Free Tasty White Fish & Potato Complete
Grain-free dry dog food built around white fish meal rather than poultry
£12.99
Lily's Kitchen Lily S Kitchen Dog Lovely Lamb
Complete lamb-led dry dog food offered in two practical bag sizes
From£25.15
Burns Adult/Senior Weight Control Chicken and Oats
A low-fat weight control dry food for adult and senior dogs, oat-based
£35.99
Burns Adult Large/Giant Breed Chicken and Brown Rice
Complete large-breed dry dog food with 23% chicken and brown rice
£59.99
Burgess Greyhound and Lurcher Chicken
Complete adult dry food formulated for the specific build of greyhounds and lurchers
£35.35
Naturo Senior Rice Poultry Variety 6pk
Six 400g trays across three recipes for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin
£10.29
Naturo Senior Dog Turkey with Rice and Vegetables 7pk
Turkey at 65% in a senior wet tray, with brown rice, vegetables and added joint support
£11.99
Why giant breeds need controlled growth
Growing too quickly as a puppy is thought to put more strain on developing joints in giant breeds, which is why large and giant breed puppy formulas are built around steadier growth rather than the fastest possible growth, with adjusted calcium, phosphorus and calorie levels compared with a standard puppy food. For a Newfoundland specifically, which reaches a genuinely enormous adult size, choosing a puppy food actually labelled for large or giant breeds rather than a generic one matters more than it would for a small or medium-sized dog.
This controlled approach continues to matter into early adulthood too, since a Newfoundland doesn't finish physically maturing as quickly as a smaller breed does, and overfeeding during that extended growth period can still affect joint development.
Joint support through adulthood
Newfoundlands, like most giant breeds, are more prone than average to joint conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, which makes maintaining a healthy weight throughout life one of the most protective things an owner can do, since extra weight adds direct strain to joints already working to support a very large frame. Some adult foods for large breeds include added joint-supporting ingredients such as glucosamine, though a vet is the right person to advise on whether additional joint supplementation is appropriate for an individual dog.
Weighing food out rather than free-feeding, and reassessing the amount as an adult Newfoundland's activity level changes, helps keep weight in the range that best protects their joints long-term.
Practical feeding considerations
A large or giant breed adult formula is generally built with an appropriate calorie density and a kibble size suited to a bigger mouth, both of which suit a Newfoundland better than a food designed around an average-sized dog. Newfoundlands are also known for drooling and a tendency to make a mess around the food bowl, which is more a practical household consideration than a nutritional one, but worth planning for with bowl placement and mats.
Because of their size, a Newfoundland's daily food cost is naturally higher than a small breed's, which is worth factoring into ongoing costs when choosing a food, alongside the quality and suitability of the formula itself.
Common questions
- Do Newfoundlands need large breed dog food?
- Yes, a large or giant breed formula, matched to their current life stage, generally suits a Newfoundland's size and growth pattern better than a standard all-breed food. This matters particularly during puppyhood, when controlled growth is thought to support healthier joint development.
- Are Newfoundlands prone to joint problems?
- Yes, like most giant breeds, Newfoundlands are more prone than average to conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life, supported by an appropriate diet and portion control, is one of the more protective things an owner can do.
- How much should an adult Newfoundland weigh?
- Adult Newfoundlands typically weigh in a broad range up to around 68kg depending on sex and individual build, so a vet is the best person to confirm whether an individual dog's weight and body condition are appropriate for their frame. Weight guides are a starting point, not a fixed target for every dog.
Related
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Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.