Newfoundland
Overview
A working dog of the Canadian coast bred to haul nets and rescue people from the water, the Newfoundland is a sweet, patient giant with strong 'nanny dog' instincts. It suits homes with space who'll manage heavy shedding, drooling and grooming, keep it cool in summer, and welcome a gentle, devoted companion that adores both children and water.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Newfoundland is excellent with children of all ages and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a very quiet, and as a guide they are manageable for committed beginners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Newfoundland typically needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (roughly 30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is high upkeep and shedding is high. Plan on frequent brushing — often several times a week — plus regular trips to a professional groomer to keep the coat free of mats. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Newfoundland should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a giant breed will eat a fair amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Sweet, patient and devoted to children
- +Calm, gentle nature and a love of water
Things to consider
- –Giant size, heavy shedding and drooling
- –Needs grooming and copes poorly with heat
Is a Newfoundland right for you?
On space, a Newfoundland is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are manageable for committed beginners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Newfoundland
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Newfoundlands good with children?
Excellent with children of all ages. As a general guide, Newfoundlands tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Newfoundland need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Newfoundland needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Newfoundlands shed a lot?
High shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Newfoundlands easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Newfoundlands are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Newfoundlands bark a lot?
Very quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Newfoundlands good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Newfoundlands suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Newfoundland really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.