Are Newfoundlands hypoallergenic?

No. Their heavy double coat and significant shedding make them one of the less suitable breeds for anyone with a pet hair or dander allergy, and there's no genuinely hypoallergenic dog breed regardless of coat type.

How often should I groom a Newfoundland?

Several times a week outside of their seasonal shed, and often daily during the heavier spring and autumn blow-outs, using a brush designed to reach the undercoat rather than just the top layer.

Do Newfoundlands need professional grooming?

Many owners manage routine brushing at home, but a professional groom every couple of months can help work through a heavy undercoat more thoroughly, particularly during the big seasonal sheds, and can catch early matting before it becomes a problem.

What's the best brush for a Newfoundland's coat?

An undercoat rake or slicker brush built for double-coated breeds reaches the dense underlayer that a basic bristle brush tends to miss, which is the coat doing most of the actual shedding.

Do Newfoundlands shed a lot?

Yes, Newfoundlands shed a considerable amount. Their thick double coat — a coarse, water-resistant outer layer over a dense, soft undercoat — sheds steadily throughout the year and then far more heavily during two seasonal changes, typically spring and autumn, when the undercoat is worked out in earnest.

Why the coat sheds the way it does

The double coat that makes Newfoundlands such capable water dogs is also what makes them heavy shedders. The dense undercoat traps warm air close to the skin and repels water, and a dog carrying that much undercoat has correspondingly more to shed when the season changes and the body starts swapping a winter coat for a summer one, or vice versa.

Outside of the two big seasonal blow-outs, a Newfoundland still sheds a steady, lower-level amount year-round, which is worth knowing before bringing one into a home with dark furniture or anyone with a significant pet hair sensitivity.

What that means for grooming

A Newfoundland's coat needs brushing several times a week outside of shedding season, and often daily during a heavy seasonal shed, to keep loose undercoat from matting against the skin. Left unbrushed for too long, the dense undercoat can felt into painful mats, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar area.

A slicker brush or undercoat rake designed for double coats works through the loose fur far more effectively than a basic bristle brush, which tends to skim the top coat without reaching the undercoat doing most of the shedding.

Bathing and general coat care

Newfoundlands don't need frequent bathing — their coat's natural oils are part of what makes it water-resistant, and over-bathing can strip that. A wash every couple of months, or after they've been in something particularly muddy or smelly, is usually plenty alongside regular brushing.

A good rinse-out after swimming, which many Newfoundlands love given their history as water dogs, helps prevent a damp undercoat from developing a musty smell, and towel-drying thoroughly afterwards reduces the time a heavy coat spends wet against the skin.

Living with the shedding

Realistically, a Newfoundland is not a breed for anyone hoping to keep a spotless, hair-free home. Regular vacuuming, a good lint roller kept by the door, and accepting that dark clothing and Newfoundland ownership don't mix particularly well are all part of the trade-off for owning a breed this loyal and this large.

The shedding itself is a normal, healthy part of the breed rather than a sign anything is wrong, so it's worth going into Newfoundland ownership with realistic expectations about the grooming commitment rather than being caught out by it once the first big seasonal shed arrives.

Kit for this breed

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Microfibre Pet Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.

From£10.99

Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.

From£13.99

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

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Common questions

Are Newfoundlands hypoallergenic?: No. Their heavy double coat and significant shedding make them one of the less suitable breeds for anyone with a pet hair or dander allergy, and there's no genuinely hypoallergenic dog breed regardless of coat type.
How often should I groom a Newfoundland?: Several times a week outside of their seasonal shed, and often daily during the heavier spring and autumn blow-outs, using a brush designed to reach the undercoat rather than just the top layer.
Do Newfoundlands need professional grooming?: Many owners manage routine brushing at home, but a professional groom every couple of months can help work through a heavy undercoat more thoroughly, particularly during the big seasonal sheds, and can catch early matting before it becomes a problem.
What's the best brush for a Newfoundland's coat?: An undercoat rake or slicker brush built for double-coated breeds reaches the dense underlayer that a basic bristle brush tends to miss, which is the coat doing most of the actual shedding.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Blue Cross — Pet advice

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.