Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are known for their love of water and their drool.

The Newfoundland is a large, usually black, breed of dog originally used as a working dog in Newfoundland. They are known for their sweet dispositions. They are very loyal to their families and possess natural water rescue tendencies.

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Appearance

Newfoundlands ("Newfies" or "Newfs") have webbed feet and a water-resistant coat. Males weigh 60–70 kg (130–150 lb), and females 45–55 kg (100–120 lb), placing them in the "giant" weight range.

Most Newfies are black. AKC standard colors of the Newfoundland are black, brown, and landseer (black head and white and black body). Brown, white and Grey newfoundlands are not recognized as a breed color, and are rare, but do exist. The Landseer is named after the artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who featured them in many of his paintings. Some kennel clubs consider the Landseer to be a separate breed; others consider it simply a Newfoundland color variation.

Temperament

A brown Newfie investigates a Chihuahua-sized mixed-breed dog.

A Landseer painting of a Landseer Newfoundland.

Newfies have a gentle, placid disposition. They are nicknamed the "Gentle Giant" and "Nature's babysitter." Indeed, the official AKC breed description says "Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed." They are protective of children. The dog Nana in James M. Barrie's Peter Pan was a Newfoundland.

The Newfoundland is smart and loyal. The breed is easily trained as they are eager to please their masters. They are neither easily frightened nor excitable. Relative to other breeds, Newfoundland puppies, especially older puppies, tend to be calm,but obedience training is a must for these giant dogs. Newfoundlands take up to three years to reach full maturity. They get along wonderfully with other dogs. They have deep, fierce-sounding barks, but are not good guard dogs. They have been known to grieve when separated from their families. Despite their wonderful qualities, this breed is not for everyone. Their large size makes them difficult to keep in many living situations, although they do not require great amounts of exercise and as puppies they tend to tire easily.

History

Newfoundland Dog Stamp

The origin of the breed is in Newfoundland on the East coast of Canada. In the early 1880s fishermen from many parts of Europe travelled to the cod banks of Newfoundland where there were two 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 Labrador or the St. Johns breed of Newfoundland. The dogs were used in similar ways to pull fishnets and heavy equipment.

Health

The health problems associated with Newfoundlands. Newfoundlands are prone to Hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint), Elbow dysplasia, sub-aortic stenosis (a heart condition) and cystinuria (a hereditary defect that forms calculi stones in the bladder). When you buy one make sure the parents have

• a heart certificate (checked by using doppler)
• a cystinuria certificate(that both are not carriers and neither of them is sick)

Quotes

"The man they had got now was a jolly, light-hearted, thick-headed sort of a chap, with about as much sensitiveness in him as there might be in a Newfoundland puppy. You might look daggers at him for an hour and he would not notice it, and it would not trouble him if he did." Jerome K. Jerome Three Men in a Boat

"Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man, without his Vices. This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory of Boatswain, a Dog." George Gordon, Lord Byron about his newfoundland.

"Newfoundland dogs are good to save children from drowning, but you must have a pond of water handy and a child, or else there will be no profit in boarding a Newfoundland." Josh Billings

Famous Newfoundlands

Statue of York (Lewis and Clark) and Seaman on Quality Hill in Kansas City, Missouri

• Seaman- pet of Meriwether Lewis
• Boatswain - pet of Lord Byron
• Sable Chief mascot of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
• Josh, 2004 Best of Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show

External links

• Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada
• Newfoundland Club of America
• The Newfoundland Club (UK)
• Newfoundland Club Inc. of New Zealand

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