The Newfoundland, Gentle Giant
by: Jo Ann Riley

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Newfoundland (Now part of Canada)

There are differing opinions on how the Newfoundland dog breed came about. Some believe the breed's progenitor was the Tibetan Mastiff, which may have migrated to both Newfoundland and Scandinavia. There are those who theorize Leif Ericsson brought the Viking 'bear dogs' with him when he arrived in Newfoundland in AD 1001 and they mated with the dogs of the Maritime Indians. There, the giant black Newfoundland dogs evolved in comparative isolation. During the 19th century, the breed became a European status symbol and at one time, Newfoundland dogs were the most popular import to Great Britain. The Newfoundland breed was used to re-establish the Alpine rescue dogs at the Hospice of St. Bernard after their numbers were decimated by a distemper epidemic. In Britain, the black-and-white variety became known as the "Landseer" after the famous artist who featured the breed in his painting, A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society.

Height/Weight: The average height for adult Newfoundlands is 26-28 in (66-71 cm) and weight may be in the vicinity of 120-150 lb (54-67.5 kg).

Coat: The Newfoundland dog's coat was designed to aid him in water work. It is flat, dense and water-resistant, being somewhat oily. The outer coat is moderately long and straight. It may have a slight wave but no curl. The hair on the head, muzzle and ears is short and fine. There is a soft, dense undercoat.

Color: The traditional Newfoundland color is black. White markings on the chest, toes and tip of tail are allowed. In the Landseer variety, the base color is white with black markings. The preferred pattern is a black head, saddle, rump and upper tail.

The Newfoundland dog's temperament is reflected in his soft expression. The breed is benevolent, intelligent and dignified but capable of fun. Newfoundlands are known for gentleness and serenity. Generations of children have taken their first toddling steps holding on to this fantastic family dog.

The Newfoundland dog is an excellent swimmer with a strong life-saving instinct. There are hundreds of documented water rescues performed by the Newfoundland breed. The Newfoundland  has also been used as a draught dog and fisherman's helper. This easygoing dog loves the outdoors and country living, especially if he has access to water.

The Newfoundland dog's thick coat needs regular raking and brushing, especially during seasonal shedding.

Newfie, Newf

New Finland

• Belgian Newfoundland Dog Club - The official parent club of the breed in Belgium. Events calendar, breed information, breeder list, puppies, rescue, water work, links, and many photos.
• Central Ontario Region Newfoundland Dog Club - Events calendar, membership application, draft and water work. Canada.
• Colonial Newfoundland Club - Breed information, photos, events, breeders, and rescue. Serves Virginia, Maryland, D.C. and West Virginia.
• Columbia River Newfoundland Club - Events, photographs, links, Newfoundland pet information, and webrings. Camas, Washington.
• Columbia River Newfoundland Club - Membership and events information, as well as many links to Newfoundland sites. Oregon.
• Genesee Region Newfoundland Club - Events calendar, membership application, rescue, water work, brags, and photos. New York.
• Great Lakes Newfoundland Club - Events calendar, rescue, membership application, links, mailing list. Michigan.
• Heart of America Newfoundland Club - Calendar of events, membership, and rescue. Serves Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
• Newfoundland Club of America - The official parent club of the breed in the United States. Comprehensive breed information, health, calendar, water and draft work, membership information, and photos.
• Newfoundland Club of Denmark - The official parent club of the breed in Denmark. Membership, rescue, puppies, breeder list, show calendar, results, and top winning dogs by year.
• Newfoundland Club of New England - Calendar, event reports and photos, membership application, mailing list, rescue and referral.
• Newfoundland Club of Northern California - Events calendar, show results, membership information, puppy buyers guide, and health glossary.
• Newfoundland Club of Ohio - Events, rescue, membership information, and photos.
• Newfoundland Club of Seattle - Events calendar, reading list, membership application, therapy dogs, tracking, water and draft work, health, rescue, and mailing list.
• Newfoundland Club of South Australia - Events, show results, therapy dogs, and photos.
• Newfoundland Club of Southern California - Breed and club information.
• The Newfoundland Club UK - The official parent club of the breed in the United Kingdom. Guide for prospective owners, breed information and standard, membership, health, events calendar, water work, and photos.
• Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada - The official parent club of the breed in Canada. Prospective owner FAQ, breed information and standard, breeders, calendar.
• New-Pen-Del Newfoundland Club - Breed information, breeders list, health, rescue, membership application, events, draft and water work.
• Niagara Frontier Newfoundland Club - Prospective owner guide, breeder list, membership application, and rescue.
• North Central Newfoundland Club - Events calendar, health, rescue, membership information, and prospective owner FAQ. Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa.
• Northern Newfoundland Club of Great Britain - FAQ for prospective Newfoundland owners, calendar, membership, rescue, photos, water and draft work.
• Northstar Newfoundland Club - Breed information and standard, events calendar, membership, and photos. Minnesota.
• The Pacific Northwest Newfoundland Club - Prospective owner guide, breeder list, membership information, rescue, event reports, calendar, water and draft work, newsletter, photos. Oregon, Washington.
• PennOhio Newfoundland Club - Events calendar, water and draft test results.
• South Central Newfoundland Club - Club hosts fun, education and working activities. Membership information, rescue, and calendar of events. Indiana.
• South Eastern Ontario Region, Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada - Water and draft tests and seminars, social events, calendar, photos, and member email list. Ontario.
• South Eastern Working Newfoundlands - Club in England promoting the working abilities of the Newfoundland. Water work and carting demonstrations, charitable fundraising,social functions,and photos.
• Southeastern Newfoundland Club - Calendar, event information, rescue, membership application, current newsletter, and photos. Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina.

• Newfoundland Dog Rescue - About the breed, training tips, placement and foster questionnaires, and rescue poem. Located in Ohio.
• Trunewf's Rescue - Lists Newfoundlands nationwide that are available for adoption or dogs that are lost.