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Newfoundland: Breed Profile, Temperament, Health, and Care Guide

A Newfoundland is a giant Working Group breed from Canada.

It worked alongside fishermen, hauling nets and performing water rescues. English Romantic poet Lord Byron once wrote that the Newfoundland has “all the virtues of a man without his vices.” This guide covers where the breed originated, its temperament, how big Newfoundlands get, how long they live, the health problems they are prone to, grooming, how much exercise they need, how easy they are to train, what to feed them, the pros and cons of owning one, and what else people ask.

What Is a Newfoundland and Where Did the Breed Originate?

A Newfoundland belongs to the AKC’s Working Group. The breed developed on the island of Newfoundland, Canada, assisting fishermen with hauling nets and rescuing people from water. Its webbed feet and thick, water-resistant coat both evolved for this job. The Newfoundland remains among the most recognized water-rescue breeds in the world.

The American Kennel Club defines the breed in its “Official Standard of the Newfoundland”, approved May 8, 1990, which sets out the size, coat, and temperament a Newfoundland should have. As of September 2026, the AKC ranks the Newfoundland 47th of 210 breeds in popularity.

What Is a Newfoundland’s Temperament Like?

A Newfoundland’s temperament is sweet, calm, and genuinely patient, earning it a real “nanny dog” reputation. The breed is devoted to children, tolerant, and easy to train by giant-breed standards. It’s good with other animals too. One honest trade-off: Newfoundlands drool considerably and constantly.

How Big Do Newfoundlands Get?

Newfoundlands are a giant breed with a flat, dense, water-resistant double coat. Colors include black, brown, gray, and Landseer, a white coat with black markings.

What Is the Average Newfoundland Height and Weight?

Measure	American Kennel Club figure
Height	28 inches (average male), 26 inches (average female)
Weight	130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
Life expectancy	9-10 years

Figures are from the American Kennel Club Newfoundland breed profile, retrieved September 2026.

How Long Do Newfoundlands Live?

Newfoundlands live 9 to 10 years, common for a giant breed. Given documented cardiac risks, regular veterinary screening matters considerably for this breed specifically.

What Health Problems Are Newfoundlands Prone To?

Newfoundlands are documented as being at higher risk for the following conditions.

• Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS). The breed’s most common congenital heart defect. It narrows blood flow near the aortic valve and can range from mild to fatal. Reputable breeders provide cardiac clearances.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A heart muscle disease common in large breeds, weakening the heart’s pumping ability.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia. Joint conditions common in giant breeds, screened for with x-rays.
• Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). A life-threatening emergency in deep-chested breeds requiring immediate veterinary care.
• Cystinuria. A genetic condition affecting the kidneys, screened for with genetic testing.

How Do You Groom a Newfoundland?

Newfoundlands have a thick double coat needing brushing once or twice a week with a hard brush. The undercoat sheds heavily twice a year. Dry shampoo works better than frequent bathing, since bathing strips natural coat oils.

How Much Exercise Does a Newfoundland Need?

A Newfoundland needs moderate daily exercise. Long walks, swimming, and relaxed play suit this breed better than vigorous activity. The breed is calm indoors and not naturally high-energy.

Are Newfoundlands Easy to Train?

Yes, relatively. Newfoundlands are highly trainable and eager to please, though the breed’s soft, sensitive nature responds poorly to harsh correction. Patient, positive training works best.

What Should You Feed a Newfoundland?

A Newfoundland puppy needs large-breed puppy formula to support controlled, healthy growth. Given the breed’s bloat risk, smaller, more frequent meals are a commonly recommended precaution.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Newfoundland?

Here are the main advantages of owning a Newfoundland.

• Sweet, calm, genuinely patient temperament
• Excellent with children, earning a real “nanny dog” reputation
• Moderate exercise needs
• Highly trainable by giant-breed standards

Here are the main drawbacks of owning a Newfoundland.

• Significant, constant drooling
• Documented risk of serious cardiac conditions like SAS
• Genuinely short lifespan even by giant-breed standards
• High costs for food and veterinary care given giant size

Newfoundland rescue organizations place adult dogs regularly, worth a look for anyone drawn to this breed’s gentle temperament but not set on a breeder search.

What Else Do People Ask About the Newfoundland?

The questions below cover how much a Newfoundland costs, whether Newfoundlands are good family dogs, what SAS in Newfoundlands is, and whether Newfoundlands drool a lot.

How much does a Newfoundland cost?

Prices vary by region and breeder reputation. A puppy from a breeder who provides cardiac clearances typically costs more than average. Adopting an adult dog is usually cheaper.

Are Newfoundlands good family dogs?

Yes. The breed is widely considered one of the gentlest giant breeds, patient and devoted with children and typically good with other pets.

What is SAS in Newfoundlands?

Subvalvular aortic stenosis is a congenital heart defect that narrows blood flow near the aortic valve, forcing the heart to work harder. Severity ranges from mild to fatal, so cardiac screening matters for this breed specifically.

Do Newfoundlands drool a lot?

Yes, genuinely and constantly. This is a well-documented breed trait, not an exaggeration, and it’s worth factoring in before bringing one home.

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