Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a devoted, sweet-tempered companion known for its patience with children and its eagerness to please. This massive, dignified breed makes a calm housedog that is friendly toward strangers and other pets.

Temperament

The Newfoundland is a calm, well-mannered housedog that makes a devoted and sweet companion. The breed is patient and good with children, earning a long-standing reputation as a watchful "nanny dog." Newfoundlands are very affectionate, very friendly toward strangers, and generally friendly toward other dogs and household pets. They learn quickly and are willing to please, doing best with reward-based training using food rewards. The breed is sensitive, so a patient, consistent approach works well. Obedience training serves a dual purpose: it provides the control a 100-to-150-pound dog requires and gives the Newfoundland the mental exercise it needs. Barking is minimal, which suits a household that values quiet. As with all large dogs, interactions between the Newfoundland and young children should always be supervised. The breed thrives in a home that can offer daily moderate exercise, a cool environment, and steady, reward-based guidance.

“The sweet-tempered Newfie is a famously good companion and has earned a reputation as a patient and watchful "nanny dog" for kids.”

American Kennel Club

Daily needs and attention

The Newfoundland is a calm, well-mannered housedog that thrives on steady, moderate daily activity. A walk or short jog each day meets its exercise needs, and swimming is a natural favorite given the breed's water-loving heritage. Obedience training serves a dual purpose: it provides the mental stimulation the dog needs and keeps a 100-to-150-pound animal responsive in everyday situations. The breed is sensitive and does best with reward-based training, particularly food rewards.

Grooming is manageable for a working household. The double coat requires brushing once or twice a week, with more frequent sessions during shedding periods, which are above average. Drool is a regular part of life with this breed.

In terms of attention, the Newfoundland is very affectionate and devoted. It is patient with children, friendly toward strangers and other dogs, and generally good with other household pets. It does best in cooler climates and will struggle in sustained warm weather.

“Obedience training is essential not only for control, but for the mental exercise it provides.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

Health and lifespan

Newfoundlands typically live 8 to 10 years. Males average 28 inches at the shoulder and 130 to 150 pounds; females average 26 inches and 100 to 120 pounds. The breed tends to stay at a good weight or drift slightly overweight, so a balanced adult diet with calorie monitoring is important. Puppies benefit from a large-breed growth food that slows the rate of growth without reducing final size; this may decrease the incidence or severity of hip dysplasia in adulthood. The coat is a soft, dense undercoat beneath a coarse, moderately long outer coat. Brushing once or twice a week is generally sufficient, with more frequent sessions during shedding. Shedding is above average, and drooling is a normal part of daily life. Newfoundlands handle cold weather well but do not do well in warm conditions. Daily moderate exercise such as a walk or short jog keeps the dog in good physical condition.

“Puppies should be fed a large-breed growth food, which slows their growing rate but not final size.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

Habits and behavior

The Newfoundland is a calm, well-mannered house dog that makes a devoted and sweet companion. The breed is patient and good with children, earning a long-standing reputation as a watchful "nanny dog." Newfoundlands are very affectionate, friendly toward strangers, and generally good with other pets in the home. They bark infrequently, which suits a household that values quiet.

In terms of training, the Newfoundland learns quickly and is willing to please, but the breed is sensitive and does best with reward-based methods using food rewards. Obedience training serves a dual purpose: it provides control over a large, powerful dog and offers the mental exercise the breed needs.

Daily exercise is moderate—a walk or short jog is sufficient. Swimming is a favorite activity. The breed thrives in cold weather but does not do well in warm conditions. Expect above-average shedding and some drool as part of daily life with this dog.

“The sweet-tempered Newfie is a famously good companion and has earned a reputation as a patient and watchful "nanny dog" for kids.”

American Kennel Club

Housing: apartment, house, yard and crate

The Newfoundland is a large, powerful dog. Males average 28 inches and 130 to 150 pounds; females average 26 inches and 100 to 120 pounds. A house with room to move is the most practical setting for a dog of this size. The breed makes a calm and well-mannered house dog, and barking is rated 1 out of 5, so a working household can expect a steady, low-barking companion indoors. Daily exercise takes the form of a moderate walk or short jog. Swimming is a favorite exercise where a safe water source is available. The Newfoundland enjoys cold weather but does not do well in warm weather, so a cooler climate suits the breed. A crate must be sized to accommodate the dog's full height and weight. Obedience training is essential for control and provides the mental exercise the breed needs.

“Makes a calm and well-mannered housedog.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

Challenges

The Newfoundland is a strikingly large, powerful working dog of heavy bone and dignified bearing. Males average 28 inches and 130 to 150 pounds; females average 26 inches and 100 to 120 pounds. That size means a sturdy bed, room to move indoors, and a vehicle with adequate space. The coat, with its dense undercoat and coarse outer layer, sheds above average and needs brushing once or twice a week, more during shedding seasons. Drool is a regular part of daily life. Newfoundlands do well in cold weather but do not do well in warm weather, so hot climates require air conditioning and limited outdoor time during peak heat. Daily exercise in the form of a moderate walk or short jog is necessary, and obedience training is essential for both control and mental stimulation. The breed is sensitive and responds best to reward-based training with food rewards. Puppies should be fed a large-breed growth food to slow their growing rate and potentially decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia.

“The Newfoundland enjoys cold weather, but doesn't do well in warm weather.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

The fun part

A Newfoundland turns ordinary days into something a little more lively. Swimming is a favorite exercise, and the breed's water-loving nature makes it a highlight of the day. They enjoy cold weather, so a moderate walk in winter is something they genuinely look forward to.

At home, they make a calm and well-mannered companion. They are very affectionate, very friendly toward strangers, and good with other pets. With children, they are patient and have earned a reputation as a watchful "nanny dog." They learn quickly and are willing to please, so a short training session with food rewards becomes a bonding moment rather than a chore.

For a working household, the daily requirement is a moderate walk or short jog. That is the exercise ask. The rest of the day, a Newfoundland settles in as a devoted, sweet-tempered presence.

“The sweet-tempered Newfie is a famously good companion and has earned a reputation as a patient and watchful "nanny dog" for kids.”

American Kennel Club

Living with kids, cats and other dogs

The Newfoundland is a patient, sweet-tempered dog that has earned a reputation as a watchful companion for children. The AKC notes the breed's "nanny dog" character, and VCA rates it four out of five for good with children. The dog is very affectionate and friendly toward strangers, which makes household transitions and visitors less stressful. It is also friendly toward strange dogs and good with other pets, so a home that already has a cat or a second dog is a reasonable fit.

A few practical notes for a working household. The breed is sensitive and does best with reward-based training using food rewards, so a consistent routine helps. As with all large dogs, dogs and children should always be supervised. The Newfoundland is not a lap dog and will not fit under a desk, but it makes a calm, well-mannered house dog that requires a moderate daily walk or short jog. Barking is minimal, rated one out of five, which suits an apartment or shared workspace.

“The sweet-tempered Newfie is a famously good companion and has earned a reputation as a patient and watchful "nanny dog" for kids.”

American Kennel Club

What to ask the rescue

Ask the rescue about the dog's daily exercise routine. Newfoundlands make a calm and well-mannered housedog and require a moderate walk or short jog each day; swimming is a favorite activity if the dog has had access to water. Inquire whether the dog has been around other dogs and pets, since the breed is generally friendly toward strange dogs and good with other pets, but you want to confirm this individual's history. Request grooming details; the coat has a soft dense undercoat and a coarse outer coat that needs brushing once or twice a week, more during shedding. Ask about the dog's response to training, since Newfoundlands do best with reward-based methods and are sensitive. Ask about current weight, as the breed tends to stay in good weight or run slightly overweight, with a typical range of 100 to 150 pounds. Finally, ask about any history of hip dysplasia and whether the dog has been on a large-breed growth food if it is still a puppy.

“Newfoundlands tend to stay in good weight or be slightly overweight.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

Sources

• American Kennel Club
• VCA Animal Hospitals