General Appearance

The Newfoundland is a sweet-dispositioned dog that acts neither dull nor ill-tempered. He is a devoted companion. A multipurpose dog, at home on land and in water, the Newfoundland is capable of draft work and possesses natural lifesaving abilities. The Newfoundland is a large, heavily coated, well balanced dog that is deep-bodied, heavily boned, muscular, and strong. A good specimen of the breed has dignity and proud head carriage.

Owning

History describes the Newfoundland to be a brave loyal companion. The Newfoundland loves the great outdoors, especially the water and needs plenty of exercise.

Temperament

Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed.

Did You Know

Its webbed feet, water-resistant coat, and rudder-like tail make it an excellent swimmer. The Newfoundland is famous for rescuing drowning people. There is much uncertainty about the origin of the Newfoundland. Some say that his ancestors are the white Great Pyrenees, dogs brought to the coast of Newfoundland by the Basque fishermen; others that he descended from a "French hound" (probably the Boarhound); but all agree that he originated in Newfoundland and that his ancestors were undoubtedly brought there by fishermen from the European continent. At the present time, the Newfoundland is admired and bred in many different countries including, besides his native land, Canada, England, France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States. Although he is a superior water dog, the Newfoundland has been used and is still used in Newfoundland and Labrador as a true working dog, dragging carts, or more often carrying burdens as a pack horse. In 1919, a gold medal was awarded to a Newfoundland that pulled to safety in a lifeboat some twenty shipwrecked people.