8 fun facts about Newfoundland dogs

Newfoundland dogs are a pet lover’s dream - these giant fur babies are just as big on love as they are on fluff. We’re huge fans of these gentle giants, so we’ve got eight Newfoundland dog facts to make you adore these BFFGs (Big Fluffy Friendly Giants) just as much as we do!

1. The origins of the Newfoundland dog breed are pretty hazy

We know it’s obvious but we’re still going to say it: Newfoundland dogs, nicknamed Newfies, originated in Newfoundland, Canada. Some say the breed comes from a cross between the Tibetan Mastiff and the American Black Wolf (which is now extinct). Another theory is that the Newfie was developed from the interbreeding of Eastern Canadian wolves and various dogs left by the Vikings. Other theorists believe that the crossbreeding of dog breeds such as the Pyrenean Sheep Dog, Mastiff and Portuguese Water Dog in the 15th and 16th centuries is what brought us the Newfoundland dog we know (and love) today. 

Whatever their origins, by the 18th century, things became a little clearer. Sir Joseph Banks fell in love with the breed on his expedition to Newfoundland, and this was the moment the Newfie found its way onto British ships. Sailors loved the breed for its ability as a strong swimmer to tow boats to shore, and the Newfie also emerged as a great all-round hunter and guard dog. At the beginning of the 19th century, a Newfoundland named Seaman joined Lewis and Clark on their expedition across America and has been memorialised in numerous monuments alongside the explorers. Around the same time, artist Sir Edwin Landseer produced a number of paintings with Newfoundlands taking centre stage. He had such a profound effect on the popularity of the breed that the black and white Newfoundland dog was named the Landseer Newfoundland after the artist. British poet Lord Byron was also a big fan of the breed, writing a poem in honour of his Newfoundland, Boatswain, who “possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices”. That’s enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye! 

We could go on with stories of the Newfoundland and its fanbase, but the breed was truly established when it was registered at the American Kennel Club in 1879. The Newfoundland Club of America was established in 1930 to provide education about the breed and celebrate its history as a working dog. 

2. Newfies are grade A students 

These big softies are quick, intelligent learners that are always eager to please. As with any breed, Newfoundlands should be trained from an early age, and exposed to all of the exciting sights and sounds that make up our world. Pet parents should get their Newfies used to walking on a lead without pulling as these big doggies can be strong enough to pull someone over if not properly controlled. With big brains comes big responsibility, and pet parents also need to be prepared to provide Newfoundlands with lots of mental and physical stimulation. While they won’t be joining you in training for the marathon, these water babies love to swim and need regular exercise to keep them happy.

3. They’re hard grafters

Whether it's on land or in the water, Newfoundlands aren’t shy of a hard day’s work. In the past, they would accompany fishermen helping to haul in nets and carrying heavy loads to market. Nowadays, these working dogs are keen to pick up commands and help out where they can, but the water is where they excel. 

4. Not all heroes (Newfies) wear capes 

One of the reasons why we love these gentle giants so much is that their hearts are as big as their bodies. Their water-resistant coats and partially webbed toes mean that they were born to swim, and they won’t think twice about jumping in to save someone who’s drowning. It’s said that it was a Newfoundland dog that rescued Napoleon Bonaparte when he fell into rough seas, and there are numerous accounts of a Newfoundland named Rigel saving people from drowning after the sinking of the Titanic.

Nicknamed “The Lifeguard Dog” for their skills in water rescue, today the Newfoundland is a crucial part of the Italian Coast Guard’s K9 lifeguard unit, acting as a lifebuoy to help swimmers back to safety. 

Intelligent and alert, Newfoundlands also act as trusty watchdogs on dryer land. Although the breed is not known for barking, they will alert their pet parents to anything out of the ordinary.  

5. Newfies are kind of a big deal 

It’s only fair that this breed has had at least fifteen minutes of fame. Of course, we’ve introduced you to Seaman, Boatswain and Rigel, but there’s also Napoleon, the famous circus dog, Bilbo, a brown Newfoundland dog who saved the lives of three people at Sennen Cove in Cornwall, and Hairy Man, who helped his owners rescue 163 people from a shipwreck in 1828. Do you see there’s a certain theme here? While many Newfies are famous for their water rescues, probably the most famous of them all is sweet-natured Nana from Peter Pan. Although the character is often portrayed as a Saint Bernard, author J.M. Barrie based Nana on his Landseer Newfoundland named Luath.

6. Things can get a little messy

Made for cold weather, this giant breed’s water-resistant double coat also means it drops dead hairs more often than you’d like. Newfies need grooming two to three times a week to keep all that floof under control, with trips to the professional groomers once in a while. Their big shaggy fur has a tendency to attract dirt and debris, so it’s a good idea to bathe Newfoundlands once a month on top of regular brushing. It’s not just fluff that makes these gentle giants such messy pups, they are also big droolers. Their jowls and loose lips mean that if your Newfie is a fan of giving kisses, they will certainly be slobbery ones. 

7. They are BIG - Newfoundland dog size 

Perhaps the most gentle of the giant breeds but still larger than life in all the best ways, a full-grown Newfoundland dog is so big, it could be mistaken for a bear. Males grow to around 28 inches tall while females are usually 26 inches. Newfoundland dog weights vary from 100 to 150 pounds. All this means that a small city apartment isn’t the best living space for a Newfoundland - they’re much better off if they’ve got space to run around and play, ideally in a large garden (and brownie points for access to water!). 

8. Newfoundlands are giant teddy bears

Their size only means these loveable pups take up a little extra room in our hearts. In fact, according to the American Kennel Club, “the Newfie breed standard says that a sweet temperament is the ‘most important single characteristic of the breed’”. Newfoundland dogs are devoted to their loved ones so they prefer not to spend too much time alone. If you do have to go away, be sure to get a trusted dog sitter to give your Newfie all the love and attention it deserves.

Fallen head over paws for Newfoundland dogs? Take a look at our guide to Newfypoos to see how the Newfie fares when crossbred with a Poodle!