There鈥檚 one thing everyone knows about a Newfoundland: he鈥檚 big, really big. A full-grown male stands as high as 28 inches tall and weighs in at 130-150 pounds. But there is so much more to this breed than size, as any Newf lover can tell you. Check out these Newfoundland fun facts to learn more about this big breed.
They鈥檙e Gentle Giants
Newfoundlands are renowned for their nature: sweet, gentle, and devoted. That sweetness is a hallmark of the breed. They鈥檙e ideal family companions, with a special affinity toward children. In fact, some people call them the 鈥渘anny dog.鈥�
They Were Bred for Working in Water
This breed doesn鈥檛 mind getting wet. In fact, it鈥檚 what they were intended for! In their homeland of Newfoundland, this breed pulled in nets for fishermen. On land, they hauled wood, pulled carts, and did other kinds of heavy work. In fact, Newfoundlands are still used that way today.
They鈥檙e as Protective as They Are Sweet
They may be known for their sweet temper, but they鈥檙e also fantastic protectors. They鈥檙e not considered watchdogs, but they will protect their loved ones, children included.
They鈥檙e Great Swimmers
The Newfoundland is an excellent water dog. They have broad chests, great lung capacity, webbed feet, and oily double coat serve them well as a long-distance swimmer. Because of that, and their keen sense of responsibility, the Newfoundland is renowned as a lifesaving dog in water, capable of pulling drowning victims to shore.
They鈥檙e Beloved Throughout History
Famous names throughout history have owned Newfies. Emily Dickenson had a Newfoundland named Carlo, and United States presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford Hayes, and James Buchanan all had Newfies.
Meriwether Lewis brought his Newfoundland, 鈥淪eaman,鈥� on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In his journal he wrote, 鈥淢ay 29, 1805: last night we were all alarmed by a large buffalo bull, when he came near the tent, my dog saved us by causing him to change his course.鈥�
They鈥檙e a Working Breed
This breed is part of the Working Group for a reason. They鈥檙e workhorses on land and in water, and excel at sports like obedience, tracking, carting, and drafting.
They鈥檙e More Active Than You鈥檇 Think
Although they鈥檙e sweet and seem like sleepy dogs, they are active. Newfoundlands do require regular exercise, so be prepared to walk, play, and everything in between. You haven鈥檛 lived until you鈥檝e seen a Newf happily galumphing in the yard.
They Drool. A Lot.
If you鈥檙e looking to share your home with a Newfoundland, their size isn鈥檛 the only thing to account for. This breed drools quite a lot, so keep a drool rag at the ready. Don鈥檛 be shocked if you see wet spots in places where they frequent!
They Come in Four Colors
Though you may think of the big black dog when you see them, but they actually come in four standard colors. Newfoundlands can be black, brown, gray, and white & black.
One Newfoundland Was Named 鈥淒og of the Century鈥�
Newfoundlands are known for their incredible swimming ability. One famous Newfie, 鈥淪wansea Jack,鈥� is said to have saved 23 to 27 people from drowning in Wales in the 1930s. Accounts vary of how many people he saved, but he was given a monument in Wales and named 鈥淒og of the Century鈥� for his valiant efforts.
听