Newfoundland
Height63–74 cm (25–29 in)
Weight45–70 kg (99–154 lbs)
TypeWorking
Life Expectancy8–10 yrs
OriginCanada
A sweet-natured giant bred for water rescue, the Newfoundland is often called a 'nanny dog' for their exceptional gentleness with children. They are strong swimmers and devoted family protectors.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
4/5
Trainability
4/5
Playfulness
3/5
Energy Level
2/5
Social
Good with Kids
5/5
Good with Dogs
5/5
Good with Strangers
5/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
1/5
Exercise Needs
3/5
Watchdog Ability
3/5
Barking Level
2/5
Care
Shedding
5/5
Grooming Needs
4/5
Health Robustness
2/5
Where Are Newfoundlands From?
Newfoundlands developed on the island of Newfoundland, Canada, where they worked alongside fishermen hauling heavy nets, carrying boat lines to shore through surf, and pulling carts loaded with fish. Their webbed feet, water-resistant double coat, and natural swimming ability made them indispensable to the island’s fishing economy. Newfoundlands are credited with numerous documented water rescues — they instinctively swim toward people in distress and tow them to safety, a behavior so reliable that they’re still used by water rescue organizations across Europe.
What Is It Like Living With a Newfoundland?
Newfoundlands are the gentle giants of the dog world, and that reputation is entirely earned. Their temperament is patient, calm, and sweet in a way that feels almost unreal for a 130-pound dog. They’re remarkably intuitive with children, positioning themselves as barriers between kids and stairs, water, or strangers. Newfoundland dogs don’t just tolerate children; they genuinely watch over them. This nanny instinct is so consistent that the breed inspired Nana, the dog in Peter Pan.
How Much Exercise Does a Newfoundland Need?
Despite their massive size, Newfoundlands don’t need extreme exercise. Forty-five to 60 minutes of moderate daily activity suits them well. Swimming is their supreme joy — their powerful stroke and natural buoyancy make them more graceful in water than on land. Long, intense runs should be avoided, especially in warm weather, as their size and heavy coat make overheating a real risk. Puppies need very controlled exercise to protect growing joints.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Newfoundland?
The thick double coat sheds heavily and requires thorough brushing three to four times weekly. Professional grooming every six to eight weeks helps manage the volume. Drool is a constant companion with a Newfoundland — keep towels handy near water bowls and after meals. Health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, subaortic stenosis (a serious heart condition), cystinuria (bladder stones), bloat, and cruciate ligament tears due to their weight. Average lifespan is 8–10 years.
Are Newfoundlands Healthy?
Newfoundlands are ideal for families with children (especially near water), patient owners with space, and people who want a calm, devoted giant. They’re not suited for apartment living, hot climates, people who dislike drool, or anyone on a tight budget (feeding, grooming, and vet costs for a 130-pound dog are substantial). The surprising fact: a Newfoundland is credited with saving Napoleon Bonaparte’s life. When Napoleon fell overboard during his escape from Elba in 1815, a fisherman’s Newfoundland jumped in and kept him afloat until he was rescued.
Our Honest Take on the Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are working water rescue dogs with the temperament of a gentle, patient saint — and the drool, shedding, and scale of a very large bear. They're magnificent dogs for the right owner and an overwhelming physical and financial reality for the unprepared.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Underestimating the drool volume. Newfoundlands drool constantly and profusely — especially around food, water, and excitement. Walls, floors, guests, and clothing will all be coated. This isn't occasional; it's a baseline reality of life with this breed.
- 2Not planning for the heat. Newfoundlands have a dense double coat built for cold North Atlantic water. They struggle significantly in heat — exercise must happen in cool early morning or evening hours, and they need cool resting spaces.
- 3Ignoring subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) screening. SAS is a serious heart defect prevalent in Newfoundlands. Reputable breeders cardiac-screen breeding stock — ask for documentation from a board-certified cardiologist, not just a vet listen.
- 4Assuming gentle temperament means no training needed. A 130–150 lb dog without leash manners and basic obedience cannot be safely managed. Obedience training from puppyhood is essential regardless of how gentle the dog is.
Who Should Think Twice
Newfoundlands are wrong for people in hot climates without dedicated cooling solutions, apartment dwellers or anyone without significant floor space, budget-conscious owners (food and vet costs are among the highest of any breed), or anyone who can't manage drool and heavy shedding as a daily household reality.
Real Costs in 2026
Newfoundland puppies from health-tested parents: $1,500–$3,000 in 2026. Annual costs are significant: food ~$90/month for a 130 lb dog, grooming ~$300/year (professional deshedding during coat blowouts), routine vet ~$700/year. Hip and elbow dysplasia surgery: $4,000–$8,000 per joint. Cystinuria screening matters — bladder stones requiring surgery cost $2,500–$5,000. Pet insurance ($100–$160/month for a giant breed) is strongly recommended.
Living With a Newfoundland: Year by Year
Newfoundland puppyhood is large, slow, and structurally fragile — these are giant water rescue dogs from Canada's Atlantic coast, and the puppy phase requires careful management of joints, exercise, and growth. By month 6 most puppies are already 70+ pounds, and many show the breed's defining trait: a calm, almost meditative gentleness that sets Newfies apart from other working breeds. Adolescence (1-3 years) is the easiest of any giant breed; Newfoundlands simply lounge and grow, with minimal teenage rebellion. Prime adulthood (3-7) is genuinely magnificent — a 130-150 pound dog with the temperament of an oversized therapy dog, patient with children to a degree that is genuinely famous (the breed is sometimes called 'the nanny dog'), and naturally protective without being aggressive. The surprise for most owners is the water obsession; Newfoundlands are physiologically built for cold-water rescue (webbed feet, oily double coat), and they will plunge into any open water without hesitation. Senior years are short; bone cancer, cardiac disease, and joint failure typically end most Newfies between 8 and 10.
The Training Reality
Trainable but slow — Newfoundlands are biddable and gentle but slow to mature, and the realistic ceiling is reliable pet obedience plus water rescue work, draft work, and therapy certification. Coren ranks them mid-pack. Housetraining by month 4-5. Marker training works exceptionally well; food and praise are equally motivating. The pitfall most owners hit is exercise restriction — Newfoundland puppies must be limited in jumping, stair-climbing, and sustained running until growth plates close around 18-24 months. The breakthrough is short, varied training sessions focused on leash manners (a 140-pound puller is genuinely dangerous), sit, down, and recall. The breed has natural water rescue instincts; Newfies will spontaneously swim toward struggling swimmers, and this can be channeled into formal water rescue training. Skip harsh methods; Newfoundlands are emotionally sensitive and shut down for days. Verbal corrections and time-outs are sufficient.
A Day in the Life
Morning is a 30-45 minute walk at moderate pace; despite their size, Newfies are not high-endurance dogs and overheat above 75F. They thrive in cold weather and will lie in snow for hours. Daytime is napping, often sprawled across cool tile floors, with periodic checks on family. The dense double coat sheds catastrophically twice yearly (March and September) plus moderately year-round; expect to vacuum daily and brush three times weekly. Most Newfies sleep 14-16 hours. Evening is another 30-45 minute walk plus family time, ideally near water. The quirk owners discover: the drool. Newfoundlands drool constantly and profusely, especially around food, water, and excitement, and walls, floors, and clothing become coated within hours. The other reality is the size and shedding combined; a Newfie home requires hardwood floors, washable furniture, and tolerance for fur tumbleweeds.
How Newfoundlands Compare to Similar Breeds
Compared to a Saint Bernard, Newfoundlands are similarly droolier giants but more athletic in water and slightly longer-lived; Saints are bulkier and more prone to bloat. Compared to a Great Pyrenees, Newfies are friendlier with strangers and less guarding-instinctual; Pyrs are more independent and bark more. Compared to a Leonberger, Newfies are heavier-coated, droolier, and slightly more cancer-prone in some lines. Compared to a Bernese Mountain Dog, Newfies live a year or two longer and are more water-oriented; Bernese are sweeter-tempered with strangers but more cancer-prone. The honest comparison: among gentle giants, Newfoundlands are arguably the most patient with children and the most water-oriented, but the drool and size make them a household-altering presence.
Great For
- Families with children
- First-time dog owners
- Low-activity households
- Multi-pet households
- Social, outgoing lifestyles
Think Twice If
- You dislike cleaning up fur
- You want low grooming effort
- You live in a small apartment
- Vet bills are a concern
Are Newfoundlands Prone to Health Issues?
Newfoundlands are predisposed to: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cystinuria, subvalvular aortic stenosis. Regular vet checkups and health screening are strongly recommended.
Health Robustness
2/5
How Much Does a Newfoundland Cost?
Purchase Price
$1,500–$3,000
Monthly Food
$90
Annual Vet
$700
Annual Grooming
$300
Est. First Year
~$4,330
Est. Annual
~$2,080
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Newfoundland cost?
A Newfoundland puppy typically costs $1,500–$3,000. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $4,330, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $2,080.
How long do Newfoundlands live?
Newfoundlands have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. Common health concerns include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cystinuria, subvalvular aortic stenosis.
Are Newfoundlands good with kids?
Newfoundlands score 5/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Newfoundlands shed a lot?
Newfoundlands have a shedding level of 5/5. They are heavy shedders and require regular brushing to manage loose fur.
Are Newfoundlands good for apartments?
Newfoundlands score 1/5 for apartment friendliness. They are better suited to homes with yards and ample space to move around.