Newfoundland

There are two things to know about Newfies and grooming: First, they shed. Second, they drool. The drool is the simplest to manage—just be sure to keep a towel handy to clean their face (and your furniture). Their other grooming needs are a little more involved.  

• Bathing: Newfoundlands love being in the water, so you may not need to bathe your dog as much as other breeds during the summer—unless they decide to take a romp in the mud. In general, give your Newfie a bath every six to eight weeks. It can take several hours to thoroughly dry a Newfoundland’s coat, even with a dog-approved hair dryer, so bathing might be a great job for a pro groomer. 
• Brushing: Newfie dogs shed year-round, but they take it up a notch twice a year in the spring and fall. To manage shedding and keep their coat healthy, brush your Newfoundland at least once a week with a slicker brush, followed by a long-toothed comb to get rid of mats. Brush daily during shedding season, and have a good vacuum cleaner ready.  
• Dental care: Brush their teeth daily. Start early if you adopt them when they’re young; they’ll get used to it faster when they’re a puppy. Get a professional dental cleaning at your vet once a year. 
• Ear care: Their heavy, floppy ears are prone to bacterial infections, so watch for redness, swelling, or debris, and contact your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual. Your vet may recommend cleaning your dog’s ears regularly on your own.  
• Nail care: Trim your Newfie’s nails. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you hear their nails clacking on hard surfaces (roughly every two to four weeks). 

Train and socialize your Newfoundland as a puppy (or as early as possible, if you adopt them as an adult), even if you don’t have children or smaller pets. An adult Newfie can weigh as much as 150 pounds, so it’s important for them to learn good manners (though most of these gentle giants are happy to do so).  

The Newfoundland is quite bright and curious. When you train them, use positive reinforcement—that is, treats, toys, and praise; as with all dogs, negative reinforcement can have poor consequences and do a lot more harm than good. Your dog will probably love clicker training, but they’re smart enough to learn almost anything you want to teach them.    

They’ll probably pick up quickly on cues like sit, stay, and come, even as young as 8 weeks old. If you’d like some help, a certified trainer who uses positive reinforcement can work with you and your pup. 

Although a Newfoundland dog’s size is massive, the breed is also gentle. These patient pups are good with children, provided that both children and dogs are taught how to behave around each other. These kind giants may forget how large they are, so supervise playtime. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for Newfoundlands to follow, but every pup needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Also choose a formula that’s made for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior), and consider a large-breed diet, especially for Newfoundland puppies.  

Your veterinarian can help determine the best diet and feeding times for your Newfie. Don’t forget to calculate treats into your pup’s daily meal plan—they should never be more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.  

To help prevent bloat in this breed, feed your pup smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and use a slow feeder to keep them from woofing it down. Never use elevated food or water bowls, and don’t let your Newfoundland exercise for the hour before or after mealtimes.  

Newfoundlands were bred for water rescue and enjoy having a purpose, but they don’t need a ton of exercise. They’re not known for their speed, and running long distances can actually hurt their joints.   

About 30 minutes of activity every day works, whether it’s a long walk, a leisurely hike, or a dip in the pool. Agility trials, dock jumping, flyball, or tracking competitions may also be a good fit for this breed. 

Keep in mind that Newfies tolerate cold weather much better than warm weather—they are from Canada, after all. So, plan your walks during cooler parts of the day during the summer (morning and evening) and make sure your Newfoundland always has fresh water available, especially when temps rise. 

Newfoundlands don’t require a ton of extra space to roam, but pet parents should consider that everything is bigger with a Newfie—from their beds to their crates. That means you’ll need more space in your home than you would for a Yorkie or Shih Tzu.   

The Newfie is happy to welcome friends to their home—as long as everyone doesn’t mind a little drool. They’re friendly with just about everyone and everything, cats, small dogs, and kiddos included. However, these giants may forget how large they are and could accidentally knock over a child, so always watch over playtime. 

Newfoundland dogs do best in colder climates, but they can acclimate to warmer weather. Always have fresh water available, and a strong AC unit doesn’t hurt, too.  

These dogs love swimming, so your Newfie would adore a nearby body of water where they could take a daily dip. 

Lastly, these giant pups are best for an experienced pet parents who can be diligent about training to ensure they learn the very best manners.