The Newfoundland is a large, usually black, brown, gray and landseer (black head and white and black body) breed of dog originally used as a working dog in Newfoundland. They are known for their sweet dispositions, loyalty, and natural water rescue tendencies. Newfoundlands "Newfs" have webbed feet and a water-resistant coat. Males weigh 130-150 lb, and females 100-120 lb, placing them in the "giant" weight range. Some Newfs have been known to weigh over 200 lb. The largest newfoundland on record weighed 264 pounds and measured over 7 feet from nose to tail.
They may grow up to 22-30 inches tall at the shoulder. They are often referred to as the "gentle giant." They have deep barks, are easy to train and are known as guardians, watchdogs and good with children. It is widely opined that this breed has greater physical strength than any other dog species. The newfoundland dog is known to save many people who are drowning because they have webbed feet and amazing swimming abilities.
Rescue Tenedcies
Newfoundlands "Newfs" have webbed feet and a water-resistant coat. It has been once stated that one Newfoundland alone once aided the rescue of 63 shipwrecked sailors. In 1832, Ann Harvey of Isle aux Morts, her father, and a Newfoundland Dog named Hairy Dog saved over 180 Irish immigrants from the wreck of the brig Despatch.
Another story told, a dog that is thought to have been a Newfoundland saved 92 people who were on a sinking ship in Newfoundland during a blizzard. The dog retrieved a rope thrown out into the turbulent waters by those on deck, and was able to bring the rope to shore to people waiting on the beach. A breaches buoy was attached to the rope, and all those aboard the ship were able to get across to the shore.
An unnamed Newfoundland is also credited for saving Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815. During his famous escape from exile on the island of Elba, rough seas knocked Napoleon overboard. A fisherman's dog jumped into the sea, and kept Napoleon afloat until he could reach safety.
Further evidence of Newfoundlands' ability to rescue or support life saving activities was cited in a recent article by the BBC.
Health
Newfoundland Dog StampThere are several health problems associated with Newfoundlands. Newfoundlands are prone to Hip dysplasia, Elbow dysplasia, and cystinuria. Another genetic problem is subvalvular aortic stenosis, also referred to as subaortic stenosis or SAS. This is a common heart defect in Newfoundlands involving defective heart valves. SAS can cause sudden death at an early age.
History
The breed originated in Newfoundland from a breed indigenous to the island, that later became known as the St. John's Dog. The speculation they may be partly descended from the big black bear dogs introduced by the Vikings in 1001 A.D.is based more in romance than in fact. It is more likely that their size results from the introduction of large mastiffs, brought to the island by many generations of Portuguese fishermen, who had been visiting Newfoundland since the 1400s. By the time colonization was permitted in 1610, the distinct physical characteristics and mental attributes had been established in the breed. In the early 1880s fishermen from Ireland and England traveled to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, where there they described two main types of working dog: one more heavily built, large with a longish coat, whereas the other was lighter in build, an active, smooth-coated water dog. The heavier one was the Newfoundland and the other was the known as the Lesser St. John's Dog, the forerunner of the Labrador Retriever. The dogs were used in similar ways to pull fishnets and heavy equipment.
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The Newfoundland is a large, usually black, brown, gray and landseer (black head and white and black body) breed of dog originally used as a working dog in Newfoundland. They are known for their sweet dispositions, loyalty, and natural water rescue tendencies. Newfoundlands "Newfs" have webbed feet and a water-resistant coat. Males weigh 130-150 lb, and females 100-120 lb, placing them in the "giant" weight range. Some Newfs have been known to weigh over 200 lb. The largest newfoundland on record weighed 264 pounds and measured over 7 feet from nose to tail.