Newfoundland
A gentle giant with a calm, patient nature and strong loyalty, Newfoundland thrives as a devoted family protector. Renowned for its swimming skills and nurturing instincts.
Breed Characteristics
Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed.
HEIGHT
71 cm (male)
66 cm (female)
WEIGHT
60–70 kg (male)
45–55 kg (female)
LIFE EXPECTANCY
8–10 years
Newfoundland: Breed snapshot
Everything you need to know about this beloved breed at a glance
Key Breed Characteristics
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Species
Canis lupus familiaris
Diet
Omnivore
"A Newfoundland isn't just a pet — they're a loyal companion, a playful friend, and a loving family member all in one."
Temperament & personality
Understanding Newfoundland's temperament is key to knowing if they're the right match for your lifestyle.
Personality Overview
The Newfoundland is known for its gentle, patient, and affectionate temperament, making it a reliable companion for families and children. This breed is typically calm and sociable.
Key Personality Traits
Exceptionally gentle and welcoming toward people and pets
Learns commands quickly and solves simple problems
Tends toward calmness, not highly active indoors
Enjoys games and interaction, especially with family
Adjusts well to different living situations and routines
Strengths
- Gentle and patient with children
- Strong swimming ability and water rescue instincts
- Generally calm and even-tempered
- Loyal and protective toward family
- Tolerant of cold weather conditions
Challenges
- Prone to joint and hip dysplasia
- Heavy shedding and frequent grooming required
- Can be stubborn during training sessions
- Tendency to drool excessively
- Needs ample space due to large size
Protect your Newfoundland
Newfoundland can develop hip dysplasia and heart disease. PetSecur covers unexpected vet costs with quick payouts and personal service.
Intelligence & exercise needs
Newfoundlands are both highly intelligent and energetic, requiring mental and physical stimulation to thrive.
🧠 Intelligence & training
Trainability
Learns with consistency
Overall rating
Newfoundlands are intelligent and eager to please, responding well to positive reinforcement during training. Their cooperative nature allows them to learn commands and tasks with consistency and patience.
Trainable Tasks:
🏃 Exercise & energy levels
Daily Exercise
60–75 minutes daily
recommended per day
They have moderate exercise needs and benefit from daily walks and opportunities for swimming. Mental stimulation through training and interactive activities helps keep them content and well-balanced.
Recommended Activities:
Is this breed right for you?
Newfoundlands are versatile dogs that adapt well to many lifestyles, but they're not the perfect match for everyone. Here's a quick guide to help you determine if a Newfoundland would fit well in your home.
First-time Owner
Patient and gentle, Newfoundlands are generally manageable for first-time owners.
Apartment Living
Their large size and need for space make apartments challenging.
Active Lifestyle
They enjoy activity but do not require constant vigorous exercise.
Kids
Known for gentleness, they are affectionate and tolerant with young children.
Multiple Pets
Newfoundlands are sociable and usually coexist well with other pets.
Being Left Alone
They dislike being left alone and can develop separation anxiety.
Breed comparisons
Wondering how Newfoundlands compare to other popular breeds? Check out our detailed comparison pages.
Frequently Asked Questions about Newfoundland
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about this breed
Helpful pet owner tools
Use our interactive tools to help you make the best decisions for your pet journey
Pet name generator
- 1000+ unique pet names
- Filter by gender & personality
- Save your favorites
Random breed generator
- Explore unexpected matches
- Learn about rare breeds
- Find hidden gems
Breed comparison tool
- Side-by-side comparison
- Multiple criteria options
- Detailed breed information
Explore more dog breeds
Discover other popular dog breeds and find your perfect canine companion
Akbash (Turkish Shepherd)
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Bulldog
Anatolian Shepherd
Appenzeller Mountain Dog
Argentine Dogo
Maremma and Abruzzes Sheepdog
Bouvier
American-Canadian White Shepherd
Bedlington Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Fawn Brittany Basset
Basenji
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
