The Newfoundland is a massive dog with a moderately long outer coat and a thick, soft dense under coat, much of which is lost during the summer. The Newfoundlands look their most glamorous in the winter, they have a well developed webbing between their toes for swimming. The average height for a dog is 28" (70 cm) while the bitches are 26" (65 cm).
The Newfoundland dog loves people and worship their family members. They are placid and loyal, very trustworthy with children and their playmate/nursemaid qualities are second to none. Newfoundlands are equally suitable for the elderly, but as puppies they can be very boisterous. The breed has a very powerful water rescue instinct and was used to retrieve lost people and cargo. Ships sometimes kept Newfoundlands aboard for this purpose.
The Newfoundland is very much a working dog, it was originally used as a draught animal by the Newfoundland Islanders to haul the fishing nets out of icy seas, pull carts and carry loads. Cart pulling sections are still included in Newfoundland breed shows.
Newfound lands respond quickly to training, which is very necessary. A dog as strong and as big as a Newfoundland can be disastrous if uncontrollable but very easy to live with if properly trained. Most people believe that a large dog like a Newfoundland will eat you out of house and home. Not so, as an adult a Newfoundland will eat as much as a dog the size of a German Shepherd. It is only during their growing stages that they need lots of the RIGHT food.
Whilst a regular brushing is required and ears and feet need trimming, most Newfoundlands do not require hours of grooming and work to keep them looking and feeling their best. But be warned dog hair will soon become a fact of life. Although they are a large dog, they do not require excessively large amounts of exercise to keep them fit and healthy. A regular walk in the park throwing the ball for ten minutes in the backyard or even better a swim is all that is needed every week. Throwing the ball is something that is very quick if you are in a hurry but remember your dog will like to go out as much as you do.
Theories abound as to exactly how and from what the Newfoundland breed originated, but it is named after the island off the east coast of Canada from where it seems to have originally come. The first Newfoundland to reach Australia arrived with the First Fleet on the Scarborough. His name was Hector and he was owned by the ship's master, John Marshall. When the ship sailed again the dog was left in Australia and when the Scarborough returned with the Second Fleet two years later, Hector is said to have swam out to meet the ship and his master.
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