Newfoundland — size comparison

The Newfoundland is a very large dog with a powerful body, a broad head and strong feet. Its dense double coat protects it even when swimming in cold water. Black is the best-known colour, but brown and white-and-black dogs also occur. Its calm, measured movement and build suggest strength and endurance rather than sprinting speed.

It comes from Newfoundland, Canada. Dogs helped island communities with work connected to the water and pulled loads on land. Swimming ability and cooperation with people later provided the basis for water rescue work. Breeding outside Canada popularised the large, heavily coated dog while retaining the connection to its island homeland.

Newfoundlands are generally gentle, patient and strongly interested in people. They readily stay near familiar people, often without insistently demanding attention. Shared activities can nevertheless bring considerable enthusiasm, especially when water is involved. Calm daily interactions coexist with a willingness to work hard; reactions may be less sudden than those of many lighter working breeds.

Measurement sources

• Wzorzec, średnia wysokość i masa — FCI
• AKC — długość życia, pielęgnacja i historia