Appearance

Newfoundlands ("Newfies") have webbed feet and a water-resistant coat. Males weigh 60-70 kg (130-150 pounds), and females 45-55 kg (100-120 pounds), putting them in the "giant" weight range.

Most Newfies are black, but brown and gray varieties exist, as well as the striking black-and-white Landseer (named after the artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who featured them in many of his paintings; see photo on left). Some kennel clubs consider the Landseer to be a separate breed; others consider it simply a Newfoundland color variation.


Disposition

Newfies have a gentle, placid disposition. Indeed, the official AKC breed description says "Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed." They are protective of children, and the dog Nana in James M. Barrie's Peter Pan was a Newfoundland. (Newfie owners resent the depiction of her as a St. Bernard in the Disney animated film version; the 2004 film Finding Neverland used a Great Pyrenees).

History

The origin of the breed is uncertain, but they were in use as working dogs on the island of Newfoundland in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, as early as 1000 AD Newfoundlands have been used as water rescue dogs, and for draft work. The breed almost became extinct and most modern-day Newfoundlands trace their ancestry to a single stud dog named Siki who lived in the 1920s.

The Rest

Capt. Meriwether Lewis owned a Newfoundland named "Seaman" and the dog was a valuable member of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Unofficially, the second most important breed characteristic is a tendency to drool. Newfie owners acknowledge this cheerfully, proudly displaying paraphernalia with slogans such as "Newfoundland is my name—slobber is my game" and "Spit happens." One club assures us that "that's OK, because drool is good for you."

On February 2, 2004, a 155-lb. (70 kg.) Newfoundland, Champion Darbydales's All Rise Pouchcove (callname Josh), took the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show's prize for Best in Show.

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