Newfoundland
Breed Profile
The Newfoundland breed hails from Newfoundland, and is descended from a breed indigenous to the island known as the lesser Newfoundland, or St. John’s dog. DNA analysis confirms that Newfoundlands are closely related to other Canadian retrievers, including Labrador, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Golden Retrievers, and Flat Coated Retrievers.
Temperament
The Newfoundland dog is known for its tranquil and obedient nature along with its strength. They are highly loyal and make ideal working dogs. It is for this reason that this breed is known as “the gentle giant”.
Color & Coat
Coat: They don a thick, oily, and waterproof double coat which protects them from the chill of icy waters. The double coat renders the dog challenging to groom, leading to a great deal of shedding.
Color: The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard colors of the Newfoundland dogs are black, brown, grey, and white-and-black (sometimes referred to as Landseer). Other colors are possible but are not considered rare or more valuable.
Health
This breed is confronted by several health issues. Newfoundlands are prone to hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint). They also suffer from Elbow dysplasia, and cystinuria (a hereditary defect that forms calculi stones in the bladder). Another genetic problem is subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS). This is a common heart defect in Newfoundlands involving defective heart valves. SAS can also cause sudden death at an early age and is akin to having a heart attack.