All about breed Newfoundland dogs

Newfoundlands are known around the world as the kindest and family breed among all dogs. Today, representatives of these dogs can be found quite rarely - individual kennels are located in England, North America and Russia. In this article you will learn about the features of the appearance, nutrition and breeding of Newfoundland dogs.

To date, no one knows for sure the complete pedigree of the Newfoundlands - the roots of its origin go back to the distant Middle Ages, when more than one hundred modern breeds of dogs were born. Despite this, there are several plausible hypotheses that partially explain their origin. The first hypothesis is inclined to believe that the Tibetan mastiffs, which were introduced to Europe and assimilated with local breeds, are the direct ancestors of the Newfies.

Another hypothesis is based on the opinion that the ancestor of the Newfoundlands are the big shaggy dogs of the famous Scandinavian explorer Leif Eriksson (the unofficial discoverer of North America).

Before the discovery of the discoverer in these territories, there were already Aboriginal settlements that actively used dogs in hunting and labor work. These dogs were distinguished by a thick coat of wool that repelled the water and protected them from frost. The most courageous researchers say that these individuals became the pioneers of the Newfoundland breed. Already after this, the breed has come a long way of random selection surveys, having absorbed data of Moloss dogs, mastiffs, black scottish shepherds and many other breeds.

The reason for the primary popularity of these dogs was their amazing physical strength, courage and dedication. These positive qualities have been preserved to this day. This breed of dogs received official recognition only in the first half of the 18th century. Practically for 7 centuries of living together, people have learned to use this breed in fisheries and hunting. Today, centuries-old records of tribal books have been preserved, where it is indicated that dogs of this breed are very fond of water, help pull out fishing nets, serve as guides and even help drag heavy bags.

About dogs with such unique qualities and good-natured character soon became known in Europe. Buying Newfoundlands, dog owners counted on a beautiful, but also loyal family member. Active work on the breeding and distribution of this breed was carried out precisely in England, and then in France and Germany. The unofficial standard of the Newfoundlands assumed only black-and-white individuals, but thanks to breeding, purely black or brown individuals soon became popular.

At the end of the 19th century, large dogs with a massive appearance and wide body came to Europe, which had a very positive effect on the spread of the Newfoundlands.The first pedigree club of Newfies was opened only in 1886, at about the same time the official standard was adopted, the main provisions of which have survived to the present day. The greatest popularity came to the Newfoundlands only in the early twentieth century, when they returned to their historical homeland - to America. It was already a fully formed breed of dogs with its unique exterior and qualities.

It is in the territory of America and England today that most of the kennels for the breed of dogs are located.

Now it’s worthwhile to deal with the typical exterior characteristics of the Newfoundland breed, which are based on a modern standard.

• Body Massive, firmly folded, but compact, even to a certain degree square: the distance between the withers and the floor equals the distance from the withers to the base of the tail. The back is wide, as well as croup, well-developed muscles in the back. The chest is wide, well developed. As a rule, the hull of a bitch is more elongated than that of a dog, and the body itself is not so massive.

• Head. A large, weighty, skull is wide and heavy. On the background of the head clearly visible occiput. The shape of the muzzle is square, short. A notable difference between Newfies is the complete absence of any skin folds on the face. Cheeks are soft, springy, with a clear angle of the beginning of the mouth. The nose is large, wide, with well developed nostrils - the shade is usually black or brown. The entire muzzle is covered with a thin layer of hair.

• Mouth and fangs. Teeth white, blunt, look massive. Fangs clearly stand out against the background of the main row. Bite most often scissor.

• Eyes. Small in size, round or almond-shaped, deeply set and set at a relatively large distance from each other. Eyelids tight to the eye. For representatives of dark colors, the iris should be dark or black. If we are talking about brown and brown individuals, then honey, copper and light brown shades are possible.

• Ears. Even at a young age they are omitted, the structure is long and triangular, the tips are rounded. They are planted from the sides at the level of the superciliary arches. Often covered with a middle layer of hair. To determine the correct length of the ears, it is enough to try to reach the inner corner of the eye from the identical side of the head with the tip of the ear. In thoroughbred divers, the length of the ears should be in the area.

• Neck. Powerful, wide, quite long and flexible, which allows individuals of this breed to freely turn their heads. From the beginning of the neck to the chest, one can observe an increase in the length of the scalp, which creates a peculiar "lion" image when the Newf is sitting.

• Feet and paws. The forelegs are extremely straight, with a calm gait almost parallel. The hind legs have more pronounced musculature (especially the femoral muscles), but slightly shorter in length. The paws themselves are tightly assembled, the shape is rounded, there are small swimming membranes between the dense and solid fingers. Claws are usually poorly defined, thick, black or light in color. Also for this breed is characterized by the appearance of profitable fingers that need to be removed, and the sooner the better.

• Tail. For this breed, the tail has a special regulatory function - it sets the direction for movement in the water. It is massive, wide, covered with a thick layer of wool, which allows you to effectively manage it even in a rough stream of water. When the dog is in a standing position, the tail is slightly lowered, but should not be between the legs or lay on its back. If the pet is in an excited state, the tail is usually raised up and slightly bent inward.

• Movement. You can learn Newfoundland also by its elegant, measured and unhurried pace. Even in a playful or frightened state, all his movements demonstrate strength, power and intransigence, while his back always remains even. The movements of these dogs are sweeping and wide, they prefer to take medium slow steps, investing in each step a certain power.

• Hairline The wool of this breed has simply a unique property that does not allow the dog to get wet or get dirty quickly. The structure of the hair of these dogs, oily and smooth, so the water just flows through them, not reaching the undercoat. According to its texture, the hair is straight, but the standard allows small eddies on the back of the head, chest and abdomen. The coat covers the whole body of the animal, a significant part of the fur is located on the limbs, back, tail and chest. By itself, the wool is soft, but harsh, springy.

• Color Initially, divers were represented only as an exclusively black or black-and-white breed of dog, but over time and the spread of this breed throughout the world, chocolate individuals also became popular. At first, it was believed that the brown color was the result of the burning of wool under direct sunlight, but over time they began to breed newfishes with this color. The main requirement for the color of the diver is the color saturation. Despite the prevalence of a single shade in the color of this breed, recently gained popularity Newfoundland with a zone of black and white color.

• Average weight Newfies have a massive and heavy build - if females do not usually exceed 55 kg, then males can weigh up to 70 kg.

• Growth. As with the weight, the females are slightly lower than the males. The average height of a newfie female today is 63–67 cm at the withers, cable growth is from 69 to 76 cm.

This breed of dog is known to many dog ​​handlers and breeders as the most good-natured and friendly among all others. It is difficult to find a dog kinder and more tactful in relation not only to the owner, but also to strangers. The apartment, where the Newfoundland appears, immediately becomes a bit cozier and warmer thanks to the positive and warm aura of this good, healthy fellow.

It is impossible to find someone more loyal than the Newfoundland in relation to its owner and family. For their sake, they are able to carry out commands, do complex tricks, and even rush into a burning house to save them. The ambiguous quality here is that dogs of this breed are amazing Monogamous. This means that the dog is unlikely to recognize a full-fledged owner in the new man, although he will treat him kindly.

Despite its size, dogs of this breed are very good-naturedly treat all family members, whether adults or the smallest of them. For children, these dogs will become mighty defenders and friends who will save them from other animals, comfort them in difficult times, and also become a pillow thanks to the long and thick Newfoundland wool. In addition, this breed tolerates harassment and does not hold resentment on the kids. Newfoundlands or “divers” are friendly not only to people, but also to pets.

What about other dog breeds - this breed will by all means try to make contact and show its location. If we are talking about cats, then these dogs are treated with good nature, but with the understanding that friendship can hardly take place.

Unfortunately or fortunately, this breed is hardly suitable for guard work. “Divers” are initially too friendly and trusting, even though suspicious notes may slip in the stranger’s actions, these dogs will not lose a good disposition towards them until the last second.

It is a completely different situation when the host needs protection from an aggressive stranger — at such moments, the great good-natured person instantly disappears, giving way to a formidable and strong defender who is ready to break off all those who threaten his family. All over the world, “divers” are actively used in rescue and accompanying operations: as guides, forcible power, for rescuers of wounded and drowning people. These dogs remarkably understand the current situation of danger, quickly make decisions and completely devote themselves to work, even at the cost of their lives.

Some breeders consider “divers” to be incredibly lazy and unable to learn a breed, but this is not at all the case. The fact is that this breed has well developed analytical thinking, which separates the dog from stupid and meaningless, in her opinion, commands. This especially affects professional training - divers rarely show a desire to repeat the material already passed, as they consider it to be fully learned.

A distinctive feature of the Newfoundlands is their sharp intuitive sense. These animals are able to analyze the actions of the host and determine with accuracy what he wants at the moment. This is both a good side, as these dogs will never bother you if you feel bad, as well as a bad trait where a newf can take your cries and aggressive statements very close to your heart.

Newfies just feel great in nature, on the road they are agreeable, assiduous, they often get real pleasure from traveling by car by sticking their heads out of a car window. Special joy to these dogs brings rest, combined with swimming in open water. These dogs will be especially useful in family recreation, where they will not only be able to play along with your children, but also to protect them from dangerous pranks.

The life span of any pet, be it a dog, a cat, a hamster or a turtle, depends on several factors at once: conditions of maintenance and care, correct feeding, stable psychological relations with the owner, heredity. As for the breed of Newfies, they do not live particularly long - mostly from 8 to 10 years. By the age of 7–8, the animal begins to develop vision and hearing problems, and the functions of the musculoskeletal system deteriorate.

In theoretically ideal conditions of care and maintenance, the life of a diver is really extended up to 14–15 years, but you should not count on it.

Experienced breeders do not recommend breeding Newfoundland at home. It cannot be said that these animals need some exceptional conditions of care, but small “divers”, as a rule, require extremely balanced nutrition to strengthen the body. Inexperienced owners such food is rarely capable, especially when it comes to litter with several puppies.

If you decide in advance that the animal will not be used for breeding, advised to castrate. It is believed that castration increases the potential lifespan of animals.

The very first estrus in females of Newfies begins in the interval from six months to a year, but it is recommended to wait up to a year until the female's body is fully formed and strengthened for carrying and puppies. That is why mating is recommended to be carried out only on the second or better even the third estrus.

Particular attention should be paid to the protection of the females female from other non-pedigree males during their walks. It is usually not recommended to knit a female with a dog from private hands, for this you can apply in specialized nurseries, where there are pedigree males, bred precisely for these purposes.

Before you knit, make sure the animal is healthy. Particular attention should be paid to excess weight in females, which complicates the process of childbirth. During the period of pregnancy, the female will need enhanced nutrition with an increased amount of vitamins and minerals.

For childbirth, choose a dry place with muted light. At birth, newfies puppies are virtually defenseless, so the first time they are recommended to be left with their parents. After several days, when the puppies are a little stronger, they should be weaned from the mother and placed in a separate room (this is what you should do if you decide to sell the puppies).

Important! The first nutritional elements of puppies should get it from mother's milk, then you have to go to a more high-calorie and nutritious food, which will be discussed below. Since most of the purebred puppies are bought only at the age of 2 to 3 months, keep in mind that these 2 months all care about the condition of the pets will be on your shoulders.

Cultivation of puppies is a challenge even for the most experienced breeders, so many of them prefer to buy adult puppies who already know how to walk in a tray and carry out minimal commands. When buying puppies you should pay attention to several factors.

• Place of purchase. There are two popular options for acquiring newfies puppies - from private hands or from nurseries. Each option has its pros and cons.
  • So, in nurseries Due to the large number of dogs of an individual born individual, not much attention is paid. Here the main focus is on collective nutrition, general conditions of care and general vaccinations. However, despite this, self-respecting kennels always keep a strict record of the pet's pedigrees. They will certainly provide you with all the documents, as well as they can acquaint themselves with the documents of the pet's parents themselves - so you can get a rough idea about the appearance and makings of the future pet.
  • Buying a pet with hands often costs much less, but the risks are much greater. For example, you are unlikely to receive the entire set of documents, which should include a veterinary passport, a metric and a pedigree. And also you will not be sure about what the pet was fed before you. The guarantee of a healthy puppy in this case is only an honest word from the seller of the puppy, so you must be absolutely sure of its reputation.

• Age. Based on the recommendations of the Russian Cynological Federation, puppies of dogs can be sold only on reaching the age of 45 days. However, many people prefer to buy almost adult puppies older than 3 months. At this age, puppies are usually vaccinated, behave appropriately and are ready for education and training. In addition, at this age, the dog's body is fully formed, therefore, you can immediately detect flaws or defects in appearance.

• Behavior. When choosing puppies pay attention to their behavior. It is better to choose active, tightly knit, cheerful and inquisitive puppies. Tightness, indecision and weak interest in what is happening indicate a weak character or health problems. Especially pay attention to the condition of the coat, coordination, the presence of tear ducts, increased salivation - all these signs indicate diseases and health complications.

Proper feeding is especially important for the healthy functioning of "divers" - individuals of this breed do not particularly like to spend time at hard workouts and physical entertainment, therefore they are prone to obesity. It is worth getting acquainted with the basic rules of feeding the Newfoundlands.

• Ready feed. Only premium and super premium class food (holistic) are suitable for feeding newfies, only they contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the dog. This kind of food will require some ingenuity from you, since the same food may over time simply get annoying to newfams. That is why in the diet sometimes you should add treats, fruits and vegetables that will brighten up everyday meals.

• Natural food. If we are talking about natural nutrition, then it should be only fresh and quality products. In the diet of these dogs, about 50% of all food should be meat products. This is best suited meat products with low fat content: lamb, veal, beef, rabbit meat. The rest of the diet is occupied by vegetables and fruits: carrots, apples, beets, cabbage, parsley, lettuce. In winter, vitamin deficiencies are recommended to include cereal cereal - oatmeal and buckwheat (in addition to rice, millet and barley) in the feed. As a substitute of meat, offal or fish can be used - mostly boiled.

• Prohibited products. Many inexperienced owners prefer to feed their pets with scraps from the table than they do a disservice to dogs. The fact is that any fried, salted, marinated, smoked and spicy products are not perceived by the body as “divers”. The same applies to the supply of sweets (candy, chocolate, cakes) and flour (except bread croutons). Fruits and vegetables should avoid foods with high levels of acidity and high sugar: avocados, bananas, lemons, onions.

• The regularity of feeding. At birth, Newfish puppies should be fed at least 5-6 times a day in small portions. Over time, the frequency of feeding decreases to twice a day.

• Feeding time. An adult needs two meals a day, as well as at least two walks per day. It is best to feed the “divers” just before the morning and before the evening walk - in this case, they are more likely to have an appetite and can eat even the most tasteless, but wholesome food.

• Seasonality. Any dog ​​breed needs a different approach when feeding at different seasonal times. In the summer season it should be a dense, nourishing and nutritious food that will provide the dog with energy for games and walks. Foods that are low in fat are permissible here, as they are automatically burned from active exercise. If we talk about the winter season, then here the amount of fatty food is reduced to a minimum and include more vitamins and minerals in the diet. Without this, the dog's body will be difficult to cope with the approaching frosts (especially for those owners who keep the dog in the northern regions or in the booth).

• Water is the most important element of any feeding. Ensure that clean and fresh water is always available from your pet. Especially important is the presence of water in the supply of finished dry feed and mixtures.

Eating a young Newfoundland is slightly different from feeding an adult, so it’s worth considering its features.

• The main rule for "diver" razvodchikov - to provide for the puppies in the first months, a sufficient amount of protein and animal fat. Upon reaching six months, sometimes even earlier, the diet gradually changes in favor of reducing calories and controlling the healthy tone of the animal.
• If you buy a young puppy from a nursery or with private hands, be sure to ask what exactly fed the animal before you. If you are feeding on natural food, and you provide the puppy with only ready-made food - be sure that indigestion cannot be avoided. The transition should be carried out smoothly, gradually reducing the percentage of junk food in the diet.
• For the body of young Newfishes vitamins are vital, which are contained in such fruits and vegetables as apples, zucchini, beets, carrots, pumpkin, potatoes. At the same time vegetables can be given both in a raw washed form, and in boiled.
• From meat products it is better to prefer veal, beef and chicken. Sea fish (without small bones) can also be used as a substitute. An excellent substitute for protein is quail eggs and offal.

If you want to buy a Newfoundland, you should consider whether your conditions are suitable for keeping this unusual breed of dogs.

Below you should read the set of recommendations that should simplify the care of a "diver".

By their nature, newfies are absolutely picky about their place of residence and feel great both on the street and at home. However, you should pay attention to the size of the dog - for small and small apartments with insufficient space, this dog is not suitable.

Best of all for the maintenance of Newfies a country or private house with a booth and constant access to a small pond and an open area with greenery. If you decide to start a "diver" at home, then he should always have his own separate place with a good overview of the whole apartment. The ideal option would be a small mattress or lounger, covered with a cloth or cloth that is easy to wash.

From the content of these dogs in the aviary should be abandoned - they do not tolerate long partings with the owner and constantly need to communicate with people. And also it is not recommended to plant "divers" on a chain - these are very individual animals with a developed self-esteem. If they do not feel in the eyes of the owner a full-fledged person, then you can forget about any trust.

Newfi can hardly be called dogs that are prone to active pastime. Most of their time, they like to just wallow in their place, or walk with a tail for the members of their family. That is why For this breed, physical exertion is so necessary - with a healthy diet, but without loads, newfishes can very easily earn obesity.

As already mentioned, long-haired dog breeds that grew up in the harsh climatic conditions of heat are likely relatives of the Newfoundlands. That is why these animals are not recommended to start in the hot southern regions with high average temperature - In the summer, individuals of this breed can get heatstroke from a long stay under the sun.

This will be your main problem in caring for a diver. Be prepared that in all corners of your apartment, on all clothes and furniture there will always be shreds of wool. Especially from this scourge will have to suffer during periods of molting, which takes place twice a year (in autumn and spring). You can fight this only by regular combing 2-3 times a week.

If the animal lives in the open air, you can say goodbye to the problems of molting, but this does not mean that the procedure for the care of wool should be canceled. Regular brushing is the key to a beautiful and healthy appearance of "divers". Particular attention should be paid the formation of mats, who are the true carriers of disease.

Despite the animal’s attachment to water, washing these dogs on their own with shampoos and other products should be no more than several times a year. Otherwise, there is a great chance to damage the fatty balance of the skin, which will lead to allergies, infections and viral diseases. In addition, newfly wool has a unique coating that repels dirt and water, but this coating may eventually disappear due to the use of aggressive detergents.

Some owners prefer to shave off the Newfoundland long hair to avoid moulting and grooming. If the haircut is too short, it can cause significant harm to the skin of the animal and make it defenseless against colds and infectious diseases. Experienced breeders recommend to take these dogs away. for regular sessions in grooming salons - there you can correct the look of your pet, without touching the undercoat.

​​​​​​ Like all other dogs, Newfoundlands need regular care. behind the ears, eyes, claws and teeth. Preventive inspection of these areas should be carried out at least 1 time per week. Claws should be cut only if they prevent the pet from moving. It is better to wash your teeth regularly to avoid the formation of plaque.

Do not forget about regular vaccinations, to protect your pet from a variety of diseases and viruses.

For the care of the Newfoundland you will need the following list of accessories:

• comb or brush with frequent and soft teeth for combing tangles and massage;
• claw cutter;
• brush and toothpaste for dogs of large breeds;
• cotton swabs or sticks to clean the ears;
• muzzle, collar and dog leash;
• whistle - will facilitate the implementation of fast tricks and commands on the street;
• 2 metal bowls - one for food, the other for water; It is advisable to screw bowls to the floor or to buy heavy and massive versions that are difficult to turn over
• toys and entertainment - they will be needed for the development of young puppies; In addition, it is advisable to buy a few bones for very young individuals so that they can grind off the cutting teeth.

Newfoundlands are smart, resourceful and calm, so teaching such pets to elementary teams does not cause significant problems even at home. You should pay attention to a few points when training "diver".

• Purpose. In the beginning, decide for what exactly you need a pet and what function it will perform in the future. The fact is that the training plan for the education of a lifeguard and an ordinary pet will be significantly different. However, regardless of your goals regarding the dog, keep in mind that this breed needs regular physical exertion.

• The very first days. You should understand that the education and training involves not only the execution of some commands, but also a banal obedience in the walls of the apartment. That is why the basic rules of pet behavior should be taught from childhood. Immediately it is necessary to designate the closed and open spaces in your apartment. If a pet wishes to get into a closed area, take it back warningly until it realizes that it is impossible to go there.

• Nickname. The name for any living creature is a kind of emotional vehicle, and especially for pets.The nickname should be thought out in advance - it should be a loud, as short and sonorous name as possible, easy to remember. In the future, when pronouncing any commands, always use the name first - it will make the dog understand that the following instructions concern him.

• Socialization. At the first stages of training should take care of the socialization of your animal. In the future, you will have to repeatedly walk with him in public places, in the presence of children and strangers, so the sooner your pet learns to respond adequately to the presence of strangers around, the better it will be for him. To socialization took place more efficiently, try to take your pet with you for a walk more often.

Very soon, he will learn to recognize your manners, emotions and facial expressions in certain situations - this is very useful at the time of the workouts themselves. Also, you may have difficulties with the eternal desire of Newfies to meet and be friends with everyone. To some passers-by, even a puppy of a diver may seem like a large dog.

• Memory. These animals have a great memory, so a Newfest pet is more likely to successfully repeat a trick or command if the owner has already forced him to do it at least once. This is also a disadvantage, as newfies often refuse to conduct material that has already been covered.

• Demeanor. In training with Newfoundland, try to maintain a neutral voice tone, no aggression should be present there. If any commands the pet performs incorrectly, try to show it with the help of intonation. If the trick is done successfully, decorate your voice with a tone of approval. Believe me, this breed of dogs understands perfectly when something is said with approval, but something with anger and irritation.

• Time for training. Try to exercise regularly, without missing a single day in your schedule. Only in this case, the result will be able to seriously gain a foothold in the memory of the animal. The very first trainings should be conducted starting from 2-3 months - at this age, newfies become cavity conscious animals and are ready to perform the simplest commands and errands.

• Starting small. The desire to quickly train a pet to perform the most complex commands is understandable, but it will never bring the expected result. Try to start with primitive and simple commands that do not require large efforts from your pet: “sit”, “paw”, “fu”, “voice”, “place”, “lie down”. These commands indicate a single action that can be easily repeated. Over time, these teams will have to complicate if you want to achieve at least some result. The next step in the training will be the addition of teams of multiple or long actions: “near”, “aport”, “an”, “wait” and others.

On the peculiarities of keeping newfoundland breeds, see below.