General Appearance:

The Newfoundland is a sweet-dispositioned dog that acts neither dull nor ill-tempered. He is a devoted companion. A multipurpose dog, at home on land and in water, the Newfoundland is capable of draft work and possesses natural lifesaving abilities. The Newfoundland is a large, heavily coated, well balanced dog that is deep-bodied, heavily boned, muscular, and strong. A good specimen of the breed has dignity and proud head carriage. The following description is that of the ideal Newfoundland. Any deviation from this ideal is to be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Structural and movement faults common to all working dogs are as undesirable in the Newfoundland as in any other breed, even though they are not specifically mentioned herein

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

Size, Proportion, Substance:

 Average height for adult dogs is 28 inches, for adult bitches 26 inches. Approximate weight of adult dogs range from 130 to 150 pounds, adult bitches from 100 to 120 pounds. The dog's appearance is more massive throughout than the bitch's. Large size is desirable, but never at the expense of balance, structure, and correct gait. The Newfoundland is slightly longer than tall when measured from the point of shoulder to point of buttocks and from withers to ground. He is a dog of considerable substance which is determined by spring of rib, strong muscle, and heavy bone

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

 Head:

The head is massive, with a broad skull, slightly arched crown, and strongly developed occipital bone. Cheeks are well developed. Eyes are dark brown. (Browns and Grays may have lighter eyes and should be penalized only to the extent that color affects expression.) They are relatively small, deep-set, and spaced wide apart. Eyelids fit closely with no inversion. Ears are relatively small and triangular with rounded tips. They are set on the skull level with, or slightly above, the brow and lie close to the head. When the ear is brought forward, it reaches to the inner corner of the eye on the same side. Expression is soft and reflects the characteristics of the breed: benevolence, intelligence, and dignity. Forehead and face are smooth and free of wrinkles. Slope of the stop is moderate but, because of the well developed brow, it may appear abrupt in profile. The muzzle is clean-cut, broad throughout its length, and deep. Depth and length are approximately equal, the length from tip of nose to stop being less than that from stop to occiput. The top of the muzzle is rounded, and the bridge, in profile, is straight or only slightly arched. Teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. Dropped lower incisors, in an otherwise normal bite, are not indicative of a skeletal malocclusion and should be considered only a minor deviation.

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

 Neck, Topline, Body:

The neck is strong and well set on the shoulders and is long enough for proud head carriage. The back is strong, broad, and muscular and is level from just behind the withers to the croup. The chest is full and deep with the brisket reaching at least down to the elbows. Ribs are well sprung, with the anterior third of the rib cage tapered to allow elbow clearance. The flank is deep. The croup is broad and slopes slightly. Tail-Tail set follows the natural line of the croup. The tail is broad at the base and strong. It has no kinks, and the distal bone reaches to the hock. When the dog is standing relaxed, its tail hangs straight or with a slight curve at the end. When the dog is in motion or excited, the tail is carried out, but it does not curl over the back

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

 Forequarters:

Shoulders are muscular and well laid back. Elbows lie directly below the highest point of the withers. Forelegs are muscular, heavily boned, straight, and parallel to each other, and the elbows point directly to the rear. The distance from elbow to ground equals about half the dog's height. Pasterns are strong and slightly sloping. Feet are proportionate to the body in size, webbed, and cat foot in type. Dewclaws may be removed.

Hindquarters:

The rear assembly is powerful, muscular, and heavily boned. Viewed from the rear, the legs are straight and parallel. Viewed from the side, the thighs are broad and fairly long. Stifles and hocks are well bent and the line from hock to ground is perpendicular. Hocks are well let down. Hind feet are similar to the front feet. Dewclaws should be removed.

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

 Coat:

The adult Newfoundland has a flat, water-resistant, double coat that tends to fall back into place when rubbed against the nap. The outer coat is coarse, moderately long, and full, either straight or with a wave. The undercoat is soft and dense, although it is often less dense during the summer months or in warmer climates. Hair on the face and muzzle is short and fine. The backs of the legs are feathered all the way down. The tail is covered with long dense hair. Excess hair may be trimmed for neatness. Whiskers need not be trimmed.

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

Color

Color is secondary to type, structure, and soundness. Recognized Newfoundland colors are black, brown, gray, and white and black.

Solid Colors-Blacks, Browns, and Grays may appear as solid colors or solid colors with white at any, some, or all, of the following locations: chin, chest, toes, and tip of tail. Any amount of white found at these locations is typical and is not penalized. Also typical are a tinge of bronze on a black or gray coat and lighter furnishings on a brown or gray coat.

Landseer-White base coat with black markings.

Typically, the head is solid black, or black with white on the muzzle, with or without a blaze. There is a separate black saddle and black on the rump extending onto a white tail. Markings, on either Solid Colors or Landseers, might deviate considerably from those described and should be penalized only to the extent of the deviation. Clear white or white with minimal ticking is preferred. Beauty of markings should be considered only when comparing dogs of otherwise comparable quality and never at the expense of type, structure and soundness.

Disqualifications - Any colors or combinations of colors not specifically described are disqualified

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

 Gait:

The Newfoundland in motion has good reach, strong drive, and gives the impression of effortless power. His gait is smooth and rhythmic, covering the maximum amount of ground with the minimum number of steps. Forelegs and hind legs travel straight forward. As the dog's speed increases, the legs tend toward single tracking. When moving, a slight roll of the skin is characteristic of the breed. Essential to good movement is the balance of correct front and rear assemblies.

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

 Temperament:

Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed.

Source: Official Standard of the Newfoundland, American Kennel Club, 8 May 1980, https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Newfoundland.pdf.

Dispelling Myths About Newfoundlands.

Source: Newfoundland Club of America, I., n.d. Newfoundland Club of America Puppy Buyer Information Center. [online] Newfpuppy.com. Available at: <https://www.newfpuppy.com/contrary.html> [Accessed 14 March 2022].

• Champagne (cream), white and brown, white and gray and black and tan are not desirable colors. 

  • Granted, these colors are genetic, but these colors do not follow the AKC Newfoundland Breed Standards set forth by the parent club, the Newfoundland Club of America.

• "Bigger is better." 

  • The Newfoundland standard states that while a large size is desirable it is never to be at the expense of structure and soundness.

• "I breed for Newfs that don’t drool." 

  • Newfoundlands have a deep muzzle which can make them prone to drooling. A reputable breeder cannot guarantee that a Newfoundland will not drool.

• "We don’t x-ray because the dogs run around the yard just fine." 

  • It is impossible to determine the health of a dog unless you look inside!

• "If the hips are fine the elbows are too."

  •  NOT TRUE!!! A dog's front end carries most of the weight. It’s the first thing that hits the ground when a dog jumps.

• "The dog has been shown and has first place ribbons to prove it." 

  • This does not guarantee good quality. Dogs may get first place ribbons at practice sessions or at a dog show where there is only one dog entered. A breeder needs to participate in dog shows on a regular basis. This is how they prove their dogs are of excellent conformation (structural) quality.

• "The mother was bred young because it was an accidental breeding." 

  • Reputable breeders DO NOT allow this to happen.

• "I can have puppies and make my money back." 

  • Making money breeding dogs is a contradiction in terms. A routine cesarean section can cost $2000.00. Routine puppy shots, food and laundry costs will eat up any potential profit. Most breeders work to support their dogs.

• "I’m going to breed her because I want another one just like her." 

  • Genetics doesn’t work this way. If it did children would all look the same. Your chances of getting a dog identical to your first are impossible.

• "Championship lines." 

  • Several champions out of 30 dogs in 4 generations does not constitute championship lines. Championship lines means that nearly all the 30 dogs in the 4 generations are champions. This demonstrates a commitment to breeding dogs of excellent quality and health.