As a child, did you ever watch Peter Pan and thought to yourself “I wish I could have a dog like Nana that would take care of me.” Well, it’s possible. Nana wasn’t some made up dog; she was a Newfoundland. The Newfoundland (aka: Newfie, Newf, or Greater St. John’s Dog), is named from its origins in Newfoundland, Canada, is a working breed known as the ‘Gentle Giant’ (obviously gentle as we saw in Peter Pan).

The breed is classified as large, with males weighing anywhere from 130-150lbs and females weighing from 100-120lbs. Their thick, water-proof coats and webbed feet, make the Newfoundland excellent swimmers and resistant to harsh cold climates. Their long coats require brushing several times a week, and may be black, brown, or gray.

Though the breed is large and could make an intimidating first impression, Newfoundlands are noble, honest, and hard working. They are said to be sweet tempered and as a result are good family dogs. However, as a puppy, the Newfoundland may not be aware of its own size, so be cautious if this breed is around small children. The large dogs must be trained at a young age in order to avoid bad habits and to build socialization skills.

The breed requires to be walked a few times a day, but should not participate in rigorous exercise. Intense exercise can create stress on their joints and may result in future health problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Other health problems Newfoundlands may develop are cystinuria and a heart condition called Subvacular Aortic Stenosis (SAS). The life span of the breed is from 8-10 years.

For more information about Newfoundlands visit the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada.

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