Guard and defense dogs, the dogs of this group are physically powerful, muscular and deterrent with a strong character.

The origin of Newfoundland and especially its arrival on this island is debated. Is it the descendant of the Scandinavian bear dog brought by the Norwegians in the 16th century, of the Labrador dog, of Molosses introduced by the Vikings, of the Leonberger, the Saint Bernard or the Pyrenees mountain accompanying Basque fishermen? The mystery remains. In any case, it was in the 19th century that French cod fishermen helped to introduce it into our regions. The poet Byron celebrated this dog and he was also immortalized by the animal painter Landseer. It was in 1963 that the first club dedicated to Newfoundland was created in France.

The Newfoundland is one of the giant breeds with a size of approximately 66 cm for 54 kg for females and 71 cm for 68 kg for males. Its general appearance is noble, majestic and powerful. Despite a massive frame, he has a clear gait. Its neck is strong, its chest deep, its back broad, its loins strong and muscular and the croup wide and oblique. Its head is broad and imposing with a short and rather square muzzle. Its eyes are small and wide ranging from dark brown to light brown depending on the coat. Its ears are small, triangular and drooping against its head. The Newfoundland's legs are large and webbed. Its tail is strong and broad at the base, of medium length, forming a slight curvature at its tip. Its hair is long, flat, rough in texture and waterproof. The commonly accepted coats are black (matt jet), brown known as the “Landseer variety” (chocolate or bronze) with a black head, if possible a white list, a black coat with markings, the rump and the upper part of the tail black while the other regions are white.

The Newfoundland can present hereditary and osteoarticular problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia. This is a malformation occurring during the growth of the dog and which causes early osteoarthritis which can eventually lead to paralysis of the front or rear part of the animal. The symptoms are more or less visible and detectable more or less early, ranging from a change in the dog's behavior, fearing going up and down stairs, jumping, intense exercise sessions or showing a fault in its sitting position, for example. 'to lameness and pain. A palpation can be carried out at the veterinarian from the age of 6 months. Radiological confirmation can be considered at the age of one year. The treatments are essentially surgical. The Newfoundland also presents a vulnerability to myasthenia gravis, a disease due to a dysfunction between the nerve and the muscle, which leads to locomotor disorders and muscle weakness during physical exercise. Other symptoms are due to damage to another group of muscles: regurgitation, difficulty eating, changes in the voice, facial abnormality. Finally, MCD, dilated cardiomyopathy, heart disease, can affect this canine breed and, as with the other hereditary genetic pathologies described above, DNA screening must be carried out on breeding individuals.

The Newfoundland is a very nice dog in its temperament: sensitive, very loyal, with a frank, docile, calm and gentle character. He's a true gentle giant! He loves children. He can adapt to apartment life as long as you do not leave him alone too often or for too long and meet his need for daily spending by providing him with enough space to let off steam. On the other hand, he is extremely afraid of the heat. Mainly dissuasive due to its format, it is not a good goalkeeper. On the other hand, he is well known for his qualities as a rescuer in an aquatic environment; capable of swimming for hours to rescue a shipwrecked person. His education must be firm but patient because he only reaches psychological maturity at the age of two. When it comes to maintenance, brushing twice a week is sufficient.