So What Else Is a Newfoundland Besides Big?
By AKC Staff
Jan 24, 2017 | There's one thing everyone knows about a Newfoundland: he's big, really big. A full-grown male stands as high as 28 inches tall and weighs in at 130-150 pounds. But there is so much more to this breed than size, as any Newf lover can tell you.
1. Newfoundlands are renowned for their sweetness, gentleness, and devotion. In fact, that sweetness is a hallmark of the breed. They're ideal family companions, with a special affinity toward children. Some people call them the “nanny dog.”
2. Not only is he sweet-tempered, but the Newfoundland also has strong protective instincts. Although not a watchdog, he's the protector of his loved ones.
3. The Newfoundland is an excellent water dog. His broad chest, lung capacity, webbed feet, and oily double coat serve him well as a long-distance swimmer. Because of that and his keen sense of responsibility, the Newfoundland is renowned as a lifesaving dog in water, capable of pulling drowning victims to shore.
4. He's a workhorse on land and in the water. In his homeland of Newfoundland, he pulled in nets for the fishermen, hauled wood, pulled carts, and did other kinds of heavy work. In fact, he's still used that way today. Those skills help the breed compete in dog sports like obedience, tracking, carting, and drafting.
5. Although they're docile and are relatively placid, Newfoundlands do require regular exercise. You haven't lived until you've seen a Newf happily galumphing in the yard.
6. Along with his size, there are a few other things to consider if you're planning to share your home with a Newf. Keep a drool rag at the ready, because you'll need it with this big guy. You can expect lots of shedding, too.
7. Newfoundlands are famous!
By AKC Staff
Jan 24, 2017 | There's one thing everyone knows about a Newfoundland: he's big, really big. A full-grown male stands as high as 28 inches tall and weighs in at 130-150 pounds. But there is so much more to this breed than size, as any Newf lover can tell you.
1. Newfoundlands are renowned for their sweetness, gentleness, and devotion. In fact, that sweetness is a hallmark of the breed. They're ideal family companions, with a special affinity toward children. Some people call them the “nanny dog.”
2. Not only is he sweet-tempered, but the Newfoundland also has strong protective instincts. Although not a watchdog, he's the protector of his loved ones.
3. The Newfoundland is an excellent water dog. His broad chest, lung capacity, webbed feet, and oily double coat serve him well as a long-distance swimmer. Because of that and his keen sense of responsibility, the Newfoundland is renowned as a lifesaving dog in water, capable of pulling drowning victims to shore.
4. He's a workhorse on land and in the water. In his homeland of Newfoundland, he pulled in nets for the fishermen, hauled wood, pulled carts, and did other kinds of heavy work. In fact, he's still used that way today. Those skills help the breed compete in dog sports like obedience, tracking, carting, and drafting.
5. Although they're docile and are relatively placid, Newfoundlands do require regular exercise. You haven't lived until you've seen a Newf happily galumphing in the yard.
6. Along with his size, there are a few other things to consider if you're planning to share your home with a Newf. Keep a drool rag at the ready, because you'll need it with this big guy. You can expect lots of shedding, too.
7. Newfoundlands are famous!
- Meriwether Lewis brought his Newfoundland, Seaman, on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In his journal he wrote, “May 29, 1805: last night we were all alarmed by a large buffalo bull, when he came near the tent, my dog saved us by causing him to change his course.”
- Lord Byron wrote an epitaph to his Newfoundland, Boatswain, (posted below)
- At least three U.S. presidents have had Newfoundlands, including Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford Hayes, and James Buchanan.
- Emily Dickinson only had one dog her whole life, a Newf named Carlo.
- Perhaps the most famous of all was Swansea Jack, who is said to have saved from 23 to 27 people from drowning and was named “Dog of the Century” in his homeland of Wales.
"Epitaph to a Dog" (also sometimes referred to as "Inscription on the Monument to a Newfoundland Dog") is a poem by the British poet Lord Byron. It was written in 1808 in honour of his Newfoundland dog, Boatswain, who had just died of rabies. When Boatswain contracted the disease, Byron reportedly nursed him without any fear of becoming bitten and infected.[1] The poem is inscribed on Boatswain's tomb, which is larger than Byron's, at Newstead Abbey, Byron's estate
Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
Boatswain, a Dog
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead Nov. 18th, 1808
When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown to Glory, but upheld by Birth,
The sculptor’s art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below.
When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen,
Not what he was, but what he should have been.
But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his Master’s own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonoured falls, unnoticed all his worth,
Denied in heaven the Soul he held on earth –
While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power –
Who knows thee well, must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit!
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye, who behold perchance this simple urn,
Pass on – it honours none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one -- and here he lies.
Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
Boatswain, a Dog
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead Nov. 18th, 1808
When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown to Glory, but upheld by Birth,
The sculptor’s art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below.
When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen,
Not what he was, but what he should have been.
But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his Master’s own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonoured falls, unnoticed all his worth,
Denied in heaven the Soul he held on earth –
While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power –
Who knows thee well, must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit!
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye, who behold perchance this simple urn,
Pass on – it honours none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one -- and here he lies.
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