Animal register · DogIn the app
Newfoundland
Newfie, Newf
The Newfoundland comes from Canada; the FCI lists it among the mountain-type molossoid dogs and recognises three colours: black, white and black (Landseer) and brown. The PDSA calls Newfies gentle giants and gives an average height of 66–71 cm and an average weight of 50–69 kg; PetMD adds that the breed's history makes them natural swimmers.
The PDSA recommends at least an hour of exercise a day for adults, but not over-exercising puppies while their bones and joints are still developing; it calls grooming a daily task, notes that Newfies tend to drool and gives the lifespan as under 10 years. PetMD calls the breed an outstanding family pet that gets along well with children, small pets and other dogs, advises supervising small children with any dog, and warns that some may develop separation anxiety when left alone.
Available in the 12-week PetPrep Challenge (paid breed).
Updated:
At a glance
- Size
- large — PDSA S423
- Adult weight
- males 50–69 kg, females 50–69 kg — PDSA S423
- Daily exercise
- at least 1 hour a day — PDSA S423
Key facts from the sources at the bottom of the page. Where sources differ, each value is listed.
Who it suits
The same tags as in the app. Each tag is backed by the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
What it needs
From breed standards, kennel clubs, veterinary charities and studies. Where sources differ, each one is shown.
Questions and answers
Answered only from the sourced facts on this page; every answer names its sources.
How much exercise does a Newfoundland need?
According to our sources, the Newfoundland needs this much exercise: at least 1 hour a day — PDSA S423.
How long does a Newfoundland live?
According to our sources, the lifespan of the Newfoundland is: median 11 years — Dogs Trust S123; less than 10 years — PDSA S423. The sources give different values, so each one is listed.
How big does a Newfoundland get and how much does it weigh?
Size and adult weight of the Newfoundland, according to our sources: Size: large — PDSA S423; Adult weight: males 50–69 kg, females 50–69 kg — PDSA S423.
Who is the Newfoundland a good fit for?
Our sources describe the Newfoundland as a good fit for: family life — PetMD S424; families with children — PetMD S424; homes with other pets — PetMD S424. Keep in mind: shorter lifespan — PDSA S423; eyelids and eyes — check eye tests — The Kennel Club S425; loves company — best with someone home most of the day — PetMD S424; sheds — PetMD S424; needs brushing several times a week — PDSA S423; drools — keep a cloth at hand — PDSA, PetMD S423S424.
Game rules, not veterinary advice
How PetPrep simulates it
In PetPrep one real week is one month of the pet's life. These are the rules the game uses for this breed. PetPrep chose them from the sources on this page; they are not care instructions for a real animal.
| Life stage | Starts | Meals a day | Daily step goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy | arrives at 2 months | 4; from month 3: 3; from month 6: 2 | 1,000 steps per month of age (2,000 on arrival), up to 6,000 from month 6 |
| Young dog | month 9 | 2 | 6,000 steps |
| Adult | month 36 (3 years) | 2 | 6,000 steps |
| Senior | month 99 (8.3 years) | 2 | 4,500 steps |
- Step goal = minutes of daily exercise × 100 steps: an adult gets 1 hour, so 6,000 steps a day.
- Learns commands 1.2× as fast as the mixed breed of the free plan.
- Becomes a senior in month 99 (8.3 years) — the last quarter of the breed's expected lifespan.
- Walks count real steps from Apple Health or Health Connect (with permission, read-only) and the phone's motion sensor — no GPS.
- Combing 7 times a week.
- Care: a bath every 4 weeks — a reminder for the parent.
Each game number is a PetPrep decision recorded with its sources. — PetMD, AAHA, Dogs Trust, ASPCA, VCA Animal Hospitals, The Royal Kennel Club, Purdue University Canine Welfare Science, Wikipedia, British Journal of Sports Medicine, PDSA S10S11S14S18S19S21S24S35S45S123S423S424
Health
For information only, not vet-reviewed. Ask your vet about your own animal.
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), where the stomach twists, can occur in the breed — it is an emergency that needs a vet straight away. — PetMD S424
- Eyelids that turn inwards (entropion) or outwards (ectropion) can occur in the breed; ask for eye-checked parents. — The Kennel Club S425
- Can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia; breeders are advised to have the parents' hips and elbows tested before breeding. — PDSA S423
- Cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart caused by a weakening of the heart muscle, can occur in the breed. — The Kennel Club S425
Before you buy: what to check with the breeder
Questions to settle before you take a puppy home. The points are advice from vets, welfare charities and kennel clubs; each cites its source.
For every breed
- See the puppy with its mother, where it was born. — PDSA, RSPCA K1K2
- The puppy should not leave its mother before 8 weeks of age. — PDSA K1
- Ask for the pedigree. Under FCI rules a pedigree may be issued for correct parentage only. — FCI K7
- Ask to see the health-test results of both parents. Which tests matter depends on the breed. — PDSA, British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K1K9K10
- National kennel clubs can set breeding rules that go beyond the FCI's — ask the breed club which tests the parents need. — FCI K7
- Ask for a written sale contract that records the puppy's background and health. — British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K9K10
Laws on the minimum age, microchipping and vaccination differ by country — check the rules where you live.
Health tests of the parents for this breed
Tests the Royal Kennel Club recommends as a minimum
Other screening schemes for this breed
- Heart screening by colour Doppler ultrasound (breed club scheme) — The Kennel Club K29
These lists come from the UK's Royal Kennel Club and are an orientation; national kennel clubs can set their own, stricter rules. Ask the breed club and the breeder which tests the parents have done.
Similar breeds
Other dogs in the register with similar needs — each with sourced facts.
Sources
Every fact on this page cites one of these sources.
- S10PetMD — S. C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, 2025-05-20 — When Do Dogs Stop Growing?https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/when-do-dogs-stop-growing
- S11AAHA — 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines — Canine life stage definitionshttps://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/canine-life-stage-definitions/
- S14Dogs Trust (UK) — Caring for an older doghttps://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/looking-after-an-older-dog
- S18ASPCA — General Dog Carehttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/general-dog-care
- S19VCA Animal Hospitals (2025-02-21) — Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Doghttps://vcahospitals.com/pets-first/know-your-pet/feeding-times-and-frequency-for-your-dog
- S21The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Puppy feeding tipshttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/puppy-feeding-tips
- S24Purdue University Canine Welfare Science (content: Pet Leadership Council 2019, bedogsmart.com) — Dog Fitness and Exercise (PDF)https://caninewelfare.centers.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dog-Fitness-and-Exercise.pdf
- S35Wikipedia — The Intelligence of Dogshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
- S45British Journal of Sports Medicine (2018) — Tudor-Locke C. et al. How fast is fast enough? Walking cadence (steps/min) as a practical estimate of intensity in adults. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097628https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029645
- S123Dogs Trust (UK) — Life expectancy for 155 breeds and crossbred group (table of McMillan et al. 2024 data) (PDF)https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/downloads/life-expectancy-breeds-table-2024.pdf
- S419FCI — Nomenclature — Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogshttps://fci.be/en/nomenclature/2-Pinscher-and-Schnauzer-Molossoid-and-Swiss-Mountain-and-Cattledogs.html
- S423PDSA — Newfoundland — breed guidehttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/newfoundland
- S424PetMD — V. LaMon, DVM, reviewed by K. Gold, DVM (updated Jan. 27, 2025) — Newfoundland Dog Breed Health and Carehttps://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/newfoundland
- S425The Kennel Club (hosted by The Newfoundland Club) — Newfoundland Breed Health and Conservation Plan (BHCP, version 1, August 2018) (PDF)https://www.thenewfoundlandclub.co.uk/files/health/Newfoundland_BHCP.pdf
- K1PDSA — Getting a puppyhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/getting-a-puppy
- K2RSPCA — Buying a puppyhttps://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
- K7FCI (copy hosted by Norsk Kennel Klub) — International Breeding Rules of the FCIhttps://nkk2023.stage22.coretrek.no/getfile.php/131987377-1520848467/Dokumenter/Registrering/FCIs%20avlsregler%202013.pdf
- K9British Veterinary Association — What should you consider when buying a puppy?https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog-article/what-should-you-consider-when-buying-a-puppy/
- K10FOUR PAWS UK — Questions to ask when buying a puppyhttps://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/publications-guides/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-puppy
- K29The Kennel Club (hosted by The Newfoundland Club) — Newfoundland Breed Health and Conservation Plan (version 1, August 2018) (PDF)https://www.thenewfoundlandclub.co.uk/files/health/Newfoundland_BHCP.pdf
PetPrep is a simulation for families. This page is not veterinary advice — for a real animal, ask a vet or the breed club.
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