Breed Standard
The Newfoundland is a
sweet-dispositioned dog that acts neither dull nor ill-tempered. He is a devoted
companion. A multipurpose dog">
Breed Standard The Newfoundland is a
sweet-dispositioned dog that acts neither dull nor ill-tempered. He is a devoted
companion. A multipurpose dog">
Breed Standard The Newfoundland is a
sweet-dispositioned dog that acts neither dull nor ill-tempered. He is a devoted
companion. A multipurpose dog">
Breed Standard 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. Average height for adult
dogs is 28 inches, for adult bitches, 26 inches. Approximate weight of adult
dogs ranges 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Any colors or
combinations of colors not specifically described are disqualified. 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. Sweetness of temperament
is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single
characteristic of the breed. Any colors or
combinations of colors not specifically described are disqualified.