Newfoundland Breed Standard
Working Group
General Appearance
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 deepbodied, 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 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.
Size, Proportion, Substance
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.
Head
That 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.
Neck, Topline, Body
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 ainterior thrid of the rib cage tapered to allow elbow clearance. The flank is deep. The croup
is broad and slopes slightly. Tail set follows that 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. Then 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.
Forequarters
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.
Hindquarters
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 geet are similar to the front feet. Dewclaws should be removed.
Coat
The adult Newfoundland has a flat, water-resistant, double coat that tends to fall back into place when rubbed aginst 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
Color is secondaru 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 thes locations is typical and is not penalized. Also typical
are a tinge of bronze on a black or gray coat and lighter furnishing 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 bl ack on the rump wxtending 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 marking should be considered only when
comparing dogs of otherwise comparable quality and never at the expense of type, structure and soundness.
Disqaulifications--Any colors or combinations of colors not specifically described are disqualified.
Gait
The Newfoundland in motion has good reach, strong drive, and gives the impression of effortless power.
His gait is smooth and rhythmic, covering the mazimum amount of ground with the minimum number of steps. Forelegs and hing
legs travel straight forward. As the dog's sppeed 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.
Temperament
Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed.