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 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.
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
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.
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 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.
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 feet 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 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
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.
Disqualifications-- 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 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.
Temperament
Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single
characteristic of the breed.
Disqualifications
Any colors or combinations of colors not specifically described are disqualified.
Approved May 8, 1990
Effective June 28, 1990
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 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.
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
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.
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 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.
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 feet 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 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
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.
Disqualifications-- 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 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.
Temperament
Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single
characteristic of the breed.
Disqualifications
Any colors or combinations of colors not specifically described are disqualified.
Approved May 8, 1990
Effective June 28, 1990