← All breeds

Newfoundland

Water-rescue teddy bear

Sweet, patient, and massive. Often great with kids. Drool and grooming are real commitments.

giantmedium energyapartment possiblefirst-time friendlyvery high shedding
Newfoundland dog
Size
giant
Energy
medium
Shedding
very high
Barking
low
Grooming
very high
Trainability
high
Apartment
possible
First-time owner
yes
Kid-friendly
high
Pet-friendly
high
Alone tolerance
low
Monthly cost
very high

Best for

  • Cold-climate families
  • Water lovers
  • Calm households

Not ideal for

Drool, shedding, joint issues, and very large food bills.

Exercise needs

30–60 minutes of moderate exercise; loves swimming.

Grooming and shedding

Grooming: very high. Shedding: very high. Plan your brushing routine — and budget — around this.

Barking and training

Barking is typically low. Trainability is high. Early socialization and consistent training go a long way.

Apartment and family fit

Apartment fit: possible. Can work in apartments with committed exercise and training. Kid-friendliness is generally high.

Estimated monthly cost

Cost level: very high. Costs typically scale with size, grooming, and likelihood of vet visits.

Climate notes

Heat tolerance is typically low and cold tolerance is typically high. Avoid midday walks in summer and watch for overheating.

Watch out for

Drool, shedding, joint issues, and very large food bills.

Educational matching content — not veterinary advice.

Good questions to ask before choosing a Newfoundland

  • • Can I realistically meet the exercise and grooming demands every week, not just on weekends?
  • • Have I met adult dogs of this breed — not just puppies?
  • • If buying from a breeder, can they show health screening for the parents?
  • • Is there a breed-specific rescue near me? Adult dogs can be a great fit.
  • • What does my monthly budget look like for food, grooming, and routine vet care?
  • • Who handles the dog if I'm away or my schedule changes?

Learn more about the Newfoundland

Trusted outside resources — these open in a new tab.

Not sure Newfoundland is the one?

Take the 2-minute quiz for personalized matches.

Take the quiz →

Related breeds