Grooming and care for a Newfoundland: brush, bath, health
Newfoundland : Its double coat needs brushing two to three times a week and careful drying after every swim to prevent skin issues under the undercoat. The plentiful drool is managed with dedicated towels and daily jowl wiping.
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🩺 Reminder: this page informs, it does not diagnose. For any symptom or health question, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
In short: Giant dog of 50 to 70 kg, long water-resistant coat with dense undercoat, calm on land yet tireless in water. An easy-going, patient giant on land, yet a tireless swimmer the moment it reaches water. Webbed feet and a water-resistant coat make it the water-rescue dog par excellence: a handled flotation vest, a floating long line and a drying coat make up its kit.
Coat care, brush by brush
Brush-wise, the Newfoundland calls for daily combing with a long-toothed comb then a slicker, or mats and tangles set in — and it sheds heavily all year round: a de-shedding tool and a sturdy vacuum are part of the kit. The ritual settles in early, in brief rewarded sessions — the brush then becomes bonding time rather than a chore.
Baths, claws, ears, teeth
Plan a bath every four to six weeks with a specifically canine shampoo: a dog’s skin pH is not yours. Check claws monthly, inspect ears at the same time, and brush teeth two or three times a week.
Health watch-points for the Newfoundland
In the Newfoundland, the documented watch-points are: hip dysplasia, subaortic stenosis and gastric torsion (bloat). Nothing inevitable, but they steer prevention — and at the first unusual sign, the vet decides, not the shop aisle. Life expectancy sits around 8 to 10 years.
Frequently asked questions
Which brush for a Newfoundland?
For its coat, plan on daily combing with a long-toothed comb then a slicker, or mats and tangles set in.
How often should a Newfoundland be bathed?
A four-to-six-week rhythm is required with this coat type — and exclusively with canine shampoo, never your own products.
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