Are you a big dog fan? That is, are you a fan of big dogs? Or just a really big fan of dogs… let’s start over.
Hello dog moms and dads! My name is Bri, and I am a big dog fan, and a fan of big dogs! My American Bulldog, Bruce is definitely what you would consider a big dog.
He is a whopping 95-pound lap dog who loves to be snuggled, and by that I mean he will lay on top of me no matter what I say or do.
This seems to be a trait among large dogs, which might be why we love them so much!
There is one big dog breed that I have always dreamed of having, which is the Newfoundland. These are giant fluffballs of love and some day I will own one!
Till then, I wanted to do some research on the breed to make sure it would be a good fit for my home and family. We have dealt with Bruce’s shedding for years now and while it is annoying, it is worth it.
But I did not know how much Newfoundlands shed, or if they shed at all.
That is why I decided to put this guide together to help other dog lovers like me learn more about the breed, especially if they are thinking of bringing one home.
We will talk mostly about how much Newfoundlands shed, including what their coats are like and how to handle their shedding. We will also talk about different tools that can help manage their fluffy coats.
First, I want to talk a little bit about the dog’s history and where they came from! This information will help us understand why their coats are the way they are.
Let’s get started.
History of Newfoundlands
These pups were vital resources for fisherman in Canada. Random, right? But true! These dogs look like they would sink in the water, but they are excellent swimmers.
This made them an asset for rescuing drowning fisherman who were thrown overboard by the rough water. They even have webbed feet, so they are literally born for swimming!
They left their pawprints beside the footprints of Lewis and Clark on their expedition across America!
Well, at least one Newfie named Seaman did. He saved their lives multiple times by guarding against wildlife and was also a fantastic hunter.
Nowadays, Newfies are not as commonly used as work dogs for fishing. They are, however, very commonly used as rescue dogs in many different environments, including in water and snow!
They are also incredible family dogs and have been for years. Robert F. Kennedy’s Newfie, Brumus, was well known as the original nanny dog for helping to watch Kennedy’s 11 kids. This breed does it all!
What is a Newfoundlands Coat Like?
Newfoundlands have a very heavy coat that was naturally developed to keep them warm. Their fur is long and fluffy, with a dense undercoat and a soft, water-resistant topcoat.
The best part about their coat is right around their faces is the softest, fluffiest velvet fur you could imagine! Perfect for smooches and cuddling!
Most Newfies are a mixture of black and white in color. They all have generally long fur that gets tangled and matted pretty easily, which is a big part of this shedding guide.
We will get into that more later on in this article!
Do Newfoundlands Shed? How Much?
While Newfies are only considered seasonal shedders, they typically shed pretty regularly and it’s common to see their fur shedding on a daily basis.
There are plenty of ways to help with their shedding, as well as certain tools and methods you can use to help with it. We will talk about that later on!
When do Newfoundlands Shed the Most?
Most dogs shed throughout the year, and Newfies are no exception. However, there are times where a Newfie will shed more than others.
Let’s take a look at the factors that can influence when a Newfie sheds the most.
Time of Year
This is obviously the most influential factor on when any dog sheds the most, but especially Newfies.
This breed has a ton of fur, so you will definitely notice when the shedding seasons come around.
There are two times a year when shedding season is in full swing. These times are during the transitions between winter and summer and again between summer and winter.
When the weather gets warmer, Newfies will shed their heavy winter coats to help them stay cool. The same goes for the winter, but the opposite.
Newfies, like other dogs, will shed their light summer coats so their warm winter ones can grow through.
Stage of Life
If you know anything about puppies, it is probably how soft and fluffy their fur is. Puppies shed much less than adult dogs do, until it is time to lose that baby coat!
Once they become adults, they will shed their puppy fur and their adult coats will grow in. After that, they will shed regularly throughout the year.
Senior dogs also tend to shed more than a typical adult dog simply because they are aging.
This is a natural process that owners should not worry about, but it is a sign that they should keep an eye on just in case there are other health concerns which we will discuss further later!
Diet & Exercise
Diet and exercise is important in every dog. The right nutrients are crucial to keeping any dog’s coat healthy.
If a Newfie is not getting the right nutrients, you might be able to tell a significant difference in their fur. It could be dry and irritated, which could cause it to shed more than normal.
Same goes for exercise! Healthy dogs will have healthy coats. If a dog is under or overweight, it could result in abnormal shedding.
Ticks, Fleas and other Pests
Nothing is more annoying than ticks, fleas or other bugs that cause your dog to itch and lick themselves into a stupor.
These bugs can also cause significant problems like open sores from licking as well as excessive shedding.
How to Combat Newfoundland Shedding
Shedding is a natural part of a dog’s life. Therefore, it is actually not healthy to heavily reduce how much any dog sheds. Plus, it is not even possible for you to completely stop a dog from shedding.
This is especially true for Newfies. Newfies have very long, thick fur that can become matted if not handled appropriately.
However, it is okay to get a good routine in place for your Newfie that helps regulate how much they shed.
Our groomer is incredible about brushing Bruce enough so that he still sheds at home, but not nearly as much as he used to!
The best way to manage their shedding is by brushing them frequently. You can also take Newfies to see a groomer every so often, but that is not necessarily a requirement of the breed.
Equipment Help to Combat Newfoundland Shedding
A good brush is going to be your best friend if you have a Newfie! They need to be brushed quite a few times a week to keep their long, thick fur from becoming matted.
This brush has long bristles that are durable to get through long, tangled coats but are gentle and will not scratch against your dog while brushing.
A brush like this is so important to keep all that loose, dead fur from matting up and causing skin irritations.
We will get into health related topics later on, but matted fur can cause big problems for a Newfie’s skin!
A good vacuum cleaner is also going to be very helpful in keeping your sanity in check with a Newfie in your home!
Dog hair gets everywhere, and it can be extremely annoying, so having a high-quality vacuum is a great tool.
We really like our Dyson Pet Hair vacuum because it was literally made for pet hair! Plus, this vacuum is cordless and comes apart so you can use it easily on your stairs or even furniture.
This thing has been a life saver in my home to keep all of Bruce’s fur from getting out of control in my house. This also helps me to not be overwhelmed by needing to clean my house every five minutes.
Are Newfoundlands Considered to be Hypoallergenic?
Absolutely not. Not in any way, shape or form. In case you did not already know, no dog really is hypoallergenic!
Most dogs are considered to be hypoallergenic because they are said to “not shed” but this is actually not the case. No dog is entirely exempt from shedding; therefore, no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
Even if that was a real thing, Newfies would not be anywhere close to making that list! The amount that these dogs shed makes them one of the least “hypoallergenic” dogs out there.
Do Some Newfoundlands Shed More Than Others?
There really are not many reasons why one Newfie would shed more than another. The only thing that might cause this to happen is where the Newfie lives, as far as the climate goes.
Warmer weather means a Newfies coat does not need to be as thick and heavy to keep them warm. They will naturally adapt to this climate to stay cool.
Vice versa, a dog that lives in a colder climate will keep a thicker, heavy coat to stay warm. Once again, they naturally adapt to make this happen.
That being said, each dog will shed different amounts based on their natural adaptations to that climate! They will each show different shedding habits based on their living conditions.
Otherwise, unless there are underlying health conditions, Newfoundlands will shed pretty much the same amount. Let’s talk about some of those health conditions that can cause shedding abnormalities.
Health Reasons for Increased Shedding in Newfoundlands
A healthy dog will have a healthy coat. Newfoundlands have a ton of fur, so it will definitely be obvious if their fur is showing signs of looking unhealthy.
Unfortunately, this could be a sign of something more serious below the surface. Certain illnesses like cancer and internal issues can result in excess shedding.
Other, less serious conditions like allergies can also cause excess shedding. While allergies might be less serious than other illnesses, they should still be addressed to keep your dog healthy and happy!
It is super important for any dog owner to keep a close eye on the shedding habits of their dog. No matter the breed, abnormal shedding is never a good sign.
By knowing what is normal for your dog, you can be better able to tell what is not normal!
If you notice your Newfie’s fur is getting matted, you either need to try and brush the mats out or take them to a groomer as soon as you can.
Dirt and bacteria can get trapped in the matted fur which can cause serious skin irritations, including hot spots.
These are extremely uncomfortable for your dog and if not treated can cause infections and even more problems.
Final Thoughts: Do Newfoundlands Shed?
Newfoundlands are incredibly smart, loyal and playful dogs. They are easy to train and have the natural instinct of a caretaker, making them incredible family dogs.
They do require a lot of attention and a lot of maintenance, but they are well worth the effort!
As long as you get a good routine going to care for these pups, you should not have any problems with their shedding.
However, if you have bad allergies or someone else in your home does, this might not be the best breed for you to bring home. Otherwise, nothing should stop you from making a Newfoundland your next dog!
Hope this information is helpful in giving you a little more information about how and do Newfoundlands shed. Happy Pup Parenting!