Plate 055 · The Americas
Newfoundland
纽芬兰犬
“The fishermen's giant that pulls swimmers from the sea.”
- Origin
- Canada
- Newfoundland
- Region of origin
- The point marks the region the breed comes from, not an exact birthplace.
- Era
- Island working dogs; named in records from 1766
- Today
- Water rescue · Family companion
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
Then → Now
Then · 1824Landseer's 'Lion: A Newfoundland Dog' (1824), a portrait of a Newfoundland named Lion. Black-and-white Newfoundlands are still called 'Landseers' after the painter.
Sir Edwin Landseer · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
NowPeter Ludes, 66507 Reifenberg, Germany · CC BY-SA · Wikimedia Commons
History
01 · Origin
Newfoundland
A giant working dog from the island of Newfoundland, whose ancestry is uncertain.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Hauled fishing nets and carts, carried loads, and pulled people from the cold sea.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
Dogs exported to England were bred extensively there, and most pedigree Newfoundlands, even in Newfoundland, descend from English-born forebears. Its strength in water made it famous as a rescue dog.
04 · Today
Water rescue · Family companion
A water-rescue dog and a famously gentle family companion.
Personality
- Sweet-natured
- Patient
- Gentle
- Devoted
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: this atlas’s editorial summary on a 1–5 scale, for rough comparison between breeds here — not a measurement or a standardised assessment.
- Size
- Giant
- Lifespan
- 9–10 years
- Coat
- Heavy, water-resistant double coat
Field note
The black-and-white Newfoundland is known as the 'Landseer', after the painter Sir Edwin Landseer, who often painted these dogs.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Working Group
- Also recognized by
- FCI, The Kennel Club (UK)
- Popular in
- United States, United Kingdom
Well known in North America and Europe as a gentle giant and water-rescue dog.
Sources2 references
- Newfoundland — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/newfoundland/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-07 · Registry status and AKC group; AKC recognition 1886 per AKC "Breeds by Year Recognized". Used as a registry reference only.
- Newfoundland dog (encyclopedia overview) — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_dog
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-07 · Secondary overview; cross-check claims against primary breed-club sources.
Image credits
Sir Edwin Landseer · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Peter Ludes, 66507 Reifenberg, Germany · CC BY-SA · Wikimedia Commons
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions.
