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Newfoundland Breed Standard |
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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.
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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, American Kennel Club,
Newfoundland
Effective June 28, 1990 |
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