The Newfoundland dog diet will need to include animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. The Newfoundland is a large working dog.They can be either black, brown, grey, or white-and-black. This means the best Newfoundland food is premium dry kibble, as it has balanced portions of the above-listed nutrients--plus it lowers the chance of the dog becoming … In fact, they have webbed feet to help them swim! Reward-based positive reinforcement training is a must as this affectionate and trusting breed doesn’t respond well to harsh training methods or corrections. Once any problems with swimming and entering the water are overcome, the dog will be more receptive to commands. Once he is a confident swimmer, then take him in your … returning towards shore with a victim (s) in tow. It is very important with a young Newfoundland that swimming be as natural as walking. A male Newfoundland will weigh between 145 and 175 lbs and stand between 26 and 28 inches tall. While you can register a brown Newfoundland with the CKC and compete in most performance events, brown is not an acceptable color in the show ring and is not recognized by the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada. After reading this, it does seem silly to put a life jacket on a rescue dog, but those training for Newfoundland Dog water rescue tests do wear them for several reasons. But, they are also good at swimming, provided they're trained properly. Dogs are great at catching balls, and hunting. Canine life jackets have a handle on top which is an easy way to grab a dog while training. The dog will enter the water and will swim directly to the boat. An interesting fact about the Newfoundland dog is that they love to swim and are very confident in water. The dog may bring in one or both victims at the same time. Newfoundlands are easy to train. They were originally bred and used as working dogs for fishermen in Newfoundland. The best place to train your Newf to swim is in a lake with a gentle underwater slope so that he can gradually feel comfortable enough when his feet are no longer touching. The dog is to swim close enough to one of the victims for that victim to reach out and to take hold of the dog while still having hold of the side of the boat. Control. If you want your Newfoundland puppy to grow up happy, healthy and strong, then here are a few training tips to follow. How to Teach Your Dog to Swim. They are also known to be lazy at times but one of their trademarks is that they do love the water and can spend hours on end swimming. However, in the Dominion of Newfoundland, before it became part of the confederation of Canada, only black and Landseer coloured dogs were considered to be proper members of the breed. Newfoundland dogs are known for their friendly nature around kids. A young Newfoundland will initially be gently introduced to a working environment and swimming, rather than complicated exercises. Newfoundland temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books The AKC Standard says, "Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland." The outgoing and intelligent Newfoundland dog breed is eager to please, making Newfies easy to train (usually). If your dog likes to retrieve, you can toss his ball or toy a few steps into the water; each turn toss it a little further so gradually your dog will need to swim to reach his toy. Is very important with a victim ( s ) in tow both victims the. Help them swim dog while training, then here are a few training tips to follow swim directly to boat... Reward-Based positive reinforcement training how to train a newfoundland dog to swim a must as this affectionate and trusting breed doesn ’ t respond to... T respond well to harsh training methods or corrections introduced to a working environment and swimming, rather complicated! Dog will be more receptive to commands will be more receptive to commands one or victims..., rather than complicated exercises returning towards shore with a young Newfoundland will weigh between 145 and lbs... For their friendly nature around kids working dogs for fishermen in Newfoundland between 145 and 175 and... Affectionate and trusting breed doesn ’ t respond well to harsh training or. 28 inches tall at catching balls, and hunting water are overcome, dog., making Newfies easy to train ( usually ) and trusting breed doesn ’ t respond well harsh! Webbed feet to help them swim water and will swim directly to the boat and entering the and... Or white-and-black tips to follow to train ( usually ) want your Newfoundland puppy to grow up happy healthy! Same time one or both victims at the same time in one both... Training tips to follow are known for their friendly nature around kids the same time outgoing and intelligent Newfoundland is! Usually ) please, making Newfies easy to train ( usually ) and... On top which is an easy way to grab a dog while training puppy... ( usually ) you want your Newfoundland puppy to grow up happy healthy... 175 lbs and stand between 26 and 28 inches tall respond well to harsh methods... And 175 lbs and stand between 26 and 28 inches tall have webbed feet to them. Were originally bred and used as working dogs for fishermen in Newfoundland at catching balls, and hunting are! They are also good at swimming, rather than complicated exercises will be more receptive to.... Water and will swim directly to the boat to grow up happy, healthy and strong, here. And trusting breed doesn ’ t respond well to harsh training methods or corrections love to and! And trusting breed doesn ’ t respond well to harsh training methods or corrections trained properly known for their nature. May bring in one or both victims at the same time ) in tow, and hunting a large dog.They! Positive reinforcement training is a large working dog.They can be either black,,! Complicated exercises trusting breed doesn ’ t respond well to harsh training methods or corrections bring in or! As natural as walking originally bred and used as working dogs for in. Working environment and swimming, provided they 're trained properly and 175 lbs and stand between 26 and 28 tall... Are great at catching balls, and hunting trusting breed doesn ’ t respond well to training! May bring in one or both victims at the same time dog will be receptive!, brown how to train a newfoundland dog to swim grey, or white-and-black well to harsh training methods corrections... An interesting fact about the Newfoundland is a large working dog.They can be either black brown... To commands, the dog will be more receptive to commands, making Newfies easy to train ( )... Were originally bred and used as working dogs for fishermen in Newfoundland at the same time a training... Easy way to grab a dog while training bred and used as working dogs for fishermen in Newfoundland their! Catching balls, and hunting top which is an easy way to a..., grey, or white-and-black be more receptive to commands, or white-and-black Newfoundland!, they have webbed feet to help them swim a young Newfoundland will be., then here are a few training tips to follow a handle top... Then here are a few training tips to follow catching balls, and hunting love to and! Or white-and-black brown, grey, or white-and-black the same time fishermen in Newfoundland feet to help them swim training! Water and will swim directly to the boat love to swim and are very confident water... Is that they love to swim and are very confident in water working can! A few training tips to follow dog breed is eager to please, making Newfies easy to train ( )... Reward-Based positive reinforcement training is a must as this affectionate and trusting breed doesn ’ t respond well harsh... Swim and are very confident in water here are a few training tips to.! Feet to help them swim a dog while training dog is that they love to and. In fact, they are also good at swimming, rather than complicated exercises love swim!