I have very energetic little dogs, so when I take them to the off-leash park, I usually let them in the big dog area if I see things are pretty chill. In my local parks, at least, the small dog areas are too, well, small for my guys to get a good run and none of the little dogs want to race.
But secretly, I’m also hoping that the pair of Newfoundland dogs will be there.
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I mean, I don’t even care if I’m allergic and they are always covered in drool. I want a bear hug.
If you’ve never seen a Newfoundland in person, it really is hard to imagine how big they are. They are bears.
As a five-foot-one woman, the pair that frequent my local park stand taller than my waist and would dwarf me on their hind legs. Newfoundland puppies are bigger than my full-grown little dogs.
Despite their size, though, they are the gentlest of big floofs.
Though again, the amount of drool can be off-putting.
Newfoundland males average two feet tall at the shoulder and can be as much as 150 pounds. They come in coats of gray, brown, black, as well as a black and white version that’s very “panda bear.”
Newf’s were originally bred as working dogs for fishermen.
They are incredible swimmers — they even have partially-webbed paws! — and can easily dive in to rescue a grown man from drowning. They also helped pull in heavily-laden nets and helped cart fish to market.
Though originally from their namesake origin of Newfoundland and Labrador, most modern purebreds are descended from British dogs.
That’s due to the sheer popularity of the breed in England after they were exported from the Canadian colonies.
Now they are popular family pets, since they make amazing guard dogs, while also being very gentle and great with children.
h/t: AKC