The AKC
Standard for Newfoundland Dogs
The official
standards of all the breeds AKC recognizes are compiled in its official
publication, The Complete Dog Book. A breed standard is a word
description of what the ideal dog of that breed looks like. It is an
attempt to describe "perfection." The standard is the "model" breeders
use in their efforts to breed better dogs. Judges use the standard as a
guide when evaluating dogs at a show. Each animal in competition is
compared with the judge's mental image of the perfect dog described in
the standard. The AKC recognizes the Newfoundland Club of America as
the National Breed Club responsible for the Standard for Newfoundland
dogs.
This standard is copyrighted
by the Newfoundland club of America, Inc. It may not be reproduced
without its written permission, although you may use this copy for your
personal use.
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.
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
Effective June
28, 1990
Copyright, 1990
by the Newfoundland Club of America, Inc. |