Landseer Newfoundland

While the Newfoundland is a popular dog breed, Landseer Newfoundlands are much rarer. So, what’s the difference between the two? Newfoundlands are generally brown or black in color, while the Landseer is exclusively white and black.

In America, this breed is considered to be a color variant of the Newfoundland, but in Europe, it is a separate breed. But their classification doesn’t really matter; all that matters is that they are gentle and sweet giants that make amazing family pets.

Three Pros and Cons of Owning a Landseer Newfoundland

While there are many pros to owning a Landseer Newfoundland, there are some cons as well.

The Best Dog Food for a Landseer Newfoundland

Landseer Newfoundlands are considered an extra-large breed, so buying specialized food for giant breeds would be most beneficial to their diets.

In addition, they take longer to mature, so they might need to stay on a puppy diet for a whole year to support their slow growth. However, once fully grown, they need to transition to an adult diet to prevent weight gain and becoming obese.

Size and Weight

Landseers differ from Newfoundlands in several ways. For example, they have longer legs and bodies compared to their brown cousins.

Female Landseers are smaller than males, weighing 100 to 120 pounds and measuring 26.5 to 28.5 inches tall, while males weigh a whopping 130 to 150 pounds and measure 28.5 to 31.5 inches tall.

Common Health Issues

Unfortunately, Landseer Newfoundlands have a relatively short lifespan because they are susceptible to several health conditions, which include:

• Hip dysplasia
• A heart condition called subaortic stenosis (SAS)
• Obesity
• Elbow dysplasia
• Cystinuria
• Ear infections

Landseer Newfoundlands have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

Temperament

This breed is the total package; they have an outstanding temperament and are generous, courageous, and highly intelligent. In addition, they are patient, friendly, and obedient. Their calm nature makes them a great addition to the family, who they will protect with their lives.

While Landseers are very gentle and calm, they can sense a dangerous situation and will protect their loved ones. In addition, they are quite independent but enjoy companionship as well. They love water and the outdoors, so you will need a lot of space for them to explore.

How to Take Care of a Landseer Newfoundland

Because of their size and thick coats, the Landseer Newfoundland requires a lot of additional care that smaller dogs don’t; this includes:

Grooming

While the Newfoundland has a thick double coat, which protects them from freezing temperatures, the Landseer’s fur is slightly shorter and has no undercoat.

This helps them to dry faster after enjoying a swim and makes their grooming routine easier. However, they shed all year round and must be brushed daily to avoid matting.

In addition, they require weekly baths, especially if they are in the water a lot. Their nails need to be clipped every few months (as soon as they start touching the ground), and brush their teeth every day with dog toothpaste.

Training

Because of their high intellect, Landseer Newfoundlands are easy to train. However, they mature much more slowly than other breeds, as their puppy stage can last for 18 months.

This is why it’s vital to start training and socializing them as soon as possible to weed out any bad behaviors or developmental problems. The best training method for Landseer Newfoundlands is positive reinforcement training.

Exercise

Luckily, the Landseer Newfoundland is not too energetic and doesn’t require much exercise. However, they still need their daily walks to keep them in good health.

But after their walks, they usually go and laze around the house, typically close to their beloved owners.

Puppies

Landseer Newfoundland’s average litter size is generally between 4 and 12 puppies. It takes longer for this breed to reach adulthood, and the puppy stage can last as long as 18 months. During this stage, their bones and joints are still developing, so it’s essential they avoid vigorous exercise so as not to strain their fragile bones or joints.

Owning one of these beauties won’t come cheap. Landseer Newfoundlands typically cost between $2,500 and $5,000 per puppy, with some breeders charging even more depending on lineage and location. Their steep price is due to their color variation, which is caused by a recessive gene that is quite rare.

Landseer Newfoundland and Children

The Landseer Newfoundland is a fantastic dog to have around children. They are incredibly patient and have natural guarding instincts. In addition, Landseers get along well with other animals and do not have a high prey drive like hunting dogs.

Their only con is their size, which might be a problem if you have very small children. They can accidentally knock one of your kids over when excited or running through your home.

Dogs similar to the Landseer Newfoundland

There are a few breeds similar to the Landseer Newfoundland when it comes to size and temperament; they include:

• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Leonberger
• Great Pyrenees