Many people find large dogs intimidating, but Newpfypoos? Yes, they can grow pretty big, but there’s not one mean streak in them.
They can serve as guard dogs if need be, but otherwise, they make excellent pets and are very friendly and outgoing.
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Newfypoo: The Hypoallergenic Gentle Giant
Newfoundland meets Poodle
Well, the name is a dead giveaway, a Newfypoo is a cross between a Newfoundland and a Poodle.
These dogs go by many names, like Newdle, Newfydoodle, Newfydoo, Newfoundlandpoo, Newfoundlandoodle, and Poofoundland, but the official name is Newfypoo.
Well, sort of official since the Newfypoo is not a recognized by the American Kennel Club.
The short history of Newfypoos
Little is known about the origins of this gentle dog. As far as anyone knows, they’ve been around for about two decades.
Most probably, the Newfypoo appeared as the result of a chance mating between a Newfoundland and a Poodle.
Someone must have seen the potential of this cross between a versatile and very talented Poodle and a much calmer, quiet dog as the Newfoundland.
The Newfypoo is what is known as a designer dog and there are those who believe the idea behind this mixed-breed was to create a hypoallergenic dog, as it sheds very little.
Pedigree of Newfypoos
One of the most interesting facts about the parents of the Newfypoo is that they are both water-loving dogs.
Newfoundlands take their name from the Newfoundland province in Canada, where they originally came from.
One thing we know for certain about these huge dogs is they existed there before the 1600s when Canada was colonized.
Where did they come from nobody knows, although there is a theory saying they might have been brought there by the Vikings.
With their heavy double-coat Newfoundlands are well-adapted to cold weather and, centuries ago they were bred as companions for fishermen.
As they are very strong, these dogs were used to drag fishing nets or to pull carts.
They’re also excellent rescue dogs and they were used to bring back to shore victims of shipwrecks.
Legend has it that a Newfoundland dog saved Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815, during his daring escape from the island of Elba, when he was swept overboard by rough seas.
There’s not much need for those jobs today, but Newfoundlands have managed to become very popular as pets, mostly because they’re sweet and good-natured.
Poodles also love water and they were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl during hunts.
They are a national symbol of France, and sometimes called French Poodles, but they originate in Germany actually.
Their name comes from the German Pudlehund, with ‘pudle’ meaning to splash in the water, while ‘hund’ means dog.
However, Poodles are dogs of many talents and when hunting fell out of fashion they rebranded themselves as performers, working as circus dogs or accompanying street artists.
Poodles are great as therapy dogs as they learn very fast, and they have been occasionally employed by the police or the military.
By the way, the Newfypoo is the tallest Poodle mix you can find.
Appearance of Newfypoos
Being a hybrid dog, a Newfypoos takes some of his traits from the Newfoundland parent and others from the Poodle one, but to what degree it is impossible to tell.
Not even a breeder can predict how the next litter will be and there can be significant differences even between siblings. Call it genetics or call it chance!
Height and Weight
Generally, Newfypoos grow to be around 22-30 inches tall. Some are as tall as a purebred Newfoundland, but some are a couple of inches shorter. Still huge for a dog!
Newfypoos weigh between 70-150 lbs and that depends on which they resemble most, the Poodle or the Newfy. The latter can also grow to be 150 lbs.
While for purebred dogs, the female is typically smaller than the male, with hybrid dogs this might not be the case.
If you’re planning on getting a female Newfypoo be prepared for surprises.
Not even the breeder can tell you how big your pet is going to be when it reaches adulthood, as size at birth is not a reliable indicator.
One thing you can count on though is for your Newfypoo to be a bit slimmer than a purebred Newfoundland, which is often described as bulky.
A Newfypoo’s body is more streamlined, due to its Poodle heritage.
This type of dog has long straight limbs, but not as slender as the legs of a Poodle. Newfypoos have long furry tails that sometimes curl at the tip.
If you are planning on getting a Newfypoo, you should know that your puppy might reach 21in in height by six months and add maybe two more inches over the next 12 months.
As for weight, a six months old male dog is about 70 lbs and reaches 100 lbs by 18 months.
Fun fact: Did you know that the tallest dog ever was a Great Dane called Zeus, who stood at 3 ft 10 in at the shoulders.
A 30 inches tall Newfypoo is a dwarf compared to that big boy!
Eyes and Ears
Newfypoos have deep-set round or oval eyes, which are rather small as compared to the size of their head. In most cases, they have brown or amber eyes.
Occasionally you might find a blue-eyed Newfypoo, a color inherited from the Poodle parent, but this is rare, unfortunately, as those are some amazing eyes.
Their ears are big and droopy, a trait they share with both their parents.
Newfypoos typically have wide heads, although not as large as those of Newfoundlands, and long straight muzzles. The nose can be either brown or black.
Coat
Newfypoos come in many colors, their coats ranging from white or silver to jet black with all the imaginable shades of brown in between, so you ca have your pick.
Their double coat is of medium density and they have medium to long hair, again depending on their genetic inheritance.
Their hair is generally wavy or curly, more like a Newfoundland than a Poodle.
As both parents are water-loving dogs, the Newfypoo’s coat is rich in water-repelling oils, which might cause a bit of a problem as far as grooming is concerned.
Webbed feet
Newfypoos inherit webbed feet from their water-loving parents. This characteristic makes them excellent swimmers, but it has practical use on dry land, too.
Well, not exactly dry land, but muddy and slippery terrains. Webbed feet allow for a better grip and redistribution of weight, so your Newfypoo won’t have any trouble if you take him hiking with you.
Mini Newfypoo
Scared of dealing with such a large dog? Some breeders have come up with the idea of the Mini Newfypoo, which is a cross between a Newfoundland and Mini Poodle.
The Mini Newfypoos grow to a more manageable size, weighing between 35 and 50 lbs at maturity.
How To Care For Your Newfypoo
Food
You don’t even have to ask. As they’re very large dogs, Newfypoos eat a lot and have a voracious appetite if left to themselves, which you obviously shouldn’t do if you don’t want your pet to become overweight.
As puppies, Newfypoos eat around 1 1/2 cups of dry dog food per meal and you should feed them twice a day. Make sure to buy high-protein food, rich in calcium and other minerals, suitable for the needs of a growing dog.
When they reach adulthood, Newfypoos need anywhere between 3-6 cups of dry food per meal. That depends on how big your pet grows to be. If he is gets the size of a Newfoundland he might need a bit more food.
Feeding your Newfypoo will cost you around $50 per month, not including treats. You can offer pork ears or juicy marrow bones as treats to your pet, only keep in mind cooked bones are brittle and, therefore, dangerous for dogs.
Grooming
Newfypoos are high-maintenance dogs and that beautiful coat of theirs requires a lot of grooming.
As a rule you should sit down your dog for a good brushing at least every other day, to keep their hair fluffy and knot-free.
Since they have long oily hair, it is prone to matting. You should look for a special rake at the pet store, which will allow you to get to the undercoat as well.
Be careful with mats as it will cause the dog a lot of pain if you pull on it. If it doesn’t seem to untangle easily, it’s best to cut it out with scissors.
Another problem is that dirt sticks to the oily coat and you will need to give your Newfypoo a bath once a month if you don’t want him to stink up the house.
Now, when you get a puppy, it’s easy to wash him, you can even do it in the sink, but with a huge 130 lb dog, things are more complicated.
The good news is that they’re not averse to water and if you train them right you might convince them to get into the bathtub.
If this doesn’t work for you, it’s best to use a garden hose and wash him in the backyard. In any case, use a shampoo specially designed for dogs with long curly hair.
Trimming
If you live in a warm climate you might want to give your pet a haircut at the beginning of summer at least.
No one is suggesting shaving the poor animal, that won’t be necessary, but a trim will make his life easier over the hot season.
Also, you need to trim the hair over the eyes every now and then, if you don’t want to see him bumping into things.
If you’ve never done this before, it’s best to take your Newfypoo to a professional dog groomer.
Nail Clipping
That’s tough, but necessary. Check your dog’s nails to see if they’re worn down the natural way, through exercise, and considering giving your dog a pedicure.
That’s easy to say, I know! As we’re talking about large, even giant dogs here your only chance is to teach them to cut their nails while they’re young.
Newfypoos are not known to be aggressive dogs, but they’re not stupid either and they might take offence!
If you really feel your pet could use a pedicure, take him to a professional and let that person deal with it.
Oral Hygiene
Just as with nail clipping, brushing the teeth of a huge dog can be quite challenging.
It is true they’re gentle dogs, but sticking a toothbrush in their mouth might seem like you’re overstepping their boundaries.
The alternative is giving your dog a big cow bone every now and then. Chewing is nature’s way of keeping a dog’s teeth clean.
Chewing helps remove plaque and bacteria that cause bad breath so your dog will probably be fine.
If the dog groomer survived the nail-clipping part unscathed you could push your luck and ask if they’re willing to brush your dog’s teeth as well!
Newfypoo Temperament
Newfoundlands and Poodles have widely different personalities. Poodles are very energetic dogs, while Newfies are calm and mellow.
What you get from mixing their genes is the perfect family pet. A Newfie is as playful and eager to run as a Poodle, but also takes nap time seriously.
Your Newfypoo will be quite happy to sleep on the rug in front of the couch or on the couch for that matter once his needs for exercise have been met.
As for personality, Newfypoos are friendly and good-natured, so they adapt well to their new family.
They’re loyal and protective, without becoming aggressive with strangers like guard dogs.
Newfypoos are smart, like their parents, which makes them highly trainable. Such dogs require mental stimulation just as much as they need exercise.
Let your dog explore and do some serious sniffing when you go out for a walk.
For a dog, analyzing the different smells around a tree is a bit like your scrolling on your social media feed, it tells him who’s been out, what they had for lunch or if there’s a dog in heat in the neighborhood.
For Christmas, you could buy your pet a dog puzzle, which is generally a toy that makes him work to get to his food, keeping the dog entertained.
Newfypoos and children
Despite the Newfypoo’s impressive size, children are generally safe around such dogs, which are not aggressive and don’t bite, unless seriously provoked.
However, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the kids when they’re playing with the Newfypoo.
For a smaller child, such a big dog is much like a pony. Some dogs might agree to give the little one a ride, but keep in mind it might put a strain on their backs and cause pain, and, yes, the dog might react in a brusque manner.
Other than that your kids will have an excellent companion in your pet, especially if they go and play catch in the backyard together.
Newfypoos and other pets
These dogs are very tolerant and they won’t mind sharing the house and your affection with other pets.
If you have other dogs, you should take care about introducing the new pup and properly socializing them.
You might run into the inevitable power struggle, but don’t worry, dogs figure this out on their own.
Newfypoos don’t mind cats or other animals like goats or sheep. Their Newfoundland ancestors used to work as herd dogs and it shows.
Newfypoos and strangers
Both their parents are sociable dogs and so are the Newfypoos. They won’t put up a show barking like crazy when some friends come over. If they’re your friends, it’s cool.
Newfypoos are not guard dogs, but with their huge frame they act as a deterrent against intruder. Who’s going to want to mess with a giant dog?
Also, should your Newfypoo spot an intruder he will let out a deep bark as a warning and in most cases this should be enough.
Tolerance to solitude
This gentle giant is a sucker for companionship. A Newfypoo likes to be part of the family life and might take it very hard if left alone for hours, when the humans are at work.
In such cases, Newfypoos tend to become anxious and manifest their distress by barking. When such a big dog starts barking, the whole neighborhood will know you’ve left your pet alone, again.
Activity Requirements
Although not quite as energetic as a purebred Poodle, a Newfypoo still requires a lot of exercise. It’s only natural for such large dogs.
Typically, a Newfypoo needs about one hour of vigorous exercise per day so make sure you have time for that before getting yourself such a pet.
Running and playing catch games are great for keeping your dog in shape, but he will also enjoy a brisk walk around the neighborhood.
On average, these dogs need to put at least 12 miles under their paws every week!
If you’re the athletic type yourself, you can take your dog jogging or hiking. Don’t forget they love to swim!
Trainability
When you bring your Newfypoo pup home, he’ll probably melt everyone’s heart.
However, keep in mind that they do grow a lot and in less than two years you’ll have a huge animal on your hands.
If you want to avoid future problems, start training your dog when he’s very young.
Now, the good part is that Newfypoos are very smart and good-natured. Some dogs are rather stubborn, which makes training more of a challenge.
This is not the case with Newfypoos. They’re playful and quite eager to learn new tricks.
Train your pup to know his place, like saying ‘crate’ and putting him inside repeatedly until he gets to do it on his own.
The most important thing is to teach your new pet how to behave on the street, to stop at your command and also not to stop suddenly while you’re still walking.
This will be very helpful when you’re walking a 150 lbs dog!
Use the click method to give the dog a clue when to stop and make sure to have some treats on you to reward compliance.
Positive reinforcement is always the best method to train a dog, and particularly when dealing with large breeds.
Fortunately, Newfypoos learn quickly so you won’t need to repeat a command many times.
Since this type of dog needs intellectual stimulation, after basic training you can also teach your dog fun tricks, like giving five or learning the name of his toys so he can fetch them when asked.
Mouthiness
One of the reasons Newfypoos are gaining in popularity is the fact that they’re non-drooling.
Like all the puppies in the world, a Newfypoo will test his teeth with the occasional nip, which is done mostly in play.
However, this is not a behavior you want to encourage. Nip it in the bud, so to say!
The best way to teach your dog biting is not OK is to cry out every time he does that, so he’ll know you’re hurt.
If he persists, punish the dog by withdrawing attention. Move away from the dog, cease eye contact and ignore him for the next half an hour.
They are very sociable and giving him the silent treatment is the most effective type of correction.
Of course, your puppy might chew a shoe or two so watch out! If you find your dog trying to entertain himself with a shoe or any household object, offer a chew bone instead.
The good news is most Newfypoos seem to outgrow the chewing phase as they reach the age of 12 months.
Common health problems for Newfypoos
As your dog is a crossbreed, he can be prone to conditions his parents are vulnerable to, but this should not worry you.
Newfypoos are considered healthy dogs, so they won’t require many trips to the vet.
Mixed breeds usually have fewer health issues because of the so-called hybrid vigor, which is the result of crossing two gene pools.
The main common health problems for Newfypoos are cataracts, canine hip dysplasia, sebaceous adenitis, subaortic stenosis, or gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) or bloat, which is very serious potentially-fatal condition.
For a first-time pet owner, this might sound a bit scary, but experienced owners know such problems are common in dogs, no matter the breed.
You should pay attention to hip dysplasia as this can cause mobility problems, which spells disaster for a dog so big.
Talk to your vet about this issue and make sure your dog’s food meets the nutritional requirements to promote bone and joints health.
You should include some raw bones in your dog’s diet, as these are a great source for calcium and other minerals, as well as collagen which is essential for joints.
Also, your dog might need collagen supplements at some point in his life. Not as a pup, though.
Speaking of pups, if you get a dog from a breeder make sure you ask about vaccinations.
Also, it would be a good idea to take a dog stool sample when you go to the vet the first time, to check for parasites.
The most common parasites in puppies are Coccidia and Giardia, but they are both easily treatable.
Another problem which is common in puppies is the so-called cherry eye, which is the prolapse of a small tear-producing gland which normally sits behind the third eyelid.
This causes a round, reddish-colored mass that sits at the corner of the eye. A visit to the vet should take care of that.
Newfypoo Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for a Newfypoo is between 8 and 12 years, which is quite a lot for a large breed. Once again, this depends on which of the parents your dog takes after.
Newfoundlands have a life expectancy of 8-10 years, while Poodles live between 12 and 15 years.
Did you know that the longevity record for dogs belongs to an Australian Cattle Dog called Bluey, who lived to the ripe age of 29 years.
If you’re interested in something similar to Newfypoos, the Guinness Book mentions a Toy Poodle named Seamus, who lived over 20 years!
Can a Newfypoo live in an apartment?
Technically, yes. If it fits through the door, a pet can be taught to live anywhere.
However, such large dogs are not meant for cramped spaces. They need a big house and a backyard where they can stretch their long legs.
What sort of climate is best for Newfypoo?
A dog with a double coat is best suited for a cool climate. However, they can adapt to hotter climates.
If you live in an area with warm weather, you should consider trimming the dog’s hair regularly.
On particularly hot days, keep the dog in a room with air conditioning and only take him out for exercise after sunset.
Are Newfypoos good as service dogs?
With barely two decades of history, the Newfypoos did not have much time to be recognized as service dogs.
However, they are thought to be quite good, particularly if they take after the Poodle parent.
Poodles are highly trainable and can be taught to fetch items for a disabled owner if need be.
However, being very large dogs they might not be suitable for people with mobility issues.
What they are very good at is providing emotional support, which makes them an excellent choice for therapy dogs.
With their impressive size they can offer a sense of security to an owner suffering with social anxiety. Also, being rather calm they make good companions for solitary people.
How much does a Newfypoo cost?
If you’re getting your pup from a breeder, it will cost you anywhere from $600 to $5,000 for a Newfypoo.
These dogs aren’t bred very often and they are a designer dog breed which has driven the price of the breed up quite a bit.
Be prepared to wait till you meet your new pet, as some breeders have long waiting list. This is to be expected as these adorable dogs are steadily growing in popularity.
How much you spend on food depends on the type of commercial dry food you choose. A rough estimate would be $50 per month, probably more.
The Quick Rundown Of Newfypoos
- Newfypoos are 50% Newfoundland and 50% Poodle
- If they inherit the Poodle’s coat they’re hypoallergenic dogs, with almost zero shedding and little hair to clean off the carpet.
- Newfypoos are usually calm, friendly and highly sociable dogs.
- They are great with children, although caution is always necessary when little ones interact with any type of dogs.
- An adult Newfypoo needs between 3 and 6 cups of dry food per day, possibly more if he grows up to be a 150 lbs giant.
- They need at least 1 hour of vigorous exercise every day and, being fond of water, they enjoy paddling.
- Newfypoos are eager to please, which makes them highly-trainable, just like the Poodles in their ancestry.
Newfypoo, a pet you can rely on
A Newfypoo won’t cause you any sort of headaches as they are great pets.
Having such a large dog around will help you feel that you and your family are protected as few intruders would take their chances with such a huge animal.
A stranger cannot know your dog has a heart of gold and there’s nothing he likes more than to cuddle with his pet human.
Pay special attention to training and socializing your puppy and you’ll have a wonderful companion and a well-behaved dog!