Newfypoo
A mix between the gentle giant that is the larger than life Newfoundland and the versatile, good-natured Standard Poodle, the Newfypoo has a lot to offer. Charming, well-mannered and quick to learn, the Newfypoo makes a nice addition to most households. They do require plenty of space though and owners should ensure they can provide them with at least one hour of activity each day.
The Newfypoo is a large-breed dog with a handsome face and a dense, shaggy coat. They have large heads and athletic bodies with a tail that curls sweetly at the end. Their eyes can be amber or brown and they always portray a gentle and trusting expression. With the potential to reach heights over 60cm, owners should be prepared for a puppy that is going to grow and grow!
About & History
Also called the Newdle, Newfydoodle and Newfoundlandoodle, the Newfypoo is a relatively new hybrid on the scene that remains quite rare today. As is the case with the majority of designer dogs, little is known about when and where the Newfypoo originated. Most likely, the first Newfypoo was bred around the beginning of the 21st century. With only a couple of decades worth of history under their belt, there is little to say about the past of the Newfypoo, but we can certainly learn a lot from each of its parent breeds.
The Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a giant breed that comes from Newfoundland in Canada. As the Newfoundland dog has been around for many hundreds of years, experts are uncertain as to when they first came to be. Some suggest they may have been introduced to Canada by the Vikings a thousand years ago, though this theory is not widely accepted. What is known, is that the Newfoundland was present in Canada when Newfoundland was first colonised in the 1600s.
Utilised for its strength and good nature, this breed was employed as a ‘donkey dog’ to haul heavy carts and fishing nets. Over the years, it is likely that the original, indigenous dog was bred with several other breeds, such as the Portuguese Mastiff. Today, most Newfoundlands are kept as pets, though a small number are used for search and rescue work. They are recognised by both the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom and the AKC within their Working Groups.
The Poodle
All types of Poodle mixes are becoming increasingly popular and, during the last five decades, the Poodle has been incorporated into more designer dog breeds than any other pedigree. Their versatility has ensured their huge success within the hybrid dog community and they are well-liked for their good temperament and intelligent nature. Though the Poodle is the national dog of France and often associated with the French, it actually originated in Germany where it was traditionally used to hunt water fowl.
Its curly coat would protect it from the water and its ability to think quickly made it an impressive worker. The original ‘Poodle haircut’ was created from necessity, with hunters trimming certain sections of fur to allow greater freedom of movement within the water when swimming. A versatile breed, as well as hunting, Poodles have also been employed by the circus and as truffle finders. Nowadays, they are kept mostly as pets and show dogs.
Appearance
Most Newfypoos will be large dogs, with some individuals even reaching heights and weights that will classify them as ‘giants’. Typically, dogs will be more stream-lined and slim than the ‘blocky’ and heavy Newfoundland, inheriting the more elegant silhouette of the Poodle. Their skull and muzzle are less broad than the Newfoundland, though are still wider than the average dog. They have oval-shaped eyes that are quite deep-set and relatively small compared to their vast skull. Their ears are wide and pendulous – often densely furred. Their body is rectangular in shape and they should have long and straight limbs. Their tail will reach to their hocks and will often curl at the tip.
Once mature, the Newfypoo will weigh anything from 30kg to 68kg and will reach average heights of 53cm to 61cm (with some breed members standing substantially taller than this).
The coat of the Newfypoo may be hypoallergenic, though this is never guaranteed and some dogs will shed small amounts. Their fur is medium in length and their coat usually looks quite ‘shaggy’ and dense with either waves or curls. A large variety of fur colours are possible, including black, brown and cream. While solid coat colours are seen, many Newfypoos will be a combination of two colours with a black and white coat being popular at the moment.
Character & Temperament
It is harder to predict the temperament of a hybrid than it is of a pedigree, but many Newfypoos share similar personality traits. As a general rule of thumb, they are good-natured and easy-going. Once well-socialised, they will be keen to be in the company of just about anyone and are typically accepting of people of all ages, making them a good companion for older children. Young children require constant supervision in their presence, purely due to their sheer size and strength.
They will show great loyalty towards their family and are fiercely protective over them. While they would rarely show hostility to an intruder, their impressive size and deep bark are often enough to scare anyone away!
Alert and very smart, the Newfypoo enjoys being involved in family life and relishes any opportunity to be participating in an activity or learning a new trick. They dislike being left to their own devices for too long and can become bored when under-stimulated.
Trainability
With brains to spare and a willing attitude, the Newfypoo is good fun to train. They learn quickly and need little repetition to master a new task. Most respond best to positive reinforcement and are decidedly food motivated.
A high level of training is essential when owning a large and powerful dog. Basic tasks, such as walking to heel and responding when called, need to be mastered from a young age. Similarly, dogs need to be taught good manners (such as no mouthing and no jumping up) from puppy hood. Consistency is key and the majority will excel during their training sessions.
Health
As with any dog, there are certain conditions that the Newfypoo is prone to and that all breeders and potential owners should be conscious of.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia occurs when the long leg bone does not fit into the hip socket as it should and the joint develops abnormally. Inevitably, an affected dog will have arthritis of the hip when they get older. The larger the dog, the less well they are able to cope with mobility issues and a diagnosis of hip dysplasia can be catastrophic for many.
Bloat
A potentially devastating condition that can kill a dog, an episode of bloat can come on suddenly and with little warning. Owners will notice that the dog’s abdomen has expanded and that the dog is struggling to settle. The faster an animal is brought to the veterinary clinic for treatment, the higher their chance of survival.
Heart Disease
Aortic Stenosis, Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Atrial Septal Defect are all example of heart diseases that are thought to be more prevalent in the Newfypoo than other breeds. Breeding animals should be screened to avoid these heart diseases being passed on to future generations.
Exercise and Activity Levels
Though large and by no means lazy, the Newfypoo does not need an excessive amount of exercise each day and is usually content with one solid hour. They enjoy being allowed to roam off lead and like to catch balls and Frisbees in the park. Their favourite thing to do is to go swimming and they will do so at any time of year with little regard for the outside temperature!
It is important for owners to be cautious when exercising juvenile dogs as over-exercising them when young can lead to joint problems in later life. Depending on their size and conformation, an exercise programme should be discussed with their vet to ensure it will not be detrimental to growing bones.
Grooming
The thick fur of the Newfypoo benefits from a brush down every day or two to prevent matts and remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated. Owners should get them used to routine chores, such as claw clipping and tooth brushing, from a young age, as it is not easy to teach a mature, 60kg dog to accept claw clipping for the first time when they are stronger than a calf!