Newfoundland Grooming

You’ll most probably know a Newfoundland for its massive size, which some can find intimidating. But these huge dogs are lovable, fluffy, loyal pups and their sweetness of temperament often makes them a perfect family pet – as long as you have the room for them!

Known for its rescue skills in icy waters, Newfoundland’s have thick fluffy coats with two layers, meaning they take a lot of care to look after.

Being such a large dog and also a heavy shedder, this breed requires a bit more of everything than other breeds, including a two step bathing process and frequent grooming of its undercoat.

You have to take care with your Newfoundland come the spring and summer months when having such a dense coat can become an issue.

Brushing

Brush and comb your Newfoundland’s coat at least weekly to control shedding and to keep his coat and skin healthy. During the heavy shedding months, a daily comb to strip the hot undercoat will most probably be required.You can then go over your Newfoundland’s coat with a large slicker brush to remove mats. Hot spots are a common problem for this breed. To prevent them you have to get rid of the dead hair beneath the top layer so air can get to the skin. Start with brushing the entire coat with a large wire pin brush and then comb it. The best way to get into the thick fur is to lift the hair upwards with one hand, and comb the hair below your hand down to the skin.

Bathing

It might not be the easiest task to get your Newfoundland into a bath, but it is essential you do so to ensure its coat and skin stays healthy. The amount you bath your dog depends on its shedding cycle – and once they’re successfully in the bath, they’ll need two rounds of washing. The first bath is to get rid of the dirt and grime and the second is to use a specific shampoo for the needs of your dog, such as a shedding shampoo or an allergy solution. Towel dry and finish with a pet hair dryer.

Trimming

The best time to trim your Newfoundland is right after its bath. There are plenty of guides on how to do this online, and it’s generally to tidy up its overall appearance. The few longer flyaway hairs are trimmed in the line of the body to smarten it up. Monthly ear cleaning is good to keep a check on any infections which could crop up. You can clean the ears with a special solution for dog ears.Use your nail cutter and clip the nails just short of the quick. You can also use your dremel tool to sand the nails down slightly so that they are smooth. Don’t forget to trim the dewclaw.