Newfoundland Grooming Guide

Newfoundlands wear a dense, water-resistant double coat

Newfoundlands wear a dense, water-resistant double coat — the outer coat is coarse and slightly oily (that oil is the waterproofing), the undercoat thick and soft. It sheds moderately year-round with heavy seasonal blowouts, and the oily texture means dirt sits on the surface rather than grinding in — a genuine advantage. Never shave a Newfoundland: the coat insulates in water and regulates temperature on land, and shaving destroys the water-resistant texture. Landseer (white and black) and solid black, brown, or gray Newfies all groom identically.

Three to four times a week with a slicker and undercoat rake; daily during blowout season.

Three to four times a week with a slicker and undercoat rake; daily during blowout season. The oily coat needs a firm hand — work in sections down to the skin, because Newfie mats form underneath the dense topcoat, especially behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, and in the britches. A steel comb verifies. The feathering on the legs and tail needs line brushing. Keep sessions relaxed and treat-heavy; Newfoundlands are famously sweet and patient, and most accept grooming as calm bonding time. A bored Newfie will simply lie down mid-session — plan accordingly and keep it positive.

Every six to eight weeks, and this is a production.

Every six to eight weeks, and this is a production. The water-resistant coat actively repels water — you'll work to get it truly wet — and the oil means you'll shampoo twice to get it clean. Rinse exhaustively; residue in an oily double coat causes itching and dullness. Drying is the marathon: a Newfoundland's undercoat holds an astonishing amount of water, and incomplete drying means days of damp-dog smell. A professional high-velocity dryer is not a luxury for this breed, it's the tool that makes the job possible — it blasts water and loose undercoat out together. Most Newfie owners eventually outsource baths entirely, and nobody blames them.

Let's be direct: Newfoundlands drool more than almost any breed.

Let's be direct: Newfoundlands drool more than almost any breed. The jowly flews produce strings of it, flung with every head shake onto walls, ceilings, and guests. Management, not elimination: keep drool cloths stationed around the house, wipe the flews after meals and water, and clean the mouth folds regularly — dried drool irritates the skin and smells. Check the flews for redness; chronic moisture causes lip-fold irritation that needs vet attention. Embrace the bibs. Newfie people own more towels than any other humans on earth.

Nails every three to four weeks — thick, strong nails on an enormous dog; keep them short for joint health.

Nails every three to four weeks — thick, strong nails on an enormous dog; keep them short for joint health. Newfies have webbed feet (the water-rescue heritage) — trim the hair between the pads for traction and check between the toes for debris. Ears: floppy and heavy; check weekly and clean with a vet-approved solution, drying carefully after swims. Teeth: brush a few times a week and ask your vet about dental cleanings. Heat sensitivity matters: Newfoundlands overheat easily, so schedule grooming in cooler hours, keep sessions calm, and watch for heavy panting — especially in Memphis summers.

Book the bath — a salon with a proper tub and high-velocity dryer turns Newfie bath day from a weekend project into an appointment. Book deshed treatments during blowout season; the undercoat volume is genuinely staggering. Choose a groomer experienced with giant breeds who stays calm through the drool and the occasional mid-groom nap. And start puppies early: a 30-pound Newfie puppy that learns the table becomes a 130-pound adult that's easy to handle — the time to build cooperation is now.