Newfoundlands, also known as Newfies, are friendly, intelligent, large dogs easily adaptable to home life. This gentle breed lives anywhere from 8 to 10 years and requires a decent amount of space for exercise. 

One of the main things to remember with Newfoundland grooming is the breed's size. These dogs can weigh up to 150 lbs, so it's important to make sure that you have a grooming table that is stable and sturdy to support their weight. 

These dogs have moderate grooming needs but are prone to shedding. Your groomer can advise you with an appropriate at-home grooming routine to keep your dog's coat healthy. In this article, we will review everything you need to know about grooming Newfoundlands.

Quick Overview of Breed Facts & Characteristics

Before diving into grooming, it's essential to understand the Newfoundland breed's unique characteristics:

The Newfoundland is a breed that originates from the eponymous Canadian island and is a giant among dogs. Known for its unique appearance and friendly temperament, this breed requires diligent grooming to maintain its impressive coat. 

• Country of Origin: Newfoundland, Canada
• Height at Shoulder: 26" to 28"
• Coat Length/Type: Combination/Heavy
• Color: Black, brown, and gray solid colors. The "Landseer" is a black and white dog with sharp, crisp, large markings.

Why It’s Important to Groom a Newfoundland 

Proper coat care and maintenance are crucial for achieving healthy skin and coat for your dog. When the coat accumulates dirt, the individual hair shafts become coarse and can eventually break, resulting in damage to the coat. 

To prevent matting and tangling, it is crucial to brush the coat weekly and bathe when you notice dirt and debris. Neglecting maintenance can contribute to the formation of tight, cobweb-like matting close to the skin. Allowing this type of matting to persist can lead to various skin issues.

The End Goal

The primary goal when grooming a Newfoundland is maintaining a shiny, light, and airy coat that bounces and floats as the dog moves. 

Never Shave Their Coat

Shaving your Newfoundland is not recommended. Newfoundland dogs rely on their coat to shield them from the elements throughout the year. This means completely shaving them would be hazardous. Their double coat, with the outer layer having natural oils, is a vital defense against the sun's harmful effects. Shaving these dogs could expose them to sunstroke and sunburn risks.

How Often Should You Groom Newfies? 

Bathe your Newfoundland once a week to once every 12 weeks, depending on the dog's activities and living conditions.

The Best Newfoundland Grooming Process

Pre-grooming Steps

• Nail Care: Trim or grind the nails every four to six weeks to maintain a healthy foot structure.
• Ear Cleaning: Swab the ears with a mild ear-cleaning solution to prevent infections.
• Loosen Coat and Dirt: Use a combination of tools like a rubber curry, shedding blade, undercoat rake, pumice stone, carding tool, fine stripping knife, or natural bristled brush to loosen skin dander and remove loose coat. A high-velocity dryer can help lift dirt and debris away from the skin.
• Mat Removal: Brush out or remove any matting found in the longer-coated areas. Remove the tangles after bathing and drying if they are loose enough for water to penetrate. If not, remove the mat or tangle before bathing.

Brushing

• Line Brush: Work in sections until the dog is entirely tangle-free. A firm, slicker brush should remove little if any, fur when finished.
• Check with a Comb: Double-check your work with a wide-toothed comb and your hands, feeling for any inconsistencies in the coat's density levels. If you find moist or dense areas, rework them with the appropriate tool.
• Attention Areas: Pay extra attention to areas that commonly trap mats, tangles, and excessive coat, including behind the ears, around the ruff, the thigh area, the undercarriage, and the tail.

Sanitary Area

Lightly trim the area under the tail with thinning shears if there's a sanitation problem. Ensure it looks natural.

Feet & Hocks

Pad Trimming: Trim the pads with a close-cutting action blade (ranging from #15 to #40) to clean them of long hair. If there's fur between the toes, back-brush it to stand up and away from the foot.

Toe and Hock Trimming: Use thinning shears to trim the excess hair on the toes and hocks. A #4F blade used in reverse can also work for some dogs.

Detail Finish

Edge the ears lightly with thinning shears to neaten them while maintaining a natural look. Hand-pluck any long, wispy, flyaway hair from around the ears. Removing whiskers on the muzzle is optional.

Finish with a fine mist of coat polish on the body coat for added shine. You may also apply bows and mild cologne according to client preferences.

Special Note

Let your hands guide you, and learn to recognize differences in coat density levels. Areas that feel heavier or denser than others require special attention during bathing, brushing, and drying.

Suggested Tools & Equipment for Grooming Newfies

To groom a Newfoundland effectively, you'll need the following tools and equipment:

• Nail Trimmers
• Styptic Powder (for nail trimming)
• Ear Cleaning Solution
• Cotton Balls
• Clippers
• #40 and #15 Blades (for pads)
• #4F Blade (for Feet & Hocks - optional)
• Slicker Brush
• Wide-Toothed Comb
• Rubber Curry
• Undercoat Rake
• Dematting Tools
• High-Velocity Dryer
• Small Detailing Shears
• Curved Shears
• Thinning Shears

Wrapping Up

By following these grooming procedures and using the suggested tools, you can keep your Newfoundland's coat healthy and maintain its natural beauty. Regular grooming is essential for your dog's well-being and helps strengthen the bond between you.

If you want to become a pet groomer, we offer a complete training program involving essential physiology, safety, practical skills, and business knowledge modules. Additionally, you get the added benefits of access to an online community, weekly workshops, course updates for an entire year, and a certificate of completion. 

With the proper education and certification from Groomers University, a world of opportunities opens up for you. You’ll be able to pursue career options like roles in pet grooming salons, veterinary clinics, mobile grooming services, or even the establishment of a personal grooming business.