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Breed Characteristics
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Landseer dog
| Other Names | Landseer Newfoundland |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
| Weight | Males: 130 - 150 lbs. (59 - 68 kg) Females: 100 - 120 lbs. (45 - 54 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 28 ½ - 31 ½ in. (72 - 80 cm) Females: 26 ½ - 28 ½ in. (67 - 72 cm) |
| Coat | The water-repellent long outer coat is flat, oily and slightly wavy with a thick oily undercoat. Dogs that live indoors, however, tend to lose their undercoats. The top coat, with exception of the head, should be long and as straight and dense as possible, soft to the touch, with good undercoat, which is not as dense as in the black Newfoundland. Slightly wavy coat on back and hindquarters is not objectionable. When brushed the wrong way it falls back into place naturally. |
| Colour | The main colour of the coat is a clear white with distinct black patches on body and croup. Collar, forechest, belly, legs and tail are white. The head is black with a white muzzle and a white symmetrical blaze. |
| Litter Size | 6 - 10 puppies, average 8 |
| Life Span | 8 - 10 years |
| Origin & History | Because of their good swimming skills these dogs were utilized by fishermen to tow nets to the shore. They were also noted for their ability to help drowning people. Therefore these dogs were bought and sold mainly by European fishermen. It is believed that, by and large, the exportation of these dogs occurred during the late 18th century. However, paintings show us that these dogs must have already existed in England in the early 18th century. Because of their impressive appearance they were the subject of numerous books and paintings. The most famous painting of this large white and black dog is a portrait called "A Distinguished Member of Humane Society" done by the renowned English animal painter Sir Edwin Landseer in 1838. In fact the subject matter of many of Sir Edwin's paintings focused on these dogs. The dog portrayed in one of the most famous paintings is believed to have saved more than 20 people from drowning. It therefore was adopted as a member of the humane society. The breed was eventually named in honor of Sir Edwin. Unfortunately by the end of the 19th century the Landseer Continental Type were not recognizable. Some breeders attempted to build the breed back up in the beginning of the 1900 but their efforts were thwarted during World War I when most of the dogs were killed. After World War I some enthusiastic breeders in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland began breeding these dogs again. Between 1945 and 1960 the Landseer Continental Type was bred as a part of the Newfoundland Clubs in Europe. As the dogs had many differences to the Newfoundland and the popularity of the Landseer CT grew the breed was recognized as a separate breed by the FCI in 1960. The breed was registered and its popularity continues to soar. The breed spread and can now be seen all over Europe. |
| Personality | The Landseer is a dog with an outstanding temperament; it is good, courageous, generous and intelligent. It is also a patient dog, mild with guests, and obsequious with its master. He is noble, calm, gentle, loyal and trustworthy with a sweet temperament. Dignified and peaceable. Very devoted. Good and brave. Intelligent enough to act on his own when needed. Protective, but tends to place himself between the intruder and his family rather than bark or growl. Landseers can recognize a dangerous situation and will generally act if the family is threatened. Any dog, other animal, child, or visitor who has no evil intention will receive a friendly welcome. Some males may be aggressive with other males if the owners are not present to properly communicate to the dog that dominance is an unwanted behavior. Patient, playful, and loving with children. Very sociable. Enjoys the outdoors, but also requires companionship. The Landseer drinks a lot of water and may be messy about it, as he loves to get wet. They tend to drool, though not as much as some other giant breeds. Although puppies require a lot of food, an adult Landseer eats only about as much as a retriever. They love to swim and if backpacking near water, don't let the Landseer carry your sleeping bag—or you may spend a very damp night! This breed may be slightly difficult to train. These dogs are very sensitive to the tone of your voice. Training must be conducted in a calm, but firm, confident, consistent and balanced manner. This dog's huge body tends to move rather slowly. Take this into account during training. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Prone to hip dysplasia. Do not let a Landseer get fat. Also prone to a hereditary heart disease called sub-aortic stenosis (SAS). Breeders should have puppy's hearts checked by a veterinary cardiologist at 8-12 weeks of age. Adult Landseers should be cleared of SAS again before breeding. |
| Grooming | Daily to weekly brushing of the thick, coarse, double coat with a hard brush is important. The undercoat is shed twice a year, in the spring and fall, and extra care is required at these times. (The heaviest shedding period is in the spring). Avoid bathing unless absolutely necessary, as this strips away the coat's natural oils. Instead, dry shampoo from time to time. |
| Exercise | This gentle giant is quite content to laze around the house, but it still needs to be taken on a daily walk. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. It will enjoy frequent opportunities to swim and frolic. |
| Other Considerations | Will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard is sufficient. They are sensitive to heat: provide them plenty of shade and cool water in warmer weather. These dogs prefer cool climates. Nana (Peter Pan); The dog Nana in Peter Pan, although often portrayed as a St. Bernard, was intended to be a Landseer. The 2004 movie Finding Neverland featured a Great Pyrenees as J. M. Barrie's pet, on whom Nana was based. J. M. Barrie owned a Landseer Newfoundland called Luath. |
