Are Newfoundlands hypoallergenic? No. To our upset, this dog is not hypoallergenic and tends to shed a decent amount. Plus, given that this breed can weigh up to 150 pounds, this is no lap dog. Hence, there’s plenty of hair to shed. And, as loveable as they are, they’re also heavy droolers.
Newfoundlands Quick Facts
What’s the Hypoallergenic Dog Myth?
The truth is, no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
However, despite this, plenty of breeds shed minimally and are less likely to bring your allergic reactions to the surface. What’s more, these breeds are appealing even if you don’t suffer from dog allergies — you won’t have to run the vacuum around so often.
Curious to find out more? Check out our complete guide on What Is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
The Newfoundland is a double-coated breed that’s very much at home in the water — or that was their original purpose — hence their coat reflects this:
Outer Coat
Consider this the Newfoundland’s water-proof jacket — protecting the body. It’s one of coarse and flat texture and nature and is very heavy coated. What’s more, the water-repelling qualities mean it has immense adaptability to whatever the conditions — on land or water.
Undercoat
This layer has the job of keeping your Newfoundland warm in the winter and cool in the summer — it’s quite dense and feels super soft to the touch.
Do Newfoundlands shed a lot? Unfortunately, Newfoundlands are actually one of the heaviest shedding breeds — so if you’re after a hypoallergenic dog, this isn’t the dog for you.
Newfoundlands will shed their fur seasonally, once in the spring and again in the fall — this is when they blow their coats. And you’re sure to know about it! Your Newfoundland’s hair will be everywhere, and when we say everywhere, we truly mean it! You’ll find it on your clothes, all over your furniture, and sometimes even in your food.
Besides the fact that these dogs shed, you also need to consider their sheer size. This is going to have a bearing on how much hair is going to be around your home.
No matter what, your Newfoundland will shed due to the excess hair in their coat. But, you can slow down that hair loss. Here are a few tips:
1. Get Grooming
Establishing a good grooming routine several times a week, or daily when blowing the coat, will help with minimizing shedding. We’d suggest using proper grooming tools to make the process as efficient as possible. For example, rakes, combs, slicker brushes, and pin brushes. For the undercoat — line comb your Newfoundland to make removing the soft fur as efficient as possible.
2. Review Your Bathing Regime
There are many dog-friendly products available out there that can help reduce your Newfoundland’s shedding habits.
A proper bathing and drying routine can assist your shedding issues and lower the level of hair you find around your house. Bathing your dog every other week for up to six weeks can help you — removing any loose hairs, and keeping them contained in one place rather than scattered around your house.
Introducing habits like these from the puppy stage will make the process a whole lot easier in the future.
3. Cover Your Furniture
This will not reduce the shedding of your actual dog in any way but can help with the amount of hair you find scattered in various places.
Upholstery, believe it or not, loves dog hair! Covering these items of furniture with things such as throws can leave your house smelling much nicer and help ensure that not too much dog hair clings to it. If you plan to travel often with your Newfoundland in your vehicle, then invest in car seat covers — it will ensure your car remains hairless, to an extent.
4. Give Your Newfoundland Supplements
Certain supplements can give your Newfoundland’s coat condition a boost, and a coat of healthy hair lowers your chances of shedding.
Omega 3 or salmon oil supplements for dogs are something to consider if you feel your bow-wow is lacking in these essential fatty acids.
Newfoundlands are big and loving dogs that are intelligent and quite trainable. However, they aren’t hypoallergenic, which comes as a disappointment to many future dog parents.
However, this doesn’t mean that your search is over. There are plenty of large hypoallergenic dogs out there that can be the perfect Newfoundland replacement.
The Giant Schnauzer is the largest Schnauzer breed and the perfect hypoallergenic big dog for your life. They’re a natural watchdog and will be ready to get your attention by barking if required. Courageous, brave, and loyal dogs, the Giant Schnauzer learns quickly, making training much easier — similar to the Newfoundland.
These are good-natured dogs but can often assert their dominance over other canines! They really enjoy being around children and families, which means they will also be a brilliant addition to your household. While double-coated, like the Newfoundland, the Giant Schnauzer is a great non-shedding alternative for you!
These big dogs are adorable, brave, obedient, and allergy-friendly. The Portie’s activity level is more demanding than a Newfoundland’s, but they’re eager to please, which makes training easier. However, in terms of barking, they tend to be a bit more vocal than Newfoundlands.
Portuguese Water Dogs are recognized for being brilliant pets for families, especially if you’re an active household — these dogs will fit right in! They love children as well as other animals.
3. Samoyed
Another non-shedding doggy would be the Samoyed. Sammies are biggish (medium-sized), adorable, and a friendly furry friend. They can often be strong-willed but will stay committed and loyal to your family and are super gentle.
They are relatively easy to train, like Newfoundlands but tend to bark a bit. They’re also quite high energy and will need some sort of activity most of the time to keep them entertained. The Samoyed is a beautiful breed, and although they shed, they don’t produce much dander, and they don’t drool either. This is why they’re classed as a hypoallergenic hound.
Another dog with close ties to aquatic adventures is the Irish Water Spaniel — they even have webbed feet. They’re extremely easy to train, such as Newfoundlands. Plus, you don’t need to worry about their barking keeping you up at night either! Similar to Newfoundlands, the Irish isn’t a yappy dog, only ‘talking’ to alert you.
With low drooling, moderate grooming effort and low shedding, the Irish Water Spaniel is a mid-energy pooch that won’t upset your allergies.
Conclusion
Being someone who has dog allergies can often feel like a no-win situation when it comes to adopting a furry friend.
If you had your heart set on the Newfoundland — don’t worry too much. There are plenty of potential hypoallergenic pooches for you to choose from. Newfoundlands have traits that are seen in many other dogs — such as our picks.
So, are Newfoundlands hypoallergenic? The answer sadly is no, but many breeds can act as a cheerful alternative for your home and won’t affect your allergies!
Does a Newfoundland Dog Shed a Lot?
Due to the need to brush their dense undercoats every day, Newfoundlands shed all year round and tend to do so in large amounts. Shedding rate increases during fall and spring — this is when they blow their coats. Adult Newfoundlands tend to shed very heavily. If you want to stop your Newfoundland from shedding as much, read our tips above.
Do Newfoundland Dogs Slobber?
It varies from dog to dog. Many slobber so much, while others tend to only drool a little bit. However, despite saying this, dry-mouthed Newfoundlands aren’t a thing! So, no matter what Newfoundland you get, you will have to deal with their slobber and drool, which is something to keep in mind.
Are Newfoundlands Good Family Dogs?
Normally, Newfoundlands tend to get along fairly well with children and families. They are quite sweet dogs and are a great addition and companion for any family or individual. Despite saying this, if you’re looking into getting an adult Newfoundland, we’d recommend considering its size if you have smaller children.
What Is the Most Hypoallergenic Dog?
The Bichon Frise is considered one of the best hypoallergenic dogs. They’re cuddly little dogs that are non-shedding and loved by many. Others include:
Are Newfoundlands Good House Dogs?
As long as you have plenty of room for that waggy tail, Newfoundlands are incredibly docile dogs that quite happily adjust to living in a house. But remember, these are enormous dogs that will require a lot of space for exercise.
Is a Newfypoo Hypoallergenic?
These dogs are a cross between a Poodle and a Newfoundland and can have hypoallergenic traits. However, as with any crossbreed, it will depend on the genes they’re carrying from their parents as to how hypoallergenic they’ll actually be.
