A Newfoundland is a gentle giant with tremendous strength, a calm nature and a deep bond with water. It's exactly this combination of enormous body weight, easy-going temperament and dense, water-repellent coat that makes the Newfoundland diet a real challenge. Anyone who wants to give their four-legged friend a long, healthy life has to look more closely at its food than with smaller, more active breeds. In this guide you'll find out what really matters when it comes to food for the Newfoundland, how to protect its weight and joints, and which chews suit its powerful jaw.
The Newfoundland at a glance: a gentle water giant
Hardly any breed embodies the term "gentle giant" as fittingly as the Newfoundland. Weighing up to 70 kilograms, it's among the largest dog breeds of all, yet it's known for its balanced, patient and child-friendly nature. Originally bred as a working dog on the Canadian coast, it's an outstanding swimmer: webbed feet, a powerful rudder-like tail and a thick, oily coat make it a born water rescuer. This water-repellent coat reliably protects it from cold and wet, but in return needs a good supply of nutrients to maintain its protective function. Its calm temperament also means it naturally shows less urge to move than other breeds, which, combined with its size, has direct consequences for the right amount of food.
The right food for the Newfoundland
Food for the Newfoundland should be matched to a giant body with a comparatively moderate urge to move. Three points are central here: high-quality protein, avoiding grain, and controlled energy intake.
Protein from a single source
Such a large body needs stable musculature to carry its own weight long-term. Single-protein recipes with one single animal protein source deliver high-quality protein without burdening the sensitive digestive tract of many Newfoundlands with unnecessary additives. Giant breeds in particular often react sensitively to food containing many different types of meat or artificial flavourings.
Grain-free for a calm digestive tract
Grain-free food is particularly recommended for sensitive dogs like the Newfoundland, as it eases digestion and can help prevent flatulence and soft stools, an issue that shouldn't be underestimated in large breeds given their long digestive tract. Both dry food and wet food can be made grain-free and single-protein, so you can choose according to your dog's preference and its need for fluids. Since Newfoundlands tend to drool more anyway and drink a lot, a combination of both is often a good solution for getting extra fluid in through the food.
Controlled energy rather than a calorie surplus
Because the Newfoundland is naturally rather laid-back, it needs fewer calories relative to its weight than its size would suggest. A food with controlled energy density and no unnecessary fillers helps keep weight within a healthy range, rather than unknowingly supplying too much energy through the amount fed. Our Food Finder helps you find the right recipe for your individual Newfoundland, matched to age, weight and activity level.
Weight & joints: protecting the calm giant
Hardly any topic is as crucial to the Newfoundland diet as the interplay between weight and joints. Its calm nature is one of its most endearing character traits, but it carries a real risk: due to their naturally low urge to move, Newfoundlands tend towards excess weight more quickly than more active breeds. And in a dog weighing 60 to 70 kilograms, this excess weight becomes a genuine burden on the musculoskeletal system.
As a classic giant breed, the Newfoundland is predisposed to conditions such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia anyway. Every additional kilogram of body weight noticeably increases the pressure on the hips, elbows and spine and can accelerate existing joint problems. That's why it's particularly important for this breed to regularly monitor the Newfoundland's weight, consistently adjust the amount fed to its actual activity level, and feed on the cautious rather than the generous side. A lean, easily felt rib area is often harder to assess in such a massive dog than in smaller breeds, so a regular vet check or a weight check at home brings clarity here.
Heart health also benefits from an appropriate weight: in giant breeds, excess weight additionally increases the risk of cardiovascular strain. Anyone who pays attention to the Newfoundland's joints from the outset, consistently feeds single-protein and grain-free food, and avoids excess weight, lays the foundation for many active years. If your dog shows intolerances or unclear symptoms, a structured elimination diet can help identify the actual cause instead of simply continuing to feed blindly.
Coat & omega-3: care from within
The Newfoundland's dense, water-repellent coat is one of its most distinctive features and, at the same time, a genuine piece of working equipment: it keeps the dog warm and dry in cold water. For this protective function to be maintained, the skin beneath needs a good supply of essential fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support the skin barrier, promote a glossy coat and can reduce excessive dandruff or dry skin.
Fish is one of the most natural sources of high-quality omega-3 fatty acids. Fish chews are therefore not only a tasty reward but also make a small contribution to coat care from within, naturally and without artificial additives. Especially for a dog that swims regularly and whose coat therefore needs particular care, it's worth looking at the fatty acid supply across the entire feeding plan.
Robust chews for a powerful bite
Newfoundlands have a strong, powerful bite and a pronounced urge to chew, which not only keeps them occupied but also helps reduce stress and supports dental care. For this breed, it's important to choose correspondingly robust, long-lasting Newfoundland chews that stand up to its powerful jaw and aren't used up after just a few minutes.
Natural, single-protein chews such as the following are particularly well suited:
- Beef Achilles tendon: very robust, long-lasting chewing fun and good for dental care.
- Buffalo trachea: strong, fibre-rich and ideal for persistent chewers.
- Camel head skin: especially tough and a genuine chewing experience for strong jaws.
- Bull pizzle: high in protein, well tolerated and a classic among long-lasting chews.
All of these chews are air-dried, single-protein and free from additives, exactly what a dog with a sensitive stomach needs if it still wants to chew extensively. Via our Chew Finder you can find chews specifically suited to your Newfoundland's size and chewing behaviour. Our entire range of natural chews also offers enough variety so that your giant never gets bored.
An important note on the side: the calories from chews also count towards the daily energy balance. Especially with a dog that already tends towards excess weight, you should consciously factor chews into the total amount fed rather than treating them as pure extras.
The Newfoundland puppy: focusing on slow growth
In hardly any other life stage is the right diet as crucial as in puppyhood. Newfoundland puppies grow impressively quickly into their imposing size, but it's exactly this rapid growth that's also their biggest risk. If a giant-breed puppy grows too quickly, the strain on bones, joints and growth plates that aren't yet fully developed increases considerably, significantly raising the risk of later hip or elbow problems.
That's why a simple principle applies to Newfoundland puppies: slow, controlled growth rather than maximum speed. A food specially matched to puppies of large breeds, with an adjusted calcium-phosphorus ratio and moderate energy density, supports even growth without overtaxing the body. Here too, single-protein, grain-free recipes protect the still-sensitive digestive tract of young dogs and create a good basis for later weight control in adulthood. Anyone who pays attention to a balanced diet from puppyhood onwards lays the most important foundation for healthy Newfoundland joints for a dog's whole life.
Frequently asked questions about Newfoundland diet
How much should a Newfoundland eat daily?
The right amount of food depends heavily on your dog's weight, age and activity level. Since Newfoundlands are naturally calm, their calorie needs relative to body size are often overestimated. The feeding recommendations on the packaging serve as a guide, but an individual adjustment via the Food Finder makes more sense than rigid standard values.
How do I recognise excess weight in my Newfoundland?
With such a dense coat, excess weight is visually hard to spot. A good indicator is whether you can feel the ribs with light pressure without them being visible, and whether your dog still has a discernible waist when viewed from above. If in doubt, a veterinary weight check provides certainty.
Which chews are suitable for a sensitive stomach?
Natural, air-dried chews without additives, such as Achilles tendon, buffalo trachea, camel head skin or bull pizzle, are well tolerated since they consist of a single ingredient. If your dog still reacts sensitively, an elimination diet can help narrow down possible intolerances in a targeted way.
Does a Newfoundland need special puppy food?
Yes. Due to the risk of excessively fast growth, Newfoundland puppies should be given a food specially developed for large and giant breeds that supports controlled, even growth rather than offering maximum calorie richness.
Character & who the Newfoundland suits
In short, the Newfoundland suits best: families with space, a love of water, a gentle giant.
- Size: very large (giant)
- Energy level: calm
- With children: extremely good with children
- Flat living: rather unsuitable for flats
- For beginners: with some experience
- Coat care: demanding coat care
- Trainability: eager to learn
- Alertness: not a pronounced watchdog
Not sure whether this breed suits your life? Find out with our Breed Finder "Which dog breed suits me?".
Goes well with: Natural chews
