Newfypoo: Your Complete Guide

A hybrid between the Newfoundland and the poodle, the newfypoo is one of the largest doodles out there. These dogs make an excellent companion for those looking for a dog as big as the Newfoundland but with a hypoallergenic coat.

Since the newfypoo is a designer dog breed that isn’t purebred, there’s much to cover about this doodle’s characteristics. Our article will walk you through the newfypoo’s physical traits, temperament, intelligence, grooming needs, and more.

Quick Look at the Newfypoo

Below is a quick summary of the newfypoo. Continue reading to the end to know more about each point.

What Is the History of Newfypoos?

Newfoundlands date back to the 18th century in Newfoundland, Canada, where they would help fishers pull their carts and fishnets. Naturally, these dogs are excellent swimmers and can tolerate the cold waters of Canada with their thick double coats.

Poodles, on the other hand, have a much more ancient history, dating back to medieval Germany. Like the Newfoundland, poodles were also utilized around water – but to retrieve waterfowl. The athletic ability of the poodle made the breed an excellent companion for hunters throughout the centuries that followed the medieval period.

The mixes of these two breeds mostly appeared around the same time as other doodles in the 1990s. The popularity of the newfypoo grew as more and more forthcoming dog owners wanted a large and hypoallergenic companion.

Although not all newfypoos are completely hypoallergenic, they are still easier on those with allergies than breeds with a double coat – more on how hypoallergenic this poodle hybrid is below.

What Do Newfypoos Look Like?

Thanks to both parents, the newfypoo has numerous coat color potentials. The most common coat colors are black, brown, and grayish-silver, but newfypoos can also have cream, white, or blue-colored coats.

Newfypoos may also be solid-colored or have white markings on the head, chest, and parts of the leg. This much variety in the coat color makes it easy to find a newfypoo that matches your preferences.

The coat of the newfypoo makes this hybrid breed’s body appear poodle-like. However, they can also have facial features that resemble the Newfoundland parent, especially the F1 newfypoos.

What Size Is a Newfypoo?

Like the coat, the size of the newfypoo varies depending on which parent’s genes are more dominant. Since poodles come in three different sizes, Newfoundlands bred with miniature poodles are typically smaller than those with a standard poodle parent.

Nonetheless, you can expect a newfypoo to stand 22 to 28 inches tall and weigh between 65 and 120 pounds. This makes the newfypoo one of the largest doodles, perfect for those looking for a big snuggle buddy to keep them warm in the winter.

What Is a Newfypoo’s Coat Type and Length?

Newfypoos usually have a wavy coat, but breeders often cross a newfypoo with a poodle to make the coat more hypoallergenic. This not only makes the coat more hypoallergenic but also makes it curlier. Therefore, a newfypoo can have a wavy or curly coat, depending on the generation.

Newfypoos with a curly coat are more popular as they are easier for people with pet allergies to handle. However, this more hypoallergenic coat requires immense grooming from the owner to maintain a tidy appearance.

What Is a Newfypoo’s Temperament?

The Newfoundland is often characterized as being a gentle giant. With the affectionate and loving personality of the poodle, you get an incredibly loving dog with newfypoos that bond strongly with their family.

Newfypoos are very outgoing and have a friendly personality. However, some Newfoundlands tend to have a protective temperament that can be passed down to a newfypoo. These dogs may be a bit more wary of strangers than other newfypoos, but they warm up to new people rather quickly.

These are just a few points about the newfypoo’s temperament. Here are some of the specifics of their personality to help you determine if this poodle hybrid is the right breed for you.

Are Newfypoos Good With Kids?

Newfoundlands have a calm and tolerable temperament, making this poodle hybrid an excellent dog for families with children. They get along well with kids of all ages and are always up for playtime. With their loving yet playful personality, they pair well with both active and quiet children.

Yet, there are a couple of things to keep in mind about newfypoos and children. Newfypoos can cause injuries in young children due to their size, even during regular play. An adult’s supervision is a must to ensure playing sessions don’t get too hectic and everyone plays nicely.

Are Newfypoos Good With Other Animals?

Newfypoos are friendly and social dogs that get along well with strange dogs they meet during walks as long as they are socialized properly. Likewise, they become a fitting addition to families with pets and don’t attempt to cause trouble.

However, newfypoos have a high prey drive inherited from both poodles and Newfies. This makes them prone to chasing small animals, even in the same family. If you have prey animals like rabbits or Guinea pigs, you should keep them away from a newfypoo, preferably in a separate part of the home they don’t have access to.

Are Newfypoos Aggressive?

The newfypoo isn’t an aggressive breed. These dogs don’t have aggressive tendencies like livestock guardian breeds. Newfypoos have a calm temperament that greets other dogs and strangers gently. With enough socialization, aggression will be the least of your worries.

However, as mentioned, some newfypoos may have a protective demeanor. Socialization must be a top priority with these newfypoos, especially if they react to strangers and other dogs wildly when they are puppies. Otherwise, this may lead them to develop behavioral issues, such as being overly territorial around other dogs.

Do Newfypoos Bark?

Like every dog, newfypoos use their voice to react, but they aren’t particularly vocal like terrier-type dogs or Chihuahuas. They bark rarely, and when they do, there’s often a good reason for it, such as alerting you of strangers or unfamiliar dogs. Also, newfypoos have a loud bark that you can be sure to hear.

Since this poodle hybrid isn’t prone to excessive barking, they make ideal pets for apartments. That’s, of course, assuming they will have adequate space. If not, a newfypoo may feel cramped, which may cause anxiety that will make them bark surely.

Are Newfypoos Affectionate?

Newfypoos are lovey-dovey dogs that love receiving attention from their family. They are incredibly affectionate dogs and the ultimate definition of a lap dog that isn’t aware of their size. As you sit on the couch, it wouldn’t be uncommon for a newfypoo to take your empty lap as an invitation for cuddles.

This loving nature makes newfypoos warm up to strangers quickly. Even a newfypoo with a protective temperament will befriend unfamiliar people after confirming that the stranger is not a threat.

Are Newfypoos Intelligent?

Both Newfoundlands and poodles are intelligent dog breeds with a strong work ethic. The same applies to newfypoos just as much – they are smart and curious dogs that love exploring new sights and smells and learning new things.

While this gives newfypoo owners an advantage in training, newfypoos can get bored too quickly. They require a lot of mental stimulation to feel fulfilled in their life. Newfypoo owners should incorporate mentally enriching activities like dog puzzles and scent work to benefit their health – or even better, dog sports.

Are Newfypoos Energetic?

How energetic newfypoos are varies greatly. Even the puppies from the same litter may have drastically different energy levels. However, they are not lazy dogs by any means. While some are more energetic than others, you can consider newfypoos as medium-to-high-energy dogs.

Also, don’t let the calm demeanor of the newfypoo fool you. They require daily walks of at least 30 minutes to an hour. Because of their intelligence, newfypoos also need a lot of playtime. You can incorporate activities that will engage their minds just as their body, like playing hide and seek or letting your newfypoo lead walks once fully leash trained.

Are Newfypoos Easy to Train?

Newfypoos are highly trainable dogs with an eager-to-please personality. They have a natural drive to do what you tell them since both parents have a long history of being working dogs. This makes training a newfypoo such a pleasant experience.

Newfypoos can pick up basic commands like sit and stay quickly, but repeating the same commands over and over can lead to boredom in these dogs. They can learn an endless list of tricks. Newfypoo owners should put this to good use by varying their training and incorporating lots of encouragement to form a strong bond.

Considering how intelligent and trainable newfypoos are, they are capable of getting involved in all kinds of dog sports. Water retrieval, Dock Diving, and paddle boarding are especially great matches for a newfypoo as they are excellent swimmers and take great joy in being in and around the water.

Are Newfypoos Good Watchdogs?

Whether or not newfypoos are a good watchdog depends on individual temperament. While newfypoos with a protective temperament keep an alert eye on their surroundings, others don’t care much. This also applies if they bark to deter strangers or wiggle to get their attention.

That said, some newfypoos make good watchdogs; some don’t. However, their appearance is often enough to make intruders think twice before attempting anything. If you like this breed and want to ensure your newfypoo will protect your property, consider consulting breeders during puppy selection.

There are various ways to tell which puppy will make a good watchdog, such as their reaction to strange, sudden movements and objects. Dogs that aren’t afraid of a noisy object thrown to the ground and prefer exploring typically make good watchdogs. Similarly, dominant puppies from the same litter tend to be better watchdogs.

Are Newfypoos Good Service Dogs?

The high trainability, intelligence, and affectionate nature of the newfypoo make this poodle hybrid ideal for various types of service animal work, from mobility assistance and autism assistance to guiding and psychiatric service animal work.

Although you won’t see newfypoos as service animals as much as golden retrievers or Labradors, it’s because of their rarity – not that they don’t make good service animals.

In addition to service animal work, newfypoos make excellent emotional support animals and therapy dogs, especially for kids with their laid-back and accepting personalities.

How to Care for a Newfypoo?

Newfypoos are large dogs that require the attention of their owners to live a healthy, happy life. As with any other breed, early socialization and starting basic obedience training is crucial – not just for their well-being but to ensure they become well-behaved dogs.

Another essential of caring for a newfypoo is grooming, which we’ll cover in detail below, along with health and feeding.

Do You Need to Groom a Newfypoo?

Newfypoos are truly majestic dogs with their fluffy appearance that’s sure to grab the attention of others during walks. However, this beautiful coat requires immense grooming to maintain a good appearance. Brushing a few times a week to prevent matting is a must, especially for curly-coated newfypoos.

The fluffy coat of the newfypoo that grows endlessly requires haircuts every six to eight weeks. The cost of trips to the groomer can be just as much as feeding or possibly more due to their size.

Optionally, you can invest in a dog grooming kit and learn how to groom your newfypoo at home. Although giving them your desired appearance can take a few attempts, it will get better with every haircut.

Besides haircuts and brushing, newfypoos need regular nail trimming, bathing when needed, dental care, and ear cleaning. With all these, you can consider newfypoos high-maintenance.

Do Newfypoos Shed?

Newfypoos are low-shedding dogs with a hypoallergenic coat. However, the degree of this depends on the parents. Newfypoos that are the offspring of a poodle and Newfoundland typically don’t have the most hypoallergenic coat, though they are much easier on allergies than a Newfoundland.

Due to this, many prospective newfypoo owners with pet allergies opt for F1b newfypoos, which are the descendants of a newfypoo and a poodle. Any dog, regardless of breed, can trigger allergic reactions, but F1b newfypoos are less likely to cause them.

What Health Problems Do Newfypoos Have?

As mixed-breed dogs, newfypoos are generally healthy. However, they may still develop health problems affecting both poodles and Newfoundlands.

The most common health issues found in newfypoos are eye conditions – progressive retinal atrophy and cherry eye, to be more specific. Additionally, newfypoos may develop heart conditions like subvalvular aortic stenosis.

Unfortunately, there’s no proven way to prevent these issues. That’s why it’s essential to ask questions about the health of the parents when adopting a newfypoo.

Like other large breeds, newfypoos are also at risk of developing hip dysplasia. Luckily, there are ways to prevent hip dysplasia, such as avoiding overfeeding and giving them supplements for joint health.

How Long Do Newfypoos Live?

The newfypoo has an average lifespan of between 8 and 12 years. Although this is considerably longer than the Newfoundland (8-10 years), it’s less than the poodle (12-15 years).

What Should a Newfypoo Eat?

Newfypoos should eat high-quality dog food appropriate for their weight and activity levels. However, discussing what to feed your newfypoo with a veterinarian is recommended, as they can point you in the right direction after examining their health.

Is a Newfypoo the Right Dog for Me?

The newfypoo is a large hybrid between the poodle and Newfoundland with a heart just as big as their size that bonds strongly with every family member. They are social and outgoing dogs that thrive in the care of an owner living an active life.

Newfypoos are eager to please and highly trainable, making them ideal for first-time dog owners. Their calm and tolerable temperament makes them perfect for families with children. All these make the newfypoo a fitting choice for various individuals and families.

Although some of their needs, particularly coat care, may be demanding, their affectionate and loving personality makes the trouble worth it. In return, you’ll have a furry friend that unconditionally loves you and your family.