Newfoundlands are known for their thick fur coats and love of water, but what about snow? While many assume that Newfoundlands like snow due to their weather-resistant coats, there’s actually more to it than meets the eye.
Keep reading to discover the truth about whether or not Newfoundlands are fans of the fluffy white stuff.
Newfoundlands are great winter dogs and can tolerate freezing temperatures. When winter comes, they love the snow and will tend to play in it as much as they can. Compared with other dogs, they can often stay out in colder temperatures for longer than most.
However, there are a few other things to note about their cold tolerance. First, they are not immune to frostbite and other winter problems, so it’s essential to know the signs of when they’re uncomfortable.
Second, surprisingly, they can also get too hot when inside during the winter, which is another thing to look out for.
You can find out more about how to enjoy the winter with your Newfie below.
Why do Newfoundlands like the snow?
Winter for dogs can be difficult as they often need a lot of exercise, but might not be able to handle the cold.
This is not a problem with Newfoundlands. They are one of the more winter-friendly dog breeds and will happily play outside in the snow all winter long.
Along with loving snow, they also love winter walks and other winter activities. They need a lot of exercise, even during the winter. Feel free to use their love of snow to your advantage and get them outside during the winter as much as possible.
You won’t have to worry too much when taking your Newfie out during the winter, but some things are still to watch out for. But first, we’ll take a look at what makes them such good snow dogs!
Newfoundlands have thick coats and strong bodies
Newfoundlands have thick double coats from when they were bred as water dogs. While not arctic dogs like a husky, they are known to retain a considerable amount of heat in the water, and that same coat functions well in the snow.
Then, you can add to that their muscular bodies for swimming in harsh conditions, and you’ve got a really hot dog!
Newfoundlands have webbed feet for keeping warm in cold climates
Some birds and mammals actually have a different circulation system than us that allows their feet to touch the ice and stay naturally colder than the rest of their bodies.
Surprisingly, almost all dogs have some webbing on their feet. Newfoundlands have been bred to have a substantial amount of webbing to help them swim, but surprisingly, it can also help with the cold.
Newfoundland dogs were bred to work with fishermen
As we’ve been saying, Newfies love water. They’ve been working with fishermen to hunt for fish since the breed began. Because of this, they are excellent swimmers. But because the water is so cold, they’ve also built up a very thick coat.
The combination of strong swimming muscles and their coat has given them a ton of insulation that is very useful during the winter.
Their coats are so thick, in fact, that they can even deal with getting into nearly frozen water and not become completely sick with cold afterward.
Of course, they’ll still want to dry off and go home if they end up in freezing water, but it is something they can tolerate much better compared with other dogs.
Newfoundlands love to play in Snow
Once you get a Newfoundland outside in the winter, they tend to gravitate right into the snow. They love playing in it, and there’s probably something about how it cools them down or how they can play with it that excites them.
You can do a lot of different activities with them in the snow, including all their favorite games. Newfoundlands tend to love to fetch and have a fun time piledriving through the snow searching for their toys or sticks.
Newfoundlands don’t like hot weather or high humidity
On the flip side, their thick coats make hot and humid weather very uncomfortable for them.
In addition, they never shed enough of their coat to sufficiently cool themselves off during a hot summer. Based on this, they are not recommended for tropical climates.
Although counterintuitive, this can also affect them in the winter. This is because they might find the indoor temperature too hot for their winter coat. Again, you can help cool them down inside with fans or other means.
How to make my Newfie happy in the winter?
Newfies can withstand colder temperatures than humans and tend to love hanging out in the cold all winter long.
Of course, there are deeply freezing temperatures and long enough periods that become dangerous to your pup.
First, be mindful of their health and age. A puppy or elderly Newfie will have a bit tougher time with extreme temperatures than an adult.
Next, your dog’s coat also matters. A full coat can withstand more cold and windchill than a thinner coat.
Bodyweight matters too. A decent amount of muscle or fat will provide more insulation for the Newfoundland.
After that, you should be mindful of the weather itself. Windchill, damp weather, and precipitation all play a role beyond just the temperature outside. If you see ice forming on your Newfie’s coat, you know it’s getting worse.
Finally, acclimation plays a role. That’s how used to the cold your dog is at that time. If it hasn’t been freezing for weeks, but then dips to freezing temperatures, the change might be too much for your Newfoundland.
Now, during their acclimation in the winter, Newfoundlands can get too hot. Because their bodies are expecting to be in the cold often, they start producing more heat overall.
You can help them cool off with a ceiling or box fan in the house for them or by getting them a cooling pad. I know it seems counterintuitive, but it’s a real thing!
How can I tell if my Newfoundland likes Snow?
The easiest way is to get them out there and see whether they enjoy it!
But in all seriousness, a bit of snow shouldn’t hurt any Newfoundland, so take them out on a relatively ‘warm’ winter day and see how they feel about the snow.
Unfortunately, there’s no special way to tell how much they love the winter or snow before actually letting them out when it’s cold.
How to keep my Newfie safe in the snow?
Newfies are probably more comfortable than you when it comes to how much cold tolerance they can handle.
One thing you can check is whether their undercoat is getting cold. Newfies have two coats, and if the undercoat is feeling very cold, it might be time to head inside.
Otherwise, you can also check for shivering, whining, barking, slowing down, or seeking shelter or warmth. Any of these signs might indicate that your Newfie is getting too cold and that you should check they are feeling ok.
Furthermore, Newfoundlands can get frostbite. Frostbite most often occurs on the nose, paws, ears, and genitals. You can check their ears and paws by touch and sight regularly to see if they are getting too cold. Any discoloration may mean they are at risk.
If their paws look a little cold, you can moisture their paws with a paw palm made for dogs dealing with colder temperatures.
What are some fun things I can do with my Newfoundland in the snow?
Newfoundlands are highly active dogs and need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, even during winter. They’ll love hanging out outdoors during the winter, so feel free to try any of these activities with them.
Dogs enjoy many of the same things they enjoy in the summer in the winter, just with snow added. They love being able to leap through the snow, so being able to unleash them in a large park or hiking area is one fun activity they might enjoy.
Otherwise, you can expect them to enjoy regular walks, going on hikes, playing fetch, and whatever else you’d typically enjoy.
But, of course, you can also do your own winter activities like snow fort building or snowball fights. Your Newfie will surely have a great time.
Final thoughts
So, do Newfoundlands like the snow? Absolutely. You should be careful not to mistake their love of snow and winter for always being comfortable outdoors. Freezing temperatures, wind chill, and long periods outside can still hurt them, especially if they have medical conditions or are older.
Just check with your Newfoundland often to see if they aren’t feeling too bad and everything should be ok.
You can check the temperature of their undercoat in particular for freezing temperatures if you are worried. You should also check for skin discoloration which could indicate frostbite.
