Newfoundland Dogs in McGraths Cove, Nova Scotia
Photo credit: Bambi Spencer
Newfoundland Colour in Canada
FROM THE OFFICIAL STANDARD
Coat and colour
The Newfoundland has a water resistant double coat. The outer coat is moderately long and straight with no curl. A slight wave is permissible. When rubbed the wrong way, the coat tends to fall back into place. The undercoat is soft and dense, but less dense during summer months, but always found to some extent on the rump and chest. A completely open coat is to be faulted. The hair on the head, muzzle, and ears is short and fine. The front and rear legs are feathered. The tail is completely covered with long dense hair, but does not form a flag. A short, flat, smooth coat (Labrador Retriever type) is a disqualification. The traditional colour is black. A sunburned black is permissible. White markings on chest, toes and/or tip of tail are permissible. Markings of any colour other than white are most objectionable and the dog is to be disqualified.
The Landseer Newfoundland is white with black markings, and is of historical significance to the breed. The preferred pattern of markings for the Landseer is black head with white blaze extending onto the muzzle, black saddle and black rump and upper tail. All remaining parts are to be white with a minimum of ticking. The symmetry of markings and beauty of pattern characterize the best marked Landseers. Landseers are to be shown in the same classes as blacks unless special classes are provided for them.
In 1972, the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada's Club President received a letter from the Premier of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It makes it clear regarding their official animal emblem and its colour; that it shall remain as written in the Official Standard. In maintaining our breed as they have always been, the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada has full appreciation for what has been before, keeping history alive into the future. With deep respect, the NDCC retains these colour aspects honouring the request of the province, and further, the country of origin.
The Newfoundland Premiers Joey Smallwood and Frank Moore insisted that only black and white & black be recognized (1). This led the Newfoundland House of Assembly to pass an Order in Council on October 5th, 1972 that the Breed Standard state as Disqualifications “markings of any colour other than white as specified on a black dog, and any colours other than the traditional black or the white and black Landseers “.
Footnote 1. Joseph Smallwood was the Liberal Premier of Newfoundland from 1949-71 and is considered the last Father of Confederation as he brought Newfoundland into the Dominion of Canada in 1949. Frank Moores was the Conservative Premier of Newfoundland from 1972 to 1979. Both men were clearly and justifiably proud of their Newfoundland Dog with its one thousand year old history. Their politics were radically different but their views on the Newf and its colours were the same.
CKC POLICY STATEMENT – Traditional Colours (Effective date September 2020) - Board Motion #50-09-20
The Canadian Kennel Club has protected the integrity of purebred dogs since its founding in 1888. It is the steward of Standards and Registration for the purebred dog in Canada.
The Canadian Kennel Club is attentive to changing societal values with respect to purebred dogs and with dogs in general. The Canadian Kennel Club encourages and supports those breeders who strive to produce specimens of their breeds within the traditional, accepted colours and colour patterns.
The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes that the breed clubs are best qualified to manage the standards of their respective breeds. Colour is a significant part of the history of many breeds, having evolved from the landscape in which the breed was originally developed, together with the dog's intended purpose. Breeders of purebred dogs continue this choice of colour and colour patterns for not only historical reasons but also to promote safety in breed related performance activities and to protect and promote genetic strength in health issues by not introducing, nor fostering, colour related weaknesses.
FROM THE OFFICIAL STANDARD
Coat and colour
The Newfoundland has a water resistant double coat. The outer coat is moderately long and straight with no curl. A slight wave is permissible. When rubbed the wrong way, the coat tends to fall back into place. The undercoat is soft and dense, but less dense during summer months, but always found to some extent on the rump and chest. A completely open coat is to be faulted. The hair on the head, muzzle, and ears is short and fine. The front and rear legs are feathered. The tail is completely covered with long dense hair, but does not form a flag. A short, flat, smooth coat (Labrador Retriever type) is a disqualification. The traditional colour is black. A sunburned black is permissible. White markings on chest, toes and/or tip of tail are permissible. Markings of any colour other than white are most objectionable and the dog is to be disqualified.
The Landseer Newfoundland is white with black markings, and is of historical significance to the breed. The preferred pattern of markings for the Landseer is black head with white blaze extending onto the muzzle, black saddle and black rump and upper tail. All remaining parts are to be white with a minimum of ticking. The symmetry of markings and beauty of pattern characterize the best marked Landseers. Landseers are to be shown in the same classes as blacks unless special classes are provided for them.
In 1972, the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada's Club President received a letter from the Premier of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It makes it clear regarding their official animal emblem and its colour; that it shall remain as written in the Official Standard. In maintaining our breed as they have always been, the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada has full appreciation for what has been before, keeping history alive into the future. With deep respect, the NDCC retains these colour aspects honouring the request of the province, and further, the country of origin.
The Newfoundland Premiers Joey Smallwood and Frank Moore insisted that only black and white & black be recognized (1). This led the Newfoundland House of Assembly to pass an Order in Council on October 5th, 1972 that the Breed Standard state as Disqualifications “markings of any colour other than white as specified on a black dog, and any colours other than the traditional black or the white and black Landseers “.
Footnote 1. Joseph Smallwood was the Liberal Premier of Newfoundland from 1949-71 and is considered the last Father of Confederation as he brought Newfoundland into the Dominion of Canada in 1949. Frank Moores was the Conservative Premier of Newfoundland from 1972 to 1979. Both men were clearly and justifiably proud of their Newfoundland Dog with its one thousand year old history. Their politics were radically different but their views on the Newf and its colours were the same.
CKC POLICY STATEMENT – Traditional Colours (Effective date September 2020) - Board Motion #50-09-20
The Canadian Kennel Club has protected the integrity of purebred dogs since its founding in 1888. It is the steward of Standards and Registration for the purebred dog in Canada.
The Canadian Kennel Club is attentive to changing societal values with respect to purebred dogs and with dogs in general. The Canadian Kennel Club encourages and supports those breeders who strive to produce specimens of their breeds within the traditional, accepted colours and colour patterns.
The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes that the breed clubs are best qualified to manage the standards of their respective breeds. Colour is a significant part of the history of many breeds, having evolved from the landscape in which the breed was originally developed, together with the dog's intended purpose. Breeders of purebred dogs continue this choice of colour and colour patterns for not only historical reasons but also to promote safety in breed related performance activities and to protect and promote genetic strength in health issues by not introducing, nor fostering, colour related weaknesses.
October 4, 1972
Mrs. Joyce MacKenzie
President
Newfoundland Club of Canada
Oxford Station, Ontario
Dear Mrs. MacKenzie:
I have been informed today that movements are afoot to tamper with the official standard of the Newfoundland Dog, which is the official animal emblem of the Province of Newfoundland.
The Government of Newfoundland is adamant, indeed totally opposed, to any changes in the standard that would depict our dog as anything other than the traditional black or parti-coloured landseer.
My Government is therefore very much against any innovations relating to our native dog, and accordingly we have this day passed an Order-in-Council which gives force to our convictions and supports our view on this matter. A copy of the Order is attached.
Yours sincerely,
Frank D. Moores
Premier
The Order-in-Council that was passed on that historic day reads:
Ordered that the Newfoundland Dog be and it is hereby designated as the official “Animal Emblem” of the Province of Newfoundland. Ordered further that the Standard set forth in the Schedule hereto shall apply to the Newfoundland Dog for the purpose of this Order.