Do Newfoundlands really drool that much, and how do I manage it?

Yes, Newfoundlands drool, and prospective owners should be honest with themselves about whether they can live with a fair amount of slobber. Newfoundlands have loose lips and jowls (flews), which means they drool, especially after drinking, eating, when excited, when hot, or when anticipating food, and some individuals drool more than others. The drool can be stringy and can end up on floors, walls, furniture, your clothes, and anywhere the dog shakes its head (a head shake can fling slobber surprising distances). This is a normal, unavoidable part of owning the breed, not something you can train away, so managing it is about acceptance and practical strategies rather than elimination. Practical management: keep drool towels or rags handy around the house and in the car to wipe the dog's mouth (especially after drinking or eating), place mats under water and food bowls, wipe the jowls regularly, clean up slobber promptly (it can stain and smell if left), and accept that some slobber on your home and clothes comes with the territory. Keeping the facial folds and lips clean also helps with hygiene and reduces odour. For people who cannot tolerate drool, a Newfoundland is not the right breed, but for those who accept it as part of the gentle-giant package, it becomes just a routine part of life with the dog. Be realistic about the drool before committing, it is one of the practical trade-offs of this wonderful breed.

Why are Newfoundlands so sensitive to heat, and how do I keep mine cool in Vancouver?

Newfoundlands are very heat-sensitive because of their heavy, thick double coat and large body mass, both of which make it hard for them to shed heat, so they can overheat and suffer heatstroke dangerously in hot weather, and heat is genuinely one of the most important safety considerations for the breed. Bred for the cold, wet maritime climate, they are built to conserve heat, not dissipate it, which is exactly backwards for hot summer days. Fortunately, Vancouver's generally cool climate suits them well most of the year, but the increasingly hot (and sometimes smoky) summer heat waves require real care. Keeping a Newfoundland cool in Vancouver summers: keep the dog indoors with air conditioning or in a genuinely cool space during hot weather; provide constant shade and fresh water; exercise only in the cool of early morning or late evening, never in the heat of the day; avoid hot pavement; and never leave a Newfoundland in a warm car even briefly. Swimming is an excellent way for a Newfoundland to cool off and exercise (they love water), so access to safe swimming is a great asset in summer. Cooling mats and, in extreme heat, cooling techniques can help. Learn the signs of overheating, heavy frantic panting, drooling even more than usual, bright red gums, weakness, stumbling, and treat any suspected heatstroke as an emergency, get to a vet immediately. Crucially, never shave the coat to cool the dog, as the double coat actually helps regulate temperature and protects against sun; manage heat through environment and timing instead. A Newfoundland that is kept cool and never over-exerted in heat stays safe through Vancouver's summers.

Should I ever shave a Newfoundland?

No, you should never shave a Newfoundland (except when medically necessary, for example for surgery or a serious skin condition, on veterinary advice). This is an important and widely misunderstood rule, and it is especially tempting with a heavy-coated, heat-sensitive giant breed, but shaving is the wrong solution. The Newfoundland's double coat actually regulates the dog's temperature, it insulates against cold and, importantly, helps protect against heat by providing insulation and a barrier against the sun, so a properly maintained (brushed, mat-free) double coat helps keep the dog cooler in summer, not hotter, as many people assume. Shaving a double-coated breed can: disrupt this natural temperature regulation; cause the coat to grow back improperly, unevenly, or with altered texture (sometimes permanently damaging the coat); expose the skin to sunburn and irritation; and remove the coat's protective function, all without actually solving the heat problem (the way to keep a Newfoundland cool is through environmental management, not shaving). Instead of shaving, keep the coat well-brushed and free of mats (a clean, mat-free coat regulates temperature far better than a matted one), and manage heat through shade, air conditioning, cool water, swimming, and exercising only in cool hours. If you are worried about your Newfoundland in summer heat, the answer is environmental cooling and diligent coat maintenance, never the clippers.

How do I manage a wet, muddy Newfoundland in rainy Vancouver?

Managing a wet, muddy Newfoundland is a real part of life with the breed in rainy Vancouver, given their love of water, their size, and their heavy, absorbent coat, but with some practical strategies it is manageable. The key considerations: first, thorough drying after wet or muddy walks and swims is essential, because a damp dense coat is a recipe for matting and skin issues, so towel-dry thoroughly (a giant dog holds a lot of water) and, in heavy cases, use a dog dryer, paying attention to drying down to the skin in the thick areas. Second, manage the mud, wipe or rinse muddy paws, legs, and belly after walks (a Newfoundland's low body and love of puddles means a lot of mud), and consider a designated towel-down area by the door. Third, regular brushing helps remove trapped debris and keeps the coat healthy, and letting mud dry before brushing it out (rather than rubbing wet mud in) works better for the coat. Fourth, keep the ears dry and clean (moisture plus a big dog that swims means ear infections are a risk). Practically, a Newfoundland in Vancouver means accepting a fair amount of wet-dog and mud management as routine, plenty of towels, a good drying setup, and a tolerance for a big, damp, sometimes-smelly dog after a rainy walk. The upside is that Newfoundlands genuinely love the cool, wet conditions and swimming, so while the cleanup is real, the dog is in its element, and the climate suits the breed beautifully despite the mud-management reality.

Can I groom a Newfoundland at home, or do I need a professional?

You can groom a Newfoundland at home if you are prepared to invest the time and buy the right equipment for a giant, heavy-coated dog, but many owners use a professional groomer periodically to help manage the substantial coat, and a combination of the two is common and sensible. Home grooming a Newfoundland requires: good tools (a quality slicker brush, an undercoat rake or comb, and ideally a high-velocity dog dryer, which is genuinely helpful for a dense double coat, especially in damp Vancouver), significant time (brushing a giant dog thoroughly takes a while, and doing it several times a week is a real commitment), space and often a grooming table or setup that works for a very large dog, and the physical capability to handle and groom a dog that may weigh over 100 pounds. Professional grooming for a Newfoundland is not cheap given the size and coat, expect a meaningful cost per session, and if you rely on it for bathing, deshedding, and thorough coat work, it becomes a real recurring expense in the overall giant-breed budget. Most owners do a practical mix: regular at-home brushing (essential and frequent) to prevent matting and manage shedding, plus periodic professional grooming for baths (a big job for a giant dog), thorough deshedding during coat blow, nail trims, and general coat maintenance. Whichever approach you take, budget for it, grooming is one of the defining ongoing commitments (in time or money, usually both) of owning this magnificent giant breed.

Newfoundland Grooming, Drool & Heat: A Vancouver Guide

Q: How much grooming does a Newfoundland need?

Newfoundlands need substantial grooming, it is one of the defining practical commitments of the breed. They have a heavy, thick, water-resistant double coat (a coarse outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat) that requires regular, thorough brushing, typically several times a week, to prevent painful mats and tangles and to manage the heavy shedding. Without regular brushing, the dense coat mats, especially in friction areas (behind the ears, under the legs, the britches), and mats pull on the skin and trap moisture, leading to skin problems. They also blow their coat seasonally, shedding heavily a couple of times a year, during which daily brushing helps. Beyond brushing, grooming includes: bathing when needed (a big job for a giant dog, and thorough drying is essential given the dense coat), nail trims, ear cleaning (important to prevent infections, especially given moisture), attention to the coat around the rear and feet (which can trap debris), and dental care. Many owners use professional grooming periodically to help manage the coat of such a large dog, which is a real recurring cost. In damp Vancouver, drying the coat thoroughly after wet, muddy walks and swims is especially important to prevent matting and skin issues. And crucially, the coat should never be shaved (except medically), as it regulates temperature and protects the skin. Newfoundland grooming is a genuine, ongoing commitment in time and often money, and prospective owners must be prepared for it.

The short answer

A Newfoundland needs thorough brushing several times a week (daily during coat blow) to prevent mats and manage heavy shedding, and the coat must never be shaved (it regulates temperature). They drool, a lot, from the loose jowls, so keep drool towels handy and accept some slobber as part of the package. Most critically, the heavy coat makes them very heat-sensitive, so in a summer heat wave keep the dog in AC, provide shade, water, and swimming, and exercise only in the cool hours, heatstroke is a real danger. In damp Vancouver, dry the coat thoroughly after wet, muddy walks and swims. Grooming is a real ongoing commitment in time or money (usually both).

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A Newfoundland being brushed, showing its heavy double coat — Regular brushing (never shaving), drool management, and rigorous summer heat care are the three defining daily realities of Newfoundland ownership.

How much grooming does a Newfoundland need?

Newfoundlands need substantial grooming, one of the defining commitments of the breed. The heavy, thick, water-resistant double coat requires thorough brushing several times a week to prevent painful mats and manage heavy shedding. Without it, the dense coat mats, especially in friction areas (behind the ears, under the legs, the britches), and mats pull on the skin and trap moisture. They also blow their coat seasonally, during which daily brushing helps.

Beyond brushing: bathing when needed (a big job, with thorough drying essential), nail trims, ear cleaning (important given moisture), attention to the coat around the rear and feet, and dental care. Many owners use professional grooming periodically, a real recurring cost. In damp Vancouver, drying the coat thoroughly after wet, muddy walks and swims is especially important. And crucially, the coat should never be shaved (except medically), as it regulates temperature and protects the skin. Newfoundland grooming is a genuine, ongoing commitment in time and often money.

The drool, and how to manage it

Yes, Newfoundlands drool, and you should be honest about whether you can live with a fair amount of slobber. Their loose lips and jowls mean they drool, especially after drinking, eating, when excited, hot, or anticipating food, and some individuals drool more than others. The drool can be stringy and end up on floors, walls, furniture, your clothes, and anywhere the dog shakes its head (a head shake flings slobber surprising distances). This is a normal, unavoidable part of the breed, not something you can train away.

Practical management: keep drool towels or rags handy around the house and car to wipe the dog's mouth (especially after drinking or eating), place mats under water and food bowls, wipe the jowls regularly, clean up slobber promptly (it can stain and smell), and accept that some slobber comes with the territory. Keeping the facial folds and lips clean helps with hygiene and odour. For people who cannot tolerate drool, a Newfoundland is not the right breed, but for those who accept it as part of the gentle-giant package, it becomes just a routine part of life.

Heat sensitivity, and keeping a Newfoundland cool

Newfoundlands are very heat-sensitive because of their heavy double coat and large body mass, both of which make it hard to shed heat, so they can overheat and suffer heatstroke dangerously. Bred for a cold, wet climate, they conserve heat, exactly backwards for hot days. Vancouver's generally cool climate suits them well, but summer heat waves require real care: keep the dog indoors with AC or a cool space, provide constant shade and water, exercise only in the cool hours, avoid hot pavement, and never leave a Newfoundland in a warm car.

Swimming is an excellent way for a Newfoundland to cool off and exercise (they love water), so safe swimming access is a great summer asset. Learn the signs of overheating, heavy frantic panting, extra drooling, bright red gums, weakness, stumbling, and treat any suspected heatstroke as an emergency, get to a vet immediately. Never shave the coat to cool the dog, it helps regulate temperature and protects against sun; manage heat through environment and timing. A Newfoundland kept cool and never over-exerted in heat stays safe through Vancouver's summers. The VCA heatstroke guide is worth reading before summer.

Never shave a Newfoundland

Never shave a Newfoundland (except when medically necessary on veterinary advice). It is especially tempting with a heavy-coated, heat-sensitive giant, but shaving is the wrong solution. The double coat actually regulates temperature, insulating against cold and helping protect against heat, so a properly maintained (brushed, mat-free) coat helps keep the dog cooler in summer, not hotter, as many assume.

Shaving a double-coated breed can disrupt this regulation, cause the coat to grow back improperly or with altered texture (sometimes permanently damaging it), expose the skin to sunburn, and remove the coat's protective function, all without solving the heat problem. Instead, keep the coat well-brushed and mat-free (a clean, mat-free coat regulates temperature far better than a matted one), and manage heat through shade, AC, cool water, swimming, and cool-hour exercise. If you are worried about your Newfoundland in summer heat, the answer is environmental cooling and diligent coat maintenance, never the clippers.

Managing wet, muddy dog, and home vs professional grooming

Managing a wet, muddy Newfoundland is a real part of life in rainy Vancouver, given their love of water and heavy, absorbent coat. Dry thoroughly after wet or muddy walks and swims (a damp dense coat causes matting and skin issues), manage the mud (wipe or rinse paws, legs, and belly; a towel-down area by the door helps), brush regularly to remove trapped debris, and keep the ears dry and clean (moisture plus a swimming dog risks ear infections).

On home vs professional grooming: you can groom at home with the right tools (a quality slicker brush, undercoat rake, and ideally a high-velocity dryer), significant time, space, and the physical capability to handle a 100-plus-pound dog, but many owners use a professional groomer periodically for baths (a big job), deshedding, and nail trims. Professional grooming for a giant, heavy-coated dog is not cheap, expect a meaningful cost per session. Most owners do a practical mix: regular at-home brushing plus periodic professional grooming. Whichever you choose, budget for it, grooming is one of the defining ongoing commitments of owning this magnificent giant breed. See our adoption guide for the full giant-breed commitment picture.

Browse adoptable Newfoundlands in Vancouver

If you are ready for the coat, the drool, and the heat management, a Newfoundland is a gentle, devoted giant. Browse Lower Mainland rescues, each with a foster's notes on coat condition and temperament. Refreshed regularly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much grooming does a Newfoundland need?

Substantial, thorough brushing several times a week (daily during coat blow) to prevent mats and manage heavy shedding, plus bathing, nail trims, ear cleaning, and dental care. Many use a groomer periodically. Never shave the coat. A real ongoing commitment in time and money.

Do they really drool that much?

Yes, from the loose jowls, especially after drinking, eating, when hot or excited, and a head shake flings it far. It cannot be trained away. Manage it with drool towels, bowl mats, regular jowl-wiping, and prompt cleanup. Not the breed for anyone who cannot tolerate slobber.

Why are they so heat-sensitive, and how do I keep mine cool?

The heavy coat and large body make shedding heat hard, so they overheat dangerously. Vancouver's cool climate helps, but in summer heat waves keep the dog in AC, provide shade, water, and swimming, and exercise only in the cool hours. Learn the heatstroke signs, and never shave to cool them.

Should I ever shave one?

No, except medically. The double coat regulates temperature (including keeping the dog cooler in summer) and protects the skin. Shaving harms it, can permanently damage the coat, and does not solve heat. Keep it brushed and mat-free, and cool the dog with environment, not clippers.

How do I manage a wet, muddy Newfoundland in Vancouver?

Dry the coat thoroughly after wet walks and swims (damp causes matting), wipe or rinse muddy paws and belly, brush regularly, and keep the ears dry. Accept plenty of towels and wet-dog management. The upside: they love the cool, wet conditions, so the climate suits them beautifully.

Can I groom one at home?

You can with the right tools (slicker brush, undercoat rake, high-velocity dryer), time, space, and the strength to handle a 100-plus-pound dog, but many use a groomer periodically for baths and deshedding. Professional grooming for a giant dog is not cheap. Most do a mix, budget for it either way.