What kind of coat does a Newfoundland have, and how much does it shed?

Newfoundlands have a heavy, thick, water-resistant double coat, a dense, soft, insulating undercoat beneath a coarser, longer, oily/water-repellent outer coat, that was developed to keep the breed warm while working in cold water, and it is a defining, high-maintenance feature of the dog. This magnificent coat is wonderful for cold weather (it is why Newfs love and thrive in Montreal winters and adore snow), but it comes with real grooming demands, and it sheds, a lot. Newfoundlands are heavy shedders: they shed steadily year-round (you will find Newf hair everywhere, on floors, furniture, clothing, given the sheer volume of a giant dog's coat), and they "blow" their coat, shedding the undercoat heavily, seasonally (typically a couple of times a year, often in spring and fall), during which the shedding is dramatic. Prospective owners must be prepared for a lot of dog hair and for the grooming needed to manage it, a Newfoundland is not a dog for someone who wants a tidy, low-hair home. The coat requires regular, substantial grooming (brushing, and more, see the next question) to keep it healthy, prevent matting, and manage the shedding, this regular coat care is one of the main practical commitments of the breed (along with the drool, cost, and size). The coat is also, being oily/water-resistant and heavy, prone to trapping dirt, moisture, and debris (and, in Montreal, snow and salt), and to matting if neglected (especially in the dense areas, behind the ears, the "feathering" on the legs and tail, the chest, and the rear). And, crucially, you must NOT shave a Newfoundland's double coat (see the shaving question). So the Newfoundland's coat is a genuine, ongoing, substantial commitment: a magnificent, cold-loving, water-resistant double coat that sheds heavily, needs regular substantial grooming, must never be shaved, and is a defining part of the (higher-maintenance) reality of owning the breed, prospective owners should love the coat enough, and be prepared for the hair and grooming, to commit to it.

How do I groom a Newfoundland's coat?

Grooming a Newfoundland's heavy double coat is a substantial, regular commitment, and doing it well keeps the coat healthy, prevents matting, and manages the heavy shedding. The routine: Brushing, brush your Newfoundland regularly and thoroughly, several times a week at minimum (and daily, or close to it, during the heavy seasonal "coat blows"), which is genuinely important given the volume and density of the coat; brush all the way down to the skin (not just over the surface, mats and loose undercoat lurk beneath the top coat), using appropriate tools for a heavy double coat, a slicker brush, a sturdy comb, and an undercoat rake or de-shedding tool (to reach and remove the dense undercoat, which is the key to managing shedding and preventing mats), and pay particular attention to the mat-prone areas (behind and around the ears, the feathering on the legs and tail, the chest/ruff, the rear/sanitary area, and the armpits). Regular thorough brushing removes loose undercoat (reducing the hair around your home and preventing it from matting), distributes skin oils, and lets you check the skin. De-shedding during coat blows, during the seasonal heavy sheds, brush much more frequently to remove the large amounts of loose undercoat (a warm bath with thorough drying and brushing can also help release and remove loose coat). Bathing, bathe the Newf periodically (as needed, a giant dog is a big bathing job, and many owners use professional grooming for baths), and, crucially, dry the heavy coat thoroughly after bathing (a wet double coat that stays damp can mat and can develop skin issues, so thorough drying, ideally with a dryer, is important, air-drying such a heavy coat takes a long time). Professional grooming, given the size and coat, many Newfoundland owners use professional grooming (for bathing, thorough brush-outs/de-shedding, and tidying), which is a real, recurring cost, though much of the routine brushing is done at home. Other routine care, trim the nails (a giant dog's nails need regular attention), care for the ears (the drop ears can be prone to issues, check and clean them), and keep up dental care. Also, keep the coat, and especially the feathering and the areas around the mouth (given the drool) and rear, clean and free of trapped debris. In Montreal winters, the coat picks up snow, ice balls, and road salt (see the climate question), adding to the grooming. Overall, grooming a Newfoundland means a substantial, regular routine, thorough brushing several times a week (more during coat blows) with the right tools, periodic bathing with thorough drying, and often professional grooming, plus nails, ears, and teeth, and it is one of the defining, ongoing commitments of owning this magnificent, heavy-coated giant.

How do I manage a Newfoundland's drool?

Drool is a real part of living with a Newfoundland, the breed has a large, jowly mouth with loose lips (flews), and Newfs are known to be droolers, so prospective owners should be prepared for it (a Newf is not the dog for someone who cannot tolerate drool). The amount varies by individual (some Newfs drool more than others), but in general expect drool, especially around food and water (Newfs commonly drool in anticipation of food, and fling water and drool after drinking), when hot, when excited or stressed, and generally throughout daily life; and, because the drool collects in the loose jowls, a Newf can "sling" drool, flinging strings of it when it shakes its head (which can end up on walls, ceilings, furniture, and you). Managing the drool is mostly about acceptance and practical habits: keep a "drool rag" or cloth handy (many Newf owners always have a towel or drool cloth on hand to wipe the dog's mouth, especially after eating and drinking, and to catch drool before the dog slings it); wipe the dog's mouth/jowls regularly (after meals and drinks especially) to reduce slinging and keep the jowls clean; keep the facial folds and mouth area clean (trapped drool, food, and moisture in the loose lips can cause odor or skin irritation, so wiping and keeping the area clean helps); use easy-clean feeding/watering setups (raised bowls, mats, and easy-to-wipe surfaces around the feeding area help manage the mess); and accept a certain amount of drool as part of the (lovable) Newfoundland package, keeping surfaces you care about wipeable and having cloths handy. A sudden change in drooling (much more than usual, or drooling with other signs of illness) can occasionally indicate a problem (dental issues, nausea, something stuck, or, importantly, drooling can be a sign of the emergency of bloat, see the health guide), so a marked, unexplained change in drooling is worth attention, but the routine, everyday drool of a Newfoundland is normal breed character. For an owner, the practical points are: expect and accept drool as part of owning the breed, keep drool cloths handy and wipe the mouth/jowls regularly (especially around food and water), keep the mouth area clean, and use easy-clean setups, while being alert to any marked, unexplained change in drooling. In short, the Newfoundland is a drooler, and managing the drool, mostly through cloths, wiping, and easy-clean habits, plus acceptance, is a genuine, everyday part of living with this lovable but messy giant.

How do I keep a Newfoundland safe in Montreal's heat, and manage the coat through the seasons?

The Newfoundland's heavy, water-resistant double coat, which makes it love and thrive in Montreal's cold winters (Newfs adore snow and cold), also makes it quite heat-sensitive and prone to overheating, so heat safety is a genuine, important consideration in Montreal's hot, humid summers. Because the coat is built for cold water, a Newf can overheat relatively easily in the heat, and overheating/heatstroke is a serious, potentially fatal emergency, so in summer you must: keep the dog cool (air conditioning on hot, humid days is genuinely valuable for a heavy-coated giant, and access to cool spaces); exercise in the cooler parts of the day (early morning or evening) and keep activity gentle and short in the heat (avoid exertion when it is hot); always provide shade and plenty of fresh water; never leave the dog in a hot car or hot space (which can be fatal quickly); use water to help cool the dog (Newfs love water, and swimming or a kiddie pool can be a great, safe way for them to exercise and cool off in summer, a nice fit for a water-loving breed); and watch for signs of overheating (excessive panting, drooling more than usual, distress, weakness, bright red gums, collapse), which is an emergency requiring immediate cooling and veterinary care. Crucially, do NOT shave the coat to cool the dog (as covered, this is harmful and counterproductive, the double coat actually helps against heat, and a shaved dog can overheat and sunburn more), manage heat through environment and behaviour instead, and keep the coat well-brushed and mat-free (a mat-free coat regulates temperature better). Through the seasons in Montreal: in winter, the coat is in its element (the Newf thrives in cold and snow), but the coat picks up snow, ice balls, and road salt, so wipe/rinse the paws and underside after winter walks (salt), keep the feathering and paw hair manageable to reduce snow-balling, and dry the coat if it gets wet (a wet coat can mat); the coat blows/sheds seasonally (often spring and fall), when extra brushing/de-shedding is needed. In summer, the priority shifts entirely to heat management (as above), plus continued grooming. In the wet, muddy shoulder seasons, the heavy coat and feathering pick up mud and moisture, so expect more cleaning, drying, and brushing. Overall, the same coat that makes the Newfoundland a wonderful Montreal-winter dog makes summer heat a real safety consideration, so the seasonal reality is: a happy, thriving dog in the cold (with grooming and paw/salt care), and careful, deliberate heat management (cool environment, cool-hour and water-based exercise, never shaving, watching for overheating) in the summer.

Newfoundland Coat, Drool & Heat: A Montreal Guide

The short answer

The Newfoundland's heavy, water-resistant double coat makes it love Montreal winters, and it's the breed's defining maintenance reality: heavy year-round shedding (plus dramatic seasonal “coat blows”) and substantial regular grooming (thorough brushing several times a week with an undercoat rake, periodic bathing with thorough drying, often professional grooming). Never shave the double coat, it harms temperature regulation and the coat, and doesn't actually cool the dog or reduce shedding. The breed also drools (keep cloths handy, wipe the jowls, use easy-clean setups). And crucially, that cold-loving coat makes the Newf heat-sensitive, so Montreal summers need real heat safety (keep it cool, air conditioning, cool-hour and water-based exercise, watch for overheating). A magnificent but genuinely high-maintenance, messy giant.

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A Newfoundland dog being groomed in Montreal — Regular thorough brushing and de-shedding, drool management, never shaving, and summer heat safety are the everyday realities of living with a Newfoundland.

Loving a Newfoundland means loving its coat, and everything that comes with it: a mountain of shed hair, a real grooming routine, a fair amount of drool, and a dog that's built for cold water and therefore needs careful heat management in summer. None of it is a dealbreaker for the right owner, but going in with clear expectations makes all the difference. Here's the everyday reality.

The double coat and heavy shedding

The Newf has a heavy, thick, water-resistant double coat (a soft insulating undercoat under a coarser, water-repellent outer coat), built to keep the breed warm in cold water, which is why Newfs thrive in Montreal winters and adore snow. But it's high-maintenance and it sheds a lot: heavily year-round (a giant dog's worth of hair everywhere) plus dramatic seasonal “coat blows” (often spring and fall). A Newf is not a dog for a tidy, low-hair home.

The coat needs regular, substantial grooming (below) to stay healthy, prevent matting, and manage shedding, one of the breed's main commitments (along with drool, cost, and size). It readily traps dirt, moisture, and debris (and, in Montreal, snow and salt), and mats if neglected (especially behind the ears, the leg/tail feathering, the chest, and the rear). And, crucially, you must never shave it (below). Prospective owners should love the coat enough, and be prepared for the hair and grooming, to commit to it. See our health guide.

The grooming routine

Brush thoroughly several times a week (daily during coat blows), all the way down to the skin, with the right tools for a heavy double coat, a slicker brush, a sturdy comb, and an undercoat rake / de-shedding tool (reaching and removing the dense undercoat is the key to managing shedding and preventing mats), focusing on the friction/dense areas (behind the ears, leg and tail feathering, chest/ruff, rear, armpits). Bathe periodically (a big job for a giant dog) and dry the coat thoroughly after (a damp double coat mats and can develop skin issues, air-drying takes a long time, a dryer helps).

Given the size and coat, many owners use professional grooming (for baths, thorough de-shedding, and tidying), a real recurring cost, though much brushing is done at home. Also keep up nails (a giant dog's need regular attention), ears (the drop ears can be infection-prone), and dental care, and keep the mouth area (given the drool) and rear clean. In Montreal winters the coat picks up snow, ice balls, and salt (below). Overall, grooming a Newfoundland is a substantial, regular commitment, one of the defining realities of the breed.

Never shave a Newfoundland

Never shave a Newf's double coat (a common temptation, thinking it'll cool the dog or cut shedding). It's harmful and counterproductive: contrary to assumption, shaving doesn't cool the dog, the double coat helps regulate temperature (insulating against heat as well as cold and shading the skin), so a shaved Newf can overheat MORE and is exposed to sunburn; it doesn't really reduce overall shedding; and the coat may grow back uneven, altered in texture, or improperly (or fail to grow back properly at all).

Instead: manage the coat with regular thorough brushing and de-shedding (removing loose undercoat, the actual key to shedding and keeping the coat healthy and cooler), manage heat through environment and behaviour (below), not shaving, and keep the coat mat-free (a matted coat traps heat and moisture, so good grooming actually helps the dog stay cooler than a neglected or shaved one). The only exception is a legitimate medical shave; routine tidying of feathering or feet is fine, a full shave-down is what to avoid.

Managing the drool

Drool is a real part of Newf life, the large, jowly mouth with loose lips means Newfs are droolers (amount varies by individual). Expect it especially around food and water, when hot, and when excited, and because it collects in the jowls, a Newf can “sling” drool when it shakes its head (onto walls, furniture, and you). A Newf is not the dog for someone who can't tolerate drool.

Managing it is mostly practical habits and acceptance: keep a “drool rag” handy and wipe the mouth/jowls regularly (especially after meals and drinks, to reduce slinging and keep the jowls clean), keep the mouth area clean (trapped drool and food can cause odor or irritation), and use easy-clean feeding setups (raised bowls, mats, wipeable surfaces). Note: a marked, unexplained change in drooling can signal a problem (dental issues, nausea, something stuck, or, importantly, the emergency of bloat, see the health guide), so watch for that, but everyday drool is normal breed character. In short, the Newf is a drooler, and cloths, wiping, easy-clean habits, and acceptance are the way to live with it.

Heat safety and the Montreal seasons

The same coat that makes the Newf love Montreal winters makes it heat-sensitive and prone to overheating, so summer heat safety is genuinely important (overheating/heatstroke is a potentially fatal emergency). In heat: keep the dog cool (air conditioning on hot, humid days), exercise in the cool hours and keep it gentle and short when warm, provide shade and water, never leave the dog in a hot car, use water to cool (Newfs love swimming, a great safe summer exercise), and watch for overheating (excessive panting, extra drooling, distress, bright red gums, collapse, an emergency). Never shave to cool (harmful and counterproductive).

Season by season: in winter, the coat is in its element (the Newf thrives in cold and snow), but it picks up snow, ice balls, and salt, so wipe/rinse the paws and underside after walks, manage the paw/feathering hair to reduce snow-balling, and dry a wet coat (it mats). Coat blows (heavy shedding) hit seasonally (often spring and fall), needing extra de-shedding. In summer, the priority is heat management (above), plus continued grooming. In the wet, muddy shoulder seasons, the heavy coat and feathering pick up mud and moisture, so more cleaning, drying, and brushing. Overall: a happy, thriving dog in the cold (with grooming and paw/salt care), and careful, deliberate heat management in summer. See the adoption guide.

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If you're ready for the hair, grooming, and drool, a Newfoundland is a magnificent, gentle companion, and a natural Montreal-winter dog. Refreshed regularly across Montreal-area organizations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of coat do they have, and how much do they shed?

A heavy, thick, water-resistant double coat (built for cold water, why they thrive in Montreal winters). It sheds a lot, heavily year-round plus dramatic seasonal “coat blows.” A Newf is not a dog for a tidy, low-hair home. The coat needs regular substantial grooming, mats if neglected, and must never be shaved. Loving a Newf means being prepared for the hair and grooming.

How do I groom the coat?

Brush thoroughly several times a week (daily during coat blows), down to the skin, with a slicker brush, comb, and undercoat rake (removing the dense undercoat is key). Bathe periodically and dry the coat thoroughly (a damp double coat mats). Many owners use professional grooming for baths and de-shedding. Also keep up nails, ears, dental, and keep the mouth area and rear clean.

Why should you never shave a Newfoundland?

Shaving a double coat is harmful and counterproductive: contrary to assumption, it doesn't cool the dog (the coat helps regulate temperature, so a shaved dog can overheat more and sunburn), doesn't really reduce shedding, and the coat may grow back uneven or improperly. Manage the coat with brushing/de-shedding and manage heat through environment, not shaving. Only medical shaving is acceptable.

How do I manage the drool?

Newfs are droolers (jowly mouth, loose lips), especially around food and water, and can “sling” drool when shaking their heads. Manage it with practical habits and acceptance: keep a drool rag handy, wipe the mouth/jowls regularly, keep the mouth area clean, and use easy-clean feeding setups. Watch for a marked, unexplained change in drooling (it can signal a problem, including bloat).

How do I keep one safe in Montreal's heat?

The cold-loving heavy coat makes the Newf heat-sensitive, so summer heat safety is important (overheating is a potentially fatal emergency). Keep the dog cool (air conditioning), exercise in the cool hours, provide shade and water, never leave it in a hot car, use water/swimming to cool, and watch for overheating. Never shave to cool (harmful). In winter, the coat is in its element, just manage snow, salt, and drying.

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Newfoundland Coat, Drool & Heat