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Newfoundland grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding

A practical grooming routine for the Newfoundland: coat care, baths, nails and ears.

Expect to brush two or three times a week with a slicker and a long-toothed comb, working right down to the skin, and daily during the spring and autumn molt. Tangles form fast behind the ears, in the armpits and on the trousers, and mats trap moisture against the skin. A full bath and blow-dry takes hours, so many owners book a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks.

Drool is part of daily life. Keep towels by the door, on the sofa arm and in the car, and wipe the lips after meals and drinks. The ears hang close and stay warm and damp after swimming, so check and dry them weekly. Nails grow quickly on a heavy, slow-moving dog and need trimming every 3 to 4 weeks.

Newfoundland grooming in numbers

This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.

TaskPlanning example
Brushing4 to 5 times a week
BathingEvery 3 to 6 weeks
SheddingHeavy, with seasonal blowouts
Nail trimEvery 3 to 4 weeks
Ear checkWeekly
TeethDaily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful

Coat

A thick, water-resistant double coat, with an oily, flat or slightly wavy outer layer over a soft, dense undercoat.

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Grooming guides for similar-sized breeds