Newfoundland Dog Size: How Do They Stack Up Against Other Breeds?

Written by Megan Martin

Updated: July 7, 2025

While the Newfoundland dog may not be the biggest breed around, there’s no denying that these gentle giants are just that: giant! Often called a Newfie, the Newfoundland is a large, powerful breed known for its gentle temperament, making it a popular choice as a family pet. Newfies are calm, patient, and devoted, especially with children, earning them the nickname nanny dog. Originally bred as working dogs in Newfoundland, Canada, Newfoundlands are strong swimmers thanks to their partially webbed feet, water-resistant coat, and strong build. But do you know just how big these lovable giants are? Continue reading to discover how these mellow mutts compare to German shepherds, golden retrievers, Great Danes, and English mastiffs.

Newfoundland Dog: Size

Types of Big Dogs; Newfoundland dog — A Newfoundland dog’s size looks deceptively large thanks to their thick, water-resistant coat.

Both male and female Newfoundland dogs can reach a shoulder height of 28 inches. Male Newfies can weigh up to 170 pounds, while females weigh between 120 and 140 pounds.

An unnamed Newfoundland weighing 260 pounds is the heaviest ever on record, while Boomer, a Landseer Newfoundland, is possibly the longest, measuring seven feet from snout to tail. Despite their large size, the American Kennel Club considers these giant giants to be among the most affectionate dog breeds.

German Shepherd vs. Newfoundland

German shepherd sitting outside with head tilt — While they can be quite large, German Shepherds are smaller than Newfoundlands.

Male purebred German Shepherds typically range from 24-26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 65-90 pounds. Females are slightly smaller at 22-24 inches and weigh 50-70 pounds.

King German shepherds are the result of selectively breeding German shepherds with other large breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute. King shepherds are massive, with males typically standing 27-32 inches tall and weighing 100-150 pounds. However, these dogs still aren’t as heavy as the Newfoundland.

Golden Retriever vs. Newfoundland

Types of Retriever Dogs — Though golden retrievers aren’t the largest, they are currently the third most popular dog breed in the U.S.

The golden retriever and the Newfoundland have many things in common. These breeds make splendid family pets thanks to their naturally happy and docile disposition. Both goldens and Newfoundlands have webbed paws and are strong swimmers. However, in terms of size, the Newfoundland is a clear winner.

While the breed standard for golden retrievers specifies that males should be between 23-24 inches and 65-75 pounds, and females should be between 21.5-22.5 inches and 55-65 pounds, some individuals exceed these limits significantly. The largest golden retrievers can weigh over 100 pounds and exceed 30 inches in height. Even a significantly large golden retriever would weigh about half as much as a Newfoundland.

Great Dane vs. Newfoundland

Biggest Dog Breeds: Great Dane — Although one of the biggest dog breeds, the Great Dane is known for being gentle.

Both the Newfoundland and the Great Dane are among the largest dog breeds, but the Great Dane dwarfs the Newfound’s size

Great Danes are among the tallest of all dog breeds. Males typically reach 30-32 inches in height, while females are slightly smaller at 28-30 inches. The largest Great Danes can weigh up to 200 pounds. Zeus, a Great Dane from Otsego, Michigan, who stood 44 inches tall at the shoulder, was previously recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest dog. As of 2025, the tallest living dog is a Great Dane named Reggie from Idaho Falls, Idaho, who stands 3 ft 3 in (39 inches) at the shoulder.’ While both breeds are considered giant, Great Danes are typically taller and can be heavier than Newfoundlands.

English Mastiff vs. Newfoundland

English Mastiff and mini horse — The English Mastiff is considered the world’s largest dog.

English mastiffs are generally considered the largest dog breed, particularly in terms of weight and overall mass. The English mastiff is known for its impressive size. Males typically stand between 30-31 inches tall and weigh 160-230 pounds, while females are usually 27.5-30 inches tall and weigh 120-170 pounds.

Therefore, while both the Newfoundland and the English mastiff are considered giant breeds, the English mastiff can be significantly heavier than the Newfoundland, whose thick coat makes them appear stouter than they are.