Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is the ultimate water rescue dog. Fishermen in Newfoundland developed them to haul nets, retrieve overboard items, and rescue drowning sailors. They have webbed feet, a water-resistant coat, and an instinct to swim toward anyone in the water. If you're drowning, a Newfie will try to save you whether you want them to or not. Lewis and Clark's expedition had a Newfoundland named Seaman who made the entire journey.

Newfies are massive, gentle, and wet. That coat holds water like a sponge, and they'll share it with your walls, floors, and furniture. Grooming is serious: daily brushing during coat blow, regular brushing otherwise. They drool, they shed, they track in mud. But if you can handle the maintenance, you get one of the sweetest temperaments in dogdom. They're natural babysitters — the 'Nana' dog from Peter Pan was a Newfie. Excellent with children, gentle with everyone, devoted to family.