Working water dog Large size 50-70 kg

Landseer

A gentle, devoted giant water dog wonderful with families that have the space - the trade-off is heavy shedding, drool, and the shorter lifespan and joint issues of a giant breed.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
50-70 kg, 67-80 cm tall
Low
Activity
Calm; enjoys swims and steady walks
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Devoted but fairly steady when left
Good
Trainability
Willing and gentle; responds to kind handling
High
Coat care
Thick coat sheds heavily; regular brushing
Excellent
Fit with kids
Famously patient with children
Good
Other pets
Peaceable with other animals
Moderate
Health burden
Giant breed; joints, heart and bloat to watch

The Landseer typically weighs 50-70 kg, stands 67-80 cm, and lives 9-11 years.

Consider this breed if…

you have the space, a car, and a budget for a giant breed,
you want a calm, gentle family dog that adores children,
you can manage heavy shedding, drool, and muddy swim days,
you accept the shorter life and higher costs of a giant dog.

Do not consider this breed if…

you live in a small apartment with no room for a giant dog,
shedding, drool, and wet-dog mess would wear you down,
your budget cannot absorb giant-breed food and vet bills,
you want a long-lived breed or an energetic exercise partner.

A typical day with a Landseer

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Relaxed 30 min walk at an easy pace
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Naps near the family, keeps an eye on things
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Gentle stroll or a swim if water is nearby
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Calm play and quality time with the kids
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second easy walk, then a brush-down
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Sprawls out and sleeps deeply

Temperament and training

Gentleness Very high
Sociability High
Trainability High
Energy Low
Guarding tendency Moderate
Sensitivity High
Common owner mistakes
Over-exercising a growing puppy and stressing developing joints · Underestimating the cost of feeding and treating a giant dog · Letting the thick coat mat instead of brushing it regularly

Family and environment

Kids Excellent
Famously patient; supervise so its size doesn't knock toddlers.
Dogs Good
Peaceable and tolerant with other dogs.
Cats Good
Generally gentle and calm around cats.
Apartment Poor fit
Sheer size makes small spaces impractical.
House with a yard Ideal
Space to stretch out and access to water is best.
City Conditional
Possible with room indoors, but the size is a lot.
Countryside Ideal
Space and nearby water suit this working water dog.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Common in giant breeds; screen breeding stock
Elbow dysplasia Can cause front-limb lameness
Bloat (GDV) Life-threatening; know the emergency signs
Dilated cardiomyopathy Heart disease seen in giant breeds; monitor

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The closest relative, same gentle water dog
Newfoundland
A giant, sweet-natured water dog wonderful with children, but the drool, shedding, vet bills, and short lifespan are real trade-offs.
View profile →
Another calm giant family companion
Leonberger
A calm, affectionate giant that makes a wonderful family companion for homes with space - the trade-off is heavy shedding, drool, and the short lifespan and joint issues of a giant breed.
View profile →
Similar giant size and mellow temperament
Saint Bernard
A gentle, family-loving giant that is calm indoors - its huge size, drool, joint disease and short lifespan are the heavy trade-offs.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Landseer cost in the US?
The Landseer is uncommon in the US and often overlaps with black-and-white Newfoundlands, so expect waitlists and some searching. Puppies commonly run about $2,000-$3,500. The bigger number is lifetime cost: giant-breed food, larger medication doses, and vet care typically push spending well past $20,000, and joint or heart problems can add thousands more.
What is the difference between a Landseer and a Newfoundland?
It depends on the registry. In much of the world the black-and-white Newfoundland is simply a color variety, while the FCI recognizes the European Continental Type Landseer as a separate, taller, more lightly built breed. Both share the gentle temperament and love of water.
Are Landseers good family dogs?
Yes, they are known for being calm, patient, and devoted, and they usually adore children. The honest catch is the size: a dog this large can knock over a toddler by accident, needs supervision around small kids, and takes up real space in a home.
How long do Landseers live?
Like most giant breeds, the Landseer has a relatively short life, often around 9-11 years. Careful breeding, keeping the dog lean, and watching for joint, heart, and bloat problems give the best chance at the upper end of that range.