Voyager Newfoundlands, Breeding quality, healthy AKC Newfoundland Dogs.

About Us

Dan and Marylou Zimmerman, breeders of Voyager Newfoundlands, have shared their lives with Newfoundlands since 1992. The first Newfoundlands to be part of their family were Springborn's Sasha Bear, Springborn's Peppertree Nikita and Peppertree's Springborn Tipper. These first pets instilled a lifelong devotion to the gentle giants of the dog world.

Following Sasha, Nikki and Tipper were some long and short term fosters including Grace and Cinder, as well as a retirement placement for Peppertree's BW Truffles, Nikki and Tipper's mother.

These experiences convinced the Zimmermans that raising healthy, temperamentally sound show and working Newfoundlands was a goal they would like to strive for. After much research, a pup was obtained from mentor breeder Denise Castonquay, breeder of CastaNewf Kennels in British Columbia. This was CastaNewf's Voyager. (Kes)

Marylou and Dan have been a members of the Newfoundland Club of Seattle since 1997, and have been web designer, newsletter editor and served on the Board of Directors and chaired working events and Regional Specialty shows for the club during that time.

Joining the Newfoundland Club of America in 1998, Marylou became part of the Internet/Website committee in 2001. Taking over as webmaster in 2006, she currently oversees 14 websites for the club and manages the NCA electronic newsletters and social media. She also serves on the Steering Committee, Regional Club Committee and Technical Resources Committee. Dan also serves on the Technical Resources Advisory Committee (TRAC) and manages the technical infrastructure for the organization.

Being a small kennel, all of our girls are house dogs and very much a part of the family. We feed a raw diet, like our mentor, and are proud that we have raised multiple generations on a species-appropriate raw diet. We breed infrequently, but are always available to discuss the breed, provide information for prospective puppy buyers, and answer questions. Please contact us.

Voyager Newfoundland's is an AKC Breeder of Merit and and NCA Breeder of Distinction

About Newfoundlands

The Newfoundland Dog originated in the Canadian Atlantic province of Newfoundland. Able helpers to the sturdy fishermen who trolled the cold waters of the North Atlantic, the massive nature of these dogs is intrinsic to their function and history. The early Newfoundland worked side by side with their owners to tame the harsh climate in which they lived. Hauling firewood and supplies, fishnets and mail were tasks that exemplified the utility of the breed, and innumerable case histories demonstrating the life saving instinct of these gentle giants solidified the close bond they developed with their human masters.

Even today, Newfoundlands are happiest when they can spend their day working side by side with their owners, even if that work consists of holding down the floor while the human works at a keyboard nearby.

The Newfoundland Dogs of today no longer need to earn their keep by spending their days aboard fishing trawlers or hauling wood in for the fire, but they remain an active and versatile breed. The Newfoundland Club of America has worked for many years to showcase the instinctive work of the breed through Water Rescue and Draft tests. Regional Newfoundland clubs host fun events like pumpkin and Christmas tree pulls.

Newfoundlands excel as therapy, search & rescue, and service dogs and enjoy competing in obedience, agility, rally, freestyle and tracking events. Eager to please and intelligent, Newfoundland dogs are adaptable to as many different jobs as their owner would like to train them for. Most importantly, Newfoundland dogs are wonderful family pets and incomparable companions.

Newfoundland Dogs are large, easily earning their nickname, "Gentle Giants", ranging in height from 25"-30" at the shoulder and weighing from 100- 150 pounds. Males are typically bigger than females. The size of a Newfoundland can be a challenge indoors, but is a great reason to eliminate clutter and nick-nacks from the coffee table and most household counters. READ THE BREED STANDARD

Newfoundlands have a thick double coat which requires regular grooming. Daily short sessions will ensure that their coat does not become a tangle of mats requiring hours of backbreaking labor. Twice a year they "blow coat", a process that will fill several large trash cans with soft downy undercoat.If you bring a Newfoundland into your home, you should be prepared for regular work keeping their coat in good shape to avoid painful mats and skin problems.

Newfoundland Dogs drool. There is no way to avoid this part of the breed. Some drool much of the time, most drool when hot or excited or when there is the potential of food being provided. A ready supply of drool towels and wash rags is handy for clean-up. READ MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF OWNING A NEWFOUNDLAND.

Being giant breed dogs, Newfoundlands do face some health issues. While screening breeding stock can lessen the chances of producing puppies with crippling problems, sometimes this can happen. Newfoundlands should be checked for hip and elbow dysplasia, sub-aortic stenosis and other cardiac anomalies, hypothyroidism, entropian and eye defects and cystinuria. READ MORE ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES IN THE NEWFOUNDLAND.