Newfoundland Skin Conditions: Managing Hot Spots Under a Thick Double Coat

Based on peer reviewed veterinary research · For educational purposes only · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

What Skin Conditions Are Common in Newfoundlands?

Newfoundlands are prone to hot spots, bacterial folliculitis, lip fold dermatitis and allergic skin disease, mostly because their thick, oily double coat holds moisture against the skin. The breed was developed for cold water work, and the same coat that protects from cold can trap dampness, heat and debris at the skin surface in a home environment.

Because the fur is so deep, early lesions are easy to miss. A hot spot can grow from a coin sized patch to a hand sized wound within hours, and by the time it is visible the fur may already be matted over it. Our guide to double coated dog skin problems explains why this coat type needs a particular routine.

What Is a Hot Spot and Why Do Newfoundlands Get Them?

A hot spot, or acute moist dermatitis, is a sudden, painful, moist area of inflamed skin caused by self trauma and surface bacterial overgrowth. Dogs lick, chew or scratch an itchy spot, the skin becomes wet and inflamed, and bacteria multiply in the damp, damaged tissue (Hillier et al., 2014).

Newfoundlands get them often because the undercoat stays wet after swimming or bathing, and because fleas, allergies, ear infections or anal gland discomfort can start the itch cycle. Warm weather increases the risk. Read our overview of hot spots in dogs for more detail.

How Do Veterinarians Diagnose Skin Problems in a Thick Coat?

Veterinarians diagnose these problems by clipping the affected area, examining the skin and taking a cytology sample to see which bacteria or yeast are present. Clipping is often essential for hot spots, because the lesion is usually larger than it appears and air helps it dry.

Flea checks, allergy history and ear and anal gland exams look for the trigger. Skin scrapings or culture are added when the lesions are widespread or recurring. You can organize your observations before a visit using our Dog Skin Condition Checker.

The table below compares the common causes of skin lesions in the breed.

How to Treat Newfoundland Hot Spots at Home

Small, early hot spots can often be managed at home, but large, deep or very painful ones need a veterinarian. The steps below cover the first few days.

1. Stop the licking. Use a cone or recovery collar so the dog cannot keep irritating the patch.
2. Clip the fur around the spot. Trim a margin of healthy hair away so air reaches the skin and you can see the true size. If the dog is in pain, ask a veterinarian or groomer to do it.
3. Clean the area gently. Rinse away discharge with lukewarm water and pat dry, without rubbing.
4. Apply a chlorhexidine antiseptic. Use a chlorhexidine product on the affected skin as directed on the label, because it reduces the surface bacteria that keep a hot spot active (Mueller et al., 2012).
5. Keep it dry. Dry the surrounding undercoat after any water exposure and keep the dog out of ponds and pools until the skin has healed.
6. Look for the trigger. Check for fleas, ear problems and allergy signs, and address them to stop recurrence.
7. Reassess in a few days. A simple hot spot typically starts to dry and improve within that time. A patch that is spreading, smelly or painful needs a veterinarian.

How Does Chlorhexidine Shampoo Help Newfoundlands With Recurrent Skin Infections?

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that damages bacterial cell membranes, and bathing with a chlorhexidine shampoo is a well studied way of lowering the number of surface bacteria across a larger area of skin (Mueller et al., 2012; Hillier et al., 2014). For a dog with recurring folliculitis or several lesions, shampoo reaches the whole coat in a way a spot treatment cannot. You can read how it compares with another product in Douxo S3 PYO vs Vetified Chlorhexidine Shampoo.

Vetified Chlorhexidine Shampoo contains chlorhexidine for widespread bacterial skin problems and recurring pyoderma. Work it down through the coat to the skin and leave it in contact for the time on the label before rinsing thoroughly, then dry the undercoat completely. For a full routine, see how to treat folliculitis in dogs at home.

Frequent relapses should be assessed by a veterinarian, since allergy or another underlying cause is often present.

How Can You Prevent Hot Spots in a Newfoundland?

Prevention depends on keeping the undercoat dry and clean, controlling fleas and allergies, and grooming regularly. Brush through the full depth of the coat several times a week, and dry the dog completely after swimming with a dog dryer or absorbent towels.

Keep up year round flea control, clean the lip folds and ears routinely, and watch for itch. Warm weather needs extra attention, so see our June dog skin care guide for summer routines. If you use topical products, our guide on how to apply topical medication to dog skin covers technique for thick coats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Newfoundland keep getting hot spots?

Recurrent hot spots usually mean a trigger such as fleas, allergies, ear disease or a coat that stays damp after swimming. Treating the patch without addressing the trigger lets them return.

Should I shave a Newfoundland for hot weather?

Shaving a healthy double coat is generally not recommended because it can grow back unevenly and does not reliably cool the dog. Brushing out loose undercoat and providing shade and water are better choices.

How do I dry a Newfoundland's coat after swimming?

Towel off excess water, then use a dog dryer on a cool or warm setting while brushing through to the skin. The undercoat must be dry at the skin, because damp fur is where hot spots start.

How long does a hot spot take to heal?

A mild hot spot typically starts to dry and improve within a few days once the licking is stopped and the area is kept clean and dry. Larger or deeper lesions take longer and need veterinary care.

Sources

1. Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis (Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases). Veterinary Dermatology. 2014;25(3):163-e43.
2. Mueller RS, Bergvall K, Bensignor E, Bond R. A review of topical therapy for skin infections with bacteria and yeast. Veterinary Dermatology. 2012;23(4):330-341.
3. Bond R, Morris DO, Guillot J, et al. Biology, diagnosis and treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats: Clinical Consensus Guidelines of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology. Veterinary Dermatology. 2020;31(1):27-e4.
4. Miller WH, Griffin CE, Campbell KL. Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2013.

Related Reading

• Double-Coated Dog Skin Problems: Undercoat Issues, Hot Spots, and Proper Grooming
• How to Treat Folliculitis in Dogs at Home
• Douxo S3 PYO vs Vetified Chlorhexidine Shampoo: Which Fits Your Dog?

E. Maddens

Founder of Vetified. Develops topical antifungal and antimicrobial formulations for companion animals. Vetified products are listed on DailyMed and manufactured through FDA-registered facilities in the United States.

Research basis: All Vetified content references peer reviewed research published in journals including Veterinary Dermatology, JAVMA, and Journal of Small Animal Practice.