| Newfoundlands: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Newfoundland personality and behavior. |
|
|
My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Newfoundland, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says, "Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland."
Calm, dignified, and generally quiet, he does best in a spacious home in the suburbs or country, preferably in a nonhumid climate, ideally with access to a lake or pond.
To stay fit, the Newfoundland needs long daily walks. Swimming is much appreciated. He loves to romp in the snow, and pulling a cart or carrying a backpack gives him a purpose in life.
This kindly breed is good-natured with everyone, especially children, though they should be as well-behaved as he is. He is very sociable and needs more companionship than many other breeds -- he doesn't do well when left alone for long periods.
Early socialization is critical in developing a stable temperament, for some male Newfoundlands are aggressive with other male dogs, and a very few may be dominant-aggressive toward people. Excessive shyness is also seen.
The Newfoundland is not a pushover -- he has an independent streak and must learn his manners -- but he responds well to patient obedience training. Motivate him with praise and food rewards rather than jerking on the leash, for this breed may have a giant body, but his mind and heart are sensitive. Harshness only makes him skittish and distrustful.
Females are most willing to please, while males may be more hardheaded. Newfs pant a lot, drink a lot (sometimes dunking half of their head into their water bucket), and are champion droolers."
History
In Newfoundland, Canada, he hauled fishermen's nets and carts and carried lifelines to shipwrecked vessels.
Size
26-32 inches and 100-150 lbs |
|
Newfoundlands
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Newfoundlands, and placid Newfoundlands.
- Hard-headed Newfoundlands, and sweet-natured Newfoundlands.
- Serious Newfoundlands, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Newfoundlands, and Newfoundlands who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Newfoundland puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is heavy and powerful, with a thick furry coat
- Is steady-tempered with everyone
- Loves pulling carts and sleds and romping in cold weather
- Is responsive to training in a slow, good-natured way
A Newfoundland may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- A very bulky dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car
- A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet, lie on your lap, and lean his weight against your leg
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young
- "Separation anxiety" and destructiveness when left alone too much
- Fearfulness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Some stubbornness and/or dominance problems, especially in males
- Heavy shedding
- Slobbering and drooling
- High price tag -- $1000 and up
- Serious health problems and a short lifespan
A Newfoundland may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Newfoundland... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing the proper balance of exercise. Young Newfoundlands need enough exercise to keep them lean and healthy, but not so much that their soft growing bones, joints, and ligaments become over-stressed and damaged. Adult Newfoundlands need more exercise to keep them in shape, but not in hot or humid weather for fear of overheating. The proper amount of exercise can be difficult to regulate in giant breeds.
Since you have to minimize their exercise, young Newfoundlands can be very rambunctious. They will romp with uncoordinated gawkiness all over your house. You need to substitute extra quantities of companionship and supervision. Otherwise, left alone, young Newfoundlands become bored and destructive -- and their powerful jaws can literally destroy your living room.
| I strongly recommend that you get your Newfoundland involved in obedience classes at the intermediate or advanced level, or tracking, or pulling a cart or sled, or even just hiking and swimming. This is a working dog who needs something interesting to do. |
- Bounciness. Young Newfoundlands (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Newfoundland puppies. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Newfoundlands need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Providing enough socialization. Newfoundlands need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which is difficult to live with.
- Strong temperament in males. Many Newfoundlands, particularly young males, are not pushovers to raise and train. Some are willful and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. Some Newfoundland males are also dominant or aggressive toward other male dogs.
| To teach your Newfoundland to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Newfoundland Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Heavy shedding. Newfoundlands are one of the heaviest shedders of all breeds. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this.
- Slobbering. Most people are not prepared for how much Newfoundlands slobber and drool, especially after eating or drinking. When they shake their heads, you will literally be toweling saliva and slime off your clothes, furniture, and walls.
- Paying the price. Many breeders are charging $1000 and up.
- Serious health problems. The lifespan of a Newfoundland is short and an alarming number are crippled by bone and joint diseases and/or succumb to cancer in middle age.
| If you're considering an adult Newfoundland... |
There are plenty of adult Newfoundlands who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
|
Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
|
