We get it, you love Newfoundlands, and you love Great Danes. However, if you are torn between which dog breed to get, you just may be wondering if it’s possible to own one of each. So, do Newfoundlands get along with Great Danes? Be sure to read until the end as we reveal the answer to this burning question!
Yes, it is, in fact, possible to have a Newfoundland dog and a Great Dane that get along well. However, to achieve this goal, there are a few steps pet owners must take before these two dog breeds can be considered compatible.
In this article, we will explore everything there is to know about owning a Newfoundland and a Great Dane, as well as the best practices to ensure these two breeds get along.
Do Breed Differences Affect Their Ability to Get Along?
Yes, the differences between dog breeds can mean they cannot get along in some cases, but this is not definitive in all situations. Whether it be breed differences or sizes, there are many things to factor in when considering this question.
For example, both black labrador retrievers and golden retrievers are hunting dogs but have very different builds. On the other hand, one retriever might be smaller than the other but used for a different purpose or prefers smaller prey animals that are easier to carry back over longer distances.
It’s vital that you’re aware of what drives your dog before making any decisions about who they can live with comfortably because it could end up being costly if not dangerous otherwise.
Luckily most experts agree that any two closely related breeds will generally do well together as long as you consider the size of each when planning any introductions.
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Size Difference
It’s a question that has been answered many times before, but it never hurts to ask again; “What is the size difference between a Newfoundland and a Great Dane?”
When comparing Great Danes and Newfoundlands, the Great Dane is slightly bigger. They need more space to move around in and require different types of food as well as other considerations, all directly related to their size.
Newfoundlands are a great breed of dog for many reasons. They’re gentle, friendly, and have a lot of personality. But they can also be big! The average weight is about 100 pounds to 150 pounds.
Thankfully, Great Danes are also large to extra-large dogs weighing slightly more than a Newfoundland. The average Great Dane will weigh between 110 and 175 pounds, depending on their gender.
Of course, this will also vary from dog to dog, much like humans vary in weight.
The size difference between a Newfoundland and a Great Dane is seen by most as an advantage. Because the size difference is not major, the risk of one dog injuring the other is rather slim; thus, in terms of size, most Newfoundlands and Great Danes will get be compatible.
Temperament
Newfoundlands tend to be friendly, good-natured, and easy to train. The Newfoundland is loyal, gentle, docile, and affectionate with family members but wary of strangers.
Early socialization to be around other people will help them learn that not all strangers are dangerous or out to hurt them.
They need early training because they’re large dogs that can be difficult to control when they get excited about something (such as playing with children) without some guidance on how much physical contact is okay for both the dog and kids.
The Great Dane is a gentle giant. This large dog has the heart of a lamb and the soul of an artist. They are sensitive to their family’s moods, always ready to please, and devoted in every way.
The breed thrives on human companionship, which they regard as vital to their happiness. And this love can extend beyond just one person or family; many Great Danes would be happy living with any human who gives them attention.
This makes it easy for people who work long hours or travel frequently to maintain a healthy relationship with their pets by simply spending quality time together when they’re home.
It also means that the breed does not do well when left alone for more than short periods each day because they become depressed or destructive.
However, another dog in the home could keep them company during the day; therefore, it is certainly recommended to have another dog if you own a Great Dane and cannot be at home throughout the day.
Guarding Instinct
Great Danes are protective by nature, which means that they will let their owners know when something is amiss. This may include a knock at the door, a visitor at the front gate, or even someone climbing over the fence in an attempted burglary.
Bear in mind that this canine is tall and slim and therefore hates getting dirty or wet. For this reason, you wouldn’t typically use a Great Dane to guard a piece of land but rather keep him on a leash beside you just in case some danger arises nearby.
However, because of this breed’s attachment to their owners, they may develop a sense of ownership and feel the need to protect you from other dogs. Therefore, if you own more than one dog, it is important to train your Great Dane that the other dog(s) is not a threat to you or them.
Newfoundland dogs are sweet, gentle giants who try to please their owners. One characteristic of Newfies is that they have a very strong guardian instinct and will fiercely protect children from any danger or aggression.
On the other hand, they are generally good-natured people pleasers with a sweet disposition.
Therefore, considering that, as long as they are trained at an early age which dogs are a danger and which ones should not be feared, there is no doubt that a Newfoundland will easily welcome another dog into their home.
Territorial Behaviour
Territoriality is the tendency of an animal to defend a space fiercely. Newfoundland dogs will not typically exhibit territorial behavior, and they will stick with their families and homes, but they will aggressively protect any family members they feel need protection.
Great Danes are territorial, but they will quickly become friends with people and dogs outside of the boundaries.
This is because Newfoundland dogs will not aggressively protect anything or anyone who’s away from their territory. If a Great Dane has strong territorial instincts, it may be best to keep them on a leash and away from other dogs and children.
Dominant or Submissive?
Newfoundlands can be dominant or submissive. It depends on the breed of dog, genetics, and personality.
A Newfoundland is tall with a strong bone structure but also has an equally robust personality. This dog needs to be kept busy; otherwise, they may become bored and get into trouble with other pets or children.
However, this water-loving dog is not known as an alpha because they are too sociable and agreeable to be one.
They’ve been described as more of a champion than an alpha because they prefer championing others rather than commanding them. That being said, these dogs can usually get along with most dogs and love playing and making new friends in most cases.
On the other hand, Great Danes are not the type of dog you want to have if you’re looking for a submissive, obedient pet. They are dominant dogs who will often try to take over the house and make themselves at home on your favorite couch.
They can be stubborn, and they require an owner who is knowledgeable about canine behavior, training methods, and socialization techniques.
It’s important that whoever adopts one of these large dogs also takes time to understand their needs to provide them with everything they need to live happy lives inside a family environment.
Having one dog that is dominant while one is submissive is ideal. This is because it often reduces conflict and makes it clearer which of the two dogs is in charge.
Therefore, in terms of being dominant and submissive, these two breeds are a good mix.
Energy Levels
Great Danes are known for being rather energetic dogs. They have a lot of energy, and they love to run around, play with toys, and chase after things. They need a lot of exercise daily or become destructive because their energy needs an outlet.
A Great Dane that doesn’t get enough exercise is likely to chew up furniture, dig holes in the yard, bark incessantly at nothing, and tear up carpeting inside your house.
But if you can provide them with adequate activity every day, then you’ll find that these dogs make excellent companions for people who don’t want to spend all of their time exercising themselves!
Newfoundland dogs are big, loving, and patient. They need a lot of exercise and love to roam around the yard. If you live in an apartment, don’t get one of these because they’ll knock over everything!
Newfoundlands also have a lot of energy, so they will need daily walks or long play sessions with their owners to keep them from getting bored and destructive.
The Newfoundland is not well suited for homes with no space or anyone who can’t give it plenty of attention.
Because both breeds have similar energy levels, it makes it convenient to exercise both dogs simultaneously. For example, you won’t need to bring one dog on a shorter walk while the other needs a longer walk. That being said, when it comes to energy levels, these two dogs are quite similar!
Training Needs
As with all dog breeds, both Newfoundlands and Great Danes will be easier to train if you start at a young age during their puppy years.
Much like children, it is easier to learn new things when you are younger, which is why training must start almost immediately after adopting a puppy, regardless of the breed.
The good thing about Newfoundlands and Great Danes is that they are both dedicated to pleasing their owners, making them rather easy to train. However, challenges during the training process are inevitable.
You will likely find it easiest to train both dogs if you adopt them at the same age, as they have similar competencies. This way, if one dog learns a new trick, the other dog should catch on shortly after.
With some effort, dog owners can find ways to train both a Newfoundland and a Great Dane quite easily.
However, this isn’t easy in adult dogs, and therefore, if you plan to get two puppies, it is recommended to get them at the same time to avoid having to repeat the training phase twice. This will save you time and effort as the process can seem frustrating at times.
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Final thoughts
In conclusion, we hope that this article has answered some of the questions you may have had about whether Newfoundlands and Great Danes get along.
It’s a matter of matching up two dogs who are both well-trained and socialized to avoid any potential problems. In reality, these two dog breeds can be compatible as long as they are trained, which is easiest to do when they are still young (puppies).
One thing is for sure, though: these types of large breeds will need plenty of space in your home or yard as they grow older, so make sure you consider their size when looking at breeders!
