Newfoundlands and Rottweilers are both lovely pets, but can they live together? It’s important to know if these two dog breeds get along before adopting a Newfoundland while having a rottweiler (or vice versa). So, do Newfoundlands and rottweilers get along?
Unlike other dogs, Rottweilers are not a good match for Newfoundlands. The reason for this is pure instinct: The Newfoundland’s natural instincts tell them to herd animals while the Rottweiler’s natural instincts tell them to hunt animals down.
In this post, we explore in detail whether Newfoundlands and Rottweilers are compatible and what you need to know about having these two dogs in your home.
Newfoundlands and Rottweilers – Size Difference
The rottweiler is a relatively large breed of dog. It’s one of the largest breeds in terms of weight and height. They were originally bred to be working farm dogs, guarding property against thieves and livestock against predators.
They have an intimidating appearance with their thick fur coat and muscular body, making them seem even larger than they already are.
Still, despite this appearance, they’re very gentle animals who love children and often get along well with other pets as long as they’ve been properly socialized at a young age.
The size of a Rottweiler can vary with the sex; males are usually around 120 pounds once fully grown, and females are usually 105 pounds.
“Newfoundlands are also a very large breed of dog, and they also have an intimidating look about them.“
When fully grown, these dogs can weigh between 130 and 150 pounds (though the average weight is around 175 pounds).
For this reason, it’s typically recommended that you keep them separate from smaller breeds such as rottweilers (even though they are also large dogs, just not as large as Newfoundlands).
In other words, both of these dogs are large, but the Newfoundland is even more so. The rottweiler may not like the idea of that, which we will discuss further in the article.
Newfoundlands and Rottweilers – Temperament Compared
Rottweilers are generally patient, tolerant, easy-going, and sweet in nature. They’re not very high-energy.
They can be territorial when it comes to their family members or property. This is due in part to the dog’s strong guarding instincts. They will also bark at strangers they see walking past their house or neighborhood.
This behavior is in no way aggressive since they are more likely to lick the intruder than bite them. However, if they feel their family is in danger, they may bite.
As for Newfoundlands, they are very intelligent and gentle. Newfoundlands are affectionate, cheerful, and kind-natured.
They’re great with children and become very attached to their families. They are generally easy to train and respond well to simple commands like “sit” or “heel.”
Newfoundlands need plenty of exercise outside, so they should be taken on long walks daily.
This is especially important when they are younger, as it’s crucial for them to have this type of stimulation. We will, however, go more into detail about the exercise needs later in the article.
Guarding Instincts
The Newfoundland is known for being a large breed that performs well in the water. The rottweiler is also quite large but has a more aggressive temperament.
One can see many similarities in these two breeds, making them seem like they should get along, but it’s not always the case.
“Both breeds are vigilant and protective, which means when you mix these two together, there is potential for problems.“
Because both of these breeds feel the need to protect their loved ones, if they think that the other dog causes them to be in danger, there may be a conflict between two dogs with such guarding instincts.
For this reason, this breed combination is not recommended.
In case you are confident in your ability to control both dogs, you may be able to live with these two dogs together, however.
Are They Territorial?
The Newfoundland is not considered to be territorial at all. Rottweilers can be territorial, especially as they like having their own space. If this isn’t provided, they can sometimes become agitated and even aggressive.
That being said, if you have a smaller house, then owning both breeds is likely out of the question.
If you have a larger home, you should keep them in different areas because they will likely start to clash at times.
The rottweiler is quite dominant by nature and is known to become aggressive and territorial around other dogs.
This can therefore be a potential problem when bringing these two breeds together.
Who Is Dominant?
Rottweilers are dominant dogs; they have a protective nature, and their size can be intimidating.
This is why many people assume that Newfoundlands would get along well with Rottweilers. But this is not always the case.
Bringing these two breeds together could lead to dominance issues, making for an unstable situation for both dogs if they are not raised correctly from puppyhood.
The way you raise your dog will greatly affect how it behaves as an adult dog.
It’s important to know what type of dog you’re dealing with before making any assumptions about its behavior or bringing other animals into the mix.
It is common knowledge that many human fatalities have been attributed to Rottweilers. They can be known for their excessive barking and lunging, which makes them a big concern when combined with another large breed.
Newfoundlands are also known to sometimes become aggressive without proper training and socialization while they’re puppies.
If not properly trained, it can lead to fear aggression or territorial aggression later on in life, which could make the situation dangerous if the dogs were to get into a disagreement over dominance during adulthood.
Even though the rottweiler is far more dominant than the Newfoundland, there is no denying that the Newfoundland also has certain dominant tendencies that could be problematic in the case of owning both of these dog breeds.
Energy Levels
Newfoundlands and Rottweilers, while both large and protective, have very different energy levels. Newfoundlands tend to be very calm and laidback, while rottweilers typically have a more independent, outgoing personality.
If you want the two breeds to get along well, it is best to put them together outside of their homes or rooms to get used to each other before actually introducing them in the home.
Newfoundlands are large, furry dogs that need a lot of exercise. They were bred to help fishermen in Newfoundland carry nets and other heavy loads back from the shoreline, so they tend to be very active and energetic.
A rottweiler might not like this kind of energy level at all: the rottweiler will likely become bored or stressed out by such an active dog running around.
Newfoundland owners should make sure their pets get lots of exercise every day (at least two hours) to keep them happy and healthy! This is not the case for rottweilers, however.
Rotties don’t need a significant amount of exercise to burn energy. If anything, they need less activity than that of a Newfoundland.
They are more than happy with half an hour to an hour of walking per day, coupled with some mental stimulation as well.
Newfoundlands and Rottweilers – Training Needs
It’s not easy to train a Newfoundland, but not particularly harder than other dog breeds.
When you think about the time and patience it takes to train any dog, you might assume that training a Newfoundland would be an even more daunting task.
But what many people don’t realize is that these dogs are very intelligent and eager to please their owners. They require some special handling because of their size and need for regular exercise.
Some people suggest that training Newfoundlands may be easier than other breeds. This is due to the breed’s long history as a working dog. They are also known for their powerful swimming ability and former life as water rescue dogs.
This was originally because many Newfoundland dogs lived as fishing companions to fishermen working in Canada’s Atlantic waters.
They would help haul lines and wrestle large fish from the ocean. They sometimes even save lives by hauling drowning sailors out of the water.
Newfoundlands also have a history as a loyal companion to families living along the coasts of North America. This is especially for those who reside in Labrador and Newfoundland, where they are considered provincial symbols today.
The breed is very strong and is known to be gentle around children. However, they tend to knock smaller people over unintentionally because of their large size.
In addition to being intelligent, Newfoundlands are also very protective animals who bond strongly with their owners.
A good Newfoundland owner needs only a few basic commands down pat before they can expect obedience from their dog without force or harsh discipline.
Newfoundland dogs have been bred for several centuries now as working companions. They have been trained from puppies to listen attentively when spoken to by those in positions of authority.
The trainer must establish themselves as a leader from the beginning. This will ensure that your Newfoundland does not try to dominate you as a pack leader.
Remember that all dogs are ultimately pack animals, despite living with people.
If you are looking for a dog to protect your home, there are many breeds best suited to the task.
The Rottweiler is one of these breeds. However, they require more training than some other breeds to live harmoniously with humans and other animals.
As puppies, they might be very docile. However, as adults, their natural instinct needs to be monitored.
Otherwise, they can become aggressive towards humans or animals who come near them.
If you are doubtful about this breed’s suitabilty, please consult a professional before making your decision.
The Rottweiler is an intelligent dog, but they require a lot of work and discipline.
If you are not prepared to provide them with what they need, it would be best to avoid this breed altogether.
It is more often the case that people do not view this breed as aggressive until something happens.
This may include an attack on another animal or person, that makes them realize that the rottweiler requires some extra management to ensure they’re safe around humans and other animals.
Suppose you were hoping to be able to train a rottweiler puppy at the same time as a Newfoundland puppy. In that case, you should most likely think again as these two breeds learn at different speeds. They also require individual training suited to their specific training needs.
Final thoughts
Newfoundlands and Rottweilers are both large breeds with a protective nature. However, it can be quite dangerous to mix these two types of dogs because they may not get along well.
If you want the best for your animals or plan on getting new pets, its best to ensure safety in their environment before bringing them home.
or ideally, avoid combining these two breeds to prevent complications down the road.
