When it comes to finding the perfect house dog, many people don’t consider large breeds like the Newfoundland.
However, these gentle giants have a lot to offer as indoor pets. In this article, we’ll explore whether or not Newfoundlands make great house dogs and what you should consider before bringing one into your home.
Do Newfoundlands Make Great House Dogs?
Newfoundlands are hard workers that are generally polite to almost everyone they meet. Some refer to them as the “nanny dog” because they are great with children. Although they make great house dogs, they enjoy a spacious environment because of their large size and their ability to roam.
Here are some interesting facts about why Newfoundlands can be an excellent fit for your household, their living conditions, and proper care techniques.
Are Newfoundlands Good House Dogs? Here’s Why They Make A Great Fit!
The Newfoundlands, also known as “Newfies,” can be an excellent addition to the household. Due to their enormous size, they will likely require a spacious environment to roam and play freely.
Some may question if they make great dogs for apartment living and smaller environments. Newfies can adapt to their environments quickly.
As long as they get the right amount of exercise and are properly socialized and trained, this breed can be an excellent fit for living in an apartment.
It is also essential to consider your dog’s needs. For starters, their age can play a significant role.
If you have a Newfoundland puppy, you may find it easier to get them to adapt to your living conditions. Even in a smaller living space, your Newfie can adapt, but they still require daily exercise to keep them happy.
Are Newfoundlands Great With Children?
The simple answer is yes, but you still need to take precautions. Newfoundlands enjoy socializing with other people, but they require more companionship compared to other dog breeds.
Here is why certain precautions are necessary.
As previously stated, Newfies are called “nanny dogs” because of their gentle nature and patience with children.
It is recommended to monitor your Newfie, especially around smaller children. Because of their large size, they can unintentionally sit on them or throw them.
Moreover, you want to ensure that your children are trained to give a Newfie their space to avoid sudden incidents.
For instance, some children may jump on a larger dog or perform actions that may startle them. The dog may not act aggressively towards their family, but they may bite or react from being startled.
Are Newfoundlands Good With Other Dogs?
The Newfoundland has an excellent temperament for a house dog, and is typically not as aggressive compared to other dog breeds.
Even though they tend to tolerate other dogs and animals, male breeds tend to be more aggressive, especially with young adults and adolescents. It is essential to supervise your dog’s interactions with other dogs you bring into your household.
What You Need To Know About Living With A Newfoundland
The Newfoundland breed is a calm, sweet, house dog, that enjoys being in the presence of the people they love.
Living with a Newfoundland has its perks, but owners of this breed can experience some hurdles. Here are a few examples of what it’s like to live with a Newfie.
- Newfies can quickly adapt to their environment. If you live in an apartment or smaller house, giving them their own space to roam is crucial.
- Newfies are pretty laid-back dogs and have a mellow temperament. Often, they like to lay on the floor or beside you during downtime.
- Due to their large size, you might want to watch your step because they can accidentally trip you while they are lying down.
- Newfoundland’s large size can be a hurdle because they tend to knock things over. Make sure you place fragile items and other trinkets out of their reach.
- Living with a Newfie comes with shedding. They are one breed out of many that have a high shedding capacity. You will find fur and dog hairs on your furniture, flooring, and even your clothes. A vacuum or broom will be needed for this dog breed.
- Along with shedding comes drooling. Newfies are known for slobbering, especially after eating or drinking water. They tend to shake their heads, sending saliva onto your furniture or walls.
- This breed loves companionship. It is best to provide them with a lot of attention and supervision.
- It is recommended that you exercise with them for at least one hour every day. Moreover, you can include some time spent in the water.
Can Newfoundlands Be Left Alone For Long Periods Of Time?
Newfoundlands love the attention from their families and close ones. However, they don’t do so well when they are left alone for too long. Here are reasons why Newfies struggle with this.
Newfies can have separation anxiety. Because they enjoy companionship, they don’t like to be left alone for long periods.
Even after a few hours, they can become unhappy and express their anxiety by chewing on your furniture or excessive barking.
Are Newfoundlands Easy To Train?
Newfoundlands have medium energy levels, but they have a high level of trainability. In other words, they are very intelligent, obedient, and learn rather quickly. Here is what you need to know about proper training, along with exercise tips.
Newfies are very intelligent, but they must be trained during their “puppy days.” It is also essential that you continue their training well into their adult years.
This dog breed is known as the “working,” and it’s essential to keep them busy to avoid disruptive behavior. Moreover, improper training can result in behavioral issues such as excessive barking and digging.
Since this breed has medium-level energy, they don’t need much exercise, but moderate exercise is necessary to keep them in shape.
This large breed tends to grow rapidly in a short amount of time, resulting in joint problems during their development stages.
During the first two years of development, avoid strenuous exercises that can cause pressure on their joints.
If you have a Newfoundland puppy, you can include daily five-minute walks to help them explore their surroundings. As they continue to grow, you can increase the duration of walks.
Veterinarians recommend that they exercise for up to one hour per day. Furthermore, Newfies enjoy colder climates rather than hot temperatures. Try walking your dog in the early mornings or afternoons.
During their young age, it is essential to include obedience training and commands. Teach your dog commands such as “sit,” “come,” “stay,” and others for physical and mental training.
Training Tips
Remember that it is best to train your dog when they are young.
Here are some ways to exercise your Newfie:
- Enjoy playtime and fun activities indoors and outdoors.
- Newfoundlands were made for swimming and love the water. You can introduce your puppy to the water to give them exercise and help them develop their swimming abilities.
You want to avoid having your dog climb stairs, jump, and exercise on harder surfaces during their young years. This is to prevent them from developing joint problems early on.
Are Newfoundlands Easy To Groom?
The Newfoundland is considered a high-maintenance house dog that requires a lot of grooming. Professional grooming is recommended to keep this dog looking presentable. Here are some reasons why grooming is necessary.
Newfies have a medium-to-long, thick coat of fur. Their fur has a high shedding capacity, especially in the fall and spring seasons.
You will need to include regular grooming and thorough hair brushing at least two to three times a week. Newfies tend to track mud, dirt, and debris onto their fur, so you need to bathe them after outdoor activities.
In addition, Newfies are large dogs that can wear down their nails. You can check their toes and trim them if necessary. Also, Newfies are droolers. Most dog owners like to keep a cloth handy for occasional head shaking.
Useful Tips For Raising A Newfie In Your Home
If you are considering a Newfoundland, you may wonder what it’s like to raise them as a house dog. These breeds are very loving and can be a great addition to your home. Here are some useful tips on raising this breed.
- Acquire a grooming regimen for your Newfie. It is recommended to brush their fur at least two to three times a week and trim their nails whenever necessary.
- Younger Newfies must have a firm ground such as an area rug to grow properly. In other words, they shouldn’t be running around on a slippery floor.
This can result in joint problems and elbow or hip dysplasia. Acquire a grooming regimen for your Newfie. It is recommended to brush their fur at least two to three times a week and trim their nails whenever necessary.
- If you have stairs in your home, exclude them from walking/running up and down the stairs. They should be carried until they are at least four months old.
- If you have older and larger dogs, Newfies should not be left alone with them. If they are young, playtime should be supervised until they are at least one year old.
Newfoundlands can be a wonderful addition to your household. It is important to give your Newfie lots of attention to make them happy. This large dog breed can take a lot of hard work, but they are great for indoors.
