Info on Newfoundland's Dogs - Looking to get one.?

Question

Ok, I have been doing a LOT of research on dog breeds and what will be the best large dog breed for me and my young family. My wife has talked me into maybe getting a Newfi, and I have done as much research as you can on the breed browsing the internet. My questions to you all is, how good is this breed in general with Young children. I have a 6 month old, and I plan on getting a dog when he is about year to a year and a half. I understand the basics about the dog LOTS of hair, high chance of slobber, vet bills so on an so fourth. I read they are good with children but I want to know specifics. Please let me know! Thank you all so much.

Answer 1

Here is info in the Newfoundland.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/newfoundland.htm
and here are all the Newfies in shelters.
http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?animal=Dog&breed=Newfoundland+Dog&preview=1&exact=1
You'll be saving a life and money too.

Answer 2

As far as not having a mean bone in their entire body...they are good with kids. However, they are HUGE and mature SLOWLY...both mentally and physically. They are quite unaware of their size and tend to knock kids over a lot. They will take food from kids just like any other dog, and have no problem doing so.
The problem with a toddler, is that people then tend to make the Newf spend more and more time away from the family due to the dog knocking the kid over. Pretty much each time the dog gets near the toddler, it knocks it over. The kid screams and then starts to scream every time the dog gets near it. Some people cannot deal with that and banish the dog or just get rid of it.
A Newf is really not mentally mature until it is 3-4. They can still act VERY much like a puppy for that time. People tend to think of Newfs as lumps....which they are a lot of the time, but when there is activity, they can be very active. It can be very hard to raise a toddler and an adolescent giant breed at the same time.
Then there are the people who PANIC when the dog slobbers all over the kids cracker and then the kid eats it before you can take it away. Some parents can tolerate it, but then there are the grandparents that FREAK!!!
Newfs are great dogs, and would never hurt anything!!! God knows, I have raised three kids while having at least two Newfs at all times. There have been a LOT of bumps and bruises from the dogs. My youngest was 8 months and sitting in one of those exersaucer things when the one Newf, then 11 months, saw a bird at the window and tore through the kitchen sending the child and saucer FLYING!!!! Stitches were needed in the forehead of said child, and the saucer was broken. Just an accident, but with the size of the dog, it ended up a little worse than most.

And if you plan to take your Newf and child to the lake to swim together....forget it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not one Newf I have ever had would let my kids into the water!!! They ALWAYS try to herd them out, or grab their arms and haul them out!!!!!!! I am assured that the kids would be saved if drowning, but fun swimming is quite a chore!!!!

The cart or sled rides the dogs give the kids are great though!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think with proper understanding and training, Newfs and kids go together like PB andJ!!!!

Answer 3

The dog "Nana" from Peter Pan was a Newfoundland.

They're typically great dogs, but personally, I'd wait until the kids are older. Newfoundlands are huge, and while the dog would be large enough to be safe from the kids, such a small child could easily get knocked over by a well-intentioned dog.

Answer 4

Newfs tend to be amazingly good with kids, as long as the kids are good to the dog.

I, too, hope to reach Torbay, or GotNewfs, as she(?) loves to talk about the drool and the hair... and the dog underneath all of it. :)

Answer 5

That is a HUGE puppy to have around a child who will be newly walking.

I'm not saying don't do it.. just saying to "take care".

Answer 6

Here Torbay...Where ya at? Torbay will tell you all about hair and slober!