Personality of Newfs compared to other breeds

[chris nanney]

I'm looking for a general comparison between the personality of a typical Newf to other breeds, specifically Saints and Mastiffs? How are they alike or very different in terms of energy, agreeability with other dogs, people friendliness vs. guard tendencies, aggressiveness/dominance, etc.....

If anyone wants to throw in other breeds (Pyrs, Berners, Bullmastiffs, Tibetans or whatever other breed you have experience with), that is great to hear about as well.

 

[ozzysma]

newfs are not dogs, they are newfs!!! in my opinion none compare! they have such a incredible loving soul.

 

[CMDRTED]

I can only go by my SIL's (now retired) English Mastiff. Lil Monster (Yup that's his name) is 237lbs. and is the most mellow boy that I know. Very Newf-like personality wise. Couch Potatoe Extordinaire, but when working is all business.

 

[lilly06]

Hey, I call my Lilly- Lilly Monster.

Newfs are just really really special dogs! They have such a sweetness and loving way about them!

 

[mikeyisme]

yep, besides viciously knocking me down (ok, it was an accident and I love her) they are the best ever. mellow, sweet, great personalities, protectors against anything like rabbits and squirrels. they get along with everyone, four legged and two! balls of furry love!

 

[luvxl k 9]

I've never had a SB or a Mastiff, but my best friend has a SB. Now don't come down on me this is the only Saint I've ever been around, so may not be indicative of the breed. What I've noticed is that while Toma is as layed back and sleeps as much as the boys, I don't see the intelligence nor have I ever seen her reason and intereact with her 4 pawed brother and sisters like my guys do ALL THE TIME with each other. :lol: Shoot I've even seen Beau get the best of Dad and Julie a couple of times. :lol:
I will always have at least one Newf in my life, not sure I could enjoy life without one. They truly aren't JUST A DOG.

 

[Newfniece]

I have a newf and berner. Both are couch potatoes, but would never turn down a walk. Both are guarders in that they raise a fuss when someone comes around and those outside would think they are really vicious, though the most any intruder would get would probably be a lick or two. My newf loves all people, kids, other animals...is gentle with everyone. My berner is slower to warm to others, but once he knows you, he shows his affection in a not-so-gentle way. He is just so happy to see you he can easily knock you over if you aren't braced. My newf is much more contained in her enthusiasm. Have not seen aggression or dominance issues in either of my 'kids'. Berners are less 'slimy' than newfs...though my newf is not much of a drooler. In all, both are very loving and loyal and smart and great family dogs.

 

[NessaM]

There are OTHER BREEDS OF DOGS???

*laughing*

There's not much of a comparison, I think. My two are the best things ever. Very different personalities, but both of them are very thoughtful and loving. Nanook is clingy and is always underfoot or on lap or nearby, keeping an eye on me. If there was a dangerous situation he would put himself between it and me, but it would have to be SUPER obvious that the situation were dangerous. He's not an alarmist, and doesn't bark when a car drives down the driveway, etc.

Pooka likes to hang out outside by himself with his nose to the wind, experiencing the world. He IS an alarmist, and loves to bark at strange noises and people walking across the horse paddock next door. But everyone he meets is his new best friend, so I'm not sure how good of a guard dog he would be.

Both of mine are certified therapy dogs - Nanook has been volunteering with little kids etc for over a year - Pooka will start this summer!

 

[i12sbaby]

My husband and I have had 4 Saint Bernards together (2 females and 2 males - each of the males were fostered and left us after a few months to go to a permanent home). They are smart, loving and loyal and great with kids but I have to say they can seem to be as dumb as rocks sometimes. Our Saint is 10 yrs old and still doesn't understand that when the cats go downstairs through the laundry chute that they cannot be found in the bathroom behind it. (Don't worry we made steps so they can walk/jump down to the dryer.) This has been going on for 5 years now - she still hasn't caught on.

We love Newfies who seem to be much more intelligent but yet love to just snuggle. Also Newfies seem to be much more tolerant towards other dogs where our female Saints have always been intensely jealous. Nothing against Saints by any means but Newfs are simply amazing.

 

[victoria1140]

Jessie my alsatian is clingy, affectionate but highly protective, Merlin my alsatian cross loves fuss in his own time but is a sweet gentle boy.
Maddy my Jack Russell is and always has been a highly independant stroppy and cranky girl.
Beau my newf is highly energetic, loves his fuss but is highly lovable.

All my dogs add something and complement each other, I love them for all their quirks and even though my newf is highly special I have to confess he is much more of a handful and stubborn than the others. I will always love Merlin the most as he was such a special boy and we hand reared him when Jessie was sick but I would definetly have another newf as time and money pemits.

Merlin and Beau get on with everyone and everything but Beau is more outgoing and Merlin is shyer, this causes some problems as Beau cant understand that not all dogs want to play with him. Jessie is not sure about people and doesnt interact with hyper dogs all that well.

However they all interact with disabled people and children on an instinctive level and will always let either fuss them though not everyone likes Beau's slobber or the newfie kisses.

I think I have a pack that complements each other and they all bring something to my life.

 

[sara722003]

Newf personalities compared to other breeds

I've had two Newf and one Berner (plus a Beagle, a Basset, and a Bloodhound). I'll NEVER get another Hound!! I'm married to these other two breeds, however. My Berner needed a TON of exercise to keep from being destructo dog; so much so that I actually took up jogging in my mid-40's just to exercise him enough!!! Drastic, but it was probably good for both of us in hindsight. Both Newfs have been genuine couch potatoes. They love their walks, but after about 30-45 minutes, they're done.

Newfs just seem so wise and wonderful. Yes, they are droolier than my Berner, but drool is ok when the payback is so great!! People at the dog park rave about BossMan, but I just tell them don't even 'think' about a Newf unless you don't mind drool and tons of brushing to keep the mats down. At least it does make them stop and consider whether they really want to deal with it all! They are so majestic looking that I am always cautious about steering people to this breed.

Sara in Kansas City
BossMan and AlleyKat (rescue mutt)

 

[R Taft]

I have had a lot of different breeds in my lifetime, but mostly newfs (30 years), GSD's 9during my childhood), Australian Kelpies (our stock working dogs) and our golden cross border collie. We also ran a boarding kennel................Nothing compares to the loving and companionship of a newf. Their friendliness and true devotion is not comparable. They are very outgoing and I have found our rescue newfs, even though they were mistreated, are so ready to trust again. I have also found that their personality rubs off on other dogs in the household. tessa was a little aggressive/compulsive and has changed since Annabelle has been here.
I have a freind with five SB's. they are great but as said before, come accross a little dumb. Another frein has a huge mastiff, now him I like, but he is just not as adorable to look at and can be a little over protective. I truly think that once you have been owned by a newf. There is no other breed. But they do make useless stock working dogs :lol:
Annabelle just trips up our horses and walks under and amongst them. they are extremely tolerant of her. With the sheep, she is just one of them And the cattle take absolutely no notice of her at all. Newfs forever...........
Ronnie

 

[Erika]

we have 2 Pyrs and 3 newfs.......big differnce. Pyrs are aloof Newfs are velcro

 

[zennewf]

Why do you ask?

It looks like, from your past posts, you are interested in breeding or have done some. Are you thinking of breeding Newfs and or others of these breeds, or perhaps crossing these breeds?

I looked for a Welcome Wagon thread you might have posted to get a sense of your background so I might better address your question ... but couldn't locate one. So tell us a bit about yourself... Do forgive me if I missed your "intro."



Liz

 

[Ursa]

we have 2 Pyrs and 3 newfs.......big differnce. Pyrs are aloof Newfs are velcro

I second that!

 

[pabusinesswoman]

Well.... when I was younger my parents were breeding basset hounds. They were cute and fun to play with but I would say most of they were some of the dumbest animals you ever did see. I still remember them griping about training. We had a few smart ones.. but the majority were downright dumb. They chewed everything and once they caught a scent of something they wanted to chase you could have yelled and screamed all you wanted.. they were on the scent.. and were gone. Traing was out the window.

The Chow's have a very bad reputation just like pits, rotties, etc. I have seen some nasty ones, but luckily Kayra is pretty good. With the Chow, you ALWAYS have to remind them you are alpha whether it is dealing with training, grooming, etc. Since I used to hike in the woods by myself, she was my hiking companion for years... her and the pistol. She was never a real big lover or one to play with toys. She will get up and follow you from room to room.. lay there and watch. She feels her job is to protect her family. If we still play too rough with the kids... she will start barking at us and try to place herself between the kids and us. Or if she thinks I raise my voice to the kids too much she will be right there. Still with their reputation, she did do nursing home work for several years. She is now retired from that. Her arthritis has gotten so bad she likes to lay most of the time.

The Newfie has that very laid back disposition similar to many of the holsein cows we used to raise. She is a big playful lover and she too follows me around like Kayra. Usually they are both laying within the 10-15' radius but Sadie (newf) tries to constanty scrunch closer. Normally if I am sitting still for some time, she will end up scrunching over and putting her head on my feet (who needs slippers?). She is much pushier for attention than the others (I heard this is more with the females). However, she is much more willing to please than the other breeds and seems to pick up quicker when it comes to training. She is a big playful goof ball at the house seemingly unaware of her body knocking stuff down all of the time, but when we go out to work, you see a difference. It still amazes me every time we goto the lake or to my grandmother's nursing home. She becomes very attentive and pays attention to the little details. For the most part she listens better and gets the attitude like OK mom... let's work.

It is funny to watch the dynamics. When the Chow and the Newf are playing Sadie tries to push her weight around and Kayra lets her for a while. When Kayra (chow) has enough she lets out a certain growl/bark combo... the newf flopps to the ground and lays out like a bear rug.... like I'll be good... honest.

I checked into the dalmations, american laboradors, and the port. water dogs. All of them at least until the age of 2 had way more energy than I wanted. They all constantly looked like they had way too many cups of coffee.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bär]

I raised a Collie, a St. Bernard & a Newf [still trying to raise him].
Out of the 3 breeds, the Collie was the easiest to train. That said though, she was also the most stuck up B**** that you could have. She was the queen, & she let you know it.
The St. Bernard learned fast. She was the most gentle girl I have ever meet. She loved people. She was Daddy's girl & her favorite spot was Daddy's lap.
Yes, we did have a 135 pound lap dog. She love water, & she slobber t. There was no part of the house & furniture that did not have drool hanging of off it at one point. My front windows needed daily wiping if I wanted to see through them. She liked to entertain herself with a few stuffies in her mouth & a ball between her legs running through the house. As she got older she turned into a big couch potato.
Never had a more gentle & laid back dog in my life
Now to our Newf. He was hell to raise after the other two. He is not near as gentle as our St. Bernard was.
He is also to smart for his own good. Now that is getting close to being 2 years old, the gentle giant is slowy coming through. I love his personality,there is never a dull moment when he is awake. He learns things really fast. I never though I would say this, but I am now stuck on the Newfie breed. I don't know why, maybe because he helped me through some rough times, even though he was going through his own rough time [raging hormons]. I think only Newf owner can under stand.
But with all giant breeds, they stay puppies for a long time. When you have a 150 pound newf that decides to act like a puppy you better be prepared. The gentle giant comes with training, love, respect & age.
Don't know if that helped any, but these are my opinons.

 

[rcantor]

With the Newfs, temperment is part of the breed standard. A saint can be nice, mean, or anything in between. Newfs are almost always sweet, affectionate, curious, intelligent and emotionally complex. They bond to their people and have a strong intuitive sense.

 

[chris nanney]

Why do you ask?

It looks like, from your past posts, you are interested in breeding or have done some. Are you thinking of breeding Newfs and or others of these breeds, or perhaps crossing these breeds?

I looked for a Welcome Wagon thread you might have posted to get a sense of your background so I might better address your question ... but couldn't locate one. So tell us a bit about yourself... Do forgive me if I missed your "intro."



Liz

No. Not looking to breed a Newf cross or anything of the sort.

I have Bernese Mountain Dogs but have been a member here for a good while because I also have an interest in Newfs and other large breeds. While I'm a member of a couple of list serves for BMD's, there really isn't a strong message board for Berners.

I have owned a total of three BMD's and one mixed breed in the last 14 years. While we have always considered other breeds, such as Pyrs, Newfs, and Mastiffs, we have always decided to stick with Berners.

Yes, I'm interested in breeding, but have chosen not to for various reasons. Maybe someday I'll breed a litter. I dabble in conformation and I have a young Berner bitch that I'm showing a little and my son has started showing in juniors.

My primary interest in canine nutrition.

 

[M & M's Mom Linda]

We had Mastiffs before Newfs. They were wonderful, sweet dogs but we found they didn't have the intelligence or intuitiveness of our Newfs. Sorry...any Mastiff owners, just personal observation!