If your family wants a sweet dog that will love spending time with the oldest and youngest members, consider picking a Newfoundland puppy. These large sheep dogs have a great sense of patience and tend to remain calm in exciting situations. However, these large animals do need plenty of exercise and won’t stay healthy if allowed to become sedentary. Be sure that someone will be able to walk them for at least two hours each day once they reach maturity.

Temperament

The calm sweetness of a Newfoundland often causes people to assume that they wouldn’t make good guard dogs. While these pups are slow to bark at passing cars or guests, they often pin unknown visitors in their vehicles or against a handy wall until someone can come to greet them. Your pup may end up keeping an intruder stuck against the front door for half an hour or more to protect you. Proper socialization with the young puppy will ensure they don’t show any signs of aggression towards people or other animals. Training can be a little trickier with this breed, but a calm demeanor and consistent praise will help your new pet learn the rules.

Health Issues

Newfoundlands are pre-disposed to a serious heart condition known as sub-aortic stenosis. Choosing a breeder that is trying to reduce the spread of this condition will ensure your puppy has the best chance of a full lifespan. When these dogs are allowed to become sedentary, they quickly gain weight. This leads to hip dysplasia, which is very painful and usually requires expensive surgery to correct.

Other Care

The cuddly bundle of fur that is a Newfoundland puppy will quickly grow into an even larger hairball. Their long, thick coats were originally selected to protect them as they swam in the frigid waters of their homeland. Brushing and occasional trims will keep them happy and reduce dirty floors. If you live in a hot climate, a shave may help your dog stay comfortable outdoors during the summer.

Concerns

The Newfoundland is a very loving dog, so it can’t be banished to the backyard for the night except for on rare occasions like parties. If you can’t allow your dog into your home for some reason, avoid this breed. Newfoundlands do best when they have plenty of contact with their family and adequate time to exercise in a safe outdoor environment. They can thrive as an apartment dog, despite their size, if you are committed to long daily walks.