Newfoundlands are big old love bugs. Although males can top out at around 150 pounds and females can be up to 120 pounds, these dogs make enough nice apartment companions. Newfoundlands are congenial, happy go lucky, and love people and other animals, which makes them perfect for the high traffic that is often associated with apartment living.
Newfoundlands and Apartments are Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
Although their size doesn’t immediately conjure images of apartment living, their in a similar boat as Great Danes. If you recall, I mentioned that Great Danes make awesome apartment dogs because of their laid back personality. In that way, Danes and Newfies are similar. However, they are not similar in energy levels.
The Newfie is a working dog, and as a result, he needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. He was bred as a working dog for fishermen in the Dominion of Newfoundland – now a part of Canada. This is not a breed that will do well with a couple of potty walks a day. Rather, this guy is going to need at least three good, long walks every day to keep his energy under control. He’ll also need plenty of obedience training to keep him mentally stimulated, as well.
Vigilant Training is Key
While Newfoundlands may be super happy, super friendly, super laid back adults, they do have a puppy phase. If you are adopting a Newfoundland puppy, vigilant training is going to be key to you getting your security deposit back. I highly recommend crate training these guys. Newfies are big, powerful dogs, and although they’re are docile by nature, if they are stress or too rambunctious as puppies, they have the potential to destroy your apartment.
Get a nice sized crate and teach your Newfie that it is the most amazingly awesome place in all of the Awesomeville. That way, when you’re away, your big guy (or girl) can rest easy in the security of their crate, and you can rest easy knowing that your furniture, fixtures, and the drywall are intact. Of course, after your Newfie matures, you’ll be able to transition to letting him roam while you’re away if you like.
In fact, much like Danes, your only roadblock to apartment living with a Newfie is the possible size restrictions your apartment owner might have. The Newfoundland is a large dog breed, and as such they frequently exceed the size and weight restrictions of most apartment complexes.
Newfoundlands are Perfect Apartment Dwellers
Because of their calm nature and their love of their people, Newfoundlands are more suited to apartment living than most people would think. As long as you can get him out at least three times a day for a vigorous walk, you’ll have a happy camper. After all, what could be more fun for a dog who’s all about his people than being in a space where he is ALWAYS next to them?
