Newfoundland dogs have a natural instinct to be protective of their family and territory. They have a strong guarding instinct, which makes them excellent watchdogs.
Newfoundlands are naturally alert and will sound the alarm if they sense any potential threats. They have a keen sense of hearing and can pick up on sounds that are too faint for humans to detect.
Their large size and intimidating presence can be a deterrent to potential intruders. This, combined with their loyal nature, makes them a great addition to families with children.
Newfoundland dogs are also known for their gentle nature, which can sometimes make them seem less protective than they actually are. However, this gentle nature should not be confused with a lack of loyalty or protection.
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Protective Instincts
Newfoundland dogs are known to be incredibly protective of their families. They have a strong bond with their loved ones, which can bring out their protective side.
Leroy, a Newfoundland, only barks at harmless things like people walking by on the sidewalk or other dogs barking in the distance. He doesn't see squirrels and deer as a threat, but he'll keep an eye on them.
Newfoundland dogs have a sixth sense, especially when children are involved. They'll normally steer their loved ones away from danger if they sense something is wrong.
Newfies grow very attached to their families and will put themselves between their family and the perceived threat. Sherman, a Newfoundland, used to do this all the time with his owner.
Newfoundland dogs aren't known for attacking, they're called gentle giants for a reason. However, their strong bond with their families will often bring out their protective instincts.
Newfoundland dogs may try to place themselves between you and the possible threat, try to deter you from an insecure area/person, and try to distract you from a perceived threat.
These gentle giants are especially protective of kids. They're kind, smart, patient, and gentle around children, trying their best to keep the whole family safe.
Temperament and Behavior
Newfoundland dogs are known for their gentle and caring nature, making them a great addition to families with kids. They're very open to engaging with other animals and are typically great around kids.
Despite their size, they're not aggressive towards strangers who seem to have good intentions. Their protective instincts immediately kick in at the slightest sign of danger, making them ready to do anything to keep you and your family safe.
Newfies form strong bonds with their owners and the family they belong to. They can be very friendly, affectionate, and loyal when trained and socialized from a young age.
However, they do have a possessive side, which can manifest as growling or snapping when someone or another pet gets too close to their food, toys, or bed. They might even be aggressive towards friends who visit your home, seeing it as their territory.
Resource gathering can also trigger possessive behavior, so it's essential to find ways to manage this, such as making their meals fun or trading their toys for treats.
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Signs of Protection
Newfoundland dogs are known to be incredibly protective of their families, and they'll often show signs of protection when they sense danger. One of the most common signs is when they try to place themselves between you and the perceived threat.
They might also try to deter you from an insecure area or person. For example, if you're getting too close to something that's making a loud noise, your Newfoundland might put themselves between you and the source of the noise.
Newfoundlands are not known for attacking, but their strong bond with their families will often bring out their protective side. If they feel you're under threat, they might show aggression to the source of the danger to keep you safe.
Here are some signs of protection to look out for:
- Bark or growl in a threatening way
- Bite lightly (not enough to break the skin)
- Bite hard (to leave a mark or break the skin)
- Curl their lips to show their teeth
- Flatten their ears against the head
- Lunge forward but not make contact
- Make eye contact and hold it
- Snap without making contact
- Snarl
- Stand still with a rigid posture
These signs can indicate that your Newfoundland is feeling protective and trying to keep you safe. It's essential to recognize these signs and address the underlying issue to prevent any potential aggression.
Aggression and Fear
Newfoundland dogs can exhibit aggression, but it's essential to understand the signs and reasons behind it. Fear can quickly turn into aggression in these dogs.
A dog will rarely bite without first indicating they're going to attack, so it's vital to know the signs of aggression, such as barking or growling in a threatening way, curling their lips to show their teeth, or making eye contact and holding it.
Fear aggression can be a result of a dog's past experiences, such as being a rescue, neglected, or abused. If your Newfie is showing fear aggression, they may rapidly bite or nip to get away.
Newfoundland dogs are not naturally aggressive, but they can be protective of their families. If they sense danger, they may bark, stand between you and the possible threat, or push you to the other side.
Some breeds, including Newfoundlands, may be more prone to certain types of aggression due to their breeding history. However, this doesn't mean they will be aggressive, and proper socialization, training, and management can help prevent aggression.
Here are some signs of aggression in Newfoundland dogs:
- Bark/growl in a threatening way
- Curl their lips to show their teeth
- Make eye contact and hold it
- Snarl
- Stand still with a rigid posture
Guarding and Family
Newfoundland dogs are known for their gentle nature, but they have a strong protective instinct when it comes to their family. They'll often steer their loved ones away from danger.
Newfies grow VERY attached to their families, which can bring out their protective side. This is especially true when it comes to children - they're incredibly gentle, smart, patient, and protective around kids.
If a Newfie feels you're under threat from another person or dog, they might show aggression to the source of the danger to keep you safe. But this doesn't mean they'll attack without reason - they need proper training and socialization from an early age.
Newfoundland dogs may try to place themselves between you and the possible threat, or try to deter you from an insecure area/person. They might even try to distract you from a perceived threat with a favorite toy.
Newfies aren't known for attacking, they're called gentle giants for a reason. But their strong bond with their families will often bring out their protective side, making them great companions for families.
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Barking and Warning
Newfoundland dogs will alert their owners if they sense danger in or outside the home, even if it's just a sound from the wind or a passerby.
Many Newfoundland dogs will bark at a sound that might not be an actual danger, but it's their way of warning their owners.
Odin barked at the wind howling outside, and Sherman used to bark at every little noise.
Newfoundland dogs are not traditional guard dogs, but they will protect their families in their own unique way.
Riggs, an 8-year-old Newfoundland, has already shown protective instincts, grabbing his owner's jacket and pulling them away from dogs fighting.
He also guards hallways and doorways by lying in front of them, especially when children are around to protect.
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Make Good Guardian?
Newfoundland dogs are not typically aggressive, but their size and appearance can be intimidating to potential intruders. They will often deter burglars from entering a home due to their sheer size.
Their deep bark and slobber flying from their jowls can also be a strong deterrent. This is especially true if the owners are not at home, as the Newfoundland will be the primary guardian of the property.
However, if the owners are at home, a burglar may be more likely to take a chance. This is because the Newfoundland may not make a fuss about people entering the gate unless they see them as very dangerous.
It's worth noting that Newfoundlands tend not to make a fuss about people entering the gate unless they see them as a threat.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Newfoundlands attach to one person?
Yes, female Newfoundlands tend to form a strong bond with one person in the family, often responding more to their chosen companion. This unique attachment can make for a very loyal and loving relationship.
Sources
- Reddit (reddit.com)
- LinkedIn (linkedin.com)
- Twitter (x.com)
- Newfoundland Dog Protective Instincts: Truth Uncovered (tryfi.com)
- Newfoundland Dog Breed – Facts and Traits | Hill’s Pet (hillspet.com)
- How Aggressive Are Newfoundland Dogs? Facts & Care Tips (dogster.com)
- Newfoundland (wikipedia.org)
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