Newfie vs Pyr

[longshadowfarms]

I'd like to see folks put down their thoughts on these two breeds, esp those who may have owned both.  I have had Labs for many years, two Pyrs of my own and one foster, but never a Newfie.  The more I see and hear of the Newfies on here, the more interested I am.  We have a breeder not far from here so I'll also go up and visit if she'll allow it but I'd like to get some input from all who have owned these breeds as to pros and cons.  It may come down to whatever turns up in either breed that seems to be a good fit for us but I'd particularly like to learn more about the Newfies and what to expect.  I LOVE the Lab temperament - never growl at a person, generally avoid conflict with other dogs as well, generally happy to obey and want to please you, generally pretty playful.  I really like the guarding instincts of the Pyr and that he'd be out there all night long keeping his territory safe BUT ours also loved me so much that he was quite protective of me which was difficult when we had visitors.  If he didn't trust them, even if they were just afraid of dogs, he could be rather pushy.  He never bit anyone but he pushed quite a few people and took one person's hand gently in his mouth.  That's a little more than I want.  I like a good bark and my Labs sure provide plenty of that, but I also want the tail to get going right along with the bark.  I had not really considered a Newfie for a next dog but after the posting of Obi, I'm really thinking that it might not be a bad fit for us.  Anyway, just hoping ya'll can put your thoughts down to help me think through this.  Even if it isn't Obi, I'd really like to start trying to figure out where to go next.  Piper has really taken a turn for the worse the last few days and I didn't want to get another dog before she passed on but it looks like the time will come quicker than I expected.  You never expect it.  I mean, you know it is coming closer but when it comes, you didn't expect that it would be here so soon.

[chaos270]

I'm so sorry to hear about Piper...We lost our greyhound last October and it was sooo hard.

As you know I have Kali....she's our first newf and I don't think I could go with any other type of dog now.  Newfs are laid back, love water, Kali loves the horses and other dogs.  She's generally happy to meet new people...it she isn't sure about someone she'll back away and bark at them not move agressively.  She generally barks when people enter our breezeway or are outside the house but as soon as we let them in she's soooo excited to see them.  Kali is protective of us and I have no doubt she'd bite someone to protect but that varies between newfs...from what i've heard I believe the females tend to be more protective.  Kali is also a babysitter..sh e worries over little kids like a mother hen at times...she's gentle and let's them come at her arms flailing and only flinches a bit. 
    The main thing to consider is health problems... definitely look into the newf club in your area and ask your breeder a lot of questions about health history(OFA elbows, hips, eyes, etc) and look closely at the parents.  Also ask to contact the owners of previous pups and see how they've turned out.  The breeder we got Kali from unfortunately was a back yard breeder (stupid I know) in New York but my brother found another breeder that breeds for pet quality mainly health.  I also found a different breeder in NY that sounded good too.  I'll pm you the kennel names if you'd like....i'll have to ask my brother about the really good breeder.

[longshadowfarms]

Thanks for those thoughts!  That is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for.  I'm not looking for a breeder other than to physically be around the dogs and see what they are like up close and in person.  I'm looking for a rescue dog, not a pup. 

[chaos270]

Thanks for those thoughts!  That is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for.  I'm not looking for a breeder other than to physically be around the dogs and see what they are like up close and in person.  I'm looking for a rescue dog, not a pup. 

Meeting up close is always a good plan, if you have a newfie club near you they're generally happy to let you meet there dogs and give some advice...we met with a NE Newf Club official and got to meet her dogs.  If you lived closer I'd say to come meet Kali but it'd be a long drive.  Hope you go with the newf though and Kali sends slobbers.  Which is another thing to mention....she loves to wash your face for you it doesn't matter if you just took a shower.

[Kiahpyr]

I know you have owned pyrs before. I just want to say that my pyr loves people. If anyone comes to the door and I let them in she instantly jumps all over them and wants to be petted right away. At first I thought wow I'm lucky that she loves everybody. I did socialize her very early. I have talked to breeders about her behavour and they said she has the perfect temperment for a pyr. She does have the guardian instinct and barks at everything. She would protect me if the need arose. She reads me like a book. If I was nervous around someone she would then react. Since I'm relaxed she's totally happy to see new people. The neighbor guy is scary and she knows it. I do have people over often.

I do know someone else with a pyr and the dogis learly of stranges. She also doesn't have many people over, so it could be what the dog is used to.

I do understand you wanting to get a dog that best fits your family. I'm happy you're doing research.

Edited to add that my pyr loves kids. I have 2.5 year old and Kiah will let her do anything. If Kiah doesn't like it then she'll get up and move. Never any aggression. Kiah is like that with other kids too.

[horsepoor21]

Hi there , I've had my newfie for almost 10 months and she is totally cool with strangers and other dogs , even though I'm not able to socialize her as much as I'd like to . But at the same time she will investigate strange noises and such too which makes me feel better when I'm home alone .
I had a pyr but only for 5 months , she was a rescue and was already around 3 years old when I got her . She did NOT do well with new dogs or strangers . My family loved her to death , she was awesome with my kids and I really think she would have fought to the death to save them , but she didn't like to let anyone but our family in our yard , but who knows what she would have been like if she'd have been raised right .....I could take her on walks though and she was fine with strangers , just not on our property .
But either way , ya still have the grooming/shedding issues , size and activity levels .... Maybe you should just look into both since you're looking for a rescue and see who you fall in love with first ! Isn't that the best when you fall in love when you least expect it , the dog is hardly what you wanted but there was just that connection ?! That's what happened with my newfie mix , Moose  He's the best dog I've ever had !

[Nicole]

And here is my two and a half cents,
 Although I've never owned a "real" Newf, I have Cabeza. He's part Newf. And, from what I read and hear, he has the perfect Newf personality and temperment, so I feel qualified to comment. 
 Cabeza is quiet, snuggly and well...perfect . Seriously. He has been the most perfect dog I've EVER met.(and I have met MANY) He has the personality of a wise old sage. He allows children to flop on him and pull his ears and tail and if he gets uncomfortable, he just shifts or moves. Never growly or aggressive. He's aloof with other dogs, not really interested in them at all.
 Have you heard of the book, "In the Company of Newfies" by Rhoda Lerman? If not, you should definitely check it out. Rhoda is a breeder in New York. (BPO's Landseer Cowboy is one of hers) Its a beautifully written book that details the personality of a Newf. Its just a beautiful book. I'm sure you can probably get it at bookstores, or you can order it from Rhoda's website: www.blueheaven newfoundlands. com

 The cons, well...drool. Hair...and health problems. Definitely do alot of looking into that. Cabeza doesn't drool for the most part, but most Newfs do. He does have the hair, though! hahahha! We've also been blessed with zero health problems, but once again, he's a mix...
 Anyway, good luck, and I'm glad you're looking into Newfs and asking questions. I personally think that they're wonderful, and after the Saint that will be coming to live with us in June, a Newf is going to be our next dog as well.

[DixieSugarBear]

I have owned three pyrs and each is its own very special soul.  Rosie was a big baby doll, but once when she did not like a guy comming at me in the front yard she pulled a rail off the porch. That was when she was under a year old. Rosie would have given her life for her family in a second.  Sugar Bear and Dixie will not get in the SUV if someone they don't know is close to us.  Once they move they are happy to jump in and go. Sugar Bear is my full of love and kisses boy and will do anything to get anyone to pet him.  Dixie is a little shy around people and my "protect Mommy" girl. Good luck adding a new fur-baby to your family be it a pyr or a newf.

Lisa

[Gypsy Jazmine]

I've never owned a Newfie but I think they are more accepting of different people & situations than my Pyrs...Having my guys can be a lesson in concentration & awareness of what is going on around us...They keep me on my toes!...They are also the sweetest dogs with my kids, my hubby & myself...If you give just a little they pay you back 10 fold in loyalty & love!...I am certain I will never be Pyrless!

[brandon]

Chaos really gave great information.  We've had limited experience.  1 female lab, and 1 male newf.  So, our experience may not help much.  They were both really smart, the lab was definetly quicker to perform obedience, but not necessarily more obedient, just faster.. Takes time for the newf to figure out how to move that big lug body   They were both silly, goofy dogs with a great sense of humor, never terribly intense, but love to play keep away, etc.  Our female lab was very motherly, and was an incredible baby sitter to kids, Bava the newf just wants them to love on him, but that is probably a sex difference.


Here's some info for health clearances:

OFFA Search:
http://www.offa.org/search.html

OFA Newfoundlands on Sweetbay.
http://www.sweetbay.com/bookofa.htm

Some people might disagree, but I'd recommend insurance from  Petcareinsuran ce, at least for the 1st year with a newf, since so many bad expensive things can pop up in the 1st year.  OCD, FCP, Luxating patellas, hips, etc.


PS: Scratch all that... sorry, just saw you were looking for a rescue dog and not a pup.  might check with http://www.autumnacres.org/ , since the NCA decided to not do any more auction buys Donna has been saving a lot of newfs.

[patrick]

As a guard breed it is critical to socialize Pyrs when a puppy- the breed is naturally a little suspicious that is why they are guards. And they guard anything!  Last week we brought a sick lamb in the house and the Pyr instantly started guarding it from the puppies tearing through the house. A litter of someone else's puppies - it is Tias job to guard them while they are outside.   My dogs were fortunate to be heavily socialised as pups and they think the whole world adores them.  They LOVE all strangers when we are there - the advantage is that when we are not there they don't let strangers into the house or the kennel area.  They have never bitten but no one has ever tried to call their bluff either.  There are no burglars in my neighborhood!  Newfies are also wonderful kind souls- whatever your preference

[newflvr]

S: Scratch all that... sorry, just saw you were looking for a rescue dog and not a pup.  might check with http://www.autumnacres.org/ , since the NCA decided to not do any more auction buys Donna has been saving a lot of newfs.

I totally forgot about that...did you see that she just rescued a bunch of Newfs from a puppy mill??  I think that was about 3 weeks to a month ago.

Where are you located?  I also heard that the rescue group here in Southern California has been overwhelmed lately with rescues  .

[chaos270]

Look it these guys http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=5943294

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=5802179

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=5962590

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=5943175

Oh I feel bad for this poor girl
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=5966875

There are quite a few lab/newf and pyr/newf mixes on petfinder

[longshadowfarms]

This is really great info so far!  Please be gentle with the Petfinder/Rescue links!  I'm not sure I'm THAT ready!  If Obi comes through, I'll go for it, but otherwise, I really would rather take it slow and wait a bit to make sure I'm doing the right thing.  I'm in central NY though in case anyone does run across anything on the east coast (did I really just type that??).  I did go to the Newfie rescue site and the breeder near me is also one of the local rescue coordinators.  I wrote her a long e-mail. 

My Thor had almsot certainly been beaten by his scars and bahavior before we got him so his "socialization" wasn't exactly ideal.  That said, he seems to have been pretty normal for a Pyr from what I've heard from many others.  The Pyr I fostered was a female and she was an absolute gem around people.  She was very sweet.  I trusted her around people like I do my Labs.  Thor was excellent around kids and other people as long as it was off our property.  He really seemed to enjoy the kids in town who would hug him when we were out walking.  He even had one mentally handicapped child pull himself up by pulling Thor's fur and he didn't even bat an eyelash.  On our property was another matter and I couldn't figure out who he'd take a dislike to.  This does not seem uncommon for Pyrs as a number of you have written here as well. 

I suspect it may come down to whichever turns up that seems to "fit" but I'd really like to do some more research and see some Newfies up close and personal.  There's a "Kali" on our local Pyr rescue page that has been off and on the rescue list since before we got Thor.  Only thing with her is that she's been primarily a pet (she's still with her original family) and I don't know how she'd deal with being turned into primarily an outdoor dog.  Obi is already used to being outdoors and not getting much interaction.  He'd still be outdoors here but with much more interaction with people.  Even though Thor was outdoors, he was walked and brushed daily, in the house with people at least weekly, usually every few days.  He was sort of an indoor/outdoor dog.  During the day he liked to sleep where I was.  Prime time for predators is at night and when the sun went down his instincts compelled him to be out there guarding.  That part worked fantastically for me!  Here's Thor's web page that I put together for the rescue group we got him from:
 
 www.longshadow farms.com/thor.html

I can deal with drool.  Thor really didn't drool much but our first Pyr, Scout, could toss it to the ceiling with the best of them!  Labs are expert face lickers so I've learned to move quickly when in licking range.     I do have that naked, empty, "Pyrless" feeling though and don't know if a Newfie will fill it.  The pictures of all your gorgeous Newfies seem to say it will.  Will have to go meet some and see if it seems that way in person as well.  Thanks all!  Please keep the thoughts and ideas coming!

[newflvr]

I don't know how she'd deal with being turned into primarily an outdoor dog.  Obi is already used to being outdoors and not getting much interaction.  He'd still be outdoors here but with much more interaction with people.

That is where there is a difference between Newfs and Pyrs, it seems. A Pyr is going to be out cruising the perimeter at night, and a Newf is going to want to be in with you sleeping on your feet.  I think it all depends on what you want from a dog.  A Newfie really requires as much human time as possible.  To keep one outside would break his heart.  They are working dogs, yes, but working along side his person.  From what I'm reading, pyrs are more independant. 

This, of course, is just my humble opinion...