Male or Female dog???

[mickey&minnie04]

I have 2 Boxers a male and a female. Originally the female was to be my dog, I picked her out and named her yet she fell in love with my husband. A year after we got her we wanted a male, so I let my husbande pick him. Well, needless to say "his" dog is now mine. Sulley is my baby, everytime he sees me his nub (tail) starts to wiggle. All I have to do is look at him. If I sit on the couch he will position himself so that he is sitting on me in some way.....all 75 pounds of him! I have been told that male dogs will gravitate to female owners and female dogs to male owners....seems true in my case!

 

[sunnyday123]

Thanks for the replies.

Everything I have read about Newfies, I like. I know they are big .. it's really hard to get an understanding of how big until we go see the parents though. Leaning towards a female, maybe she will be a little smaller. We don't mind up to 150lbs and know it's a gamble in the first place anyway but would like one under 150.

I am open to other breed suggestions. I am open to mixes from the pound as well ... but I do want a puppy. We adopted our hound at 7ish years old and while we love him and he's a wonderful dog we would like one that the boys can grow up with and one that will grow up with our family and protect/warn us. My hound could care less about anything!!! He's the only hound I have ever seen that is trained off leash!!

We want a dog that is sturdy for the kids. We want a dog that will not nip or bite with regular play (Herding breed is out!). We want a dog that is not extremely high energy and will do well with two walks a day and play time in the yard with the kids. Shedding isn't a problem, brushing a few times a week isn't a problem. A smarter, eager to please dog that will be a little bit on the easier side to train vs. a very stubborn, mind of it's own dog. We have a decent size house, 2,200 sq. ft. two floors, we have an acre yard. Any other breed suggestions?

I don't want to scare you away from the breed, but they are higher than average in terms of maintenance. You have to brush at least 3 times a week, every day is better, and you almost definitely need a blow dryer ( dog one ) for them or they will take ALL DAY to dry. They LOVE water and will play in it, swim in it and lay in it if they can get to it. They LOVE children, but because of their size, training again is necessary. When my girl sees kids and realizes they're afraid of her ( small dogs too ) she'll lay down with her head on the floor so they can check her out. She did this all on her own-so they are smart and very easy to train. Most of them are very, very laid back but some are playful-but never "high energy." My cousin has a cocker spaniel, and she is full tilt all day. My Newf actually hides from her when she's done playing. Her nighttime "zoomies" last about 7 minutes, and then she's tired.

Also, most breeders want you to wait at least a year before spaying and about 2 years before neutering because it seems to help their growth, so you may have to deal with a heat cycle or two. Make sure your breeders does all the necessary checks, they can get a heart condition that is hereditary.

Sorry this is long, if you have any questions, feel free to PM me!

 

[Wonders10]

I will tell you this...this is what I was told "A female dog loves you...a male dog is IN LOVE with you". And I think that is true...my female dog will come by, give me a kiss, and go on her way...the male dog always wants to be with me, sit by me, be in the same room by me....I love having a male dog, he's my baby.

I've never heard that but now that I'm thinking about it, it seems true in my experiences. My mom has a female dog and I had been living at home with her for about 4 years (she's 6 now) and she LOVES everyone, she does love to snuggle and be near you though but likes with her free time sometimes. I have a male dog and he really does love to be near me at all times. Has to see me, has to be touching me somehow no matter where I am. We both might be in the living room and he is hanging out, chewing his bone but when I get up to put my makeup on in the bathroom, he is trotting after me a few seconds later and lays down outside the door, chewing and watching.

I was wondering this too, not specifically about Newfoundlands. I'm in the beginning stages of thinking of getting a dog. I've been observing the dogs at our local pet daycare, and I see that so many of them are just obsessed with...um...getting up on the back of all the other dogs, constantly. These are always male (neutered) dogs who do this. This would drive me nuts! I don't know if this is just a male dog behavior? Something that could be avoided by getting a female?

I'm interested to read the opinions in this thread.

My dog is neutered but he did hump a little bit before and after. Very random but he hasn't done it in many months (he's only 18 months). My mom's dog never humped anyone ever but she did hump this ginormous stuffed moose that my mom had. She'd drag it down the hall (mind you it was as big as she was) hoist it onto the couch and have at it. We finally had to get rid of it. The moose, not the dog.

As far as breed recommendations - I HIGHLY recommend standard poodles. I have a goldendoodle and I love him dearly and wouldn't deter anyone from getting one, but my mom's standard poodle is a great great dog. My mom also grew up with standards and has nothing bad to say about any of them. She got hers from a breeder but they do have poodle rescues - the tricky part is finding the standards as the ones down here have mostly toy and miniature poodles.

Good Luck - post a pic if you get your puppy!

 

[BCV513]

My neighbor has a Newfie named Rufus. He is the sweetest dog, but he is well over 200 pounds. Because of his size, he can't really run and play with anybody. He mostly just lays around. Another thing to be aware of with a giant breed dog is that they have shorter lifespans. A Newfie lives about 6-7 years, not 13-15 like with other dogs. That might be something to keep in mind.

I would say the gender really doesn't matter. I have a female Sheltie and she is in love with all of us. She will crawl on top of us and lick us to death. She'd go on for hours if we let her. I really think you should worry more about the personality and temprament than the gender, especially where you have young kids.

 

[PlutoPony]

Have you consider a retriever? That's the breed(s) that first came to mind when I read your post. Great family pets, will put up with a lot from kids, playful, average intelligence and trainable (mostly ), relatively low maintenance. Life expectancy should be longer than the Newfie, more like 12+ years. Because of the popularity of goldens and labs, the challenge is finding a breeder who has done as much as possible to minimize the health problems in their lines.

 

[Jynohn]

My vote is for a Great Dane. But then, I'm a bit biased...I have 5 of them

 

[yoopermom]

We have multiple hounds, but I've always wanted a Newfie, so I have some thoughts for you
1. Agreeing with poster above about possibly not spay/neutering until later, I would get a female. If your hound is not neutered or was neutered "late", he may not take well to a teenage male intact Newfie. Our female hounds get along fine, but our males, if neutered after their first year, will still once in a while take each other on.
2. Talk to breeders about differences in coat types between sexes and colors. I'm not expert, but it seems as though female Landseers (the b+w ones) tend to be slightly less coated than say the black males.
3. Also research breeders whose Newfs have "working" titles. This shows stability of temperament, willness to please, and not just emphasis on size and coat.
4. Take seriously the coat issue. You may have to have him/her professionally groomed on a regular basis if you are not able to commit to the time. Mats HURT a dog, especially when they're tight to the skin.
5. Consider a dog older than a puppy, for the sake of your older dog and your children. Some reputable breeders have "returns" or former show dogs to place that might fit beautifully into your home without you having to go through the "puppy terrors". If you do get a pup, be sure to crate train it, and have a place where the older dog can escape to.
6. Just me, but I'll be buying pet insurance when I finally get my Newf. Even with all the health clearances in the world, they are a giant breed, with some serious possible health issues.

It doesn't sound as though you've met any in person yet. Please consider setting up appointments for a meet and greet with a few different breeders, even if they don't have pups available at this time. I LOVE Newfs, always have and always will, but, like any breed they're not for everyone.

Good luck!
Terri

 

[ladycollector]

I agree with the PP about males being in love with you.

I have always had female dogs until the little guy in my siggy. I had planned on a female but I ended up with no choice but a male. I'm so glad! He is such a sweetie! I couldn't believe how lovey he is. When I fall asleep he will lay on my pillow, or on my head, or snuggled up to my side. If I move him he snuggles right back up, haha. It's so sweet.

 

[JMD1979]

We have 3 male labs and they are fantastic dogs all around! Awesome with our kids and very loyal! We have never owned a female dog but not for any reason in particular only because we like the look of male labs over female. I am sure what ever you choose will always be the right desison in your eyes and doubt you will ever look back

Jeana

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks guys!!

I am actually going next week to meet a Newfie Breeder and also stopping by on Friday at a St. Bernard breeder to meet the parents there! We are in the beginning stages of looking so we have plenty of time.

I have thought about labs, but honestly all the labs I know are out.of.control. My BFF worked very hard at a few different obidence courses with her black lab and she is now about 6-7 years old and has not calmed down AT ALL. Way tooo much energy for me!

 

[sunnyday123]

My neighbor has a Newfie named Rufus. He is the sweetest dog, but he is well over 200 pounds. Because of his size, he can't really run and play with anybody. He mostly just lays around. Another thing to be aware of with a giant breed dog is that they have shorter lifespans. A Newfie lives about 6-7 years, not 13-15 like with other dogs. That might be something to keep in mind.

I would say the gender really doesn't matter. I have a female Sheltie and she is in love with all of us. She will crawl on top of us and lick us to death. She'd go on for hours if we let her. I really think you should worry more about the personality and temprament than the gender, especially where you have young kids.

He more than likely is overweight. Even a large Newf should be able to play and run. I belong to a Newf online club, and several males there are over 180 lbs and stand 34 inches or higher, and are active.

Giant breeds do have a shorter lifespan than say a cocker spaniel, but that doesn't mean ALL of them will drop off at 7 years old. There are many that live to be 12-13 years older, and older.

 

[sunnyday123]

Thanks guys!!

I am actually going next week to meet a Newfie Breeder and also stopping by on Friday at a St. Bernard breeder to meet the parents there! We are in the beginning stages of looking so we have plenty of time.

I have thought about labs, but honestly all the labs I know are out.of.control. My BFF worked very hard at a few different obidence courses with her black lab and she is now about 6-7 years old and has not calmed down AT ALL. Way tooo much energy for me!

Labs are WAY more high energy! I had one for 13 years, and she never lost that puppy "joy"!

Make sure the breeders test for EVERYTHING. Check the ratings on the parents hips, make sure they are both SAS clear, etc. Your best bet would be to go to the Newfoundland Club website in your area, and see if the breeder is a member. Also, breeders that participate in something with their Newfs, such as carting, showing, or water work are generally the way to go.

Make sure you get up close and personal with a full grown one to see exactly what you're getting into! They drool, shed, and a 100 lb puppy will make a heck of a bigger mess than a 10 lb one!

However, they are one of the greatest dogs to have with kids. Just make sure training starts The Day You Get Home. NO rough play-they get to big to wrestle with. "Easy" is a command you want them to learn, quick.

Keep us updated!

 

[punkin]

He more than likely is overweight. Even a large Newf should be able to play and run. I belong to a Newf online club, and several males there are over 180 lbs and stand 34 inches or higher, and are active.

Giant breeds do have a shorter lifespan than say a cocker spaniel, but that doesn't mean ALL of them will drop off at 7 years old. There are many that live to be 12-13 years older, and older.

My St. Bernard lived 'till 11 (and that was considered VERY OLD by her vet) but she ran and played with the kids until almost the very end of her life.

 

[Christine]

For some odd reason, I've never owned a male dog. That wasn't by choice, just the way it worked out.

So, I've had five females in my lifetime and they've all been very different personality-wise. Most of the dogs, with the exception of one, had a preference for me but that is because I was responsible for most of the care. It's always been my impression that the female dogs do more "thinking". You can kind of see it in the eyes. I have found male dogs to be reactive and "fun" I guess. But I might change my opinion if I actually owned one.

 

[sunlver]

I haven't read all the responses yet..I PREFER female dogs, I own 3 female dogs. I always have a foster dog here as well, as I volunteer with an all breeds doggie rescue. Again...99% of my fosters have been females, because that is what I asked for..BUT..now I have my 2nd male foster. I was so very hesitant about him, as he is about 7 or 8 or 9(We really dont know, but an older guy)...when we picked him out at shelter, he wasnt fixed.. I was so worried he would mark in my house. He got fixed the next day, and you know what...he has NOT marked once in my house, and he's been with me for almost 2 months now. As a matter of fact, he has not had any accidents at all in my house

I also dogsit out of my house and have been doing it for over 15 yrs. I do have boy customers. I have had boy customers who come in and mark all over the house,...and they are fixed, and have been fixed since a young age. My point is, I find with male dogs, you just never know.. You can get an older guy like I am fostering who wasnt fixed until we got him or never marks..you can get other male dogs you have had since 8 weeks, who have been fixed who mark..I find that girl dogs dont mark. They may have nervous accidents, but they are not lifting their leg on every chair, toy, couch in their path.

 

[DMickey28]

sunlvr - I have had four male dogs and one female dog. All except one where fixed at a young age and our current resuce, an 8ish year old hound, was not fixed until we got him as well and none of our dogs have ever marked.

 

[simba928]

I love Newfies! They are such sweet dogs! St. Bernards are awesome too! My aunt had a St. Bernard/Golden Retriever mix (so she said). The dog looked like a St. Bernard but was a little smaller (still over 100 pounds but not quite as massive as a purebred). She was one of the best dogs I have ever seen, let my baby cousins crawl all over her, so friendly!

I do have one question, though. And I'm seriously curious, I'm not trying to criticize your decision or anything. Why did you opt for a breeder instead of going rescue again?

Anyways, the rule of thumb is if you have a male, get a female and vice versa. That doesn't mean that two females can never get along or two males can never get along. Females are the dominant ones, so if you have two females you are more likely to get fights whereas with a male and a female the male is more likely to just let the female run the house. However, I know several people that have multiple females and they get along just fine. I have two females and they are finally starting to tolerate eachother a year and a half after I got my younger girl (my younger one was about a year when I got her and is VERY dominant, while my older one was about 9 at the time and we had her since she was about 8 weeks old, so it took a while for them to work it out). I work with one woman that has 5 females (2 pits and 3 lab mixes) and the all get along very well. I would say since you said your dog is good with other males and since you are getting a puppy, it really is up to you. Whichever you prefer and fall in love with is the one you should get.

 

[MushyMushy]

I honestly think gender doesn't matter at all. I've had males who were loves and males who were indifferent and females who were loves and females who were indifferent. We have two females now and they're both so sweet. One of them is always at our feet snuggling.

As for humping behavior, the younger one tries to hump my husband EVERY DAY! She never tries it with me, ever. I wonder what that's all about!