Newfoundland vs Golden Retriever
Discover the differences between Newfoundland and Golden Retriever to make the best choice for your situation.
Try different breeds
Newfoundland
A gentle giant with a calm, patient nature and strong loyalty, Newfoundland thrives as a devoted family protector. Renowned for its swimming skills and nurturing instincts.
Golden Retriever
A loving, intelligent breed with an easygoing nature and playful spirit. Known for loyalty and adaptability, making them exceptional companions for families of all kinds.
Quick comparison
Large
60–70 kg
Double coat, water-resistant
8–10 years
45–55 kg
Moderately active
Large
29–34 kg
Double coat, water-repellent
10–12 years
25–29 kg
High energy
Personality & behavior
Compare the personality traits and behavioral characteristics of both breeds.
Newfoundland
Exceptionally gentle and welcoming toward people and pets
Learns commands quickly and solves simple problems
Tends toward calmness, not highly active indoors
Enjoys games and interaction, especially with family
Adjusts well to different living situations and routines
Golden Retriever
Very sociable, enjoys people and other dogs
Quick to learn commands and routines
Needs regular activity and mental stimulation
Loves games and interactive activities
Adjusts well to various living environments
Care needs
Exercise, grooming, and daily care requirements
Newfoundland
Hip dysplasia, heart disease
Golden Retriever
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia
Suitability
How well each breed fits different living situations and families
Newfoundland
Good option
Patient and gentle, Newfoundlands are generally manageable for first-time owners.
Not ideal
Their large size and need for space make apartments challenging.
Moderately suitable
They enjoy activity but do not require constant vigorous exercise.
Perfect fit
Known for gentleness, they are affectionate and tolerant with young children.
Very friendly
Newfoundlands are sociable and usually coexist well with other pets.
Not recommended
They dislike being left alone and can develop separation anxiety.
Golden Retriever
Great choice
Friendly, trainable nature makes them easy for new owners to manage
Needs space
Large size and high energy can be challenging in small apartments
Highly suitable
Enjoys regular exercise and outdoor activities with active people
Perfect fit
Gentle temperament and patience make them excellent with young children
Very friendly
Generally sociable and gets along well with other pets
Prone to anxiety
Dislikes being left alone for extended periods and may develop separation issues
Breed strengths
What each breed excels at and their best qualities
Newfoundland
- Gentle and patient with children
- Strong swimming ability and water rescue instincts
- Generally calm and even-tempered
- Loyal and protective toward family
- Tolerant of cold weather conditions
Golden Retriever
- Friendly with children and other pets
- Highly trainable and eager to please
- Consistent, gentle temperament in most settings
- Reliable as therapy and assistance dogs
- Strong retrieving and swimming abilities
Challenges & considerations
Potential challenges and considerations for each breed
Newfoundland
- Prone to joint and hip dysplasia
- Heavy shedding and frequent grooming required
- Can be stubborn during training sessions
- Tendency to drool excessively
- Needs ample space due to large size
Golden Retriever
- Prone to obesity without portion control
- High shedding year-round requires regular grooming
- Needs ample daily exercise to prevent boredom
- Can develop separation anxiety when left alone
- Susceptible to certain genetic health conditions
Ready to choose your perfect breed?
Learn more about each breed or compare other breeds to find the perfect match for your lifestyle.
Discover more helpful tools
Make use of our other free tools to get the most out of your pet experience