Q: Is it safe to have a Newfoundland dog in the house with a baby?
My Son has a Beautiful, Gentle Newfoundland Dog of about 75 pounds. He doesn't realize his size & tries to get up on your lap. My Daughter-in-law is expecting & I fear for the baby's safety. They think the dog will protect the baby & I know the dog would never hurt the baby on purpose, but what if he tries to climb in the crib. They can't watch the dog 24hrs. a day. Am I being overly cautious?
Photo Credit: Mr Moss/Flickr CC
Answers and Views:
Answer by D Eliseeee.
I'm not sure.. you should urge them to get puppy gates around the house (they will probably already though because of the baby) and just not be allowed in the babies room or anywhere they're not watching the baby until it is a toddler (:
Answer by Finatic
Newfies are wonderful with children!! At 75 pounds, I would suspect the Newfoundland is still a puppy. The baby and puppy will be fine. As others have said, Newfoundlands are wonderful family animals with very sweet dispositions. You shouldn't worry.
I bred and raised Irish Wolfhounds and they were wonderful with my children…….
Answer by Ani
What do your son and DIL think and how do they feel about having the Newfie around the baby?
They know their dog better than anyone and if they aren't worried you shouldn't be either.
Dogs are very intuitive.
Answer by None
I think it is ok if they watch their Newfoundland when it is around the baby. Just keep the door to the baby's room closed when they can't watch it.
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If you are overprotective of the baby, the dog will sense that and want to know why he's being shoved out into the cold so to speak.
Dogs also sense when they need to be cautious.
My SIL's dad is fond of telling the story about when she was little and his huge black lab hunting dog would "babysit" her for him and his wife.
He said it was the clumsiest dog you could ever meet but he was the most graceful dog when he was babysitting my SIL and he wouldn't let anyone come near her.
I give your son and DIL praise for not giving their dog up just because they are having a baby.
To help put your mind at ease, look up information on how to introduce your pet to a new baby or how to introduce your baby to your pet.
Also, talk to your son and DIL about your fears. Good luck and congratulations! (Photo Credit: National Media Museum/Flickr)
Answer by luvsdard
I am a soon to be grandma too and I worry about this sort of thing also. I never worried when I was having my own kids but life takes its toll and we know a lot more now than when we were younger. Knowing all the things that can go wrong, we are more cautious. I would always be in the room with the dog and the baby. Newfies are great but they have no idea that they are that strong and big so you never know.
Don't ever let the dog in the baby's room case closed. And just keep a cautious eye out all the time. Then when the baby becomes a toddler, that's another story cause the kid will be all over the dog and u never know what will happen then. The kid could hurt the dog.
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Kai says
Have you ever seen a dog hold an egg in it’s mouth? It holds the egg gently, because it knows it’s a fragile object. It’s an instinct dogs have. Your worrying it totally understandable, but I’m glad to tell you, you have no reason to. Newfoundlands are gentle giants in the first place, so if they are around something that everyone treats with gentleness and kindness, it picks up on that and treats it with the same tenderness as it would an egg. Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees’, Leonbergers, they’re all amazing with kids- even better than little dogs sometimes. (they also make a great pillow :)
♪♫ Lucy ♫♪ says
Newfie's are great family dogs, and love being around people. If you fear – then get the dog properly trained. Classes are usually 8 – 10 weeks long.
But, as long as you have constant supervision with the dog, I wouldn't see a problem.
none503 says
I think it is ok if they watch it when it is around the baby at keep the door to the babies room closed when they can't watch it.
Anne says
Yes you are. You are borrowing trouble, why? Did a dog sit on your head when you were a kid? As has been said already, 75 lbs. is small. I think people usually worry about cats around baby cribs do they not?
Très Peu Papi says
Train the dog, that's the best way. My Grandpa has a Newfoundland and he always did the same thing. Once the grandchildren began coming to his house, he was a bit worried and would take him to the kennel. One surprise visit, and we found out Bleu LOVED children!
He's so big, he just likes their company – and they crawl all over him. Just get some training, or even better – bring some toddlers over and see how he is with smaller children!
Good luck!
gringo4541 says
Newfoundlands are wonderful family dogs. They are known for their sweet dispositions, loyalty, and natural water rescue tendencies. Extremely loving and patient. They have deep barks, are easy to train and are known as guardians, watchdogs and good with children. While they are very gentle dogs, they also will protect their family, especially children. They are well known for their instinctive water rescuing.
If your son's dog only weighs 70 pounds he is very small for a male Newfoundland. Are you certain it isn't a mixed Newfie?
I wouldn't hesitate to have the Newfoundland around my own children.