What if I told you that there’s a dog breed that can save your life in ways you never thought possible? It might sound like a tall tale, but believe it or not, it’s true! The Newfoundland dog, often affectionately referred to as the “nanny dog” and “gentle giant”, could be considered one of the smartest and most incredible dogs around. Here’s why.
Firstly, let’s put things into perspective. The Newfoundland dog isn’t your typical lap dog. Weighing in at an average of 130 to 150 pounds, this breed is a hulking mass of fur. But don’t be fooled by their large size and seemingly intimidating stature. Underneath all that fluff is a heart of gold and a brain filled with astonishing smarts.
Take a step back into history and you’ll find Newfoundlands playing a vital role in the lives of seafarers. These dogs were considered a fisherman’s best companion, bred and trained specifically to brave the stormy, ice-cold waters of the North Atlantic. Their astonishing swimming abilities, strength, and endurance enabled them to save lives. They would dive into the freezing waters, pulling in heavy fishing nets and even rescuing sailors who had fallen overboard.
But what makes brainpower evident in such heroic acts? It’s not just about having an excellent swimming ability. It’s about reacting quickly, understanding the urgency of the situation, and making a decision to act – and that’s where Newfoundland’s intelligence really shines.
But their intelligence isn’t just demonstrated on sea—Newfies are also bright creatures on land. Even today, they excel in obedience training, taking well to consistent instruction. They pick up commands at an impressive rate and carry them out with a charming level of enthusiasm. This trait makes them a favorite participant in dog shows and agility competitions worldwide.
Now, let’s dig a little deeper into what makes Newfoundland dogs so intelligent. According to Stanley Coren, a renowned dog intelligence expert, there are three types of dog intelligence – instinctive intelligence, adaptive intelligence, and working and obedience intelligence. And you guessed it, our fluffy Newfoundland friends score impressively high in all three categories.
Their instinctive intelligence refers to the skill for which they were bred—in this case, water rescuing. And boy, do Newfie’s have this down to a T! But that’s not all. Their adaptive intelligence—problem-solving skills, essentially— is also mind-blowing. Newfoundland dogs can figure things out on their own, showing a knack for tackling obstacles with creativity and efficiency.
Perhaps what stands out the most is their superb working and obedience intelligence. Trainers have consistently reported how quickly this breed learns new commands and follows them – often on the first instruction. Remember how we said they excelled in obedience training? Well, that wasn’t just hearsay – there’s concrete proof to back it up!
Take ‘Whizz’, for instance, a brave Newfoundland that lived to save lives. Over his lifetime, Whizz rescued nine people and one dog, making him the most decorated animal by the PDSA – UK’s leading vet charity. He was reputedly able to remember a ‘man overboard’ drill from one year to the next. Pretty smart, right?
The story of Ethan, another Newfoundland, furthers our cause. Having noticed his owner acting strangely and collapsing, Ethan quickly alerted other family members and potentially saved his owner’s life. Not every pooch has such quick thinking and problem-solving skills!
So anyhow, that’s a lot of information to digest. But we’ve hit on the main points and hopefully painted a clearer picture of this incredible breed. But all this talk about how smart they are, leads us to ask, “What can we do with such intelligence?”
The answer is simple: utilize it, of course! When you adopt a Newfoundland, you are getting more than just a pet—you’re bringing home a family member who is intelligent, reliable, and packed with potential. You can train them to perform complex tasks, involve them in family activities and even entrust them with some surprising responsibilities.
Remember, a smart dog needs mental stimulation; otherwise, it becomes bored and may resort to destructive behavior. Provide your Newfoundland with both physical exercises, like swimming or fetch, and mental exercises like puzzles and tasks that the dog has to figure out.
Also, remember that every dog, no matter how intelligent, requires patience, kindness, and consistency during training. The best training methods rely on positive reinforcement. Always reward your Newfoundland for a job well done and they will love you forever!
By now, you should be convinced. The Newfoundland isn’t just any dog; it’s an intelligent breed with a remarkable capacity for learning and problem-solving. Their abundant historical accounts of bravery, coupled with a temperament that is as gentle as it is intelligent, makes them one of the smartest—and let’s not forget, noblest—dog breeds in existence.
So if you’re on the hunt for a smart, friendly and loyal dog, look no further than the Newfoundland. They might be big, but they’ve got brains and hearts to match. Just remember to provide them with the training and mental stimulation they need, and you’ll have one smart, loving dog. And hey, who wouldn’t want a lovable lifeguard lounging around in their backyard?
