Harrier versus Newfoundland. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Harrier Versus Newfoundland: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Newfoundland? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Harrier and the Newfoundland better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Harrier and the Newfoundland.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Newfoundland is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Harrier and for the Newfoundland. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Harrier and the Newfoundland.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Harrier or the Newfoundland.

Harrier versus Newfoundland

Harrier versus Newfoundland: Overview

A very important difference between the Harrier and the Newfoundland is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Newfoundland is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Newfoundland belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Harrier versus Newfoundland: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier to the Newfoundland based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Harrier and the Newfoundland

Factor Harrier Newfoundland
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 8 to 10 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 5 inches tall at the sho
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 100 to 150 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 9.0 years
Price Range No Data $1875 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2160
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cystinuria
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA Website
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 37

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Newfoundland. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Newfoundland is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Newfoundland. So, you should get the Harrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Harrier and the Newfoundland so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Newfoundland

    Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Newfoundland are most different:

  • Harriers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Newfoundlands have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Harriers are not easy to train. However, Newfoundlands are very easy to train.
  • Harriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Newfoundlands do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Harriers are very easy to groom. However, Newfoundlands require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Harriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds However, Newfoundlands have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Newfoundland

    The Harrier and the Newfoundland are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Newfoundland are most similar:

  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Newfoundland

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Newfoundland.

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Newfoundlands weigh 100 to 150 pounds when fully grown. Newfoundlands are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 5 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Harrier versus Newfoundland

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Newfoundlands is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Newfoundlands is 9.0 years.

    Harriers live longer than Newfoundlands.

    Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Newfoundland

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Newfoundlands are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Harrier named Pilot that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Pilot on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Harriers, Newfoundlands are also available for adoption. For example, Teddy is a Male Newfoundland that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Newfoundlands like Teddy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Harrier and the Newfoundland can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Bailey is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Rupert is an adorable Male Newfoundland on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Harriers and Newfoundlands are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Harriers and Newfoundlands that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Newfoundland

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Harrier and the Newfoundland over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Newfoundland is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Newfoundland is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Newfoundland

    Popularity of Newfoundland

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Newfoundland Popularity Rank
    2013 173 37
    2014 181 37
    2015 183 37
    2016 186 35
    2017 183 36
    2018 189 40
    2019 186 40
    2020 190 41

    Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Newfoundland

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Harrier and the Newfoundland are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Newfoundland is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Newfoundland than for the Harrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Newfoundland.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Newfoundlands.

    Harrier Health Problems

    Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Harriers for:

  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.

    Newfoundland Health Problems

    Newfoundlands are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Newfoundland puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Newfoundland puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Newfoundland breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Newfoundlands for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cystinuria
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA Website
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Newfoundlands here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Newfoundlands

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Harrier Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Hips problems: Rank 76 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Newfoundland Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Newfoundland ranks 1 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 129 Newfoundlands, 13 of them had Shoulder problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Newfoundlands, and how common these diseases are in Newfoundlands relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 1 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 15 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 28 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 33 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 36 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 48 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 78 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 101 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 122 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Newfoundland and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Newfoundland:

    Disease Harrier Rank Newfoundland Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds 28 out of 198 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 1 out of 22 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 15 out of 144 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 33 out of 159 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 36 out of 71 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 48 out of 70 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 78 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 101 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 122 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Newfoundland

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Newfoundlands do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Newfoundlands?

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Newfoundlands shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Newfoundland

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Newfoundlands have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Newfoundland?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Newfoundlands require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Newfoundland?

    Harriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Newfoundlands have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Newfoundlands?

    Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Newfoundlands are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Newfoundlands Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Newfoundlands can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Newfoundland

    Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Newfoundlands have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Newfoundlands Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Newfoundlands cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Newfoundland?

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Newfoundlands get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Newfoundlands?

    Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Newfoundlands are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Newfoundlands?

    Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Newfoundlands get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Newfoundland?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Newfoundlands are very easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Newfoundland?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Newfoundlands do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Newfoundland?

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Newfoundlands are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Harrier:

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Newfoundland vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Newfoundland vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Newfoundland vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Newfoundland vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Newfoundland

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Newfoundland that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Newfoundland:

  • Golden Retriever (71 percent match with Newfoundland). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Golden Retriever.
  • Saint Bernard (68 percent match with Newfoundland). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Saint Bernard.
  • Bernese Mountain Dog (79 percent match with Newfoundland). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Bernese Mountain Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Newfoundland compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Newfoundland to other breeds:

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Cesky Terrier     Harrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Harrier versus Mal Shi     Harrier versus Cockalier     Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Harrier versus Sloughi     Harrier versus Yorkipoo     Harrier versus Mudi     Harrier versus Portuguese Pointer     Harrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Harrier versus Cavapoo     Harrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Harrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Hovawart     Harrier versus Akbash     Harrier versus Newfoundland     Harrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Harrier versus Belgian Malinois     Harrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Harrier versus Belgian Tervuren     Harrier versus Berger Picard     Harrier versus Whoodle     Harrier versus Border Collie     Harrier versus Newfoundland     

    Newfoundland Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Newfoundland versus Shihpoo     Newfoundland versus Goldador     Newfoundland versus Akita     Newfoundland versus Shih Tzu     Newfoundland versus Cavachon     Newfoundland versus Azawakh     Newfoundland versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Newfoundland versus Greyhound     Newfoundland versus Shiranian     Newfoundland versus American Hairless Terrier     Newfoundland versus Cavapoo     Newfoundland versus Siberian Husky     Newfoundland versus Cockalier     Newfoundland versus Leonberger     Newfoundland versus Irish Wolfhound     Newfoundland versus Shichon     Newfoundland versus Tibetan Mastiff     Newfoundland versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Newfoundland versus Komondor     Newfoundland versus Finnish Spitz     Newfoundland versus Morkie     Newfoundland versus Chinook     Newfoundland versus Basset Hound     Newfoundland versus Basset Hound     Newfoundland versus Pomapoo     

    Conclusion: Harrier versus Newfoundland. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Harrier and the Newfoundland better suits you and your family.