Bloodhound vs Newfoundland: Which Suits Your Home?

Neither dog is small. The Bloodhound runs 90-110 lbs and 23-27 inches at the shoulder, while the Newfoundland outweighs it at 100-150 lbs and stands a bit taller at 26-28 inches. Both are genuinely large-breed dogs that need furniture-clearance and a car big enough to carry them, but the Newfoundland's extra 40-plus pounds of bone and coat pushes it into giant-breed territory. Expect the Newf to eat, drool, and take up floor space accordingly.

Both breeds sit at moderate (3/5) exercise need, so daily walks and some off-leash time cover it for either one. The Bloodhound's drive comes out in its nose — a long tracking walk taps something a treadmill session won't. The Newfoundland's energy level actually rates lower (2/5) day to day; it's a calm, plodding companion that's happier ambling beside you or paddling in water than sprinting. Neither is a jogging partner by nature.

This is a clear split. The Bloodhound's short, dense coat needs minimal upkeep (2/5 grooming) and sheds moderately (3/5). The Newfoundland's heavy, water-resistant double coat is rated high for grooming demand (4/5) and very high for shedding (5/5) — expect regular brushing sessions and a serious coat-blow twice a year. If you don't want dog hair as a permanent home decor feature, that difference alone should steer the decision.

Both breeds score low on apartment suitability, but the Newfoundland is worse (1/5 vs the Bloodhound's 2/5) simply on square footage and drool radius. On barking, the Bloodhound is moderate (3/5) — it's a scent hound and will bay when it catches something interesting — while the Newf is quieter (2/5). The Newfoundland also tolerates solo time better (3/5 vs 2/5), making it the steadier choice for a household with a longer workday.

The Bloodhound rates low (2/5) on both trainability and first-time-owner suitability — it's independent-minded and will follow its nose over your recall command every time. The Newfoundland trains noticeably easier (4/5) and is a better bet for someone newer to dog ownership (3/5). If you want a dog that actually listens on the first or second try, the Newfoundland is the more forgiving pick of these two.

Both are good with kids, but the Newfoundland edges ahead at very high (5/5) versus the Bloodhound's high (4/5) — it's earned its reputation as a gentle giant. They're evenly matched with other dogs and with strangers, both rating high (4/5) on friendliness. Neither breed brings guarding instincts to the table; these are sociable dogs that will greet visitors rather than screen them.

The Newfoundland lives a bit longer on average, 9-10 years against the Bloodhound's 7-10. Both share hip dysplasia and bloat (GDV) risk, standard concerns for large, deep-chested breeds. Beyond that their health profiles diverge: the Bloodhound's list includes ear infections, eye problems, atopy, gastric issues, bleeding disorders, ectropion and entropion, while the Newfoundland carries its own cardiac risks — subaortic stenosis and dilated cardiomyopathy — plus cystinuria. Ask any breeder about heart screening on the Newf specifically.

The Bloodhound is the cheaper dog to keep, rated moderate (3/5) on overall cost versus the Newfoundland's very high (5/5). That shows up directly in the numbers: $100-200 a month and $1,500-2,800 in year one for the Bloodhound, versus $150-310 a month and $2,200-4,200 in year one for the Newfoundland. Food volume and grooming supplies for a 150-lb double-coated dog add up fast.