Brussels Griffon or Newfoundland? On paper they differ most on apartment suitability, and on the scales Newfoundland is the heavier at 100–150 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Brussels Griffon and Newfoundland and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability and shedding, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Brussels Griffon rates 5/5 against 1/5. There is no origin story here — only what changes about your week.
Between Brussels Griffon and Newfoundland, apartment suitability is what separates them, and Brussels Griffon is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose Brussels Griffon if you are in a flat or a smaller home, you do not want a standing grooming appointment and shedding is a problem in your house.
Choose Newfoundland if the dog will be alone during the working day, there are young children at home and you already have another dog.
| Feature | brussels griffon | newfoundland | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | small | giant | Equal |
| Weight | 8–12 lbs | 100–150 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 7–10 in | 26–28 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 9–10 years | brussels griffon |
| Exercise need | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brussels griffon |
| Grooming need | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | brussels griffon |
| Shedding | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | brussels griffon |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | newfoundland |
| Apartment suitability | Very high (5/5) | Very low (1/5) | brussels griffon |
| Good for first-time owners | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | newfoundland |
| Trainability | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | newfoundland |
| Good with kids | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | newfoundland |
| Good with other dogs | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | newfoundland |
| Friendly to strangers | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | newfoundland |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | brussels griffon |
| Coat | Rough or smooth | Heavy water-resistant double coat | Equal |
| Origin | Various | Various | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $80–$150 | $150–$310 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,100–$2,300 | $2,200–$4,200 | Equal |
Picture a coffee-table dog next to a small bear. The Griffon weighs 8-12 pounds and stands under 10 inches; the Newfoundland weighs 100-150 pounds and stands up to 28 inches, with a frame built for cold-water rescue work. This is a giant-versus-toy matchup in the truest sense — there's no overlap in daily logistics at all.
The Newfoundland rates moderate for exercise (3/5) against the Griffon's low (2/5) — a modest gap on paper, though a 130-pound dog's moderate needs still mean more physical work than a 10-pound dog's low ones. Energy level actually favors the Griffon (3/5 versus 2/5), so despite its size the Newfoundland is the calmer, lower-drive dog day to day.
This is the widest shedding gap anywhere in this comparison: the Newfoundland rates very high (5/5), the Griffon low (2/5). That heavy, water-resistant double coat sheds constantly and blows out seasonally in bigger amounts. Grooming effort follows the same pattern — high (4/5) for the Newfoundland against moderate (3/5) for the Griffon. Fur management is simply a bigger part of Newfoundland ownership.
Apartment suitability splits about as far as it can: 5/5 for the Griffon, 1/5 for the Newfoundland — the lowest score on this whole chart. Size is most of that story, since barking actually favors the Newfoundland (low, 2/5, versus the Griffon's moderate 3/5). A Newfoundland's calm temperament doesn't change the fact that it needs real space to live in.
First-time-owner suitability ties at moderate (3/5) for both breeds, which is a bit surprising given the size difference — the Newfoundland's famously gentle, patient temperament makes up for its bulk. Trainability leans Newfoundland, though, rated high (4/5) against the Griffon's moderate (3/5); this is a breed known for wanting to please, not for testing its owner's patience.
The Newfoundland outscores the Griffon everywhere in this section: very high with kids (5/5) versus moderate (3/5), high with other dogs (4/5) versus moderate (3/5), and high with strangers (4/5) versus moderate (3/5). Its reputation as a gentle giant holds up in the numbers — this is a breed built for a full, busy household, provided that household has the space.
Lifespan is the sharpest divide here: the Griffon typically lives 12-15 years, the Newfoundland just 9-10 — five years shorter at the high end. Hip dysplasia is their one shared risk. The Newfoundland's remaining conditions run cardiac and structural — subaortic stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, bloat — the kind of large-breed risks that come with size, while the Griffon's trace instead to its flat face.
The Newfoundland costs considerably more to keep: a very high cost rating (5/5) against the Griffon's moderate (3/5), a monthly range of $150-$310 versus $80-$150, and a first-year total of $2,200-$4,200 versus $1,100-$2,300. Feeding, grooming, and vet care all scale up sharply with a dog this size, so budget accordingly before falling for those famously gentle eyes.
Brussels Griffon weighs 8–12 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Newfoundland weighs 100–150 lbs and lives 9–10 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, shedding and good with kids and 1 other rated axes. Almost every rated axis separates them at least slightly. Where the table declares a winner it means less work for the owner, nothing more; descriptive rows are left as ties on purpose. The value here is in the differences between the two columns; treat any single score as approximate.
Enormously — 100-150 pounds against the Griffon's 8-12, and up to 28 inches tall versus 10. It's one of the largest size gaps on this site.
Yes, rated very high (5/5), the widest shedding gap in this whole comparison against the Griffon's low (2/5). Its heavy double coat sheds year-round and more heavily during seasonal blowouts.
Reasonably — it ties the Griffon at moderate (3/5) for first-time-owner suitability, helped by its famously gentle, patient temperament, though its size still demands real handling strength and space.
Not comfortably — it rates just 1/5 for apartment suitability, the lowest score on this chart, against the Griffon's 5/5. This is a breed that needs real space regardless of how calm its temperament is.
Substantially — $150-$310 monthly and $2,200-$4,200 in year one, against the Griffon's $80-$150 and $1,100-$2,300. Its cost rating is very high (5/5) versus the Griffon's moderate (3/5).
Hip dysplasia is the one shared condition. The Newfoundland's other risks are mostly cardiac and structural — subaortic stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, bloat — reflecting the strain of its large frame.
The Griffon, by a wide margin — typically 12-15 years against the Newfoundland's 9-10. Giant breeds generally trade lifespan for size, and the Newfoundland is a clear example.
Space and budget, almost entirely — the Newfoundland's gentle temperament with kids is a genuine strength, but it needs a house, not an apartment, and a much bigger monthly budget.
Roughly $70-$160 more — $150-$310 versus the Griffon's $80-$150.
Moderate (3/5) — more than the Griffon's low (2/5), but not as demanding as its size might suggest.
The Griffon, typically 12-15 years against the Newfoundland's 9-10 years.
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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