Quick answer
Which breed is the better overall pick?
The mini poodle suits far more living situations - small spaces, longer life, easier training - while the Newfoundland is worth considering specifically if you want a calm giant-breed temperament and have the space and budget for it.
Newfoundland or Poodle (Miniature)? 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 Newfoundland and Poodle (Miniature) 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: Poodle (Miniature) rates 5/5 against 1/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.
Between Newfoundland and Poodle (Miniature), apartment suitability is what separates them, and Poodle (Miniature) is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose Newfoundland if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, the dog will be alone during the working day and there are young children at home.
Choose Poodle (Miniature) if you are in a flat or a smaller home, shedding is a problem in your house and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.
| Feature | newfoundland | poodle miniature | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | giant | small | Equal |
| Weight | 100–150 lbs | 10–15 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 26–28 in | 11–15 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 9–10 years | 14–17 years | poodle miniature |
| Exercise need | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Grooming need | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | newfoundland |
| Shedding | Very high (5/5) | Very low (1/5) | poodle miniature |
| Energy level | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | newfoundland |
| Apartment suitability | Very low (1/5) | Very high (5/5) | poodle miniature |
| Good for first-time owners | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Tolerates being alone | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | newfoundland |
| Trainability | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | poodle miniature |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | newfoundland |
| Good with other dogs | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | newfoundland |
| Cost level | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | poodle miniature |
| Coat | Heavy water-resistant double coat | Curly, non-shedding | Equal |
| Origin | Various | Germany/France | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $150–$310 | $100–$200 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $2,200–$4,200 | $1,500–$3,000 | Equal |
The Newfoundland's 100-150 lbs dwarfs the Miniature Poodle's 10-15 lbs - roughly a tenfold difference - and the height gap is just as stark, 26-28 inches against 11-15 inches. This is one of the more extreme size pairings on the site, similar in scale to comparing the Newfoundland against a Papillon or Pomeranian.
Exercise need ties at Moderate (3/5) for both breeds, though energy level doesn't - the mini poodle rates High (4/5) against the Newfoundland's Low (2/5). A smaller, busier dog paired against a large, more laid-back one, even with similar total exercise requirements.
The mini poodle needs more grooming, Very High (5/5) against the Newfoundland's High (4/5), reflecting the regular professional clipping poodles of every size require. Shedding flips hard the other way: Very Low (1/5) for the mini poodle against Very High (5/5) for the Newfoundland - the poodle's curly coat barely sheds, while the Newfoundland's double coat sheds constantly.
The mini poodle is well suited to small spaces, Very High (5/5) for apartment suitability against the Newfoundland's Very Low (1/5) - as wide a gap as this metric records. Barking tips slightly toward the Newfoundland being quieter (Low 2/5 vs Moderate 3/5). Alone-time tolerance favors the Newfoundland, Moderate (3/5) against the mini poodle's Low (2/5).
The mini poodle trains more easily, Very High (5/5) against the Newfoundland's High (4/5), consistent with the breed's reputation across all its size varieties. First-time-owner suitability ties at Moderate (3/5) - the poodle's trainability is offset by its grooming demands and lower alone tolerance.
The Newfoundland scores better with kids (Very High 5/5 vs High 4/5) and with strangers (High 4/5 vs Moderate 3/5); good-with-other-dogs ties at High (4/5). The mini poodle's temperament - intelligent, eager, active, alert - suits an attentive owner more than a household looking for a laid-back companion.
The lifespan gap is one of the largest in this batch: 14-17 years for the mini poodle against 9-10 for the Newfoundland, up to eight extra years. Hip dysplasia and bloat overlap between the two lists. The mini poodle's remaining risks include Addison's disease, sebaceous adenitis and cancer, while the Newfoundland's stay concentrated on cardiac issues.
The mini poodle costs somewhat less, High (4/5) against the Newfoundland's Very High (5/5) - $100-200 monthly and $1,500-3,000 in year one, versus $150-310 and $2,200-4,200 for the Newfoundland. Given the mini poodle's ten-item health list, factor in some vet-visit buffer beyond the baseline monthly number.
Newfoundland weighs 100–150 lbs and lives 9–10 years; Poodle (Miniature) weighs 10–15 lbs and lives 14–17 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, shedding and energy level. They are level on good with other dogs, exercise need and good for first-time owners, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.
Substantially - the mini poodle tops out around 15 lbs, about a tenth of the Newfoundland's 150-lb ceiling, and stands roughly half as tall.
The Newfoundland, by a wide margin - Very High (5/5) against the mini poodle's Very Low (1/5).
It ties the Newfoundland at Moderate (3/5) for first-time-owner suitability - its high trainability is balanced out by heavier grooming needs and lower tolerance for being alone.
The mini poodle, decisively - Very High (5/5) against the Newfoundland's Very Low (1/5).
The mini poodle runs $100-200 a month against the Newfoundland's $150-310.
Hip dysplasia and bloat appear on both lists. The mini poodle's longer ten-item list also includes Addison's disease, sebaceous adenitis and cancer, none of which show up for the Newfoundland.
The mini poodle, considerably - 14-17 years against the Newfoundland's 9-10, a gap of up to eight years.
The mini poodle suits far more living situations - small spaces, longer life, easier training - while the Newfoundland is worth considering specifically if you want a calm giant-breed temperament and have the space and budget for it.
$100-200 for the mini poodle against $150-310 for the Newfoundland.
Both tie at Moderate (3/5), despite the large size difference.
The mini poodle, at 14-17 years versus the Newfoundland's 9-10 years.
Secure checkout on Stripe. We never see your card.
7-day money-back guarantee. Instant access.
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.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only suggest products we believe are helpful for dog owners.
We research and check what we publish, but we do not warrant that any figure, date, price, or statement is accurate, complete, or current, and we accept no liability for any loss, cost, injury, or other harm arising from the use of this site. Use it as one reference among several. You remain responsible for your own decisions and for your dog's care - confirm anything that matters with a licensed veterinarian or another qualified professional before you act on it. Full disclaimer.
Match your lifestyle to the right dog.
Take quizNot sure which breed is right for you? Take our 2-minute quiz to find out.
Take the quiz