People who are afraid of dogs might be intimidated by Newfoundlands.

But owners of these giant beasts describe them as perfect for people being introduced to dogs for the first time.

Evan Anderson joined his aunt, Joan Crichton, and her 166-pound Newfoundland, Brogan, Wednesday at the 24th annual Seaman’s Day at Fort Clatsop, where he described his apprehension with dogs.

Anderson, however, has developed a strong bond with 5-year-old Brogan. Now he is thinking about getting a Newfoundland himself. “I wouldn’t consider getting a different big dog,” he said.

This was Crichton’s third year attending Seaman’s Day, an event by Lewis and Clark National Historical Park that recognizes Meriwether Lewis’ Newfoundland, Seaman, during the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806.

Crichton described the breed as “loving” and “forgiving.”

“You never have to worry about them with strangers or kids,” she said.

Crichton added that Newfoundlands are smart, and laughed as she described how her previous dog, Truman, was inconspicuously escaping her house. One day she waited to see how the Newfoundland was getting out. She caught him twisting the door handle using his front paws while standing only on his hind legs.

Xihuitl Campos and Frank Valenzuela traveled from Seattle to show their black, 211-pound Newfoundland, Sir James Bond, at their first Seaman’s Day.

“I’m amazed how good he does with kids,” Campos said of her 2-year-old dog.

Valenzuela said he is not a very social person, but Newfoundlands “make you go out of your comfort zone and meet other people.”

Sir James Bond’s striking size, bear-like appearance and friendliness creates a lot of publicity for Valenzuela and Campos.

“They (Newfoundlands) like to say ‘Hi.’ They are very social dogs,” Valenzuela said.

Valenzuela, like other Newfoundland owners, said caring for this breed is a lot of work as they drool and shed everywhere, but would not trade it for anything.

“I’ve always liked big dogs. Now I have the opportunity to be with them and enjoy them. He’s like a big companion,” Valenzuela said.

Sally Freeman, a Lewis and Clark National Historical Park ranger since the summer of 1989, started the Seaman’s Day talks, which she said is the park’s most popular one-day event.

“I think it’s fun. Definitely one of my favorite events of the year,” Freeman said. “These dogs are very loyal.”

Freeman said she noticed an interesting trend in this Seaman’s Day. Of the 12 dogs, 10 were boys. And of the boys, six of their names started with the letter B.

Every second Wednesday of July, Newfoundland dogs are invited to the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center while the park acknowledges the famous dog. Freeman shared many stories of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, including when Seaman herded a charging buffalo bull away from the lodge where Lewis, William Clark, and the other travelers slept, potentially saving their lives.

It has been 211 years since the expedition, and it has become a tradition for Lewis and Clark National Historical Park to introduce people to modern Newfoundland dogs and to learn more about Seaman’s role in the expedition.