TIP #1 - Think very carefully before you buy a puppy!
The Newfoundland is a wonderful and exceptional breed of dog but they are not the right choice for everyone.
Statistically, one out of eight puppies are discarded by the owner at some time during its life.
The "chocolate box" cute and cuddly puppy you bring home will very soon grow into a VERY LARGE dog - look at the pictures and you'll see what we mean.
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Owning a Newfoundland will have a significant impact on your life. Think carefully about these facts;
- No impromptu nights away, unless with other Newfoundland owners!
- No last minute holidays abroad.
- Vetinary bills, insurance, food bills, boarding kennels fees and just about every expense you can think of are higher, much higher.
- They are definitely not for the house proud. They are large, often wet and muddy and they do shed their huge coats.
- They usually love the water and will often find it when you don't expect it, or when it's not convenient for you!
- Newfoundlands slobber, period. Some more than others but you'd better expect strings of slimy saliva on the dog ... and on you, your clothes and your furniture.
- Training is essential and requires dedication and consistency.
- Regular grooming is required.
- If you are a keen gardener, be prepared to have it devasted. When a newfie digs a hole, it's a big hole!
- Newfoundlands love human company and they are not a breed to be left alone for any length of time or on a regular basis. They will get bored and a bored Newfoundland will become a destructive Newfoundland.
TIP #2 - Do your research
If, after reading the above, you are still interested make sure you take the opportunity to visit Newfoundland dogs in their home environment or even request that someone brings their Newfoundland to visit you!
The SNC Puppy Liaison Officer can help, if necessary, by putting you in touch with a Newfie owner near you.
This will allow you to see what it is like having a fully grown Newfoundland in your home.
Take your time, read books, visit websites and take advice from experienced newfie owners before making your decision to commit to a Newfoundland.
TIP #3 - Be prepared
Having got this far and decided a Newfoundland is right for you (and you are right for a Newfoundland), we recommend you should;
- Buy only from a responsible and reputable Newfoundland breeder - contact our Puppy Liaison Officer who will usually know about availability.
- Decide what sex and what colour you would prefer.
- Expect to have a responsible breeder do a home check.
- Spend time with the breeder and get to know them. View their kennels, meet the Dam and, if possible, the Sire. Meet their other adult dogs.
- Make sure you understand what the health check details (heart tests, hip scores, elbow scores and cystinuria status) all mean and how important they are.
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TIP #4 - Use our checklists
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Use this checklist before even going to look at your first puppy and please be completely honest with yourself.
If you can tick all of the boxes then you are probably ready to own your first
Newfoundland ... or, as you will come to discover, to be owned by your first Newfoundland who will be a faithfully friend and
companion for life.
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| Have you done your research, reading and learning about the breed in general to know if a Newfoundland is right for you, your family and home? |
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| Have you spoken with other Newfoundland owners or better still, visited another Newfoundland owner in their own home?
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Can you really afford a puppy and the ongoing expenses? Consider;
- Purchase Price
- Insurance
- Vet bills for uninsured costs e.g. minor problems, vaccinations, worming etc.
- Kennelling or dog sitters if you have to go away without your dog
- Perhaps a larger car or van
- Dog guard or cage for travelling, stair gates for your home
- Miscellaneous items such as basket, bowls, collar, leads, grooming tools, toys, etc.
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Are you prepared for house training your puppy? That means;
- Taking it out first thing in the morning before that early cup of tea
- Taking it out last thing at night before you go to bed
- Taking it out before and after every meal
... and that is seven days a week with no lie in on a Sunday! Remember, a clean puppy is a happy puppy and an even happier
owner. |
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| Will you be there to feed your very young puppy at regular times at least four times per day? Ideally there should be someone
at home all day. |
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| Are you prepared for at least one and a half hours of hard work every week grooming your dog? |
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| Have you enough room and facilities in your home for a fully grown Newfoundland that will often be very wet and muddy?
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| Do you have a big enough garden for a fully grown Newfoundland to play safely? |
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| Are you prepared to walk and exercise your dog at least twice a day even though it might be pouring with rain or freezing
cold? |
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| Is your lifestyle such that your Newfoundland will not be left alone for regular or long periods of time? |
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| Are you prepared for the breeder to do a thorough home check? |
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| Have you checked the reputation and experience of the breeder? |
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| Are you prepared to enter into a legally binding Agreement with the breeder regarding the terms and conditions under which they will supply a puppy? |
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Are you prepared to accept the endorsements which the breeder might place on the dog's KC registration?
These could include progeny not eligible for Kennel Club registration (unless all health checks are clear) and prevention of obtaining
an export pedigree (to stop unapproved export of dogs). |
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Use this checklist when you are visiting the breeder and your prospective new Newfoundland puppy.
If you can tick all of the boxes, you have probably found a suitable breeder.
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| Does the breeder make you welcome and answer your questions clearly and honestly? |
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| Are you able to meet and spend time with the puppy's mother? |
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| Is the breeder a member of one or more of the UK Newfoundland Breed Clubs? |
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| Are the puppy(s) clean and apparently healthy? |
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Are you shown the Certificates for the Heart tests results for BOTH parents?
These should be colour flow echo-doppler tests with results showing as Normal/Clear. |
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Are you shown the Certificates for the Hip scores for BOTH parents?
The current UK average total score is 26 - the lower the score the better. |
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Are you shown the Certificates for the Elbow scores for BOTH parents?
Look for a KC/BVA score of 0 (0/0) |
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| Are you shown the Cystinuria status Certificates for BOTH parents (or can verify that both parents are genetically clear)? |
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| Will the breeder supply a detailed diet sheet and feeding advice? |
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| Will the breeder provide advice on a suitable exercise/care regime? |
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| Have you been given a copy of the Contract of Sale which contains the conditions and terms for the purchase of your puppy? |
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| Has the litter been registered with the Kennel Club? |
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| Is the breeder willing and anxious to provide information and support? |
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TIP #5 (perhaps the 'Golden Rule') - Buyer Beware
Don't ever, EVER, buy or otherwise aquire a Newfoundland puppy from anywhere other than directly from the breeder or, in the case of providing a re-home, via the aegis of the Welfare Section of the SNC or one of the other recognised UK Breed Clubs.
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