Selecting a breeder can be an almost overwhelming task. Buyers can be impatient and sometimes the only question that interests them is price and availability. But if you take time to understand the importance of selecting an ethical breeder you may be saving yourself and your family unnecessary heartache and expense. Not necessarily in order of importance you will find listed what I feel are important questions that should be asked and answered and issues that should be discussed before picking a breeder. Some topics may be covered elsewhere on my website, but they were too important not to be included here again. Unfortunately, some breeders may be good salesman and they may not be giving honest answers. This obviously will make your task more challenging. And that is why it is imperative that when you have narrowed your decision down to several breeders that you then must investigate them! Some of you may be thinking, this is too much trouble, I just want a puppy! But time spent researching now may be time not spent traveling to and from the vet sometime in the future.
1. Are they members of the Newfoundland Club of America or their regional Newfoundland Club? Membership in the NCA indicates an interest in the breed and its future. It also gives the puppy owner recourse if a dispute ever arises between them and the breeder. All NCA members are held accountable by the club?s code of ethics for any written contract that they refuse to honor. If you purchase a puppy from an out of state breeder your contact may be worthless if the breeder refuses to honor it. The matter may only be resolved if you are willing to travel to their state to file a lawsuit. The NCA also publishes a Breeder List, which in my opinion is the best place to start your search. Inclusion in the list has minimal standards, such as membership in the NCA for five consecutive years, owning a titled Newfoundland, attesting to using a written agreement in all transactions, agreeing to abide by the NCA Ethics Guide, etc. But even with these assurances be aware that you still need to ask questions and be certain you are dealing with a responsible breeder.
2. Do they show their dogs or participate in working activities such as obedience, draft or water work? Participation in the breed shows interest in the breed. Lack of participation may indicate they have no interest in the future of the breed, only in dollars. Consider that the show ring is the perfect place to study a breed. It is where one learns about the physical characteristics of the breed including structure, type, movement, soundness, basically what goes into making a Newf that more closely matches the breed?s standard of perfection. Working activities can offer a special insight into the temperament of the breed. Both activities offer the breeder an education that can never be duplicated elsewhere; not in books, videos etc. Most potential buyers don?t care about championship or obedience titles, but all prospective owners should agree that it is important you find a breeder who knows what a Newf is suppose to look like, someone who understands the purpose of proper shoulder layback, tail set or depth of chest; and someone who recognizes correct temperament. Some of these things may seem meaningless to the pet buyer, but all of these are what go into ?making? a Newf that looks like a Newf and acts like a Newf. And if you want a Newf why would you want anything less?
3. Do they screen for health problems? Health clearances are important. OFA certifies normal dogs free of defects like hip and elbow dysplasia, cystinuria and subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS). Many of the dogs in the Newfoundland breed simply won't certify because they are afflicted with severe hereditary defects. The majority of Newfoundlands should never even be considered for breeding. For a variety of reasons, some breeders do not do health clearances. Ask them why and the response is most likely ?we have never had health problems in our dogs?. If any dog over two does not have OFA hip or elbow clearances you must assume they are dysplastic!! Puppy buyers are unaware that many dogs used for breeding will not certify. Some breeders are not doing health clearances because of the expense. And I don?t mean it is too expensive to do the testing itself. It is simply too expensive to eliminate inferior dogs from breeding programs. Eliminating one afflicted dog can cost a breeder thousands of dollars. Amazingly puppy buyers rarely ask if the sire and dam have any inherited defects! Newcomers are encouraged to learn about hereditary defects by visiting the NCA and the OFA websites (links below). It is my hope that puppy buyers become aware that not every Newfoundland is sound. If puppies are not out of OFA certified stock, then they may very well have inherited defects. Hereditary defects are expensive to treat. For instance, hip replacement surgery can cost more than $10,000. Some inherited problems, such as SAS, can not be repaired at any price, and will cause the premature death or euthanasia of the dog. Cystinuria requires a special diet just to keep an afflicted dog alive. It would all be so much easier if all breeding stock from all breeders were certified free from hereditary defects before breeding. Puppy buyers are encouraged to buy only from breeders using OFA certified breeding stock.
4. Do they use a certified cardiologist for the puppy heart check? A serious problem in the breed is an inherited heart murmur referred to as a stenosis or SAS. This is an untreatable heart condition that can substantially shorten the life of a dog. Depending on the severity, many affected pups die anywhere from four months to one or two years. The risk of getting a puppy with an inherited or congenital heart problem can be totally and completely eliminated by buying one that has been heart cleared by a certified cardiologist. Unfortunately, general practice vets are not skilled to detect subtle murmurs - most are missed, only to be discovered by the new owner?s vet some time later or when the dog dies suddenly of a heart attack. Just be sure that the breeder is being honest. It would be reasonable to request the cardiologist?s name and contact information in addition to a letter or other verification that this health check has in fact been done. Someone may tell you that their Newfs do not have heart problems, so their puppies don?t have to be cardiologist checked. They may also add that other breeders Newfs have heart problems, that?s why they have to use a cardiologist. Please use good sense and realize this is no more than a sales tactic for someone who is not doing proper health screenings for their puppies and most likely their adult Newfs. Another tactic which has recently come to my attention is that some breeders are misleadingly indicating their pups are heart checked by a specialist. What they fail to mention is the specialist is an internist or reproductive vet, not a cardiologist!
5. Are they responsible? A responsible breeder is dedicated to the breed - always learning about the breed, recognizing the need to adhere to the breed standard and working hard to do everything possible to maintain and preserve the breed for the enjoyment of future generations. A responsible breeder carefully weighs each mating with an eye on what is best for the breed in terms of appearance, temperament, and health considerations. A responsible breeder never breeds just to sell puppies for money; instead a responsible breeder looks upon each puppy as an investment in the future of the breed. A responsible breeder does not wholesale puppies to brokers for resale to a pet shop; responsible breeders do not regard their puppies as cash crops. A responsible breeder will thoroughly screen all potential puppy buyers to determine suitability, responsibility and capability. A responsible breeder is always there to answer questions, give advice and offer guidance to new puppy owners and will remain a ready source of assistance throughout the animal's lifetime. Responsible breeders are accountable for inherited problems in the puppies they sell. Responsible breeders never mate two dogs without being prepared to care for the resulting puppies for the rest of their lives. Responsible breeders have long range plans, definitive thoughts about the breed and are never afraid to speak up and voice an opinion. Responsible breeders are always there; through the joys of life and heartache of death. Responsible breeders are the backbone of their breed and leave a lasting legacy for future generations of dog lovers to enjoy.
6. How long have they been breeding? Not always an indication of their dedication to the breed, but always be specific and find out how long they have been breeding Newfoundlands. Some breeders may have only been in Newfs for a very short time but will intentionally mislead a puppy buyer to make a sale.
7. Does the breeder offer a written sales agreement? Responsible breeders will stand behind the quality of their puppies, and offer a written, signed, and dated contract which includes a health guarantee; not just a signed health certificate from a Vet showing certain vaccinations have been administered, also very important to have, but not a legal agreement between you and the breeder. Be sure to read the contract carefully before signing. Never give a breeder a deposit or up front money without first reading their contract.
8. At what age do breeder?s release puppies to their new homes? A reputable breeder will not release a Newfoundland puppy to its new home before eight weeks. A heart check can not be done until a puppy is eight weeks or older, so it would not be ethical for a breeder to release a puppy prior to the cardiologist visit. Additionally, airlines will not accept any puppy less than eight weeks old for shipping. If a puppy is shipped prior to eight weeks, the breeder and/ or their vet have had to lie about its age on the health certificate. Some breeders and trainers believe that the ideal age to place a puppy is at seven weeks. This may be fine in a breed without heart problems, but is not feasible for a Newf pup.
9. Should I be concerned about buying a puppy long distance? Buying a puppy long distance from a responsible breeder can be a rewarding experience. But you need to be prudent when buying a puppy on the internet or from anyone you are not able to visit first. The internet is a great place to educate yourself about the breed, but purchasing a puppy through the internet can be a tricky proposition. That is why it is so important to know who you are dealing with. Without an in-person visit you will not know the condition of the facility. Is it clean? Are the dogs well cared for and socialized? Are the adults and puppies clean and groomed? Are the puppies raised in the house or in a kennel or barn? Do the puppies interact with humans or are they neglected and ignored? Any good salesman can show you some cute pictures, but without visiting in person you can?t really know for sure. Uninformed puppy buyers may end up purchasing a puppy based on a website, which in reality may be nothing more than a well disguised puppy mill or backyard breeder. Most people feel that the Newfs that come from these sources are generally both physically and socially substandard as well as the fact that they are concerned most about making money and far less, if at all, concerned about the health of the dogs and suitability of the breed for the prospective purchasers. Breeders that keep large kennels with multiple breeds do not have the time needed to properly care for and socialize multiple litters of puppies, period! If you decide to buy a dog long distance, be 100% certain that all is as represented. For instance how do you know that the pictures of the parents are truly the pictures of the puppy?s parents? Or that the size of the parents is as represented? How much information, such as living conditions for puppies, is fact or a fantasy devised to increase puppy sales? Sometimes the sales pitch can be a give away, but not always. Ethical breeders don?t have a sales pitch. Their goal is to find the best possible home for their puppies, not just someone with money to spend.
10. Can I ask for references? Don?t be afraid to ask for references. Of course you can?t be sure if it is indeed a prior puppy buyer or the breeder?s sister in law! That is why researching a breeder is very important!
11. How do I know if the information I have received from a breeder is reliable? Verify everything! Get the names of sire and dam; check them out on the OFA website. Never be satisfied with any information without verifying it first. This is not to say that all breeders are dishonest, but some will say whatever it takes to close the deal, even if it means giving false information about how the puppies are raised, the status of the parents or the puppy?s health clearances. If they use a certified cardiologist for the heart clearance, get the name and check it out. Any reputable breeder will not be offended if you are doing your homework. Do they represent themselves as a member of a Newfoundland breed club? Once again, verify it! Be suspicious of any websites that identify their dogs by call name alone, such as Fluffy or Spot. It is impossible to verify any information pertaining to show records or health clearances without the dogs registered names.
12. What if I am looking for a puppy to show? Many reputable breeders are very selective about the homes for potential show prospects. But if you are looking for a show puppy, my advice would be contact kennels whose dogs have been successful in the show ring. It more likely that show prospect will live up to its potential when purchased from a breeder that is experienced in evaluating puppies versus one that has never shown a Newf from their own kennel to an AKC Championship. Experienced show exhibitors have more knowledge about show dogs, the show ring and what it takes to be a winner, than someone who has never shown in AKC competition, shown a Newf to an AKC Championship, or had limited experience with AKC shows.
You may have noticed I didn?t mention anything about visiting breeders and checking out things like cleanliness, general health and condition of the adults and puppies etc. These matters should be a given, so I chose not to cover them instead concentrating on issues that many puppy buyers would not think about.
So now its time to do your homework, then you can make a more informed decision when choosing a breeder. Whether Springhaven or another responsible breeder good luck with that new puppy!
