Puppies And Adults Available
Application Form
Alternate email - springhavn@qnet.com
springhaven@newfoundlanddog.com
UPCOMING LITTERS
We are currently accepting reservations for black and Landseer puppies due Fall/ Winter 2009. Please contact us for further information.
As responsible breeders we have a strong sense of commitment toward all Newfoundlands that we produce. Once puppies leave our home, they are dependent on their new families for a lifetime of love and care. The greatest gift that we can ever hope to give them is choosing that family for them. For this reason we require an application be filled out and returned in addition to an in-person visit or a telephone interview before a deposit will be accepted. Deposits are applied toward the purchase price and are non-refundable unless a puppy is not available.
OLDER PUPS AND ADULTS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
At this time there are no adults available, of course that could change at any time! Please email or telephone for further information. Adult Newfs are only available to homes where there is an opportunity to meet and interact with the dog prior to placement. This allows us to be more confident that a dog will be a good match with his adoptive family. As one of the obligations of a responsible breeder, when a Newf from our kennel becomes homeless for whatever reason, no matter how old the dog is at the time, we are prepared to take them back from the owners and find a new home for them. There are as many reasons for this happening as there are owners: death, illness, moving, job transfers, divorce, financial problems, you name it.
FINDING A BREEDER 
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!
Ten week old male out of Bow and Charlotte 
BUYER BEWAREWhen you decide the time is right for a puppy, spend at least as much time investigating as you would if shopping for a new car or other major investment. Talk to breeders, ask questions. The more you research, the more likely you will be able to make an informed decision when picking a breeder. Unfortunately, some breeders are no more than good salesmen. Never buy a puppy from a breeder whose foremost interest is making a sale, or talking you into sending a deposit. Realize that there are breeders who will take more deposits, from unsuspecting buyers, than they can ever hope to satisfy. This is why it is so important to find out whether or not the breeder is reputable before sending a deposit or agreeing to purchase a puppy. When buying from a breeder out of your area or state you have to trust them completely. Unless you are willing to travel to their area/ state you will have no recourse if they accept your money but don?t deliver a puppy as promised. The same is true for any contract that is offered, it is only as good as the word of that breeder. One way to protect yourself when purchasing a puppy is to buy from a breeder who is on the Newfoundland Club of America?s Breeder List. All Breeder List breeders have agreed to abide by the NCA Ethics Guide, have no unresolved grievances, always use a written agreement and will allow the NCA to mediate any dispute between them and a puppy buyer. Expect the breeder to ask you many questions as well. After all, a responsible, reputable breeder wants to know what kind of a home and family his puppies are getting.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO PAY FOR A NEWF PUPPY?
Expect to pay lower prices for poor specimens or pups from breeders who do not screen parents for inherited health problems. You can expect to pay top prices for animals which show great promise, whose parents have all the recommended health clearances and have been cardiologist heart cleared. Remember, the cost of maintaining a dog over its lifetime far exceeds the purchase price of the dog. Your initial investment will be the least amount that you spend on your dog over its lifetime. Vet expenses can be very expensive, what seems like a bargain at the time can end up costing you dearly if the pup has inherited problems. For instance, PDA surgery can cost $2500 - $3000, hip replacement surgery more than $10,000. Some inherited problems such as SAS or forelimb anomaly can not be repaired at any price, and will cause the premature death or euthanasia of the dog. Buying a puppy is not like buying a TV; price shopping may not be in your best interest. Instead, shop breeders, making sure that you have found a knowledgeable, informed breeder, whose main goal is producing good dogs, not turning a profit. Take into account that the odds are in your favor if the parents and the puppies have all of their health clearances. Keep in mind that if one can't afford to purchase a Newf they probably can't afford to own a Newf.
Here is a sample of our application. You can either cut and paste it or email me for a copy. It is preferred to contact us for availability and price before submitting the application for consideration. 
In order to be put on our waiting list we require an application be completed and returned. After the application has been approved, a deposit is required to reserve a puppy. Deposits are non-refundable and applied to the purchase price of the puppy.Name
Date
Address
City
State/Zip
Telephone
Why did you decide on a Newfoundland?
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Are all family members enthusiastic about adopting a Newfoundland?
What age, sex, and color are you interested in?
Do you have any particular timeframe in mind for adding a puppy to your household?
Please list any dogs or other pets that you currently own. Please include breed, ages, sex, and whether they are spayed or neutered.
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Other than any dogs you currently own, have you ever owned a Newf? What happened to it?
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Other than any dogs that you currently own, have you ever owned a dog other than a Newf? What happened to it? Be sure to list breed/s.
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Did you and/ or your spouse / partner’s family own any dogs when you were children? What breeds?
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Have you ever bred a dog/ had a litter of puppies? If yes, when and what breed/s.
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Have you ever had to re-home or surrender a dog to a shelter? If so what were the circumstances?
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Have you done any research into the Newfoundland breed to see if its temperament, personality and care will fit into your lifestyle?
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Can you commit the time to take your dog through basic obedience training?
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Do you rent or own your home?
If renting, are you permitted to have pets?
Does your home have one or two stories?
What type of flooring does your home have (i.e. hardwood, tile, carpet etc)?
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Is your yard fenced in? If not, are you willing to fence in an adequate exercise and containment area for the dog?
Do have a pool or Jacuzzi? Would the puppy have free access or is it fenced?
How many people reside in your home? (Please include children?s ages and indicate if there will be any additional children added to the household in the coming year)
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What are the occupations of the adults in the household?
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Do any family members have allergies to animals?
Who will be the primary caretaker of the dog?
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Are you able to commit to the necessary time for weekly grooming and care?
How many hours during the day will the dog be alone?
Where will the dog be kept during the day?
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At night?
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Will the dog be kept outside or be allowed into the house. If a house pet, how much time will the dog spend in the house (few hours a day vs full time house pet)?
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Are you willing to spay/neuter your companion Newf?
Are you interested in conformation showing, breeding, obedience, water work or drafting? If so, which one/s.
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Personal Reference (not a relative)
Name
Address
Telephone
Veterinarian Reference
Telephone
I understand and believe that owning a Newfoundland is a commitment for the lifetime of the dog. I certify that the information I have given herein is true and accurate. I am aware that the deposit is non-refundable.
Name and or signature
Date
RECOMMENDED VETERINARIANS
All listed are experienced with the unique care of giant breed dogs and come highly recommended by the Springhaven Newfs.
Dr. Stephen Ettinger
Dr. Kirtsie Barrett
California Animal Hospital
1736 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
310-479-3336
Dr. Ettinger is Board Certified in Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Dr. Barrett is Board Certified Cardiology. Additionally they see pets for general veterinary care. Both Dr. Ettinger and Dr. Barrett own Newfs which gives them the highest possible rating!
Dr. Dennis Voorheis
12116 E. Washington Blvd, Whittier, CA
562-693-8233
Dr Voorheis is very experienced with Newfs. He has a Board Certified Surgeon and Orthopedic Specialist on staff.
Dr. Dana Bleifer - Dr. Bleifer is currently on materinity leave, with twin girls born November 2006. She plans to return to her practice March 2007.
20930 Victory Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA
818-710-8528
Dr. Bleifer's specialty is reproduction, but she sees many Newfs in her practice and is very experienced with the breed!
springhaven@newfoundlanddog.com
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