How Much Does a Newfoundland Puppy Cost in 2024

As much as we all wish it were so, Newfoundlands are not cheap pets to have. From purchasing a pup from a responsible breeder to general costs associated with owning a larger breed dog, Newfoundlands are not for the poor. 

I recently saw a post on r/Newfoundlander asking what the cost for a puppy from a responsible breeder should be. There were a variety of answers provided. Some people were spot on and others, well, I really wanted to ask what they had been smoking. But I save all my sassy remarks for the blog. 

Answers ranged from a couple of hundred dollars for adult Newfs in the rescue program to nearly $10,000 for specialty pups for show or other working jobs. 

So let’s break it down. What is the average cost of a Newfoundland puppy in 2024?

Responsible Breeder vs Puppy Mill 

I think the first and most important part of getting any puppy is knowing the difference between a responsible breeder and a puppy mill. 

Puppy mills are often considered the lowest class of breeder purely breeding dogs for the money. They have little to no regard for the health or well-being of their dogs and aren’t too picky about where their pups end up. 

Responsible breeders produce well-bred puppies. They put thought into their breedings, oftentimes years of thought into it.

What is a Well Bred Puppy?

Well-bred puppies don’t happen by chance. 

A responsible breeder will research the pedigrees of the parents to ensure puppies will conform to the breed standard. They will look into the health history of the two lineages to make sure the puppies will be free of any health conditions Newfoundlands are predisposed to. The goal of a responsible breeder is the betterment of the breed. 

Responsible breeders also perform the required testing to make sure the parents are healthy. This doesn’t always guarantee the puppies will be free of health issues, but it ups the odds dramatically. 

The Average Cost of a Newfoundland Puppy

The average cost of a Newfoundland Puppy is anywhere from $3000 – $4000. Keep in mind that the number isn’t set in stone, it might deviate by a couple of hundred dollars depending on the location of the breeder. 

The cost, however, should not deviate based on the sex, color, or quality of the pup. 

It takes the same amount of time, energy, and effort to raise every single puppy in the litter. It is unethical for a breeder to have different prices based on sex, color, or quality.

What Comes With The Initial Cost of the Puppy?

Several things should be included in the cost of the puppy. Some breeders may include more, some may include less. 

• The first round of puppy vaccinations
• Deworming 
• Complete physical exam
• Health certificate, if traveling out of state is required
• Health records
• Microchip
• Start of health insurance for the puppy
• Toy, collar, leash, etc.

Transportation 

Odds are, you’re not going to live near the breeder and will either need to travel to get the puppy or pay an in-flight pet nanny to bring the puppy to you. 

Depending on which option you choose and how far away from the breeder you are, transportation to get your puppy can cost anywhere from $200 – $2000 or more. 

Vet Visits During Your Puppy’s First Year

Did you think the cost of your dog ended right there with getting the puppy? That would be a wrong assumption. 

There will be a few vet visits throughout the first year of your puppy’s life. If everything is going well, you should only go about three different times. 

There will be a general wellness visit, so your vet can do a physical exam. And a couple of appointments for shots, boosters, and a rabies vaccine. 

Training 

Every dog should attend at least a basic puppy kindergarten to learn obedience skills. From there, if you want to continue with obedience that is up to you. If I had an obedience place closer than an hour and a half away, I would definitely take my dogs for a few classes. 

Training isn’t just obedience though. You can do agility, conformation, rally, water rescue work, draft work, and the list goes on.

For more information on breed-specific training (water rescue and draft)  in your local area, your best bet would be to contact your regional Newfoundland club. 

For more standard training that all breeds can do, contact your local kennel club. 

Food

As big dogs, Newfoundlands tend to eat a lot compared to smaller dogs. 

I remember riding on the flatbed cart at Costco as a kid after Mom would pile on 10 bags of food that would last the next three-ish weeks. 

As for what type of food you should be feeding your puppy, that will be covered in a future post. However, the breeder should have provided you with guidance and what your puppy is currently eating and how to select a quality food type that he will do well on. 

A quality bag of dog food costs around $60. 

Toys and Bedding

Every puppy needs plenty of toys and a soft spot to nap on. 

You can get basic dog toys anywhere. My favorite local places to check for dog toys are Menards, TJ Maxx, Goodwill, and Walmart. Actually, that’s all we have for stores in my town. Online, Amazon is a favorite of mine and they have so many dog toys, that it’s hard to pick just a few that I know the goofy Newfies will love. 

Bedding for a Newfoundland-sized dog always has to be ordered online for my area. But for all the expensive beds and bed-like items, sometimes all Newfies really want is the cold, bare floor. 

Grooming

I’m a DIY kind of person for the most part. And I don’t take my dogs places to be groomed since I have a grooming kit specially designed for both the Newfoundlands and the Havanese. 

By grooming your Newfie yourself, it is a great way to work on training skills and bond with them while they are young. 

But if you choose to take your dog to a groomer, it’s important to know that some groomers don’t take large dogs. And those that do, usually charge more for them than your average lab or golden retriever. 

Total Estimated Cost for a Newfoundland Puppy in 2024

In total, for just the puppy alone and transportation costs associated with getting the puppy, you are looking at a minimum of a few thousand dollars. 

Everything else that comes with owning a dog comes in at a couple thousand more.