I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have been asked this question. More often than not I am in an airport with a puppy, delivering it to its forever home.
The conversation usually goes something like this, “Oh my god, what is it?”
“A Newfoundland puppy.”
“A what?”
“It’s a dog, it will be like a St Bernard in size.”
“Ohhhh, it’s so cute! But is it full grown?”
“No, it’s a puppy.”
“Where did you get it?”
Cue facepalm and eyeroll. I have zero patience for people in airports most days.
“I don’t know. It just showed up under the seat in front of me on the last flight.” Of course, I don’t actually say that.
But these experiences do bring up a valid question that many prospective Newfie homes might be wondering.
Where Can You Get A Newfoundland From?
For me, having grown up as the daughter of a Newfoundland breeder, dogs come from breeders. And yes you absolutely can and should get a dog from a breeder if it is the right choice for your family.
Other people have heard the popular phrase, “adopt, don’t shop,” so many times that it is ingrained in the very fiber of their being and they will never get a “new puppy” from a breeder and instead opt to adopt a Newfie from a rescue organization.
And that is okay too if it is the right choice for your family.
Finding a Newfoundland Breeder
Finding the right Newfoundland breeder to work with to bring a new member into your family takes a lot of research.
A lot of times people research for weeks, sometimes months before finding a breeder that is right for them.
If you have no idea where to start, a good place to find breeders is the NCA Breeders of Distinction list. You could also check with regional Newfoundland clubs for breeders or your local kennel club to see if any members are breeders or if they know of any.
Once you find a few breeders, it’s okay to have a list of breeders you think you might want to work with. Call them and get to know a little more about them and their breeding program. And if you don’t see eye to eye on something that’s a deal breaker for you, you can move on to the next breeder that meets your criteria.
Breeders don’t have puppies waiting to be offered to families when they call. More often than not when they do have puppies, they are already spoken for. So you need to get acquainted and get on the reservation list.
From time to time, breeders have adults available. These adults can either be dogs that have been returned due to various circumstances or dogs that are retiring from their breeding program.
Puppies
When people think of breeders more often than not they think of puppies, and that is a fair thought. Breeders breed dogs to produce puppies to better the breed.
Many people opt to get a puppy because that’s what they want. They might have a desire for a specific color or sex. Some people even have a desire for a puppy from a specific dog and the best way to ensure that is through a puppy.
Once you have found a breeder and are guaranteed a puppy out of the litter, the breeder will work with you so they can place the right puppy that will meet the needs of your family with you.
Returned Dogs
Sometimes, life events prevent families from being able to keep their dogs through their lives. These dogs are generally older than a new puppy. They might be in their velociraptor teenage years, or they might be an adult.
Sometimes with returned dogs, breeders are looking for a specific type of home. Sometimes these dogs might have some special needs that require the right home. The breeder will do their best to let you know if the dog has any.
Other times a life event has occurred within the family that prevents them from keeping the dog. And even odder, some people just aren’t dog or Newfie people (true story) and they don’t know that until they get the dog.
Retiring Adults
These are dogs that were a part of the breeder’s breeding program. They are usually dogs that have had a couple of litters and won’t be bred again.
Retiring adult Newfoundlands make amazing family dogs and pets.
Rescue Organizations
Rescue organizations are affiliated with the Newfoundland Club of America (NCA) and other local regional Newfie clubs. They really do some great work when it comes to rescuing the gentle giants from a variety of situations.
When considering adoption, it’s essential to understand the dog’s background and any specific needs or challenges they may have. The rescue will conduct a thorough assessment of the dog’s health, temperament, and behavior. This assessment provides adopters with valuable insights into the dog so they can determine if it’s a good fit for their family.
Pet Stores
Yes, stores that sell puppies exist. There is one not too far from me in the mall in Fargo.
If you check out the windows on most pet store puppies, they have multiple different breeds. Sometimes even crossbreeds.
But where do these puppies come from?
They come from the puppy mills that mass-produce dogs for the sake of production. They aren’t concerned about the health of their puppies or where they might end up in life.
I strongly advise against buying a puppy from a pet store.
You might think you are saving the puppy from a miserable life, but instead, you are supporting the very industry that created that dog. We vote with our money and if you give more money to them, they will be more inclined to keep giving the puppy mills business.
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