Buying a Newfoundland Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Giant breeds of dog tend to have shorter lifespans and may have health problems linked to their extreme size. Avoid a puppy whose parents have excessive loose facial skin, so that their eyelids do not function properly.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease. DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined by an ophthalmologist before breeding
- includes checks for many inherited and physical abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Bloat/GDV (gastric dilation and volvulus) – where the stomach
- inflates with air and twists, sometimes fatally
- ‘Cherry eye’
- protruding gland of third eyelid in young dogs, may require surgery
- Ectropion
- drooping lower eyelids
- Entropion
- inturned eyelids that rub on eyeballs (may be combined with ectropion)
- Heart disease, particularly DCM
- dilated cardiomyopathy (progressive enlargement of heart, often fatal) and SAS – subaortic stenosis (abnormal blood outflow from heart, variable severity)
- Osteosarcoma
- bone cancer
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- CU – cystinuria
- bladder stones
Other Tests
- None