With all the Newfoundland breeders listed on the Internet, how does one know who is a good breeder, and who is not? It can be very frustrating to make the right choice, when there are so many breeders since e-commerce has flourished. Anyone can post photos of cute Newfoundland pups, get listed on a Web site, and have a pretty web page. Even if the breeder states they are a member of the Newfoundland Club of America, does not necessarily mean they are reputable. More importantly, how many litters are they having? Does it seem like every time you visit their Web site they are announcing a new litter? Lighthouse is not a mass-producing kennel. We selectively breed with utmost care. We do not breed a female every time she comes on heat. Females need a long break after having a large litter of puppies.
Where are the dogs kept? An indoor/outdoor facility, with ample room, or do they always live outdoors in pens or kennels that are unkempt? How many other breeds are they breeding? We only have one breed; the Newfoundland dog. Lighthouse has an indoor/outdoor facility. Our kennel is heated. If it’s too hot, our Newfies stay inside with fans blowing on them. If it’s too cold, they are protected from the elements and stay indoors. I always remember the recording while I’m on hold at my veterinarian clinic: “if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet.” We have a very spacious kennel facility. Newfoundland dogs cannot tolerate the heat. They become overheated quickly because of their double coat. The same is applicable for extreme wintertime; their feet can get frostbitten, just like humans, especially since they have “webbed feet.” Snow can ball up between their pads and cause injury. Our kennel is rigorously maintained. It takes a lot of work to maintain a kennel properly. Our Newfoundland dogs are part of our family. Our dogs are clean, brushed, groomed, and fed a very high quality diet. Ask the breeder what brand of dog food they are feeding. Far too many breeders cut corners by using low quality kibble filled with corn and animal by-products. A dog/puppy will suffer a myriad of health problems when fed substandard food. Our Newfoundlands are fed Merrick™ dog food. Are their coats shiny? If their coats are not shiny, you can bet they are not being fed a quality dog food.
It is also extremely important to choose a breeder who will be there for you should anything arise. These are, after all, live animals, and sometimes problems do occur. A good rapport must be established from the time you choose your breeder, and willingness for a lifetime commitment for the life of your Newfoundland dog.
How about OFA? It’s simple; all one has to do is type in the kennel prefix, i.e., “Lighthouse’s” at www.offa.org and look for health clearances. In addition, be aware of Penn-Hip results; any breeder can state their dogs are Penn-hip’d, and get a very poor rating. Any scores below 50th percentile are not considered a good rating. Are they cystinuria screened? Cystinuria can be deadly to males. All of our Newfoundland dogs are cystinuria screened. If a breeder breeds two carriers, a litter can have disastrous consequences. Lighthouse has three veterinarians and a good rapport with all of them for the past thirteen years. We use one of the top reproduction specialists in the country; Animal Clinic Northview located 20 miles away from our home. They are open 24/7 for emergencies. Newfoundland females are notorious for prolonged whelping. I know if I have an emergency, I can reach my vet at any hour. Our Newfoundlands are all micro-chipped, per AKC requirements.
Furthermore, we do not sell adults just because they are past the breeding age, or can no longer be bred for various reasons. Our females are spayed and continue to be a part of our family. We hope this information has been helpful.