Are you considering bringing a Newfoundland dog into your family? Known for their gentle nature and impressive size, Newfoundlands are not only excellent swimmers but also wonderful companions. Let’s look at the cost of a Newfoundland dog, comparing breeders, breed rescues and shelters. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each option and the services they offer.
![photo of a brown Newfoundland dog looking toward the camera with its tongue hanging out; background image of pink dollar signs. How much does a Newfie cost is at the top of the picture.](https://www.dogtipper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/featured-price-of-newfoundland-900x600.jpg.webp)
We love Newfies and in fact one of our previous dogs, Hershey, was a Newfoundland mix. She brought us 15 years of joy and love and was as sweet as her name!
![image of a Newfoundland mixed dog walking in the snow](https://www.dogtipper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hershey-snow-copy-761731.jpg.webp)
How much does a Newfoundland dog cost from a breeder?
The price of a Newfoundland puppy generally ranges from $1,200 to $3,000, although exceptional bloodlines may cost more. Several factors influence the price:
- Genetic test: Reputable breeders perform health examinations of the puppy’s parents, often with Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) Numbers which shows that the dog has passed the health tests mentioned below.
- Breeder location: Prices vary by region, with higher costs in metropolitan areas.
- Pedigree: Puppies from award-winning bloodlines in dog shows or work settings will have a higher price.
- The dog’s goal: Prices differ depending on show quality, line of work or quality of pet Newfoundlands.
- Age and color: Puppies are almost always more expensive. Newfoundland colors include black, brown, gray and Landseer (white with black markings).
When purchasing from a breeder, the price usually includes registration papers, vaccinations and a health guarantee.
It is crucial to choose a reputable breeder and avoid backyard breeders or online scams. Below, we’ll look at how you can be sure you’re speaking with a responsible breeder to help you avoid heartache and additional expenses later.
Health Tests for Newfoundland
Ask about health tests performed on the puppy’s parents. Newfoundlands are prone to certain health problems, so responsible breeders perform testing to ensure healthy litters. Essential tests include:
- Screening for hip and elbow dysplasia: This test evaluates the dog’s hip and elbow joints for dysplasia, a genetic disease common in large breeds where the joints do not develop properly, leading to arthritis and mobility problems.
- Cardiac exams: These evaluations check for congenital heart conditions common in Newfoundland, such as subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), ensuring that the dog’s heart is functioning properly.
- Eye health assessments: This screening looks for hereditary eye diseases such as cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, ensuring that Newfoundlands’ eyes are healthy and at no risk of vision loss.
- Cystinuria test: This genetic test identifies the presence of cystinuria, an inherited disease in Newfoundland that causes the formation of cystine stones in the kidneys and bladder, which can lead to urinary blockages.
Find a reputable breeder in Newfoundland
To find a reputable Newfoundland breeder:
- Consult the Newfoundland Club of America Ambassadors in your area for suggestions on local breeders.
- Ask dog shows, veterinarians or Newfoundland owners for recommendations.
- Research breeders online and look for any complaints or scams. Search for “Breeder Name Complaints” or “Breeder Name Scam” for past issues. Also check to see if there are any Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints about the company.
- Visit the breeder, meet the puppy’s parents and inspect the breeding facility. If the breeder doesn’t want you to visit the facility, that’s a huge red flag; Look elsewhere.
Adopting a Newfoundland from a Rescue Breed
![photo of the face of a black Newfoundland puppy](https://www.dogtipper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/newfie-price-at-rescue-900x600.jpg.webp)
Adopting from a breed-specific Newfoundland shelter generally costs between $300 and $800, varying depending on age and location. Specialized breed rescues in Newfoundlands can provide insight into the dog’s personality and needs. However, the dog’s complete history and health exams are not always available.
Newfie enthusiasts scour shelter websites for Newfoundland dogs, who end up in shelters for a variety of reasons:
- The previous owner has died.
- Changes in the owner’s living conditions, such as moving to housing that does not allow pets, facing health problems, not being able to afford the costs of owning a dog, having a new baby or getting into a relationship with someone who doesn’t want a dog. .
- Owners who underestimated the responsibilities of caring for a large, energetic breed like the Newfoundland.
- Newfies who were lost and then found by rescue services via shelter websites.
- Newfoundlands that were abandoned by breeders, probably because they were unsuitable for breeding or showing.
Regardless of the reason for their surrender, rescued Newfoundlands may or may not have registration papers, depending on whether they were abandoned with those documents.
When you adopt a Newfoundland dog from a purebred shelter, the dog will usually have received a full range of essential services, including:
- Spaying or neutering in most cases
- Vaccines adapted to their age
- Heartworm screening and ongoing preventative treatments
- Deworming Procedures
- A general well-being assessment
- All necessary veterinary care provided during their stay at the rescue
If you were to pay for these veterinary services independently, the costs could range from $300 to $500 and more, varying depending on factors such as your veterinarian’s fees and the sex of the dog.
Finding Breed Rescues in Newfoundland
Locate breed rescues by searching online or visiting the Newfoundland Club of America emergency network. Adoption fees generally cover spay/neuter, vaccinations and other veterinary care.
You can also search for rescues in Newfoundland. Note: Some will adopt out of their area while others will require home visits and require adopters to live in the area. Be sure to check the requirements of each rescue.
Here are some breed-specific rescues you might want to check out:
Adopt a Newfoundland from a shelter
![image of a brown Newfoundland dog taken from the side](https://www.dogtipper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/newfie-price-at-shelter-900x600.jpg.webp)
Shelters are the most economical option, with adoption fees typically ranging from $100 to $300.
As with a rescue, most shelters will have performed veterinary work on the adoptable Newfie, including:
- Spaying or neutering in most cases
- Vaccines adapted to their age
- Heartworm screening and ongoing preventative treatments
- Deworming Procedures
- A general well-being assessment
- All necessary veterinary care provided during their stay at the rescue
Although shelters offer a range of veterinary services, breed identification is not always accurate. Researching and understanding breed characteristics can really help you identify a Newfie in a shelter.
To find a Newfoundland in a shelter, you can start by contacting your local animal shelter or searching online. Sites like Animal search have specific pages for different breeds, including Newfoundlands. On these sites, you can filter your search based on your location by entering your zip code, which will show you the Newfoundlands available in your area. These lists usually include both rescue organizations and shelters.
You can narrow your search based on the dog’s age, gender, and even distance if you’re ready to consider adopting from a shelter outside your immediate area. Some people also prefer specific coat colors, and this option may be available in your search criteria.
As with adopting a rescued breed, the reasons why Newfoundlands end up in shelters are varied and are often related to changes in their previous owner’s circumstances, such as a move, financial constraints or the lack of time to properly train and care for a large breed dog.
Unlike rescued purebred dogs, dogs in shelters are typically housed on-site, which means the shelter environment may not provide as much information about the dog’s personality. It’s a good idea to speak with shelter staff to learn about any temperament tests the dog has undergone and to gain insight into its character, such as whether the dog is shy, outgoing, or has received prior training.
Additionally, ask about the dog’s background. Sometimes shelters receive pregnant purebred dogs who then give birth at the shelter. So you might find a Newfoundland puppy in such cases.
Advantages and disadvantages of each option
Breeders:
- Benefits: Choice of puppy, possible health examinations, support from the breeder.
- The inconvenients: Highest cost, wait time for puppies, due diligence required.
Breed Rescue:
- Benefits: Cheaper, breed specific advice, received valuable veterinary care, you save a life.
- The inconvenients: Uncertain history, possible waiting for a puppy, limited health examinations.
Shelters:
- Benefits: Lowest cost, immediate availability, received valuable veterinary care, you save a life.
- The inconvenients: Breed composition and history uncertain, limited health examinations.
Owning a Newfoundland is a big commitment, both emotionally and financially. Whether you choose a breeder, rescue or rescue, make sure you are ready for the responsibilities that come with owning such a magnificent breed.
How much does the Newfie cost compared to other breeds?
Check out these other articles here on DogTipper to see how the cost of a Newfoundland puppy compares to other breeds: