If you’re interested in adding a Newfoundland to your family, make sure before buying that you research the breed and breeder. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re able to spot the red flags of a puppy mill breeder or an irresponsible dog breeder.
Here in Ohio, the list of puppy mills is long.
In fact, in 2023 there were 100 puppy mills and puppy sellers listed on the Humane Society of the United States “Horrible Hundred” .
For the 11th year in a row, Missouri (31) had the highest number of dealers on the list followed by Iowa (13), Ohio (13), Pennsylvania (8), and Kansas and New York had 6 each.
Most of these mills in Ohio are located in or near Ohio’s Amish Country.
At least 12 of these puppy dealers have sold to Petland, the only national chain of pet stores left in the United States that still sells puppies.
Ohio is one of 28 states that regulate 255 registered “high-volume” dog breeders.
In Holmes County, which is located in Amish Country, 132 “high” volume dog breeders are registered.
(A high-volume dog breeder is anyone that keeps, houses, and maintains adult breeding dogs that produce at least 9 litters of puppies in any given calendar year and sells 60 or more adult dogs or puppies per calendar year.)
Why does this concern me?
Because there are a lot of Newfies that live in Ohio.
That’s not saying that every Newfie that lives in Ohio came from a puppy mill but I’ve unfortunately heard quite a few stories where a person has gotten their Newfoundland from Amish Country.
Also, Ohio is STILL one of the states that still allow puppies to be sold in pet stores.
In fact, if you look at the above map, I live in Cuyahoga County which has 3 pet stores that sell puppy mill puppies.
There’s a pet store less than 10 minutes away from my house that sells Newfie puppies.
They’ve been selling them there for at least the last 10 years.
Newfie uppies are still being sold in pet stores because people keep buying them and thousands of dogs are still suffering in puppy mills throughout Ohio.
Mother dogs are forced to breed continuously in factory-like conditions, then discarded like trash when they can no longer produce puppies.
Dogs are crammed into small, filthy wires cages for their entire lives, denied basic care.
Stop Puppy Mills Ohio is working to end this cruelty and they are making strides but they need the help from all of us too.
Sometimes, I feel, that despite efforts, we are stuck.
We’re stuck because in the world of purebred dogs, there aren’t as many ethical breeders as there are irresponsible breeders which makes it hard to tell them apart.
If you’re looking to get a well-bred Newfoundland, here are a few red flags to be on the lookout for:
Puppy Mill Red Flags To Watch For
Misuse of the word Adopt
Many pet stores, puppy mills and commercial breeders have started to use the term “adopt” to lure people in.
After all, society has told us many times to adopt don’t shop right?
If money is exchanging hands you’re making a purchase.
I’m not talking about a small adoption fee that you pay at a shelter, I’m talking about several hundred, and in many cases, thousands of dollars.
If you feel so guilty about buying a dog that using the term “adopt” makes you feel more comfortable in your own skin, then go to a shelter and adopt one.
If you want a purebred dog from a responsible breeder then you have to come to terms with the fact that you will be purchasing that dog.
A responsible breeder isn’t going to use the word adopt and try to compete with shelters and rescue dogs.
Photo courtesy of The Puppy Mill Project
Ethical Dog Breeders Don’t Sell To Pet Stores
It’s said that 95% of puppies sold in a pet store come from a puppy mill.
Please just stay away from pet stores.
You are not saving a puppy, you are putting more puppies and dogs in harm’s way because you are creating a demand for that breed.
For every puppy store sold in a pet store, another breeding bitch will have to endure horrible conditions to supply more puppies.
Dogs and puppies produced in puppy mills go through horrible things to get to that pet store.
They are kept in horrible conditions, not properly cared for, sold to a broker, placed in a pet store and cared for by people who are not qualified to care for any animals and no nothing about the breed.
Pet stores will often try to trick potential puppy buyers by using a play on words.
They will say that their puppies come from breeders and not puppy mills.
The problem with that is that a breeder is a loose term that refers to anyone who mates 2 dogs.
Do you think that the 16-year-old who is trying to sell you that puppy has ever been to that “breeder’s” facility?
I’m sure they have not.
Why do you trust what they’re saying then?
Have you ever seen a minivan of puppies being delivered to a pet store?
I have.
I use to work right across from a pet store and they would get “deliveries” of puppies twice a week.
They would get deliveries of puppies in a mini-van that was stacked with plastic carriers filled with puppies and the manager of the store would go through the puppies and pick out the ones that didn’t look sick.
It was a disgusting process.
Advertising
A responsible breeder does not rely on advertising.
They don’t place For Sale signs on their front lawn and they don’t waste their money on advertising on social media.
They don’t advertise in the newspaper, they aren’t listed in the eBay Classified section and they aren’t sold in pet stores.
Responsible breeder’s dogs sell themselves, they don’t need to pay for advertising.
Where you might see them is in the breed club’s magazine, show magazine or a dog health magazine.
Heath Certificate
If someone is using a health certificate as a selling point be careful.
A health certificate is required for any puppy sold across state lines.
All this means is that the puppy had a basic exam by a veterinarian.
This does not include specific testing such as being cleared by a cardiologist for heart conditions, or the testing of parents for genetic disorders such as hip dysplasia.
The Newfie is a breed prone to several health problems, you need to see that they’ve been cleared for heart conditions and dysplasia.
You should be able to see pedigrees and health clearances.
All you need is a dog’s registered name to look them up on the OFA website to see if they’ve had their hips and elbows evaluated.
Registered
Seems like today any dog can be registered with the AKC and many pet stores proudly display an AKC sticker somewhere on their storefront.
This registration does nothing to ensure that your puppy is healthy and free of genetic disorders, that the dog follows breed standards or that the dogs and puppies come from clean and safe environments.
All someone has to do to get an AKC registration is to send in a required fee along with an application, if the dog’s parents are registered, the puppy will then be entered into the AKC database and given a registration number.
It’s an important number to have if you’re going to do something with it like microchip your dog, OFA, compete in dog sports…etc.
It’s like a social security number for a dog but it doesn’t tell you anything about that actual dog, just that it exists in the world of dogs.
On the flip side, don’t let a breeder try to tell you that it’s not important and that’s why their dogs aren’t registered.
You need that information to look up important information!
No contract
A contract should come with any puppy that you purchase.
This contract contains important information like the breeder’s contact information, and information about vaccines, feeding and exercising.
It should include spay/neuter information, such as the proper time to alter a giant breed dog.
This is vital health information that every new puppy owner should have.
It has health testing information like when to have hips, knees, and elbows cleared.
Most breeders would like to have this information on file in case an issue arises.
A contract will usually also have an agreement in it that states you agree to contact the breeder if something happens and you are no longer able to keep the dog.
A responsible breeder wants this dog back, they do not want it going into a shelter.
Many people don’t know that there are quite a few people who are responsible for that dog.
When Sherman sired a litter a few years ago, I signed a contract agreeing that if a puppy was returned from that litter for whatever reason and whenever in time, I would take the dog if the breeder was not able to do so.
This ensures that the puppy always has a home.
A contract will also state if the puppy is considered pet quality or show quality.
This doesn’t mean that a show quality puppy is any better than a pet quality puppy in terms of health but that a show quality comes with a different set of responsibilities.
Breeder Red Flag Words or Phrases
- Rare color
- Dry-mouth
Newfoundland Rare Color
Stay away from the word rare.
There is no such thing as a rare color in the Newfoundland.
There are standard colors.
In the U.S., acceptable Newfoundland colors are black, white and black, brown and grey.
THIS COLOR IS A RED FLAG
There’s no silver, blue or bronze. Silver or blue=grey.
Sometimes you’ll see a white and brown but that’s not rare, that was someone either not paying close enough attention to color genetics or they knew exactly what they were doing and they wanted white and brown. It’s not rare.
Dry-mouth Newfoundland
Nope, not rare.
While some Newfies may drool less than others that’s the luck of the draw.
If someone is specifically breeding the jowls tighter so that they don’t drool as much, that’s altering the breed for their own satisfaction.
It’s not rare and it’s not responsible.
Experimenting with a litter to get a rare color is not ethical.
Breeding is not an experiment.
No visiting
If someone tells you that it’s not possible to visit their kennel or the place where the puppies are kept, run away.
Any respectable breeder will not mind inviting you to their place of residence.
They will not ask to meet you in a Walmart parking lot.
If someone says that they live on a 20-acre farm and that their place is too hard to find, don’t buy it.
map courtesy of Bailing out Benji
Also be careful of farms, while many breeders may actually live on a nice farm with lots of acres for their dogs to enjoy, there are some who keep their dogs locked in a cage in a barn on a farm, especially in Amish Country.
This is not a good quality of life.
Not being able to visit also means that you aren’t able to see the parents.
You want to be able to see at least one of the parents in person, preferably the mother.
If the father isn’t kept on the property then you should be able to see pictures or contact the person that has the father.
No Questions
You should be asking questions and the breeder should be asking YOU questions.
Good breeders care where their dogs are going, bad breeders do not.
6-8 weeks and ready to go.
Newfie puppies should not go to their new homes before 10-12 weeks of age
A puppy that is 8 weeks or younger should not be separated from the mother of the litter.
Most responsible breeders will not let puppies go to their new homes until at least 10 weeks of age.
At 8 weeks of age, a puppy is still learning crucial social skills from its mother and not all health tests have been performed.
When you get a puppy that is 8 weeks or younger you risk the puppy having social and behavioral issues later on in life.
No Waiting Period
If you decide that you want a Newfoundland today and you get one today, most likely you’re dealing with a puppy mill or greeder.
You shouldn’t be able to get a Newfoundland the same day that you decide you want a Newfoundland.
Most likely your name isn’t going to go on a list for the next litter.
The people on that list decided that they wanted a Newfoundland 12 months ago.
Being placed on the list isn’t a rule for ALL responsible breeders, some breeders do not like having a list for a handful of reasons and one is because they know exactly who their puppies are going to well beforehand.
While all responsible breeders may not use a list to keep track of potential puppy buyers, all responsible breeders will NOT give you a puppy the same day you show interest in one of their breedings.
It all comes down to the fact that puppy mills are going to be here as long as we let them be here.
If we are giving them a reason to produce puppies they will.
Newfoundland, 4 months old, in front of white background
It’s up to us to stop giving them reasons and be responsible puppy buyers.
This isn’t a new concept.
In fact, I was just reading one of my Newfoundland books that were copyrighted back in 1974 and it addresses many of the same things as I listed above.
Dog owners just need to be careful, do their research, be patient and ask questions.
Puppy Brokers To Stay Away From
A puppy broker is like a middleman between the breeder and the seller.
They don’t care about the welfare of the dog, they just want to make money.
Stay Away From:
- PuppyFind.com
- Greenfield Puppies
- Next Day Pets
- The Hunte Corporation
- Pet Land.
Researchers found at least nine dealers on the “Horrible Hundred” report selling online on PuppyFind.com.
PuppyFind.com has repeatedly been linked to problem puppy mills listed in the Horrible Hundred reports.
A number of the breeders in this report also advertise on other online outlets, including internet classified sites and on social media.
For a complete list of violations by state check out “The Horrible Hundred 2023”
Don’t think Newfoundlands are found in puppy mills?: In July 2014, a USDA inspector found 11 violations, including a Newfoundland dam with her 8 newborn puppies “located in a dirt hole” in an outbuilding; the licensee stated, “he was not aware [that] the puppies were there.” The puppies did not have their eyes open yet, they were soiled and vocalizing, and they were “too young to move out of the hole on their own,” according to the inspector’s report. In January 2015, Yoder’s USDA license was canceled for unknown reasons, but in February 2015, he applied for a new license. The prelicense inspection was compliant.
Individuals who have purchased a sick puppy whom they believe may have come from a puppy mill may file a report with the USDA using their online form at aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/aw_complaint_form.shtml
Buyers of sick puppies may also consider filing a complaint with the breeder’s state department of agriculture and/or their state Attorney General or consumer protection division.
Potential puppy buyers who witness suspected animal cruelty at a dog breeding operation should report it to the breeder’s local animal control agency or local humane organization.
If no such agency exists, report details to the local police or sheriff’s department. For additional help, visit www.humanesociety.org/reportapuppymill
Marie
Tuesday 30th of January 2024
Thanks for the advice. Apart from possibly my local animal shelter, are there any organizations that rescue Newfoundland puppy mill dams? Thanks.
Jess
Tuesday 5th of November 2019
As someone who works in the animal field- I say thank you, however some of your information might be a little misleading.
I bought my Newfoundland from a breeder in Indiana. They were a serious breeder, only putting out one liter per year. The dogs were healthy (confirmed), live on a spacious farm, and were happy and social. I found them in a newspaper ad ertisment as I lived in a different state.
Of course, do homework any time you work with someone: are the accountable? Do they let you see the property/conditions of the parents and pups? Are they credentialed? Are there reviews? Can they show health? But just because they have an add doesn’t automatically mean a puppy mill.
Grace Lesperance
Thursday 16th of May 2019
Thank you for posting this Jen! Very helpful and so important!
Our neighbor got a puppy from a rescue—half husky and half poodle. It was an accidental breeding at an Amish puppy mill, so they turned the whole litter in to a shelter.
Joe Mills
Saturday 20th of April 2019
This freaks me out. Last November my wife and I got a Newfoundland from an Amish person with the last name Yoder in Michigan. I hope it’s of no relation.
Kate W. Nol
Monday 1st of April 2019
Hi there. As a breeder of Labrador Retriever dogs, I agree wholeheartedly that if you look for a purebred puppy here are some guidelines: Ask about the health testing done on the parent dogs. Any breeder who truly cares will do health testing on their breeding stock. They will breed only health cleared, good specimens and examples of the breed. They will not continuously breed their females but allow skipped heats. They will keep their dogs up to date on vaccinations and vet visits. They will feed a quality food. They will have a safe, clean environment, not some sloppy, messy property. They will proudly and gladly show interested parties their dogs!! They will socialize with their dogs and puppies. They will love to discuss breed standards and offer health guarantees with their puppies because they want the very best for them and the new owner. They will welcome calls etc with questions about the puppy etc. They will make a new friend with each puppy they allow into a carefully chosen new owners arms. They will breed to bring out the best in the breed they represent. That's a responsible breeder. Bottom line, do your research before you buy. Sadly, it's too often people's own fault for ending up with a sick puppy and if there is no health guarantee you only have 10 days after the purchase date. See PA puppy lemon laws for your rights. Again, a responsible breeder stands behind his dogs and puppies. Research, ask lots of questions, but ask respectfully. There is no reason to come across as rude. If you feel uneasy about where you are looking at buying a puppy or dog, move on.