Bringing home a Newfoundland puppy is exciting! Before you choose a breeder, take time to do your homework. The internet can help you check facts and make smart choices.A pretty website is not enough. Good breeders are open about their dogs’ health, pedigrees, and titles. Here’s how you can look deeper and find real information.

✔ Check Health Testing

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
The OFA is a trusted health database for dogs in the United States. Many responsible breeders test their dogs for inherited health problems and list the results with OFA.
You can:
• Search by the dog’s registered name
• Search by the breeder’s kennel name (often the first word in a dog’s name)
• See results for hips, elbows, heart, cystinuria, and other tests
• View health results for parents and other relatives
Health clearances do not promise a perfect puppy. But they show that a breeder is trying to reduce health problems. You can also check health testing in the NCA Database

A breeder’s website or social media presence is a useful starting point—but it should never replace research, verification, and personal communication. Responsible breeders welcome questions, value transparency, and care deeply about where their puppies go. Choosing a breeder carefully helps ensure that your Newfoundland will be a healthy, well-bred companion for years to come.

✔ Look at Titles and Pedigrees

Newfoundland Club of America (NCA) Database
The NCA Database is a helpful research tool for Newfoundlands.
It includes:
• 3- and 5-generation pedigrees
• AKC titles (conformation, obedience, rally, agility, tracking)
• NCA titles (water and draft work)
• Public health clearances
You can search using all or part of a dog’s registered name. This helps you confirm claims made on a breeder’s website. If you are an NCA member you can also see reports on siblings and other offspring of the parents
There is also a searchable database supported by the German Newfoundland Club that includes many dogs with American and international lines.

✔ Verify Registration and Records

American Kennel Club (AKC) The AKC is the main registry for purebred dogs in the United States.
On the AKC website, you can:
• Confirm that a dog is AKC registered
• Search AKC records and board minutes
• Check for any public disciplinary actions involving breeders
You can also look up federally licensed breeders through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Inspection reports are available in the APHIS Reading Room under Animal Welfare.
Keep in mind:
Most small, responsible hobby breeders are not required to have a USDA license because they do not keep large numbers of breeding dogs.

✔ Ask for Referrals
The Newfoundland Club of America and its Regional Clubs can help you find responsible breeders.
Club members:
• Follow a code of ethics
• Care deeply about the breed
• Can offer guidance and referrals
A good breeder will ask you for references, like your veterinarian. You should feel comfortable asking the breeder for references too.

✔ Take Your Time

Finding the right breeder takes patience. A responsible breeder cares about:
• Health
• Temperament
• Structure
• The future of the breed
Doing careful research now helps you bring home a healthy, well-bred Newfoundland who will be part of your family for many happy years.