How To Evaluate Breeder's Websites (NCA Page)

BLCOLE

Active member
THANK YOU! This link leads to good stuff!

MODS!: I respectfully request that this tread be made a "sticky."
 

R Taft

Active member
Very well done and Thank you...Would make a great sticky, so many new people ask those questions answered so well. Love the red flag idea :)
 

Cascadians

New member
Sticky this!

I LOVE this new page! And I hope it inspired breeders to up their game.

For example I know of a reputable breeder, NCA, who does not have a website or do many health tests or even respond to inquiries.

A tip for newbies: You may really want a local dog, many benefits, but if there's no local breeders who fit this page's criteria be happy getting a dog from as far away as necessary to ensure you're doing the right thing.

Also newbies, if there's a local breeder who does not have a website, does not answer emails or phone calls, do not even think about that breeder. You want somebody who is willing to answer questions and is approachable and communicates readily.

Some breeders who have champions in their lines get incredibly snooty, knowing local in-the-know club members know about their kennel and there's always puppy buyers waiting. But they are awful to newbies and do not help the breed as a whole.

Here in the PacNW many newbies get their Newfs from the east coast or overseas. The local scene is a total nightmare except for Edie Koster who is a great person even to newbies :)
 

Garden_girl

New member
I agree, it's important info & this should be a sticky, BUT I know Gad hates them, I do too.
Pretty soon, he'll have to create a new forum just to host all of the stickys from the different forums. ;)
 
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Angela

Super Moderator
O.K. it's now a Sticky - should it be left here in General or I move it to Breeder's Forum?
 

Sound Bay Newfs

Active member
I didn't know where to put it either, but I put it in General because the other related stickies Finding a Good Breeder and Questions to Ask Breeders was in General. It technically does belong in the Breeder section, but I think it would get more exposure in the General section, especially that the other stickies are there. Maybe they all could be in the Breeder section.
 

Social

New member
Most of the information is really helpful, but I do not agree that if the breeder is not a member of a breed club it makes them less reputable. Some breeders don't have time for the activities, some live too far away, some just don't like the members, it really doesn't make them less reputable. And I don't think people should be looking for memberships, while doing a breeder search.
I know lots of breeders that are members that have no involvement with their group at all. This doesn't make them any more or less reputable or knowledgeable, then a non member.
 

Ivoryudx

New member
Most of the information is really helpful, but I do not agree that if the breeder is not a member of a breed club it makes them less reputable. Some breeders don't have time for the activities, some live too far away, some just don't like the members, it really doesn't make them less reputable. And I don't think people should be looking for memberships, while doing a breeder search.
I know lots of breeders that are members that have no involvement with their group at all. This doesn't make them any more or less reputable or knowledgeable, then a non member.
Well the argument is that if they are not a member of their Breed Club, then how are they actually supporting the breed they are breeding? If it were not for clubs, even the bad ones, there would be no standard, and there would be nobody making a group effort to find medical cures for this breed they are breeding. You don't have to live in a certain area to be a member of the National Breed club, but your membership dues help with research and help set the standard and protect the breed. If someone doesn't belong, I'm sure they have personal reasons, but THAT is something for a puppy buyer to be aware of and understand right up front.

IMO, it is a red flag to be questioned about.
 

Sun Valley

New member
IMO said:
I agree 100%...I don't see any reason why people aren't a member of an all breed club or a regional club. Clubs are a wonderful resource for learning, which should be be constant for anyone breeding, not to mention seminars that many clubs put on. These are invaluable tools that all serious breeder's should take advantage of.

LA
 

Social

New member
There are plenty of other ways to support your breed. You can donate directly to rescue groups or even specific dogs. I think that people that take the time to donate personally, rather then just paying dues, are better informed then the people that "paid their dues".
 

Sound Bay Newfs

Active member
There are plenty of other ways to support your breed. You can donate directly to rescue groups or even specific dogs. I think that people that take the time to donate personally, rather then just paying dues, are better informed then the people that "paid their dues".
You can donate to rescue when a member of a club too. Just writing a check does not make one more informed or involved with the breed. Those breeders that do not join a regional club, must have a reason why they don't, and that is a red flag in itself. I would wonder, as a pup buyer, what they were hiding.
 

BLCOLE

Active member
Well the argument is that if they are not a member of their Breed Club, then how are they actually supporting the breed they are breeding?

IMO, it is a red flag to be questioned about.
First off, I agree. Second, I have another angle on this. If the breeder isn't a member of a breed club, then how does one know whether or not the breeder knows anything about the breed? Clubs are GREAT resources to educate onesself about one's breed of interest.
 

911Newfs

New member
I think that people that take the time to donate personally, rather then just paying dues, are better informed then the people that "paid their dues".
How do you come to this conclusion? By making a "donation" to a rescue group makes one better "informed" than a person who is a member of a breed club (with access to all the information that breed club has to offer, the information from other club members, participation in breed events, including rescue efforts, etc.)??





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Ivoryudx

New member
There are plenty of other ways to support your breed. You can donate directly to rescue groups or even specific dogs.
Yes and who do you think is behind 90% of those rescue organizations? Without clubs, the other nonclub rescues would not be able to keep up. I won't go into numbers just in my local area. Even clubs who don't have rescue programs can be accessed, to ask large groups of people for help when needed for rescue. Nonclub rescues have other networks, but its not easy getting those to grow at the pace needed, and nobody covers the entire U.S. like the NCARescue does.

I think that people that take the time to donate personally, rather then just paying dues, are better informed then the people that "paid their dues".
Thats a broad statement, however there are club members out there who don't lift a finger to do more, and it is sad but true. However, the fact is, the majority of Newfoundlands being bred in the U.S. are being bred by NON-NCA breeders. Where do you think 98% of the dogs in rescue come from? If you don't know, its from the large majority of breeders who happen to not be NCA members. I have only seen ONE donation to our rescue from a non-NCA breeder and that was only because she covered the expenses of a dog whom she bred but we didn't know until after we had Vetted him. It was not that she gave us money just to be helping the breed rescue.

I have NEVER seen a Breeder, who isn't a member of any breed club, ever donate ANYTHING to the NCA Charitable Trust, to help Newfoundland disease research. I have also NEVER seen a Breeder who isn't a member of a breed club, have more knowledge than a Breed Club Breeder who has an entire network of people at their fingertips to access information about the Newfoundland. Not everyone gets along all the time, thats normal, but the bottom line is the dogs. If you truly love this breed, not just your own dog/s sitting in your living room with you, you will support the efforts of the breed clubs to further their goal of protecting the future welfare of ALL Newfoundlands.

So if a breeder is not a member of any breed club and are breeding, buyer beware, imo.
 

BlackLightning

New member
Another benefit of looking for a breeder that's a member of the NCA and/or regional clubs is that they are required to adhere to the Club's code of ethics. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but breeders that are not following the code of ethics can have their membership revoked or denied. This helps a puppy buyer weed out some BYB that are not following the strict ethics of the Club. To me, this is important.
 
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CMDRTED

New member
Well the argument is that if they are not a member of their Breed Club, then how are they actually supporting the breed they are breeding? If it were not for clubs, even the bad ones, there would be no standard, and there would be nobody making a group effort to find medical cures for this breed they are breeding. You don't have to live in a certain area to be a member of the National Breed club, but your membership dues help with research and help set the standard and protect the breed. If someone doesn't belong, I'm sure they have personal reasons, but THAT is something for a puppy buyer to be aware of and understand right up front.

IMO, it is a red flag to be questioned about.
Could not have said it any better. If your not a club member, don't show, don't do water, draft, etc. Then why are you in dogs? flag to me.

Also how do you improve the breed by non-participation?
 
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Sun Valley

New member
I have also noticed it is mainly only NCA breeder's that are sending in DNA on their Newfs. Non club member's are still breeding and still producing health problems, but are they sending in their DNA for research to help the breed???

LA
 
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