Newfoundland Dog Database

BlackLightning

New member
One resource that doesn’t always get mentioned to puppy buyers is the Newfoundland Dog Database. This online resource is a free database of Newfoundland Dog pedigrees by breeder. The database does have its limitations (sometimes not all dogs are listed, there can occasionally be mistakes in pedigrees, and there is a timing delay), but it is still a really valuable resource!

For instance, a puppy buyer can search the pedigrees for an entire kennel, or a specific dog/bitch from a kennel. Let’s say you are looking at a litter of puppies from a particular bitch named “Kennel Name’s I’ve had a lot of puppies” – you can do a search for that particular bitch and see how many litters she has had and how often (approximately, as I said, there are time delays in the database). A bitch should not be bred on back to back heats over and over and you should also note how many litters a particular bitch has had. This database helps give you an idea of whether... that particular breeder really has the bitch’s health in mind when breeding.

Here is an actual search result (kennel name not stated, but I will tell those that want to know)

I searched a particular bitch and asked to see all pups from this mother.
Here are the dates of her (5) litters:
Feb 11, 2008 – first litter
August 19, 2008 – 6 months after first litter
March 18, 2009 – 7 months after second litter
May 8, 2010 – 14 months after third litter
February 19, 2011 – 10 months after fourth litter

To me, the above information indicates that this is not a breeder I am interested in getting a puppy from!! This bitch has had 5 litters in 3 years and for at least three of those litters, the bitch was bred on back to back heats!

Here is another example. Same kennel, different bitch.
17-Feb-08
17-Oct-08 – 8 months after first litter
18-Mar-09 – 5 months after second litter!!
19-Oct-09 – 7 months after third litter
7-Nov-10 – 12.5 months after fourth litter

For those that are doing their puppy research, consider using the database! It isn’t perfect, but it is still a great tool and you may have some questions for your future breeder based on the results you find.

The database can be found at the following link: http://www.newfoundlanddog-database.net/en/

You just need to sign up for a free account and you can access all kinds of Newfoundland pedigrees! Even if you are not looking for a pup, the database can be a lot of fun – it can be used to go back and trace your own Newf’s heritage!
 

Capri

New member
I'm curious how does this info get input? From the breeders, themselves?
Karin (the database manager) has several country or region specific people sending her all updates they come across; new litters that are born, new health results taken etc. Most of the information is gathered straight from the country specific (Kennel Club upheld) databases (if there is one), but some information is gathered for example from show catalogues, breeders themselves, owners etc. I think that all general information (names, date of birth, photos etc.) can be submitted without "proof", but definitely health results are only updated if they either come from a reliable source (Kennel Club database) or if the owner/breeder sends copies of the actual certification papers.
 

CMDRTED

New member
Excellent database

I highly recommend the database for researching dogs. Chock full of information
 

pelena

New member
Hello everyone! I am new to the forum and I am currently waiting (hopefully) for our first Newfie puppy to grow up a little, get all the checkups and come to us. I stumbled across this database when I was trying to find some info on the pup’s parents.
I don’t know anything about breeding and genetics rules, so I have a couple of questions. This forum is a great resource, and the amount of expertise here is enormous, so I hope someone could help me answer these.
1. The mom’s hips condition is “fair”, but the dad’s is “excellent”. 7 of the 8 great-grandparents had normal or excellent hips, but one had “preliminary fair”, Should I be worried about the puppy’s hips?
2. One of the 8 great-grandparents was a Cystenuria carrier. No information on that condition is available for our potential puppy’s grandmather and father that have her lineage. Should I ask breeder for any additional clearances or to do any additional tests?
 

wrknnwf

Active member
Ask the breeder if either parent has Cystinuria. It doesn't matter what the grandparents have. Check the info below. If they don't know or won't tell you, don't buy a puppy from them. REALLY! They should not be breeding if they don't have a clue, because this is a very serious disease. It is perfectly permissible for a breeder to tell you that your pup is "cleared by parentage" meaning that your pup isn't affected.

BUT, if you don't trust the breeder you can have your pup tested. There is a simple genetic test to verify the presence of the recessive gene and the results would be one of the following below. This test and the info below only apply to Newfoundland dogs, and possibly Labrador Retrievers. Only a few labs can do the test so Google canine Cystenuria Labs if you decide to have it done.

The puppy has to inherit a Cystinuria gene (CY) from each parent to have the disease. If only one gene is inherited, your pup will be a carrier and should only be bred with a clear, normal (n) dog, if you ever decided to breed:

CY/CY (Affected) The dog carries two copies of the mutant gene and is homozygous for Cystinuria. The dog is affected by Canine Cystinuria.

CY/n (Carrier) Both the normal and mutant copies of the gene detected. The dog is a carrier for Canine Cystinuria.

n/n (Clear)Dog tested negative for the Cystinuria gene mutation, and will not pass on the defective gene to its offspring.

As for the hip status, you won't know until you get your puppy and until you have him x-rayed. If the pedigree looks pretty good, your chances are better, but it can only give you hope and absolutely no guarantees. Don't forget that elbows can be dysplastic also and you should x-ray those as well.

A preliminary x-ray should not be done before 7 months old and even then, it is not conclusive. At 2 years old, the x-ray will tell you if your dog is dysplastic and to what degree. X-rays should be done by a board certified radiologist and not the corner vet. Positioning is everything and many regular vets aren't trained in that.

Frankly, I say in your case, don't worry. Many Newfs have less than great hips and do just fine. Wait until you know for sure and then you can make decisions. But if you fret about it now, you'll be a wreck for months to come.

Concentrate more on what terrific fun you two will have and how you are going to raise and train him. That's the plan I would be working on now. Get that positive reinforcement training class booked so you can get him in right away. And look for regional Newf clubs in your area. Join for at least a year or two. They will be your best source of information. Get their newsletter, check their websites, FB, etc. and get involved. If you get involved and stick with it, you will not regret it, no matter how far you want to go, or not go, with your dog. And you might be surprised at where it leads you. A whole new adventure.

You know, we all dread dysplasia, but after the initial disappointment of finding our dog has it, we learn that our dogs don't walk on x-rays, that each dog is individual in how much it bothers him, if at all, and that we will love him just as much if not more. So let go of that worry for now. You have done your homework and research and given yourself the best odds, so good for you!!!

And if you were to rule out every pedigree that has some crummy hips in it, when looking for a pup, you would never end up getting one. And you would miss out on the most wonderful dog you may ever have.
 
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BlackLightning

New member
Couple things...

Fair hips are passing hips. I wouldn't be concerned about a hip rating of fair. They get a bad rep and people often are disappointed when they get a fair rating, but they are passing! If you are seeing "mild, moderate, severe", these are hips that have not passed. Are you familiar with the OFA database? If not, here is the link. https://www.ofa.org/ - you can type in the names of your puppy's parents to see all of the tests they have had. Keep in mind that it is up to the breeder whether they want the results posted on OFA, so a dog that has no clearances on the database doesn't mean they haven't had the tests. They are not always listed on the pedigree database, so that's why I am drawing your attention to the OFA database. "Preliminary" just means they did the xrays and submitted them for evaluation before the dog turned 2. OFA will not provide an actual clearance until a dog turns two. There are lots of reasons why a breeder would xray before 2, so don't be worried about that. Depending on how old the dog was when the hip xrays are done, some will redo the xrays after the dog turns 2 to get an actual clearance from OFA... however, sometimes if the dog was quite close to being 2 years of age, the breeder may skip doing the finals and just stick with the prelims because they feel the hips won't have changed much in that time frame.

Cystinuria - both parents must carry this gene for the puppy to be affected... so being a "carrier" just means that the dog carries the gene, it does not mean they have cystinuria. A carrier must be bred to a cystinuria-clear dog to ensure the puppies do not end up with the disease. "Clear by parentage" implies that both of the dog's parents have been tested clear for cystinuria and therefore the dog has no chance of having it or carrying the gene themselves.

Feel free to send me a private message if you want to chat more about the breeder, etc. Happy to help.
 
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