Hello! Advice needed

[Bryan]

I have always had a facination with Newfs as a breed and especially there place in history.
I finally have the opportunity to purchase one but I am finding the process a bit overwhelming. I live in NW Vermont, where there doesn't seem to be many Newf connections, and heard about a breeder in Haydenville, MA. I will be visiting her place in person but in the mean time I was very impressed with her manner over the phone. She asked me a lot of questions and voluntered a lot of info. I have been doing my homework as well but was hoping a forum like this one would give me more information and advice. For example, how do I find out if the breeder is on the up-and-up or just a smooth talker. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Bryan-an anxious pre-Newf owner.

 

[Marthas Vineyard Newfie]

Hi Brian.. To my knowledge that woman is the only breeder in Massachusettes. If there are others, they are pretty quiet about it.. in the newf.net search box-> do a search on the topic breeders, tons of info there..

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

I believe there are other brreders in Mass. COntact the Newfoundland Club of New England. THey have a website. You can also the NCNE club and/or find breeders thru the Newfoundland club of America website.

THese clubs have standards the breeders must agree to inorder to be on the breeders list. While this doesn't guarntee they are good & reputable the chances are better. You need to do you your homework and get references.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Bryan,
I definitely know of breeders in Mass., but can't vouch for them, having not purchased a puppy or met them. But certainly contact the NCNE. I've noticed not all breeders are listed on the internet, but the club should be able to provide you with a list.
Have you considered crossing over into Canada? I drove up through Vermont to reach my breeder, Marcarpents in Ontario, just near Cornwall,NY.Probably just as close as MA to you. She does have a website and excellent reputation.
Best of luck, Anne

 

[afreas]

Welcome to Newf.net. Couple of pointers.
1) Insist that the parents have proper health clearances for heart, hips, elbows, knees.... There are other folks on the list that can help with getting a better list than this and exactly how to check these things.
2) Make sure that the guarentee is something that you can live with and really is a guarentee. if the guarentee isn't good you end up having to make the choice between returning the dog and having it put down or just living with the consequences of a genetic issue alone.
3) Ask all the hard questions before you see a puppy, they are like kryptonite for good sense. Just too cute, too cuddly for anybody to make a clear decision

.
4) Don't get a first breeding. (I may get flak on this one but it is my experience that this is a bad thing for a non-expert to do).
5) Checkout the results of the previous litters. Talk to the owners and see what health issues they are dealing with. It isn't a guarentee but it would have helped us out.
6) Don't rely on a person's being on a breeders list as any sort of guarentee, even the best of clubs can't always deal with poor breeders as fast as they would like.

This is just a quick list of things I have learned in my experiences. My wife (NewfMom) can fill in what I have missed.
ART

ART

 

[mudji]

My suggestion, go to NCNE events and dog shows. Talk to as many breeders as possible in person. They probably might be checking you out as much as you are checking them out. Read books on the subject and have an idea what sort of newf look you are looking for. Many like a "Pouch Cove" head, others like a less boxy head. Subscribe to NewfTide, the official publication of NCA. That will give you a chance to look at the various kennels and folks that are showing and involved in NCA.

Hope that helps,
hannah

 

[brendapiepiorka]

I just read in one of our nearby towns paper, an add for newf puppies..$800.00. I called just to ask some questions and see if what I have learned on here would apply. Well, He said the pups are ready to go now at 6 weeks. No health guarentees,no health checks on either parent, no contracts, no questions for me as a prospective buyer. He said first come first serve basis. He said they don't do any of "that stuff". I hung up stunned. I really didn't expect that. I should have said, get on newfnet you dumb$%#@#$%! and get some education!

 

[Bluedog]

Brenda,

You and Sarnewfie must read the same paper. She just posted about this same litter under Breeding and Genetics. Makes want to cry.