I don't think anyone is trying to be off-putting. I think they're trying to open the eyes of anybody new who hasn't decided on a breeder yet. And these threads are where many "newbies" look first...at puppy pics. These threads are the PERFECT place to educate, and to make some think twice, and start to do the research that's available to them.
Of course once someone has chosen their pup and has made an agreement with a breeder, there's very little chance that person will change their minds. And YES we want all puppies to have long, happy, healthy lives. They should be as much loved as any dog from anywhere. And of course we want to see pictures and hear about them as they grow. This forum is filled with animal lovers, and especially Newf lovers. We wish only the very best for any Newf, no matter what their pedigree is.. and their owners (no matter what their pedigree is either LOL), and we do welcome all here to the forum.
One thing MANY of us have learned, who have been on this and other forums for years, is that as we became more knowledgeable about our breed of choice, our "requirements" have become more stringent. Aubrey mentioned cost. Believe it or not the cost of a show breeder's Newf isn't much different, if at all, from a Newf that's from a BYB or a pet store. In fact, I've seen some BYB and mill quality Newfs online for MORE than I paid for any of mine, who are from long time show breeders. And remember show breeders do not show all the puppies they produce. Not all are show quality. Most are placed as pets because of a minor flaw that the average person can't see...but a judge in a show ring can. So yes...you can get a puppy from a top of the line pedigree for the same cost as one with a BYB pedigree. Many people either don't know or don't believe this. It's true. You may have to wait a while, but if you want a Newf to be everything it should be, it's worth giving consideration, at the barest minimum.
I know that when we got our first Newf, Mira, we chose the wrong breeder. I won't say we chose the wrong puppy...because we couldn't love her any more. She's a fantastic girl. But she is not a good representative of the breed, and honestly, we had no clue what we were doing when we got her. And of course we joined Newf Net right before we brought her home...she was already "chosen", so we were in the same place as most other first time buyers I've seen here over the years.
We wanted a Newf. A Newf that looks and acts like a Newf should. One who fits the breed standard (like Josh at Westminster who, I'll reluctantly admit it, is the REASON we decided on getting a Newf), from a breeder who breeds to that standard. The breed standard Newf IS a conforming show dog. It is also a water dog, and a dog who can pull a cart. If it doesn't "look" right...if the body structure is wrong, the bone is slight, the head, eyes, flews aren't correct....it cannot do it's job. And that's the very reason for it's existence at all. We thought we had chosen a good breeder. We didn't. Not at all. We have a wonderful, beautiful girl, who looks NOTHING like Josh did at Westminster. For years she looked like a Flat Coated Retriever with a shorter nose, until at age 7 she gained a bit more weight and grew more hair. So we learned a lesson, and didn't make the same mistake again.
I think this is what some people don't understand about the replies. The breed is the breed is the breed. It is supposed to look a certain way for a reason. Not because they make great pets no matter what they look like, but so they can WORK as intended. The "looks" play a huge role in that. And that's what those of us who love the breed (not just an individual dog), strive to impress upon people before they make a choice.
So, after our first poorly chosen breeder, we learned, and then we got our second, third and fourth Newfs from very reputable breeders, and as a result we have show quality Newfs. They look and act like they're supposed to. They all meet the standard as much as any dog can, with their individual minor "flaws"(no dog is perfect). Do we love them more than we love Mira or our rescues? No. But we can and do greatly appreciate the difference in the overall quality of the dogs we got from "show breeders".
I hope you all understand that our frustration isn't with the buyers as much as it is with the breeders. People shouldn't be breeding dogs just because they love them. No matter how well cared for they are...if they're not breeding to the standard...they're not doing the breed any favors. And if they don't have the best interest of the integrity of the breed in mind, WHY are they breeding at all? Perhaps because they know that puppies are something that people tend to want "right now", and ALL puppies are cute. And because people "just want a pet" so are willing to accept something "less" than a show dog. Or because they love their pets and want to "share" the experience with others. To me, none of those reasons are good enough for our Newf breed.
Yes, I'll say it...I wish first time buyers would research for a year or two before deciding on a puppy. I wish they'd do everything possible to insure that they get a GOOD quality dog from a good quality breeder. I wish all breeders would only breed to the standard and do it for the betterment of the breed. I wish they'd all strive to be "show dog" breeders. I wish this for the breed itself ... not because of what I want or don't want, or like or don't like, but to insure that the Newf, as it was intended, will be around for decades/centuries to come.
I'm not trying to flame. I'm trying to make the owner feel welcome, and let her know that we are here for her and support her.
