Hello Newf net. :)

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Saheeta

New member
Hi all. My name is Jessie Bradford, and I eat sleep and breath dogs. I love trianing, and grooming. I also love the culture and history behind dogs as a whole. I was married two years ago, and my husband has been crying for a puppy for about two years now. I told him to do his research and to come to me when he has narrowed down a few prospects based on common behaviors in the breed, and NOT apperance. Working at a kennel/rescue in past years, I have had many fosters, and taken on many hard cases. One of them is still with me, as she was simply too fearful of people when I was due to leave and the choices where to leave her to become a perminant resident, or to adopt her.


Hmm... Im rambling. haha. I believe I was coming into explaining I have fostered and worked with many breeds and mixes, and I have found I am very fond of Dobermans and Newfoundlands. I admire the newfoundlands patience and quiet way of working out a problem when training, and I LOVE a dog that loves the water. We will be moving home to Washington state soon and its just brimming with beautiful lakes to hike around and swim in. Its an added bonus that they are so fun to groom, and they look so pretty fresh after a blow out with a big dryer.


Our short list is comprised of the Newfoundland, various spaniels, and the flat coat retreiver. I wish Doberman could be on that list, they are a dream to train... but we are a navy family and moving is in our future. Dobermans tend to make moves very diffucult as most renters are leary of "dangerous" breeds. *eye roll*


SO. Im SO excited becasue we are going to westminster next week and my hubby will get to learn about and expirience many breeds, and talk to some real experts (the breeders). It has also been a dream since I was very small to see this show in person. Living ont he west caost I never thought that would happen. but here I am in CT and gearing up to achieve a dream.

We've been planning for a puppy for a year and a half now, and finally landed on a short list, and I just found out Im pregnant... needles to say the nanny dog rocketed to the top of the list. ...

So, thats me and my life in a nut shell. Im very excited to tap into the wealth of knowledge here, and hope I can share a few things I've learned along the way as well!

*Also I am a TERRIBLE speller... and my quick typing makes for many typos... sorry for future blunders.
 
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Puppypeoplenj

Puppypeoplenj

New member
Congratulations! It sounds like you're doing your research, and I'm sure the more experienced people will chime in with their thoughts, but I'm wondering: If you just found out you're pregnant, are you sure now is the right time for a puppy? I'm not an expert by any means (I'm still waiting on a puppy myself!) But from what I read around here, newfs are a breed that is very slow to mature, and at 9 or 10 months, you'd still be dealing with puppy antics. That could be quite a lot to deal with. Maybe you might be better suited to an adult rescue or rehome? I just want to bring it up as something to think about!

Anyway, welcome to NN! We're happy to have you, and I hope you stick around. :)
 
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Saheeta

New member
Ya, Ive been trying to steer my husband away from the idea of a puppy and more towards the idea of a retired breeder or a rescue. I am a very pro rescue kind of person. and Its nice to have a dog that is past the house breaking and just general puppy antics. hes very open to fostering and rescues... but hes never expirienced a puppy and its hard to rip him from the idea of a puppy. I talk alot about how rewarding training is, and he has i in his head is best to start froma puppy... Personaly I think its much more excitingg to train a 1 year old. they still have all the enthusiasim, and they have the maturity to learn some better tricks... like turning lights on and off, opening things for you... service dog kind of stuff...

Ive also had a very strong desire to have a therapy dog. My current dog had a very rough start in life and so doesnt cope well with strangers. she will sit calmly, but does not enjoy interaction with people outside her circle. Its the same with others dogs. it takes her a bit to warm up, but once shes there she can be very clingy. ESPECIALLy with another dog friend.

I've def. concidered the amouunt of work involved with a teenager newf and a baby and the prospect feels a little intimadating... I can also see how it can be rewarding. But I honestly feel an adult would be just as rewarding... For now Im gonna get the hubby to the show and let him get a feel for how BIG and fluffy and slobbery newfies actually are. haha. pictures and articles can only show you so much. Nothing beats hands on interaction.

Thank you for the welcome and advice. :)
 
victoria1140

victoria1140

Active member
hi from the uk

teenage newfs can be little hellraisers but with training are amazing. Puppies are wonderful but they dont stay pups for long .

also work out whichever way you decide to go on over the top insurance, my puppy has cost £8000 $12000 approx for ortho issues and hes only 8 months old
 
takemebacktotulsa

takemebacktotulsa

New member
Welcome!

Have fun at Westminster and let us know which way you are leaning after visiting with all of the breeds on your short list.
 
snowdog

snowdog

Member
Yes....let us know how it goes at Westminster! Newf pups and small children can be a dangerous combination in the wrong hands. (any pup for that matter - but newfs are just so darn large, playful bites or getting knocked over can easily require an emergency room visit) However - like most of us on this site newf owners are a breed apart - if you can't be talked out of a crazy newfie after hearing all the ups and downs and wild stories on this site - then you are definitely the right person for a newf! You sound very experienced with dogs so I am sure you will end up with just the right fit for you and your family. Congratulations on the new baby....what an adventure you are just beginning.
 
YorkvilleNewfie

YorkvilleNewfie

New member
Welcome from the 'burbs of Chicago!

I'm one of the few idiots that's done a first pregnancy and a Newf pup at the same time, and while my experience (once I emerged from post-partum depression) on the whole was positive (my girl was 5 months when I had the baby and has always been exemplary around him. Has never once hurt him, even accidentally, has loved him from minute 1, has been ridiculously tolerant of his behavior at all ages and stages and they are now the very best of friends at 2 years old each) it was also incredibly chaotic and difficult. And we really simply were very lucky with our girl. I think she's the exception to the rule as far as young Newf pups and newborns go.

I can honestly say that it's not for the feint of heart. Really, I think it's the sole territory of the clinically insane! :lol: If you're crazy and don't mind being 2x's fatigued and pulling your hair out and breaking out into sobbing fits for a year or so...you have my blessings! :D

Seriously though, I would not recommend it. I would, however, look into getting an adult rescue from one of the regional NCA - Newfoundland Club of America - rescues. Here's a link! http://www.ncarescue.org/pages/rescuemap.html Good luck to you!
 
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NewfieMama

NewfieMama

New member
Really, I would see how parenting goes before getting a pup. As a mom of a high needs child AND one high needs Newf I'll tell you there's no way I could have handled a baby and Zuzu.

Cooper - a breeder rehome - perfect family dog but he needs and deserves a lot of attention too. He probably would have been fine with me and my baby but I would have been wracked with guilt over not giving him as much as he needs.
 
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Saheeta

New member
Thank you for all the wonderful advice. I assure you all I will not allow myself to get in over my head. Back when I used to work at the kennel and foster I had up to 7 dogs in my house (lived out in the country) at one time... It was indeed hectic, and sometimes downright impossible... lol. This is not bragging mind you, its admiting that I've been in over my head and know my limmits.

Ive been through 3 teenage newfoundlands... Basically fostered them for awhile to try and teach them some manners before placement. The one male was all goofy antics and no concentration. lol... training was a bit of a challange, but he settled into a very nice dog. His adopters wouldnt trade him for anything. These three examples def. won my heart over to the newfie... even though the previously mentioned male destroyed 90% of my grooming tools... Every pin brush, rake, and slicker's handle is chewed up. haha... and some of that stuff aint cheap! but... thats something you must come to accept with any dog... they eventually all cause damage.

I will be sure to pop on after westminster and let you guys know where we stand on our short list. :) Im so ecxited Im fixing to jump outa my skin!
 
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Saheeta

New member
Alright. i promised I'd hop on after Westminster and let everyone know how it went.... It was everything you would expect it to be and then some. The seattle dog show had more in the way of grooming equipment for sale... I was hoping to get a table but they only had fold outs... wanted a hydraulic one... the most important part, education, was there. The hubby and I saw every dog on the short list we had set up... It didnt really help us widdle it down though. lol. they where all very wonderful dogs. Ultimatley we want a wonderful family dog. secondly I'd love to do therapy and agility. I also enjoy grooming and having a dog with lots of coat would be fun. So the short list remains:

Newfoundland, Both cockers(Am. & Eng) and the keeshound...

All would make wonderful family and therapy dogs... the keeshound can do agility, and they are all fun to groom. BUT. we dont feel in any great hurry. theres always room for more research to ensure we end up with the right dog for us :)

Thanks for all the warm welcomes guys. :)
 
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