How did u meet your newf?
- Thread starter oconneam
- Start date
Wash
New member
Ours was from a breeder. I actually had to "trick" my wife into getting him. We had been discussing a dog for a long long time. I had my heart set on a Newf since I was probably 10 years old, my wife was not a dog person. She did not want a small dog, she didnt want a medium sized dog, She was especially not a big dog person, not a hairy dog person, and not a slobbery dog person. After months I had finally convinced her to at least look at dogs, but she was thinking small dog. I secretly started having conversations with a breeder while warming her to the idea of any dog. We went to shelters and looked quite a bit.
After about a month of looking around (and me talking with the breeder) I convinced her to at least "look" at a Newf puppy. She was reluctant (and dead set against actually doing anything as far as bringing one home) but agreed to go and see the Newf puppies.
We drove a hour and a half to the breeder I had been talking with. He let momma and dad Newf out to greet us, and my wife about had a heart attack at the size. He then brought us out to where the puppies were all playing. One puppy immediately left the others, came straight to my wife, and plopped right down on her. That was the end of that.
(On a side note about 4 minutes into the 1 and a half hour drive home, this puppy had a nervous fit of "pudding poop" in the back seat of our jeep which smelled lovely)
My wife and the giant, hairy, slobbery dog she never wanted.
After about a month of looking around (and me talking with the breeder) I convinced her to at least "look" at a Newf puppy. She was reluctant (and dead set against actually doing anything as far as bringing one home) but agreed to go and see the Newf puppies.
We drove a hour and a half to the breeder I had been talking with. He let momma and dad Newf out to greet us, and my wife about had a heart attack at the size. He then brought us out to where the puppies were all playing. One puppy immediately left the others, came straight to my wife, and plopped right down on her. That was the end of that.
(On a side note about 4 minutes into the 1 and a half hour drive home, this puppy had a nervous fit of "pudding poop" in the back seat of our jeep which smelled lovely)
My wife and the giant, hairy, slobbery dog she never wanted.
Lori
New member
First newf, made the mistake of buying from the first "breeder" we went to. Long story short, BYB and puppy had many problems. That didn't change my love for her. Unfortunately she only lived to be 5 1/2 years old. Biggest thing, do your research and ask many questions. Second newf was through rescue. My heart dog, Chance who went to the bridge at 12 years old. Rescue is a wonderful option, and you are actually saving two lives. The one you rescue and that makes room for another to be saved. Good luck in your search!
dumainedogs
New member
Met my first newf/lab mix when I was writing a story for the tv station where I worked on a dog available for adoption. I adopted him before the video ever hit air. He was and will always be my heart dog.
After my experience with Kirby, I knew I needed another newf. Hubby & I started out looking at rescue, then decided we wanted to raise a puppy. As part of our research we drove 10 hours to a Newf water test in Texas. A short time later, someone I met there gave me the lead on Obie's breeder. After a visit to meet and greet...
... I fell in love all over again.
Obie came home about 6 weeks later.
After my experience with Kirby, I knew I needed another newf. Hubby & I started out looking at rescue, then decided we wanted to raise a puppy. As part of our research we drove 10 hours to a Newf water test in Texas. A short time later, someone I met there gave me the lead on Obie's breeder. After a visit to meet and greet...
... I fell in love all over again.
Obie came home about 6 weeks later.
Dawj2
New member
I was set on getting a great dane and my fiance wanted a mastiff and we could just never agree completely. My mom was getting her 2nd dane puppy and we went to a dog show in PA to see her breeder and meet the pups that were 15 minutes away at his house...at that show i saw a big newfie sprawled out on the ground and it tugged on my heart so i made sure to check them all out adn as we were driving back to NY i thought it all it and realized a newf would be perfect for the rescue mutt we already had. I looked for a lot of breeders and duncan's had just bred her dogs and was taking deposits so i put one down....we drove 6 hours to NH when they were 4 weeks to meet them but didnt know which would be our duncan...then the day we went back to get him finally came! She brought us downstairs where there were three left and she was talking to them saying u r very nice but are not her baby and then...i saw him<3 and i teared up when she put him in my arms bc he was everything i ever wanted! And he still is at 17 months<333
Leonard and his bud Snuffles
Active member
Hehe, I like that term. I guess I fall into the same catagory.I'm an "Accidental" Newf Lover
I got Snuffles via my neighbor. The basic story is here in the
Snuffles is mine!!! thread.
NewfDad
Member
Kimber - First Newf: Typical BYB story, cute (actually beautiful IS) awful joints. Amazing girl, born to be a therapy dog. Got a patient to talk for the first time in months after a stroke left them in a nursing home. She is Newfmoms heart dog and she is so very missed by all of us. Crossed over the bridge at 10 1/2
Moose - Second Newf/Lab: Rescue, Newfmom saw him on petfinder and he looked so so sad, then through folks and their friends on NN got him out of the shelter crated him in LA and flew him to Newark NJ (direct flight). Moose helped raise our son, he was the rock my son leaned on when life got hard. He was 10 when we rescued him and we had him for another 5 1/2 years in spite of health problems before he crossed the bridge.
Katala - Third Newf: We had lost Kimber and were kind of lightly looking around for a pup. Susan (IvoryUDX) then sent a PM asking if we would consider rescuing a pup out of a litter she had in rescue, was on the fence a bit and then she sent the pictures, at that point I was gone, drove out got here the day before vacation and spent our first week bonding on the beach, she is a total daddy's girl. Snuggler First Class with Honors... SIR... can't imagine life without her.
Kilrain - Fourth Newf: Our little goofball, Kilrain is a rescue, we check out the SCNC rescue page from time to time and saw Kilrain on the page. Kilrain was a pup at the time and he is blind. He had been on the page for a while. The little guy is so sweet he just caught our hearts. We emailed Susan (IvoryUDX) and asked why he hasn't been adopted yet and she said that they were looking for the right place, we said we were interested if they couldn't place him and a few days later we drove out and got the little guy. Kilrain defines exuberance in spite of reality, he doesn't know he is blind and we aren't going to tell him. It is mildly disturbing though to see him run after Katala and jump completely over a piece of furniture, 90+ pounds in mid air, unguided. He has turned out to be Momma's little boy, he has become Sharon's snuggle dog.
We have been blessed with amazing dogs, all unique, all sweet. We have also been blessed by folks here on NN and friends of theirs. Susan for entrusting us with Kilrain and Katala, helping us with Kimber. Jenn and her friend Andrea for getting Moose to us. Karen with here advice on Addisons for Moose. And many others for their support and wisdom.
Moose - Second Newf/Lab: Rescue, Newfmom saw him on petfinder and he looked so so sad, then through folks and their friends on NN got him out of the shelter crated him in LA and flew him to Newark NJ (direct flight). Moose helped raise our son, he was the rock my son leaned on when life got hard. He was 10 when we rescued him and we had him for another 5 1/2 years in spite of health problems before he crossed the bridge.
Katala - Third Newf: We had lost Kimber and were kind of lightly looking around for a pup. Susan (IvoryUDX) then sent a PM asking if we would consider rescuing a pup out of a litter she had in rescue, was on the fence a bit and then she sent the pictures, at that point I was gone, drove out got here the day before vacation and spent our first week bonding on the beach, she is a total daddy's girl. Snuggler First Class with Honors... SIR... can't imagine life without her.
Kilrain - Fourth Newf: Our little goofball, Kilrain is a rescue, we check out the SCNC rescue page from time to time and saw Kilrain on the page. Kilrain was a pup at the time and he is blind. He had been on the page for a while. The little guy is so sweet he just caught our hearts. We emailed Susan (IvoryUDX) and asked why he hasn't been adopted yet and she said that they were looking for the right place, we said we were interested if they couldn't place him and a few days later we drove out and got the little guy. Kilrain defines exuberance in spite of reality, he doesn't know he is blind and we aren't going to tell him. It is mildly disturbing though to see him run after Katala and jump completely over a piece of furniture, 90+ pounds in mid air, unguided. He has turned out to be Momma's little boy, he has become Sharon's snuggle dog.
We have been blessed with amazing dogs, all unique, all sweet. We have also been blessed by folks here on NN and friends of theirs. Susan for entrusting us with Kilrain and Katala, helping us with Kimber. Jenn and her friend Andrea for getting Moose to us. Karen with here advice on Addisons for Moose. And many others for their support and wisdom.
jaxson
New member
We started with the Newfoundland Club of America, where they have a list of "approved" breeders. We trolled the list and contacted the ones we were most impressed by based on the information available on their websites. Following a smaller-than-anticipated litter, the one we ultimately decided to go with referred us to another breeder that had paired a dam from her kennel to a Topmast Sire that she seemed pretty impressed by. After much conversation with breeder #2 and investigation of the health of the pups line, we felt comfortable and went ahead and got our Sophie.
Crosslake25
New member
Steve, our newf mix is a rescue. Saw him on petfinder and made an appointment to go see him immediately. Hubby fell in love at first sight, which was a relief, since he was not entirely convinced we had the bandwidth for a dog in the family.
We tried fostering two dogs with the intention to adopt -- one was a mix (Rottie/husky/shepherd) who had such terrible separation anxiety that it stressed Steve out too much. The second, a purebred Great Pyr, nearly ATE him -- it was dogfight central in our tiny livingroom.
Third try was a charm: Chance, our newf, came from a breeder. I had put in adoption applications with the local rescues, and also called around to breeders to see if there were any adults needing to be rehomed (we didn't think we could handle a pup). One of the breeders we contacted just happened to be winding up her kennel and Chance was available -- how lucky for us.
I'm already plotting Newf #3, but sssshhhhh, don't tell my hubby!
We tried fostering two dogs with the intention to adopt -- one was a mix (Rottie/husky/shepherd) who had such terrible separation anxiety that it stressed Steve out too much. The second, a purebred Great Pyr, nearly ATE him -- it was dogfight central in our tiny livingroom.
Third try was a charm: Chance, our newf, came from a breeder. I had put in adoption applications with the local rescues, and also called around to breeders to see if there were any adults needing to be rehomed (we didn't think we could handle a pup). One of the breeders we contacted just happened to be winding up her kennel and Chance was available -- how lucky for us.
I'm already plotting Newf #3, but sssshhhhh, don't tell my hubby!
victoria1140
Active member
did all the research and as we normally want to give a dog a second chance contacted all the rescues.
One day on the internet on a rescue site was a picture of Beau saying he was still at original owners house but needed a new hom. Phoned them up and gave all our details plus info on all home checks we had had done pplus vets phone number and refereences. That evening we drove , saw him and wanted him. He was grey, slightly stinky untrained and scared of most things. I know he is a byb dog and has had more emergency dash's to the vets and health issues than any of my others put together.
He is our antisocial behaviour newf who is well loved and has very proud parents who would never want to be without him. He fills the house with his goofy ways and attention seeking devices/.
One day on the internet on a rescue site was a picture of Beau saying he was still at original owners house but needed a new hom. Phoned them up and gave all our details plus info on all home checks we had had done pplus vets phone number and refereences. That evening we drove , saw him and wanted him. He was grey, slightly stinky untrained and scared of most things. I know he is a byb dog and has had more emergency dash's to the vets and health issues than any of my others put together.
He is our antisocial behaviour newf who is well loved and has very proud parents who would never want to be without him. He fills the house with his goofy ways and attention seeking devices/.
TerriW
Active member
Our second Newf joined the family unexpectedly. I was driving to the store and saw a lady walking a - gasp is that a .... it is! - Newf, and stopped to chat her up. I had a 2-year old male at home, myself. The lady introduced me to Morgan and told me, sadly, she had just called rescue on him. Without thinking I blurted out - Don't give him to rescue - I will take him!
Long story short, I ended up adopting that sweet dog. He was a year old, had just gotten 'too big' for the family and spent much time relegated to the backyard during the day and basement at night. That first night I welcomed Morgan into the bed with me and he lay with his head on my chest, staring at me. From that point on he was my wonderful, loyal boy. He and Max (the 2-year-old Newf) became best buddies.
Max died in 2006 and a short year later Morgan died as well. He never stopped looking for Max. He finally gave up and joined him..... I think he was the sweetest Newf ever.
Long story short, I ended up adopting that sweet dog. He was a year old, had just gotten 'too big' for the family and spent much time relegated to the backyard during the day and basement at night. That first night I welcomed Morgan into the bed with me and he lay with his head on my chest, staring at me. From that point on he was my wonderful, loyal boy. He and Max (the 2-year-old Newf) became best buddies.
Max died in 2006 and a short year later Morgan died as well. He never stopped looking for Max. He finally gave up and joined him..... I think he was the sweetest Newf ever.
Bailey Boy
New member
All our babies are rescues. I just lost my little girl of 15yrs and said I would never have another.....never say never. Several months later friends of our called and said they found a puppy about 4/5 months old, could we keep him for the night then they would take him to the shelter the next day. Bailey and his skinny long legged fuzzy ears and goofy self came to spend the night that was 10 years ago. He's our wild child kept us on our toes then and now, but very much loved.
I ended up with my first Newf, Zeus, after a bad experience with a rescue dog at a meet and greet. One of the ladies on the rescue committee felt sorry for me and referred me to a breeder in Lincolnton, NC who was retiring one of his elderly dogs with a CH. The rest is history; the CH that was being retired and rehomed was Zeus.
I got my current dog from the same breeder when the breeder retired. It turned out that I had to help Zeus cross the bridge only DAYS previously.
Meeting Vinnie was the most amazing thing; its as if he was expecting my arrival. I was taken to his pen; this was the first time we had met each other. Vinnie runs out of his run, buries his head in my chest, and starts CRYING LOUDLY. That's all it took. Vinnie went home with me.
I got my current dog from the same breeder when the breeder retired. It turned out that I had to help Zeus cross the bridge only DAYS previously.
Meeting Vinnie was the most amazing thing; its as if he was expecting my arrival. I was taken to his pen; this was the first time we had met each other. Vinnie runs out of his run, buries his head in my chest, and starts CRYING LOUDLY. That's all it took. Vinnie went home with me.
KodysGrandma
New member
In Jan 06 our rescue Newf Kody died suddenly from SARDS. You can read his story here www.sardsresearch.org For 6 months I kept saying NO, we shouldn't get another Newf. Then one day I couldn't stand it anymore, changed my story and cried- "I want another Newf". Started looking. Heard about Thunder over the Internet. He had had a problem with a young neighbor in his current home and his owners felt he would be better off somewhere else. We live in the country, no children, lots of other dogs. Owner flew down to talk to us and two days later said we could have him. They drove him down the following week-end. He is a little more reserved than most Newfs but once he knows you he love you. He is my Heartmender dog. We still ache for Kody but Thunder has taken away some of the pain. And, as I posted in another thread this week he's been special.
lovingmaggie
New member
At 5 mos. of age, our Maggie was offered at a fund raiser (actually, for a good cause--seriously ill child) and no one bid for her. Then, the family who had her really couldn't keep her & wanted/needed to raise money, so she was going to be put up for sale at a garage sale. For three days, several of us worked to find a great home for her to no avail. Then, on the afternoon before the garage sale, we went over, gave the people the money they wanted, and took home a puppy that we didn't want or need with the intention of taking our time & finding a good home for her. One family came to our house to see if they wanted to adopt her & we realized that we loved her already & couldn't let her go. She wagged herself into our hearts in two short days even though we continually told ourselves that we were not keeping her.
RiverTheNewf
New member
I thought I had researched Newfies well, but at the first breeder we had made an appointment all that research went awry. We drove up the drive and saw a herd of bears come galloping down the drive. The two giant males stuck their heads in our windows when we rolled them down, leaving big slobbery streaks down the glass and sides of the car. My husband said, "Oh my god."
When we went inside to see the six day old pups and started listening to the breeders talk about their lives with Newfs I knew we were in trouble. Their daughters came traipsing through the living room where the pups were with their mom, who was wagging at the sight of her kids. The pups dam had no problem whatsoever with us picking up and holding the pups. Tim started petting the mom (Princess Leia) and as soon as he stopped, Leia put her head backwards onto his shoulder and tried to look into his eyes at the same time with her big melty brown eyes, and I knew we were putting a deposit on one of those pups. We met River in particular at 6 weeks old. We took my little brother and played with the three girls that the breeder thought would be good for us. Well one had way more of a personality than the others (and more nipping...we nicknamed her "Finger Biter"), but she had such intelligence in her eyes at 6 weeks old that I knew we had to have her. And the rest is history. The dog-love of my life is currently snoring very obnoxiously with her paw in my lap, and I wouldn't change anything.
When we went inside to see the six day old pups and started listening to the breeders talk about their lives with Newfs I knew we were in trouble. Their daughters came traipsing through the living room where the pups were with their mom, who was wagging at the sight of her kids. The pups dam had no problem whatsoever with us picking up and holding the pups. Tim started petting the mom (Princess Leia) and as soon as he stopped, Leia put her head backwards onto his shoulder and tried to look into his eyes at the same time with her big melty brown eyes, and I knew we were putting a deposit on one of those pups. We met River in particular at 6 weeks old. We took my little brother and played with the three girls that the breeder thought would be good for us. Well one had way more of a personality than the others (and more nipping...we nicknamed her "Finger Biter"), but she had such intelligence in her eyes at 6 weeks old that I knew we had to have her. And the rest is history. The dog-love of my life is currently snoring very obnoxiously with her paw in my lap, and I wouldn't change anything.
R Taft
Active member
My first newf was a rescue and a newf mix. We found him in the very early eighties. There after we have always had at least one rescue and one newf from puppy. our newfs all come from the same breeder, both puppies and rescues. I have always adored all our newfs, but I have a really special bond with my last rescue girl. She was a people and dog aggressive sad girl. But now two years later she is the most gorgeous dog and adorable. Annabelle is very special. Our Katy came almost ten month ago to us as a puppy. the first time we had used the volhard system and I would now swear by it. A joy to train and so very clever. Katy is just a gorgeous girl full of happiness and so easy to train. I wish you luck in your venture for a newf puppy. May you have a lot of newf joy soon, Ronnie