I'm back but sad to see this closing... but a quick question!

[zakatak]

Hi There,

I've suffered two sudden losses with two Great Dane puppies (Duncan 8 months, 1 day old - heart attack on March 28, 2018 and Norman, 6 months, 22 days old - heart attack on March 28, 2019) - yes, you read that right - on the 1st anniversary of the worst day ever - Norman left me the same way.

So we decided to go back to safety - A Newfie. I looked at some pups last night, just to get a feeling of the kennel and my heart / brain and they are so adorable!!!!! Ok, but a red flag for me went up - they separated the pups from the mother at 6 weeks old. They are together as a litter but no Mom.

Am I right to raise a red flag on this? Is this normal? Should I... :run:?

Thoughts?

 

[Angela]

What a sad time for you with the Danes, I'm so sorry.
YEs, big red flag separating puppies from their mother at 6 weeks. They have so much to learn from her, she deals with their biting etc. So I would run from that one. ALso,don't go to a breeder who doesn't take the litter to the Cardiologist at 10 weeks for heart checks.
Make sure both parents have OFA hips and elbows and ask to see the certificates, do not take the breeders word for it.

 

[Angela]

Also read all the Stickies here about breeders, checking clearances etc. There is a huge amount of information and whilst NN will close at some point GAD has said he will leave the Archives accessible for everyone.

 

[zakatak]

Thank you Angela! My brain was screaming NOOOOO but my heart was aching so. You're right - I know better, that's why the flags went up.

She actually just let me know we had our "pick" and he would be ready on Tuesday (7 weeks old to the day). That just seems so young to me... so much could still go wrong!

It's gonna hurt saying no, but I think it's the right thing to do.

Karen

 

[Angela]

No reputable breeder will let puppies go at 7 weeks, in fact I think but not sure that it is illegal in some States to sell at that age, certainly here in Canada it would be a huge NO NO.
Do your homework and you will find the right Newf puppy in time. It is hard when one wants a new puppy and having to wait but is the right thing to do!!

 

[Jeannie]

I agree you need to say NO to this 'breeder'. In the state of Ohio it is against the law to sell a puppy under the age of 8 weeks.

 

[zakatak]

Thank you Angela & Jeannie!

I said no. I was brave. I think I need to wait a bit anyways so I'll plan on passing the time researching breeders and getting on a waitlist, hopefully!

Thank you again!

Any chance everyone is moving to a Facebook Group?

 

[Angela]

I'm so proud of you. Check out the NCA breeders, if you go to the NCA website you will find links. Don't be in a hurry, lol, I wanted my first Newf like yesterday!!
Several of us have "friended" each other on Facebook. What is your FB name and we can send a friend request. There is no official FB NN site.
I am Angela James

 

[zakatak]

Karen Lentz Nunn - Facebook name!

Thanks!

 

[mcme]

You were right to say no. When I was a child, we had a dog(not a Newf) who was taken from his mother too young. He was always a nippy bossy little guy. I think that was why.

 

[zakatak]

Thanks, Mcme.

I think I have found a good breeder - she checks all the boxes (10 weeks, heart check, hips / elbows / heart / cistineria (sp?)). Litter next fall.

Now to just get over my fear.

Karen

 

[Jeannie]

Wonderful that you found a great breeder. Have faith and enjoy planning to get and getting a puppy.