Need a new breeder (kind of long)

[lisaperp]

I've been through the stickies, done my research for a year, have asked all the questions and I'm right back at the beginning again.

I just found out my breeder, who is very big in my local club, has a policy to neuter prior to going to a home. Crazy, right? We are pretty set on a male but not under those conditions. I asked about waiting longer to neuter but she is very firm about the age for what she feels are good reasons. So my breeder search continues...
I have a few criteria that I am looking for in a breeder and I'm having a really hard time finding one in my state. This is in addition to all the general information (tests, clearances, etc) to ask.

1. Dogs live in the breeders home
2. Litter is raised in the home as well
3. Breeder is open to raw feeding in the new home
4. Spay/neuter age of at least 12 months old
5. Not required to show

Is all of this reasonable? I know a lot of dogs are not kept in the home but I really seem to have noticed a difference in the dogs when visiting breeders if they are around people all the time. Is there part of this I should be more flexible about? Is there a way to find out about reputable breeders outside of my area (other than NCA and local clubs)? I don't want to trust the internet too much because I know BYB have nice web pages too.

If anyone knows of breeders on the West Coast that might be a good fit could you PM me?

 

[R Taft]

I wish you luck with finding a new breeder...............She probably has a very good reason ( often Back yard breeders have abused the trust system of good breeders) And now wants to make sure she lets no breeding dogs go. I can see this point, when they deal with new people.
As to in house puppies. My breeder has just recently changed, to make her pups live a more natural life and hopefully stronger. She now has her pups out in a stable/yard and grass run type environment from very early age (after the first week). Katy is one of those pups and she is so social/happy/well adjusted/confident. So I think as long as the early training is still there, it is one thing I would not put in my requirement. I have had a few pups and Katy is no different, maybe a little more social/confident, than all my other pups. Who were raised indoors.
As to the RAW feeding, if you could show you are well versed in it, I am sure most breeders would accept that. Again, if they don't know you or your knowledge, they might be again thinking of the welfare of the pup and recommend their system of feeding if it is different
Anyway I can only give you my view and observations, but I do hope you can find your little newf joy. Whatever happens, they are worth the wait. The first one seems to be the hardest to get Ronnie

 

[Ivoryudx]

Are you saying the breeder you were looking at, wants to spay/neuter puppies before they go to their new homes....As in before 10 weeks of age, or are you talking about an older dog?

There are a great number of breeders out there who fit what your asking for as long as you have the qualifications for the raw feeding, and show that you are responsible to keep an intact dog til its old enough for spay/neuter.

You can contact the other breeders on the breeders list and ask them if they do not have puppies, who they would recomend that might have pups. You can also start with a rescue Newfie and keep looking for that right breeder as you go.

 

[lilly06]

Oh Terri-
I am so sorry to hear that! GEEZ! I am sure that you are so completely frustrated at this point. I am not sure why this breeder has such a rule. Escpecially knowing that you are in and involved with the the local club that they also belong to. I will PM you....

 

[CMDRTED]

Too bad you are not in the midwest, I could recommend several breeders here from our local Regional Club, who have great dogs.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

That sounds unreasonable to spay/neuter a pup BEFORE going to a new home at that age! You should be able to find a breeder that fits your criteria (not unreasonable). Why are you so stuck on this one breeder if you don't like what she is advocating? Why do you want to find a breeder not on the NCA list? Some NCA regional clubs have their own breeders lists (some on NCA list and some not). Many breeders will ship a pup, so maybe you should be looking for a breeder that fits your criteria in another area of the country that will ship a pup.

 

[Ohana Mom]

I agree - I wouldn't be so focused on the area as much as finding the right breeder. Not only do you want your criteria - but you also want a breeder you connect with and who will be there for you and your new baby. Once your boy is home with you, you will realize what a small world the Newfie world truly is and geography often doesn't play a part....Check out the NCA breeder list - and then ask for referrals etc....

 

[lisaperp]

Are you saying the breeder you were looking at, wants to spay/neuter puppies before they go to their new homes....As in before 10 weeks of age, or are you talking about an older dog?

Neuter a pup before going home. 10 weeks old! I know!

Why are you so stuck on this one breeder if you don't like what she is advocating? Why do you want to find a breeder not on the NCA list?

Not stuck, just disappointed. I really have researched for a long time and I guess I just glossed over this question when I was visiting them. It shocked me when I heard the age. I didn't think anyone did this anymore.

It's not that I don't want a breeder from the list. The ones I've been able to talk to have no plans for litters or they haven't been open to a raw option or they have a less than 12-month spay/neuter age. And I know there are a lot of very reputable breeders that are not listed. I'm just feeling frustrated at this point. My husband suggested just getting some ideas from NN to maybe help my motivation again. And it does seem that the first is the hardest to get.

 

[sbarkhouser]

The criteria you list seems pretty standard to me.

I wouldn't look only in your state though. We traveled over 10 hrs to our breeder and have since visited several times when we're in the area. I talked with her on the phone for hours on several occasions before adopting and had a good connection and friendship beforehand. We remain friends and talk often. She's the first person I call with questions and to keep her up to date on how our pup is doing.

 

[Ohana Mom]

Forgot to mention - there are plenty of breeders who, although may not feed raw, will be okay with it as a choice for you.
Perhaps look at breeders in the Western US first and then look further out.....You will have plenty of local support from your local club - and can always call / email your breeder.

 

[Angela]

There are some very good NCA breeders in Oregon and Washington State, have you checked them out?
Sometimes it is necessary to either travel great distances, or have your pup flown from the other side of the U.S.

 

[ardeagold]

What about Canada? (Just a thought) We got Molly from Canada.

 

[lisaperp]

I think I will have to expand to Oregon or Washington and then move eastward. I have actually found several breeders in Cananda that I am very interested in but I felt funny about having a pup shipped. Ignorance I guess.

Thank you all. You have all been so helpful and I will expand my search outside of my state. I don't know why I felt I should have a Calif breeder. Ignorance again, I think.

 

[Angela]

Just another note, a good breeder will take very good care of the flying arrangements.
I felt like you once, had a puppy flown from Michigan to Seattle and then I drove down to pick him up. I was terrified!!! He strutted out of his crate at the airport without a care in the world.

 

[newflizzie]

I've not had a newf before this one, but I worked for years with a basenji rescue group and we had to occasionally fly dogs. We also moved out of the country and had to fly our dog (cargo) a few times. I've always had a good experience. Personally, I use petsfly.com and can't say enough nice things about them/Bobby Caldwell! For rescue we used various airlines/pet groups and were pretty picky about who what when and where - do your research (and I'm sure the breeder will know) and it will be fine - so don't limit your breeder search because of flying. Good Luck!

 

[lisaperp]

For those of you who had your pups shipped...did you visit the kennel first or just do telephone correspondence? Are there special questions to ask someone who may be shipping a pup?

 

[ardeagold]

We did phone conversations. Hours and hours and hours of them. And we got to see the pups on the net.

Molly also did wonderfully on the flight from Canada. She had no accidents, and was as relaxed as can be when Jacques picked her up in Baltimore. He, on the other hand, was having a nervous breakdown.

 

[newfam]

Tsunami came from a breeder in Hungary which was about a 4 hour flight to Frankfurt. The breeder took care of all the flight arrangements for us. We used the internet and telephone to stay in touch during the whole process. I will say it isn't as much fun as seeing them in person but it is an option. Good luck in your search.

 

[ardeagold]

Oh...I also know of people who will fly to pick up the pup. Sometimes the breeder meets them at the airport with the pup in the crate, and the person just turns around and flies back with the puppy in the crate. That's a possible option too.

 

[R Taft]

OMG.I just re-read it, I thought you meant it was having to neutered, not neutered at ten weeks old........Oops, I will have re-arange my glasses.....I am amazed at that. Our breeder will not allow registration papers to go until some of her pups at an age have been neutered, but that is quite different.