Please

[urneighbour]

My family has recently begun a search to add a Newf puppy to our mix. I have contacted many breeders who are members of various Newf Clubs. I am very disheartened that about 75% of the breeders I have contacted do not respond. So this is just a shout out to the breeders to remind them how important it is to be receptive to enquiries because every email or call you don't return is a lost opportunity to help educate people on the breed and may be giving BYBs and puppy mills a few extra sales. If people are being ignored by responsible breeders then these BYBs are going to look very good to them. Just my two cents.

 

[Cutiemus Maximus]

Not a breeder, but just wondering, are you already a number of your regional club? Do you go to Newf events and dog shows? Stuff like that will set you apart from the hundreds of emails breeders get with every litter. Plus you can actually discuss with a breeder their Newf-owning philosophy and see if it lines up with yours.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Well said!

 

[chumleysma]

Same thing happened to me. That's ONE of the reasons why I turned my search to Europe. Over many months, I've developed a great rapport with a breeder in XXX country. At first, she no more trusted me than I did her. She had her ways of finding out about me, plus I did everything in my power to persuade her I was worthy of one of her pups. I sent her receipts for my dog's health insurance and photocopies of all his awards and certificates among other things. Now, she says she trusts me as I do her.

 

[CathyC.]

If any are close enough, a personal visit might also help. You can see first hand what the conditions are like, what the dogs are like and the breeder gets to eyeball you, as well. We were vetted by our breeder's dogs before getting the green light. Let's face it. If a dog won't go to a person, there is a problem somewhere.

You might also look into newf rescue in your area.

Anyway, sorry you are having such roadblocks in your quest. As a person who must rely a lot on the internet and the phone to get things done I can understand your frustration and as a first time newf owner I can certainly understand your motivation.

 

[Angela]

I have heard this a lot and not sure what the answer is. Do you have any dog shows nearby that you could go and check out the Newfs and make yourself known to some breeders?

 

[urneighbour]

So here is my thoughts on going to a show to make contact with a breeder....they are very busy getting their dogs ready for the show ring...they are often under a bit of stress and working hard. They really would prefer to have that time to work with their dogs and after spending ALOT of time getting the dog's coat perfect, would prefer you not to touch the dog or distract them or the dog. I can certainly respect that.

 

[dreamchaser456]

I have found that even at shows (just not before they are heading into the ring), most breeders are very willing to talk to you (while they prepare their dog of course). You may not get hands on the dogs they have there, but most are friendly and will to talk to you and get to know you a bit. It's not the time or place to start asking if they have pups of course, but it will get you some "face time" for them remembering you later when you call or e-mail etc about pups. If you make a good impression, most reputable breeders can refer you to another who may be planning a litter before they are. You will have to wait to get a pup from a good breeder as they don't usually breed very often.

 

[BLCOLE]

Not a breeder, but just wondering, are you already a number of your regional club? Do you go to Newf events and dog shows? Stuff like that will set you apart from the hundreds of emails breeders get with every litter. Plus you can actually discuss with a breeder their Newf-owning philosophy and see if it lines up with yours.

Oh, this is SO right on! One of the other reasons to join a Club is that you will get to KNOW breeders. This will DEFINITELY give you a BIG leg up. My Calza is a case in point. When my last Newf died, I put in a call to a well respected breeder I knew. She didn't have any dogs available, but she knew about my Calza, who was being rehomed by another very respected breeder.

I have now had Calza for three years...

 

[Angela]

Where are you in Canada? Have you looked at the list of breeders on the NDCC list in various provinces?
Often breeders at dog shows are willing to talk about Newfs AFTER they have been in the ring when they have more time.

 

[urneighbour]

There have been alot of great suggestions and valuable advice. I actually have made contact with a couple breeders and I am confident that things will work out. My initial comment was more about sharing my experience and surprise of how few breeders respond to emails and calls.

 

[Codes]

My initial comment was more about sharing my experience and surprise of how few breeders respond to emails and calls.

I've heard that several times from some of my puppy people. Three of them that come to mind contacted countless breeders and no one gave them the time of day. Those breeders lost out. I could not have asked for better homes for my puppies then with these people. Two of these people I co-own dogs with. They have both gone above and beyond what I expected of them. One of dogs has been living with me for the past 6 months. He's here to earn his Championship. His family is fantastic and we've become very good friends. His sister visited with us this past week while her family was on vacation. Her owner has done a tremendous job with her girl and I couldn't ask for a better home. And we too have become very good friends. The 3rd has a fabulous boy that they absolute love and adore. Again, another great friendship formed. I feel that way about a lot of my puppy people. I feel blessed they chose me as a breeder.

 

[Lori]

Have you considered a rescue? Newf Friends is in Ontario and is a fantastic group!

http://newf-friends.blogspot.com/

Good luck finding your new family member!

 

[Puppypeoplenj]

PLEASE consider a rescue

Really, really consider this! The more I learn about rescue, the more I think the best plan of action for many people (including myself) is to get an older dog, past the teen stage, from a reputable rescue, BEFORE getting a puppy. This helps in a couple of ways:

1) These dogs have been fostered, usually, so someone knows what they're like. And, because they have an interest in the dog and they don't want to see the dog returned to rescue, they put a LOT of effort into matching the right dog with the right family. Good breeders should always try to do this with their puppies, but a puppy is potential, and no one knows 100% what any individual puppy will turn out like. With a rescue, you know what you're getting into.

2) If your adult reasonably well-trained, getting a puppy when you have an adult dog to serve as an example is MUCH easier than training a puppy from scratch, with no doggy mentor or example to follow. Getting a rescue could help you in the long run when you do get your puppy.

3) Puppies are cute, (Newf puppies especially) but they're a LOT of work. Potty training, waking up every two hours, cleaning up poop, teaching manners, etc. We're just starting the teenage phase and I can tell it's going to be ROUGH. The cuddly little ball of fluff stage is short, and within a couple of months, your adorable little fluffball isn't so little or fluffy. The tiny/cute phase passes very quickly. If you want a dog, why not do yourself a favor and get a DOG? A potty-trained adult DOG, and you get to skip the teen stage while you're at it.

This is not to say that I don't like/love my puppy or having a puppy, and having a puppy was not a bad choice for my family because it wasn't just about the puppy, it was about the cementing family experience of raising and training him from the time he could fit in my daughter's lap on the drive home, but sometimes I longingly think, Wow, wouldn't it have been nice to have an adult rescue first?

Have you considered a rescue? Newf Friends is in Ontario and is a fantastic group!

http://newf-friends.blogspot.com/

Good luck finding your new family member!

 

[Newfobsessed]

Really, really consider this! The more I learn about rescue, the more I think the best plan of action for many people (including myself) is to get an older dog, past the teen stage, from a reputable rescue, BEFORE getting a puppy. This helps in a couple of ways:

1) These dogs have been fostered, usually, so someone knows what they're like. And, because they have an interest in the dog and they don't want to see the dog returned to rescue, they put a LOT of effort into matching the right dog with the right family. Good breeders should always try to do this with their puppies, but a puppy is potential, and no one knows 100% what any individual puppy will turn out like. With a rescue, you know what you're getting into.

2) If your adult reasonably well-trained, getting a puppy when you have an adult dog to serve as an example is MUCH easier than training a puppy from scratch, with no doggy mentor or example to follow. Getting a rescue could help you in the long run when you do get your puppy.

3) Puppies are cute, (Newf puppies especially) but they're a LOT of work. Potty training, waking up every two hours, cleaning up poop, teaching manners, etc. We're just starting the teenage phase and I can tell it's going to be ROUGH. The cuddly little ball of fluff stage is short, and within a couple of months, your adorable little fluffball isn't so little or fluffy. The tiny/cute phase passes very quickly. If you want a dog, why not do yourself a favor and get a DOG? A potty-trained adult DOG, and you get to skip the teen stage while you're at it.

This is not to say that I don't like/love my puppy or having a puppy, and having a puppy was not a bad choice for my family because it wasn't just about the puppy, it was about the cementing family experience of raising and training him from the time he could fit in my daughter's lap on the drive home, but sometimes I longingly think, Wow, wouldn't it have been nice to have an adult rescue first?

I couldn't agree more, or said it better. I have no idea why some breeders do not respond, but as "Codes" so eloquently stated, it is their loss. I looked for two years and am so glad I did. Your Newf will find you....

 

[Ginny]

This is one of my pet pees about reputable breeders not responding to inquiries. It absolutely DOES drive people to BYBers who WILL respond and gladly sell anyone a dog.

Just a FYI, I send this to all people without a ton of Newf knowledge and experience:
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Below are some important things to consider when bringing a Newf into your fold:[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Buying from a reputable breeder is paramount. There are tons of "backyard breeders" out there who often don't consider themselves as byber's, but they are. They can have fancy websites and talk a good game, but getting pups from them often leads to unhealthy dogs that can have bad temperaments. Most show breeders and most on the NCA Breeders' List are reputable in that they do the necessary health clearances (with paperwork to prove that and postings in the OFA database) on their breeding dogs and know the pedigrees behind those dogs. Even if you don't want a show pup, you do want a pup that has had all the advantages of a show pup's rearing. All litters out of show quality dogs will have some "pets" in them. [/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Look for breeders who are members of their regional club and the Newfoundland Club of America.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]It’s important to understand that getting a dog from a reputable breeder increases, but doesn't guarantee, your chance of getting a healthy dog. Unfortunately, we've only one DNA test (cystinuria) that allows us to avoid that health condition. Clearances on hips, elbows, hearts etc. in pedigrees, are all we have to base breeding decisions on until more DNA tests become available. Even when we pair two pedigrees that, on paper, look great, Mother Nature can and does override our educated guesses. I strongly encourage all my puppy buyers to get pet insurance. Unfortunately, doing that only decreases the impact on our pocketbooks, not the impact on the dog itself.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Many don't realize that genetics are only part of the equation. How a giant pup is raised in terms of environment e.g. slippery floors, frequent stair climbing, forced long walks as a pup and nutrition e.g. feeding for slow growth on an food with appropriate calcium, phosphorous levels and calorie content, also play a major role in their ultimate health.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Become familiar with researching pedigrees in the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) database. It's important to not only look at the health clearances of the sire and dam, but also those of the littermates, grand sire/dam, their littermates, etc. It can be a tedious process, but it can give you an idea of the health in the line. All lines have issues and, as a breeder, I try not to double up on problems. [/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Temperament is one important aspect that the databases can't address and definitely needs to be considered. Make sure you ask any and all breeders about the behavior of not only the sire and dam, but also about the dogs in their kennel. Ask if the dogs have ever shown any aggression to people or other animals or if any have exhibited spooky behavior. [/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Finding a good breeder takes time. Bybers love inpatient buyers. Find a good breeder who will be there to guide you throughout the pup's life, not someone who will take your money and then not return calls if problems arise.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Any breeder who lets a pup go to its new home without a heart screening from a board certified cardiologist, is not reputable. Run the other way. Heart screenings are usually done at around 10 weeks of age. At 8 weeks or younger, the deadly heart condition of SAS often cannot be heard. A general vet often can and does, miss this genetic disease.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] The NCA website has tons of information on Newfs, choosing a breeder, raising a healthy pup etc. I strongly urge you to spend a lot of time on that site.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] www.ncanewfs.org[/FONT]

 

[Newfobsessed]

THANK YOU GINNY!! I wish your list could be required reading for potential Newfoundland buyers.