Question About Purchasing Site Unseen

[BTA2M2]

**UPDATE** As a family and b/c of all your great advice, we have decided to pass on this guy. Our new family member is out there somewhere and there will be no doubting or questions when he/she comes into our lives. So thank you for all your insight - it is appreciated!!!

Please forgive me if this sounds ridiculous, but I have to ask...
Would you ever buy a Newf without actually seeing the pup in person?

This breeder has an 11 mo old available but the problem is I'm 5 1/2 hrs away. I could make the day trip but my kids wouldn't be there b/c of school. I'd like them there. On the other hand, I know people purchase and ship all the time without meeting in person, but ugg, what to do?

I have heard good things about the kennel, been in contact with the breeder and seen the breeders kennel name on many pedigrees. I have a couple friends only an hr. away from the breeder that I'm sure would be willing to go visit and let me know how everything went.

As a breeder and/or potential buyer, what would you recommend?

 

[BlackLightning]

5 1/2 hours is not that far. Can you make the trip on a weekend so your kids can join you? Make a road trip out of it?

 

[BTA2M2]

I totally agree, 5 1/2 hrs. isn't too far, especially if we could make a weekend of it to see our friends there. The only problem is (& I hate saying it b/c I don't you to think we leave our dog all the time), our four kids has soccer and football games every weekend until the end of Oct. We're not gone all day, but the times vary enough to make the trip impossible until then.

On one hand maybe that's my answer right there. That if we can't make it to see this pup, then maybe he's not the right one.

 

[padkins]

I think that it is a decision that you have to make for yourself. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable unless I could go and visit at least once to see if everything measures up the way that it should. Have you done research on the breeder? You can get a lot of information about bad breeders on the internet by just having their names. Good luck with your search. I'm sure you will find the right puppy soon!

 

[Murphy]

I totally agree, 5 1/2 hrs. isn't too far, especially if we could make a weekend of it to see our friends there. The only problem is (& I hate saying it b/c I don't you to think we leave our dog all the time), our four kids has soccer and football games every weekend until the end of Oct. We're not gone all day, but the times vary enough to make the trip impossible until then.

On one hand maybe that's my answer right there. That if we can't make it to see this pup, then maybe he's not the right one.

Could the kids not maybe miss a game?? After all , this will be a member of their family too..

 

[Newfobsessed]

I'd take the drive, visit your friends and make an adventure out of it for your children. I drove almost 9 hours to see my boy, and once I saw him, I told his breeders I would have driven twice the distance - I was kidding - but very happy I made the drive. As stated before, you can find out a lot on the internet, but seeing for your own eyes could be priceless. You will put a face to the emails and phone calls you've made, and the breeder should appreciate your effort. Best of luck in your search.

 

[rompots]

5 1/2 hours is not that far . All of my potential buyers that live up to 6-7 hours away came to visit before buying. I appreciate it.

 

[Sun Valley]

Please just make sure the breeder is reputable...that the breeder shows, does health clearances, and an NCA member is a plus.

Lou Ann

 

[Annetteb]

If you are thinking about buying sight unseen and can't do it with the kids. What about going yourself? You would likely be the one making the final decision and you could include them by sending pictures if the puppy is first OK with you. I bet they would understand and be excited.

It depends too who is driving getting the Newf. In my case it was me that really wanted the newf so I would just GO....

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

People do buy pups without seeing them, but they usually are already familiar with the breeder, have previously visited the kennel, met the breeder, or have seen her pups before. It is not that long of a drive. You may want to take the trip without the kids as opposed to not going at all if you think this is what you are looking for. Have you seen pictures of the pup?

 

[Wayne A]

I got Chloe Via West-jet.LOL but it's a 20hr drive each way. But I had developed an wonderful trusting relationship with the breeder and did all the follow up or home work three generations back.I even took a black after waiting for a much wanted female Landseer,because I didn't want to start over and start looking & developing and researching the history.I was very very fortunate and Chloe is an amazing sweet angel.Also I have kept in touch with the breeder and Chloe has many relations on Newf Net.Now to end though if I only would have had a 5 to 6 hr drive I would have done, nothing to think about. I very much hope to meet this breeder one day I was hoping to see her at Newfstock and if all goes well Chloe's mother is going to come retire with us & I get my Landseer.But she will come West jet also because the 20 hrs each way is just not feasible financially or stress put on us and the new dog driving 40hrs as apposed to 3 or 4 and she is in my home and starting to settle and adjust to the new family.
Bottom line 5 hrs I'd drive nothing to think about.Enjoy your new pup.

 

[urneighbour]

Perhaps instead of making two trips - one to see the pup and one to pick him up - you and the breeder can come to the understanding that when you are to go to pick up the boy you arrange a bit of a longer visit so you can get to know both the breeder and dog better and you have the option to either take the dog home then or not if you have any concerns. I strongly suggest that you make arrangements to bring the children along with you as I think it is very important to see how the dog and kids interact together as that is probably a deal breaker.

 

[BTA2M2]

So glad I came here and asked your opinions. I felt strange about not seeing the pup too. I will contact the breeder and see what her schedule looks like. Thank you so much for the valuable advice!

 

[Emma & Nigel's Mom]

I too, am from Michigan, and the breeder I had for Nigel was in the U.P., it took us 6-1/2 hours to get there. The husband and I went with the kids once, and then we went alone to pick him up. It's a little different with you, but in the end, you can also drive up meet and greet, go home and think about it, then go back.

 

[JackandKelly]

I have bought puppies without seeing them, but I am not sure I would buy an 11 month old without seeing them. Why? I don't know..I guess because I also have small dogs and a cat and need to see the temperament.
Is it north of you or south? If it's north, pm me the breeders name. They may not be too far from me and I might be able to give you some insight or go see the Newf and tell you what I think before you decide if you want to make the trip

 

[BTA2M2]

Emma & Nigel's Mom: Greenville? That's wonderful! Our cottage is on Crystal Lake. That is one of the reason's I'd like to get into Water Rescue b/c we are at the lake so much! If the breeder you're talking about is the one I'm thinking of, she has beautiful dogs. I've looked into her too!

Kelly: the breeder is in OH. I can always ask my friend to go look at him and if he thinks it's okay, then I can make the trip over.

I do want the kids to be there as this is their "water dog" that they've dreamed of too. If it was a closer drive I'd go by myself first, then take the kids. But right now, I can't fit it in until Oct.

 

[NewfK9]

I drove 7 hours one way to get our Eli, knowing he was disabled, the breeder did give me the option of returning him if it didn't work out for the family, the boys or him. Needless to say, he was adored and loved the minute we arrived home, and watching him progress daily just increases the joy we have in him. I agree that 5.5 hrs isn't a long drive, and it will be a family member, the kids will always remember the day they went to get their puppy, and there are always another game next weekend, but not always another puppy that fits.

 

[wrknnwf]

If the breeder shows...and that should be important to you...see if there is a dog show closer to you or in between and ask if she could bring the pup.

And finding the breeder's name or the kennel name on lots of pedigree papers isn't necessarily an indication of a reputable breeder. After all, puppy mills can mass produce pedigreed pups. Also, make CERTAIN, that those pedigree papers are from the American Kennel Club (AKC) and not some other fly-by-night, sound-alike organization who sends out papers to any old breeder without question, for a price.

As another suggestion, email or contact the nearest Newf club and ask them if they are familiar with the breeder or what they know about that kennel. Ask if they would be comfortable recommending that breeder/kennel. That gives them the opportunity to say "yes" or "no" without actually putting themselves in an awkward position. They will appreciate the fact that you are doing your homework.

You can also google the kennel name. Often you can find old dog show wins that way.

And remember...you do not have to take a dog home with you, if you have ANY reservations or strange feelings about the breeder. Don't let a cute puppy face make the decision for you. Be strong, find the right breeder and you will exponentially increase your chances of getting a wonderful dog.

 

[Sun Valley]

Everyone has given some excellent tips...is this breeder also listed on the NCA breeder's web sight?

Lou Ann

 

[new_2_newf]

I can tell you about my sight unseen purchase

I live in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and my boy cam from near Jacksonville, Florida (roughly a 18 hours drive, one way). I learned of my breeder through a friend...my newf mentor here in the city has been involved with several local breeders in the area for many years. One of those breeders moved to Florida and owns the sire of my boy. So, through a lot of discussion with my mentor prior to this, we talked about breeders and lines, and what I wanted in a dog. She was able to put the word out, and she learned of my boy. I spoke with his breeder a few times for several hours on the phone...I had a load of questions and so did she. In the end it came down to two things...I felt comfortable that I was being told the truth by his breeder on the phone, and I trusted my mentor's faith in the bloodlines (which we discussed at very, very, very great length). It was a shot in the dark for both myself and his breeder (she's never met me either, and he was her baby for 9 months). It worked out great. He is everything I wanted in a newf and I love him to bits. I don't think I could have taken that leap of faith if I didn't have someone I really trusted to weigh in on the decision. I even got my mentor's husband to take an objective look at the contract (he is a man and tends not to get as teary eyed and the idea of a new baby ), and I made myself wait a few days before signing anything, just to be sure I wasn't rushing into anything.