Questions to ask breeders

Ksullivan

New member
I recently became aware of a problem with the breeder I purchased from. I have been having behavior problems I have talked about on this site. I got a PM from someone asking where I got my dog from because in one of my messages I mentioned something the breeder said to me sounded like something that was said to this lady. This breeder said she had never had any behavior problems with her dogs, and seemed shocked that I would have any trouble. Turned out our dogs have the same father, and her dog she said was the single most vicious dog she had ever owned. This lady said the breeder couldn't believe them either. The breeder I bought from has MANY Newfies, should have been my red flag, but didn't know about Newf Net then, and was very unimformed. Some of the talk above of a breeder in the midwest makes me wonder if it is the same breeder.
My suggestion, is (and I know we can't mention kennel names here) to maybe try to PM some of the older members, more intelligent people than myself if you are thinking of buying a Newfie, it could save you alot of heartache down the road.
After the PM I received I wonder how many other dogs from this particular kennel are out there that people are having terrible problems with, due to someone who just keeps breeding a dog that evidently has offspring that can be mean.
Kristen Sullivan
 

alene

Inactive Member
You really do have to be so careful. It scares me and breaks my heart to think of all the newfs out there who are being used as a cash machine, and all the babies who won't be lucky enough to find a good home. Our babies deserve nothing less than the best. Someday I hope to breed, but it is such a huge responsibility - I mean, I would consider myself personally responsible for each and every pup and grand pup and great great grand pup that ever left my home. A good breeder should feel no less. When I bought my first dog, I was pretty confident that I had found a good one. She lived in the next state over and sounded wonderful on the phone. She said all the right things. Had all the right test. She did confirmation. When I got there to pick up my pup, they were living in kennels (she had 9 bitches and advertised as having 3) and were obviously unsocialized. We had seen our pup once before and he had acted ok, not overly friendly, but tolerant. This time when we went to pick him up, he was fearful and shy. We took him anyway and later came to find out all kinds of awful things about this breeder. Right away our pup had health problems and after a few months started biting people. Sadly, we couldn't keep him. I learned my lesson, but it broke my heart. You can't say it enough - don't be taken in by that ball of fur. Spend the time to find the right breeder for you.
 

nemonewf

Inactive Member
when we were 'finding nemo' so to speak, we weren't quite sure where to go, so we went to the akc website, then followed to the nca website, then followed to the regional club website. i looked at the officer list and saw there were some in our area. i did just what someone else said she did. i called one of them and she was more than willing to talk to me at length about what to look for, suggested a couple of breeders who, if not breeding themselves at the time, would suggest someone who was. ultimately we ended up with a new breeder, but who had been recommended by a very well-known and recommended breeder who had studded the litter. if i had known about newf net and such, i would have been on here asking you all questions, too.
 

newfgewf

Inactive Member
Just wanted to say thanks to the Newf Net creators and all the great advice givers!

Balli came into my life 7 years ago. I researched Newfs for 8 years and looked for him for a year. It was still not enough. I WOULDN'T TRADE HIM FOR THE WORLD but we've had a heart wrenching journey through OCD when he was a pup and now hip dysplasia. I know these traits run in the line and there's not a 100% guarantee...if there is someone please let me know that breeder but I could have better educated myself!

7 years ago plus the 1 I spent looking for Balli, I didn't have Newf Net, Newf-L, and wasn't involved in rescue. I've learned much from all of the above and look forward to maybe one day welcoming another Newf into my heart and being better prepared for the search. Balli owns my heart now and forever. I'm not sure if I could ever have another Newf after him but now know where I can turn when/if that time ever comes.

Thanks you again for all of your advice!
 

chimneyrocknewfs

Inactive Member
On the health issues check the parents and extended pedigree out on the OFA website. This is a pet peeve of mine. Some breeders do the x-rays but do not send them in even if they are good. Of course those that don't pass are usually never allowed on. Also remember just because a breeder does not have a website does not mean they are any better than those that do. Yes many of the BYB do have websites. Do your home work. Remember if they say they are CHIC they still can have health issues but at least you can see what they are. Also health problems can and do show up in Newfs from parents that pass all tests,and sometimes many generations down the line. That goes with owning a dog.
In my opinion anyone breeding needs to belong to the NCA. If you do not suport your breed club what happens to the breed? Yes I know there are problems at times with NCA but thats the way clubs go. No we are not breeders. We just love our dogs and like to show. We are members of ther NCA and two local AKC clubs.
Sherrie

[ 01-15-2006, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: newfhaven ]
 

robandrobin

New member
I asked many of the above, but I think one of the first questions from my mouth was...
How are the pups socialized prior to being homed?

That can alone can give a lot of insight and give the breeder some insight to you to!
 

Brody the Newf

New member
If it weren't for this person we may very well have a lab right now ... we were at our wit's end with being "shut out" of the newf scene. We probably had multiple phone calls and e-mails to 10 different people go unreturned ... but the one that was returned was refreshing and reminded us why we got interested in the breed in the first place.
_______

First of all let me say that I'm thrilled to have found this website.

I'm in the process of looking for a breeder and I've sent out 10 Emails thus far but no one has answered them yet. I'm wondering if I need a special password in order to become a Newf Owner. I have my list of questions to ask a breeder but I have no one to ask them to. I'm starting to become frustrated.

I've been wanting a dog for the past few years now and I now feel my son (7) is at the pefect age to be able to be kind to and help take care of a dog. I now think I'm ignorant in assuming how long this process would take. Would someone please give me the time frame? I need to have a heart ot heart with my son and give him the facts.

Thank you.
 

Ivoryudx

New member
Not to make excuses for people not responding to your emails, but one thing to keep in mind is that people are very busy. This time of year people are gearing up for the late winter/spring show season, and there are dogs to groom/tend to, and if there are puppies, its even more work. With all the rain we've had around here, I know my work to keep the dogs clean has tripled lately.

Have you met or been refered to any of the breeders/people you sent emails to? I know from other breeders, they sometimes get A LOT of email, and unless they recognize someone, they are slow to reply to cold calls. You also need to put a lot of information about yourself, so they know you are seriously looking and that you could potentially be a good home, especially if you are not local to them.

Generally if you are far away, a breeder will look for someone they know to meet you and check you out for them, and that takes time. If you attend local dog shows, and local Newfoundland Club events/meetings you will meet people who can not only give you referals, but also references as they type of person you are. Its very difficult to screen people over email or phone calls.

I waited two years for my first Newfoundland from a good breeder and then another two years for my second, even though I was a repeat costomer. Sometimes puppies just don't agree and come when scheduled or a specific litter just isn't right for certain homes.

If you want to pm me, I'd be glad to help you find someone local to you, that would let you meet their dogs, and get to know you and your family. In doing this, you can also learn what type of Newf you are looking for, as well as what type of breeder you would like to work with.
 

Brody the Newf

New member
Thank you for responding to my post. I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out what "pm" means?

I know I sound immature but I'm not able to wait for two years.
 

Pam G

New member
Originally posted by Heidi wants a Newf:
Thank you for responding to my post. I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out what "pm" means?
Heidi, PM means private message. You can send private messages to people. If you look at the top of the post you will see it.
 

chimneyrocknewfs

Inactive Member
Keep in mind there are lots of "looky loo's" out there. We used to raise horses and for every 20 e-mails I got only one might have turned out. Yes I did answer them all and the Newf breeders should also. But if they don't, call them.Even going to shows is not a great excuse. One does come home sometime and many of the large breeders do not show their own dogs but send them out.
 

BoundlessNewfs

New member
I hear a lot about "finding a good breeder" and it starts to sound like the ONLY place to get a nice pup is from someone who has done this forever and who raises a couple of litters or more a year. Don't forget about the people who are raising the occasional litter, who happen to have a nice bitch and have done all the proper health screenings; done their homework and found a good mate to complement her qualities; raise the pups in the home with lots of love and attention. It may be a safer bet for someone new to the breed to go with a "tried and true" breeder, but keep your ears open for those other ones who are doing all the right things to get started, too. (All the "good breeders" had to start somewhere!)
 

Kitty

New member
Could someone pm me the name of the breeder so many folks have had trouble with in the Midwest?

We are putting out some feelers right now, and haven't even decided if we will go puppy or rescue, but it would be nice to know, just in case.

Thanks!
 

Newfie in Oz

New member
Just a quick question. I've seen a few people mention asking about how many litters the bitch has had and how old she is, what's too many litters and how old is too old to be breeding from(if there is a too old?), and why? Thanx...
 

sarnewfie

New member
i would think that two to three litters out of any girl is plenty, it also depends on who they are using for a stud, is it repeat two peat and threepeat???
or is it different studs for something to improve on each time
also, age wise, it depends on how fit the female is, some girls are fit as tanks at six years to seven and would do fine.
i would find the general rule for cut off is six to seven.
it is very hard on them giving birth, it is physically very very demanding and drains them, so to wonder if there is even a to old, try to picture yourself popping out that many pups after having witnessed the event yourself!
 

BLCOLE

Active member
Originally posted by Ivoryudx:


Part of being a good breeder is, understanding each puppy's personality and each new owners expectations/lifestyle. A good breeder needs to know just as much about you, as you want to know about them.
AGREED! The original breeder of my dog has personality profiles done of the puppies she produces. This helps match owners with dogs. For example, I have a dog that she bred which happens to be a PERFECT FIT for me. The personality profile that she took should help me find my NEXT Newf since we now know what kind of dog is a good fit for me.
 
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