Scared of talking to Breeders

[RiverTheNewf]

I want to start my search for a new breeder for the pup we want to add in the next year or so...

But I'm scared.

I made a big mistake with River and got very lucky. Her breeder wasn't exactly a BYB, but she was not as reputable as my 'skin deep' research led me to believe. Knowing now what to look for, I wouldn't have picked her again. Luckily River is healthy, though she doesn't meet standard.

Now I'm terrified to contact breeders. I've marked a few breeders, have everyone on the NCA Breeders' list memorized, and looked at their puppy questionnaires. I have this irrational fear that their going to find us wanting, or worse...look at River and find her wanting, and then decide we're not a good home for one of their pups.

Basically my question is, what as a breeder would make you turn someone down? Thanks

 

[Alex]

Aww don't be scared! I talked to tons of breeders and almost all of them were really nice and really helpful. The worst I encountered was correcting me when I had something wrong, and that wasn't mean or scary, just embarassing (ETA example: I asked about "ohfah" testing and was told, "First of all, OFA is O-F-A..." lol!)
If a breeder turns you down, they aren't the right breeder for you. For example, I feed a raw diet and I got turned down by many breeders who aren't comfortable with that, and that's fine. I just kept looking until I found the right one!

 

[newflizzie]

Just having gone through this, don't be scared! When you find the right one you'll know because you'll be comfortable with each other. We both asked lots and lots of questions. I was nervous - coming from a very temperamental breed where breeders are very very very leery I was nervous since I was going to be a newf newbie and wanted to do working titles but not show. I have lots of stairs, 3 kids, another dog, etc etc which I just knew would hurt us somehow, but most were very nice and if it didn't fit, it didn't fit and I usually knew immediately.

As a rescue placement coordinator - it wasn't so much I was looking to turn people down for particular reasons - it was more looking to match the right dog with the right family. Does that make sense?

You have newf experience which is already a plus!

 

[ardeagold]

Every breeder is different. Pretty generally they know what they absolutely don't want in a home for their pups. What they do want, and will accept may be varied.

Most have their own criteria, so you just have to keep searching until you find someone that you "click" with (and vice versa).

I've never run into any who use my previous choice in a breeder to determine that I'm not "worthy' to have one of their dogs! In fact, many respected, quality breeders freely admit that their first choice of a breeder was a "mistake", and the dog wouldn't meet the standard. However, they all LOVE/LOVED that first Newf, and that's what kept them involved in the breed, and made them determined to "do it better" the next time.

Don't be afraid. You'll find most respected, quality breeders very open and willing to talk to you, share valuable information, and help you make the right decision for both the puppy and for you.

That's what the good breeders do!

 

[graybird]

I was absolutely terrified when I began our search last fall -- like you, our first newf came from a less-than-stellar source and I wanted to do better. I had read about all the breeders in our area for the ten years we had belonged to the local club (but never participated) and they had all assumed godlike proportions in my mind.:clown:

I ended up sending an email to every breeder in our area, describing our family, our newf experience and what we were looking for. It was the least painful way for me to get the process started . I got responses from a few; a couple of them pointed me to a breeder who hadn't responded (she's not on the computer much), I put on my big-girl pants and called her, and that was how Sophie came to us.

Everybody who responded to my email was very nice; they *do* do this all the time, with potential buyers who run the gamut of experience and sense. Do you have a local club whose functions you could attend? A foot in the door that way could be a great way to make contacts. (I'm still too chicken for that):run:
Mary

 

[ardeagold]

What Mary says is true. Often one breeder will recommend another, and if they don't have, or aren't planning on having a litter when you're looking for a pup, they'll recommend you to yet another.

You just have to make that first contact. Some prefer email at first, others aren't very computer oriented, so prefer a phone call. So you could start with an email and if you don't get a response, just call!

 

[newfam]

I would echo what the others have said. There really isn't anything to be fearful of. If they turn you down...oh well...move on and there will be a connection with one.

Tsunami came from a breeder in Hungary...we never met them...didn't speak with them. A third party did the work for us. Yikes was that crazy. Won't ever go that route again! When we were looking for another, I know I was in the same boat as you. For me, it was more the fear of not speaking the local language. Knowing how Germans respect and treat their animals, and how many of them truly believe that Americans don't care for animals very well scared me quite a bit. But I was determined to shed the sterotype and show what true dog lovers are about. I sent emails "translated in German"...thanks Google ...and some responded. The one that got my attention first was the eventual breeder we choose. She replied in English and her first question for us...What will you do when you leave Germany? This was huge for me, only because so many military members leave their pets behind. It's so sad.

Anyway, I know I'm rambling, but just wanted to let you know that...yes there is some fear in the unknown, but if you don't take the 1st step you won't reap the benifits.

Good luck in your search, and keep an open heart and mind!!!

 

[Windancer]

..Just go for it....what is the wrost that can happen ? If someone is hateful to you, you didn't want to deal with them anyway....

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Nothing to be afraid of. Breeders are just people and you should look at the conversations you have with them as a learning experience. A good breeder will want her pups to go to the best possible home so she should have questions for you about your lifestyle, home environment, yard set up, you experience with giant breed dogs, etc. They most likely will ask about other pets in the family, but whether they are mixed breeds, pure bred dogs, cats. should not affect whether you get a pup or not. The love and care you give the other animals in your household will carry more weight, so you have no worry there.

 

[RiverTheNewf]

Thanks everybody. I feel a lot better hearing everyone's stories. I feel like maybe I'm jumping the gun anyway, since I don't want to add a pup until winter/spring. Is it too early to talk to breeders? How will I ever resist if they have litters available? Thank you for all the very nice PMs. The hubby said 'ok' to that second newf and now it's all I can think about!

 

[ardeagold]

NOW is the time to start talking to breeders for a winter/spring puppy. They're already planning their next litter/s (which sire and dam to use).

They do have to wait until the girl is in season, and then wait to see if the breeding "took", and then wait to see how many boys/girls they have, and then they have to wait until they're 10 weeks old to get the hearts checked.... So start NOW!

If a breeder was to breed a girl today, the pups would be born in early October and wouldn't be going home until mid-December!!

So, honestly, it's not at all too early to begin talking with breeders.

 

[Newfobsessed]

Just like Donna said, start talking to them now. Even though they are planning to breed, and hoping to have puppies, nothing is set in stone - esp with Newfies. The best planned breeding can not happen at all, or produce one puppy. It is best to find the breeder(s) you are most comfortable with, and get on their waiting list. They will keep you posted, and hopefully put your trepidations and fears to rest. Good luck!!!

 

[padkins]

We just went through that ourselves. We got Indy with just a little research on the breeder and we have had a few issues that luckily we could deal with and pay to have fixed. This time around we did a lot of research and really shopped around. We contacted the breeder and asked about plans for upcoming litters. She immediately contacted us and invited us to come to the farm and meet them and all of their dogs. We got take take a tour of the farm and visit with all of the dogs and puppies (except the very young ones that hadn't had shots yet). She even sprayed the bottoms of our shoes with bleach water before we could walk around. During the tour we had the opportunity to ask all of the questions that are recommended. We got to see young and old dogs. We got to talk to her about any health problems. We did have a hard time resisting the puppies that she already had that were ready to go home, but we really wanted a brown one. Her brown female was in heat when we visited and they hadn't witnessed the "act". After we got home and discussed everything and did a little more research, we decided to send them a deposit with first pick of a brown male. Now is the hard part. We are waiting for the pregnancy to be confirmed. She said that since she is such a big girl that it may be only a few weeks before she has puppies that she will be able to tell. We are going crazy just waiting to find out if we are going to have a new puppy soon, but the wait is worth it just knowing that we are going to get a healthy puppy. Good luck with your search!

 

[Sun Valley]

Her brown female was in heat when we visited and they hadn't witnessed the "act".

Hi,

Most breeder's I know just don't throw two dogs together and 'hope' they breed...I really hope you are dealing with a reputable breeder this time. Is this breeder a member of the NCA or a regional club?
Reputable breeder's also don't take deposits BEFORE a litter is born.

There is no reason to be afraid to contact any breeder. If you don't 'click' with a particular breeder, keep looking around. If you don't get a response back, then go to the next breeder on your list.

Like Donna mentioned, if someone contacts me and I don't have any puppies available I will refer them to another breeder who may have puppies.

Breeders are just as cautious with who we sell puppies too, then you are regarding who you are buying from...)

Lou Ann

 

[Newfobsessed]

Breeders are just as cautious with who we sell puppies too, then you are regarding who you are buying from...)

Lou Ann
__________________
I'd just like to add a "Good" in front of the Breeders, as there are many who don't! As long as your check clears or your credit card accepts the payment, you are a buyer. Please look for a breeder as Lou Ann recommended. You will be forever grateful you did. A puppy from a less than reputable breeder is much more likely to cause you heartache and unbelieveable expense. A good breeder takes the time to select the right representatives to breed, and is there for you for the life of the precious Newf. That is priceless. Take it from one who knows!! Good luck.

 

[ardeagold]

Ditto what Lou Ann and Newfobsessed said. Be careful of which breeder you choose. Some are very good "salesmen/women" but aren't necessarily good breeders. There are too many out there that once you buy a puppy, and the check clears, you'll never hear from again...and they sure don't want to hear from you about any problems or questions!

I've been there too. Most of us have.

Get recommendations from other Newf people who have puppies/dogs you like. The breeders that get a majority of glowing reports from their puppy buyers are a good place to start looking.

If you get a lot of negative or even vague responses, do more research! Recurring health problems are something that you might want to back away from. No information about health problems is another red flag. Beware of the breeder who insists they've never had a problem at all with any of their pups. That's highly unlikely. If a breeder admits there have been issues here and there over the years, then ask about those issues, and educate yourself about potential problems you might face.

Every breeder (even the most reputable) will have a health issue in their lines here and there (since there is no way to guarantee perfect health for every pup), but they shouldn't be continuous, or recurring frequently. And the breeder should be willing to disclose those issues to you.