The Perfect Stud

[marylouz]

If you want to see what breeders are concerned with conformation and working ability, just look at the kennel names on the list of VN's -

http://www.ncanewfs.org/hof/dogs/VN.html

I just grabbed my 2006 Annual of Titlists and did a quick count of pictures dogs and there are 42 different kennel names with titles on both ends of the dogs.


MLZ

 

[ardeagold]

I can deal with a 1.5 hr drive one way ... and of course that bridge toll. We have to use a bridge or boat to go either towards Baltimore/Washington or towards Norfolk/Richmond. We can stay on land to get to PA and points North tho.

The draft or water training/practice, from here, is as I said...3.5+ hours each way. I really don't see doing that once a week. Maybe once a month....depending on what day it falls on.

I have plenty of water here...but nobody to practice with. snif.

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

The VN list doesn't prove what breeder's are concerned with conformation and working ability with knowing who the owners were that put the titles on the dogs. over 50 of the kennel names only appear once, 1 kennel name appears 38 times, the next most occurring was 15. and only 4 more with more than 10. I am sorry but that is not proving to me there are a lot breeders interested in both. If I weret to go by that, there would only be 1 breeder worth going to - the 1 with 38 VN's

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

I can deal with a 1.5 hr drive one way ... and of course that bridge toll.

That's minimum trip - most trips are much longer and require 2 or more tolls. I live on LI - unless the event is LI - there is a bridge toll involved. And the are no NCA events on LI. I trip that will 1.5 Sunday morning will take 3 hours to get home, Sunday afternoon or evening. we do this type of trip every Sunday so we can water train starting in May through September.

Until 2 years ago there were 4 weekend with dog show on LI, This year it will down 2.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

All dog shows, club events, and seminars are at least an hour and half away for me, in addition to a handling class I attend that is 2 1/2 hrs away on a week night.

 

[janices]

I traveled 3 hrs each way last year for water training. Obedience classes 1-1/2 hrs. Working events are 1 to 5 hrs. Conformation shows 1 to 8 hrs. Shortest I usually have to go is draft practice 1/2 hr.

 

[Ohana Mom]

I think the point is that it's not so easy to get a CH on a dog just as earning working titles is not a slam dunk either. Both take A LOT of work and dedication on the part of the owner. As an owner that actively participates on both sides of the Newfie fence so to speak - it can be a little taxing to find the time . But as Wrknf said - it is apples and oranges. Conformation doesn't replace Working or vice versa when looking for a breeder / perfect stud.

A few have made the point that most breeders that do conformation don't do working stuff. Most of the breeders we know that have large kennels and don't currently participate in working events simply don't have the time. However, many of these Newfs end up in homes with owners that have more time and continue to show that Newf in working activities.

Just my opinion - but you need to have a sound Newf with proper structure in order for it to perform at its optimum at the working activities. And that structure is evaluated in the conformation ring. Does your Newf have to be a CH to know that he/she is sound and meets every aspect of the standard? I would say no if you have been in this breed a long time and and can honestly and objectively evaluate your own stock. But most people are not that objective. And as far as the conformation ring - are there politics that can come into play? - you betcha. But there are politics on the working side too. The grass isn't always greener .

So to me - I want a newf that looks like the Newf standard, but also has the working drive our Newfs were meant to have. Again - as said earlier - the Whole Dog.

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

All dog shows, club events, and seminars are at least an hour and half away for me, in addition to a handling class I attend that is 2 1/2 hrs away on a week night.

First of there ARE a few shows on LI albeit not a lot, and there used to more but because of declining attendance, 2 weekends out of 4 are no longer on LI, 1 set has moved and the other will no longer be.

Second you chose to attend a handling class that is 2 1/2 hours - there are any number of good handling classes located in LI, you don't have to travel 2 1/2 hours to attend a handling class - you chose to.

And Third, the statement was made that you can get a working certificate in you own home town, and that is what was being refuted it was not about club events or seminars. Besides when was the last time you attend a club event other than the holiday/awards brunch for any the newf clubs you belong to?

A few have made the point that most breeders that do conformation don't do working stuff. Most of the breeders we know that have large kennels and don't currently participate in working events simply don't have the time. However, many of these Newfs end up in homes with owners that have more time and continue to show that Newf in working activities.

Again, I would like to see a few of the breeders answer the question. There are a few good size breeders that do both. Yes we keep saying we need to look at the whole dog, so shouldn't breeder be doing something besides conformation to show their dogs are put together well? We all know that there are dogs being shown that do not have all their health clearances because they don't pass. And, of course, I am not talking about the one not old enough to be certified yet.

So to me - I want a newf that looks like the Newf standard, but also has the working drive our Newfs were meant to have. Again - as said earlier - the Whole Dog.

So what are breeder doing to prove that their dogs meet that? Again, if you look at the VN list MaryLouZ pointed too. There is only 1 kennel that over twice as many (38)as any other kennel, only 5 that have a little less than half (10 -15) of that. There were over 50 kennel names with only 1 VN - to me, not a tribute to working stenghts in most kennels.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Bluwater writes-
First of there ARE a few shows on LI albeit not a lot, and there used to more but because of declining attendance, 2 weekends out of 4 are no longer on LI, 1 set has moved and the other will no longer be.

Yes, I know there are shows on LI. I have participated in all of them for the past 7 yrs and taken many points there.

Second you chose to attend a handling class that is 2 1/2 hours - there are any number of good handling classes located in LI, you don't have to travel 2 1/2 hours to attend a handling class - you chose to.

Yes, I choose to since I am learning something from this class as opposed to local classes, that I didn't get much from.

And Third, the statement was the you can a working certificate in you own home town, and that is what was being refuted it was not about club events or seminars. Besides when was the last time you attend a club event other the holiday/awards brunch for any the newf clubs you belong to?

The club events that I have attended I did not see you there, so I guess our paths did not cross those days. I did not make the statement about getting a "working certificate in your own home town...."
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The time factor has been brought up that may account for why some do not do everything and go everywhere, but many that do, have spouses that participate too and MAY have less family obligations at home (children, elderly parents). So sometimes choices have to be made in life. It is not an excuse, but just an observation. We all have to do what we can, and try to do the best we can at that. So.... fftopic: I agree that getting a working title close to home is difficult and not an easy feat and should be commended.