Thoughts On Breeders

[mikachupkins]

I'm not sure if this is ok to ask so I will ask in general before being specific:shuffle:
Is it ok to ask about what people think of a specific breeder or experiences people have had with a specific breeder?

This individual is located quite a-ways away from me (I would need to fly several hours to get to them) so I would love to hear what other people have experienced.

I have checked out their website and they look pretty good...but you can never be too careful!

Thanks for bearing with me while I learn.

 

[Angela]

You can PM people about their thoughts on breeders. It is against NN rules to publically give ones thoughts on good or bad.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Have you read the stickies here about locating a good breeder? Have you verified health testing of the breeder's dogs via www.offa.org? If you want, you can PM me.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Here are the links to the relevant stickies: http://www.newf.net/Forums/showthread.php?t=38470

http://www.newf.net/Forums/showthread.php?t=106277

http://www.newf.net/Forums/showthread.php?t=106066

http://www.newf.net/Forums/showthread.php?t=106334

http://www.newf.net/Forums/showthread.php?t=39038

 

[lacey9875]

What Kristen said. You can also ask questions, like, "What do you think of this....." without being specific.

 

[victoria1140]

perhaps not about specific breeders but generalisation questions are probably ok.

make sure you have a breeder you are comfy with

 

[mikachupkins]

Thanks for the links YorkvilleNewfie, I had already read most of those but the ones I hadn't I went over.

To take lacey9875's advice here goes:

What do people think of breeders that have their dogs invovled in four or more different types of activities with their dogs (therapy, carting, tracking, water work, and conformation)? Is that level of variety a good sign or does it seem like they are spreading themselves a bit thin?

Also is it viewed as strange when some of their dogs are registered with offa and others aren't (could it be that the animals just aren't old enough to have had the tests done?)?

Thanks!

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Involvement in a variety of things is a good sign (personally, I want a breeder that has dogs that show well AND are successful in working events. Anything else is gravy on top)

If health tests aren't posted on OFA, I would ask why. If it's because they're only prelims, why haven't they had the dog's re-evaluated after 2 years of age? (I wouldn't want a pup from parents that only have prelims. Not good enough.) If the dogs aren't old enough for re-evaluation, why are they breeding the dogs ?(I don't agree with breeding a Newf under the age of 2 years.)

If they have been re-evaluated, but aren't posted, again, why? If they balk at the $300 fee for posting it, ask them for documentation proving the re-evaluation. I'd want documentation, documentation, documentation!

 

[mikachupkins]

I'd want documentation, documentation, documentation!

Love it :alc:

 

[mmbrod02]

Hi, I recently got my first newfoundland puppy from a breeder I am very happy with. Prior to getting my puppy I did check her background and made sure both parents of my puppy had health testing done. I also asked the breeder for some references from buyers from her previous litters. I contacted 7 different people who own dogs from her previous litter and they all had great things to say. I also contacted the vet that is used for the puppies and the mother and he had great things to say. I highly recommend asking for references that you can contact and checking to make sure health testing has been done. Also I'm sure if there are any questions that are not specifically about a particular breeder you could ask here.

 

[blaue_augen]

I found it helpful to talk to other breeders and get their opinions. I went through the local Newf Club breeders list and talked to them about some breeders I was looking at. I found the Newfoundland community to be close knit.