Buying a Newfoundland
Things to Consider
Selecting Your Newfoundland
Choosing a Breeder
Questions to Ask
Things to Consider
Purchasing a Newfoundland is not as easy as making the decision, getting in your car for a ride to the store and picking one up. Realize that dedicated breeders have a waiting list of approved homes and it is very unlikely you will find a puppy available the first time you pick up the phone. Always buy from a reputable breeder. They have dedicated their lives to producing sound, healthy stock and should be knowledgeable in all aspects of the breed.
NEVER purchase a puppy from a pet store. "Breeders" who sell to pet stores are usually only in it for the money, and are often not concerned with the health and quality of the dogs they produce. After all, they don't have to deal
directly with you the buyer do they? The cost of a Newfoundland puppy is small in relation to the monies that will be spent on feed, care, etc. TOP
Purchasing a Newfoundland is not as easy as making the decision, getting in your car for a ride to the store and picking one up. Realize that dedicated breeders have a waiting list of approved homes and it is very unlikely you will find a puppy available the first time you pick up the phone. Always buy from a reputable breeder. They have dedicated their lives to producing sound, healthy stock and should be knowledgeable in all aspects of the breed.
NEVER purchase a puppy from a pet store. "Breeders" who sell to pet stores are usually only in it for the money, and are often not concerned with the health and quality of the dogs they produce. After all, they don't have to deal
directly with you the buyer do they? The cost of a Newfoundland puppy is small in relation to the monies that will be spent on feed, care, etc. TOP
Selecting Your Newfoundland
An excellent way to begin is to attend a dog show. To find out when and where a show will be held in your area, try the following sources: the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club, or ask your local veterinarian if he has clients who show dogs that you may contact. Many dog show superintendents maintain websites now and a search can reveal a listing of upcoming dog shows in your area. Call the Superintendent and ask if there are any Newfoundlands entered and what time they show. At the show, watch the Newfoundlands in the ring but wait until they are finished exhibiting to approach the handlers or owners. Ask a lot of questions. Most will be glad to tell you about their dogs and the dogs' breeders. Some may be breeders themselves. Good Newfoundlands are not identical in either appearance or personality and you will probably prefer some types more than others. Look the dogs over carefully and when you are ready, call or write a few breeders. Do not be taken in by fancy ads, beware of a breeder who promises very much more or less than others, or whose price quotations are very much higher or lower than others. Remember also that the cost of a Newfoundland puppy can vary from breeder to breeder depending on age and potential quality.
If at all possible, visit the breeder personally even if this means a long drive. A visit will enable you to meet the breeder, the mother of any prospective puppies and see the conditions of his kennel. Although an elaborate facility is not a necessity, pay special attention to the state of cleanliness of any kennel you visit.
A good breeder will question you during the visit about your plans and your own facilities for a Newfoundland. He will be rightfully concerned if you do not have a fenced yard or a safe kennel area for your new puppy. Beware of the breeder who wants to sell you a puppy of less than eight weeks of age. Reputable breeders generally keep their puppies until at least 8 to 10 weeks of age and they will have been examined by a veterinarian for any obvious defects.
Many Newfoundland owners have bought their dogs sight unseen from breeders they have never met face-to-face. Some of the best known kennels have shipped puppies all over the world. If a visit to a breeder that interests you is not possible, plan to write some letters and spend time on the phone. A good breeder is proud of his reputation and will be happy to supply you with references. These references
can give you valuable information as to the breeder's accomplishments and the primary features stressed in his breeding program.
TOP
An excellent way to begin is to attend a dog show. To find out when and where a show will be held in your area, try the following sources: the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club, or ask your local veterinarian if he has clients who show dogs that you may contact. Many dog show superintendents maintain websites now and a search can reveal a listing of upcoming dog shows in your area. Call the Superintendent and ask if there are any Newfoundlands entered and what time they show. At the show, watch the Newfoundlands in the ring but wait until they are finished exhibiting to approach the handlers or owners. Ask a lot of questions. Most will be glad to tell you about their dogs and the dogs' breeders. Some may be breeders themselves. Good Newfoundlands are not identical in either appearance or personality and you will probably prefer some types more than others. Look the dogs over carefully and when you are ready, call or write a few breeders. Do not be taken in by fancy ads, beware of a breeder who promises very much more or less than others, or whose price quotations are very much higher or lower than others. Remember also that the cost of a Newfoundland puppy can vary from breeder to breeder depending on age and potential quality.
If at all possible, visit the breeder personally even if this means a long drive. A visit will enable you to meet the breeder, the mother of any prospective puppies and see the conditions of his kennel. Although an elaborate facility is not a necessity, pay special attention to the state of cleanliness of any kennel you visit.
A good breeder will question you during the visit about your plans and your own facilities for a Newfoundland. He will be rightfully concerned if you do not have a fenced yard or a safe kennel area for your new puppy. Beware of the breeder who wants to sell you a puppy of less than eight weeks of age. Reputable breeders generally keep their puppies until at least 8 to 10 weeks of age and they will have been examined by a veterinarian for any obvious defects.
Many Newfoundland owners have bought their dogs sight unseen from breeders they have never met face-to-face. Some of the best known kennels have shipped puppies all over the world. If a visit to a breeder that interests you is not possible, plan to write some letters and spend time on the phone. A good breeder is proud of his reputation and will be happy to supply you with references. These references
can give you valuable information as to the breeder's accomplishments and the primary features stressed in his breeding program.
TOP
Choosing a Breeder
Don't be in a rush - the more homework you do the higher your chances of getting the right Newfoundland for you.
Ask the owners of dogs you admire who bred them. Contact two or three breeders and arrange to visit them (be prepared to travel). Be wary of a breeder who will not allow you to visit and see all their dogs. Allow plenty of time when you go see a breeder. An ethical breeder will welcome such an opportunity to get to know you, discuss all aspects of owning a Newfoundland and assure themselves that yours will be a suitable future home for one of their puppies.
Please remember that registration papers for a purebred Newfoundland are not an added attraction. In Canada, they are the law! Dogs come under the jurisdiction of Agriculture Canada and are governed by the Livestock Pedigree Act. It states, in effect, that if a dog is sold as a purebred, registration papers must be provided at no extra cost. It is a federal offence to sell or advertise for sale a dog as a purebred if it is not eligible for registration with the Canadian Kennel Club. These laws are to protect you, the consumer. Otherwise, you have absolutely no assurance of the background of the dog except the seller's say so.
If you are buying a puppy, the papers will not be immediately available as there are several steps to registering them by the seller. It will take time but you should have your papers by the time the puppy is 6 months old. Most breeders will ask you to sign a non-breeding agreement at the time of sale. Many will also have a personal contract stating what they expect of you, the owner, and what they offer in the line of guarantees on the dog. Make sure you understand all the terms of the contract.
TOP
Don't be in a rush - the more homework you do the higher your chances of getting the right Newfoundland for you.
Ask the owners of dogs you admire who bred them. Contact two or three breeders and arrange to visit them (be prepared to travel). Be wary of a breeder who will not allow you to visit and see all their dogs. Allow plenty of time when you go see a breeder. An ethical breeder will welcome such an opportunity to get to know you, discuss all aspects of owning a Newfoundland and assure themselves that yours will be a suitable future home for one of their puppies.
Please remember that registration papers for a purebred Newfoundland are not an added attraction. In Canada, they are the law! Dogs come under the jurisdiction of Agriculture Canada and are governed by the Livestock Pedigree Act. It states, in effect, that if a dog is sold as a purebred, registration papers must be provided at no extra cost. It is a federal offence to sell or advertise for sale a dog as a purebred if it is not eligible for registration with the Canadian Kennel Club. These laws are to protect you, the consumer. Otherwise, you have absolutely no assurance of the background of the dog except the seller's say so.
If you are buying a puppy, the papers will not be immediately available as there are several steps to registering them by the seller. It will take time but you should have your papers by the time the puppy is 6 months old. Most breeders will ask you to sign a non-breeding agreement at the time of sale. Many will also have a personal contract stating what they expect of you, the owner, and what they offer in the line of guarantees on the dog. Make sure you understand all the terms of the contract.
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Questions to Ask
How much will the puppy cost?
Is there a contract to sign and what does it cover?
Have the parents been checked and cleared of the common hereditary conditions familiar to this breed? (See Hereditary Problems).
How frequently do you have litters?
How old are the puppies before they leave you?
How do you socialize your puppies?
Will the puppies be checked by a veterinarian before they leave for their new homes?
If I have any problems will you offer me help and advice?
How old are your bitches before they have a litter and how many litters do they have?
What kind of hereditary problems have you encountered in your breeding program?
How long have you been in Newfoundlands?
When did you breed your first litter?
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How much will the puppy cost?
Is there a contract to sign and what does it cover?
Have the parents been checked and cleared of the common hereditary conditions familiar to this breed? (See Hereditary Problems).
How frequently do you have litters?
How old are the puppies before they leave you?
How do you socialize your puppies?
Will the puppies be checked by a veterinarian before they leave for their new homes?
If I have any problems will you offer me help and advice?
How old are your bitches before they have a litter and how many litters do they have?
What kind of hereditary problems have you encountered in your breeding program?
How long have you been in Newfoundlands?
When did you breed your first litter?
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