Calling all newfie owners!

[gaagaa4goldens]

Hi everybody,
    I have been participating in the "I'm looking for a newf puppy" discussion.  Well, after reading a lot of your posts on this board, I contacted my local Newfie breed club.  They have been sooooo helpful.  I've decided to look for a young adult, because I believe that that will be the best fit for my Golden Chase.  I've put in an application with the club.  I've already heard back from them.  However, one of the members of the club suggested that I cantact a breeder that she knows occasionally places adults.  Last night I e-mailed the breeder.  To my surprise I was called today with a response.  Yes he does have a 2 year old, gray, male, newf.  The dog is 6 hours away, which is pretty close considering the location of most breeders in relation to myself.  Here's all the info that I have.  Of course I'm not going to give out the name of the breeder, but I need to see if the information I have rings true to other  experienced newf owners. 
     The breeder has been in contact with the dog his whole life.  In fact the dog has stayed with them when the owners have gone on vacation.  The owners are "rich" as the breeder puts it, but are getting a divorce.  He says " The dog is very smart, but not a dog to show."  He doesn't have "great bone or a great head". (I'm going off of my notes so the details are sketchy.)  He's not dog aggressive, which is very, very important to me. He's lived with yorkies and with other newfs.  He's clear for hips, heart, and cysternia.  (The breeder kind of laughed at me when I asked that.  In my ignorance I didn't realize that dogs with thet particular urinary disease die when they are pups.)  I forgot to ask if he was nuetered.  Are there any other questions that y'all can think of?  I feel like I'm forgetting something.
     Also... the breeder is willing to part with the dog for $600.00.  Does that sound reseanable to you guys???  I'm new to this.  It seems to me that the breeder has had the dog for 1 day.  I'll be able to go and get him fairly quickly if I decide he's the dog for me.  The dog was already sold once. W ???hy should he bring such a high price???  I'm ignorant.  The rescue newfs are $350.00.  I KNOW that rescue doesn't make a penny off of those dogs.  Many times they loose money on them.  $600.00??? Please tell me what you think.

[bigdogs@5501]

600.00 sounds a bit ridiculous to me. I cant imagine how he has 600.00 invested in this dog in one day and I would be surprised if he repurchased the dog from the ones he originally sold it to.... My opinion- and its only an opinion- keep researching. I have seen quiet a few Newfs in rescue. Have you checked Petfinder?

[DenverFurKiddos]

Wow! I'm impressed....y ou seem so level-headed given the fact that you have the potential of becoming a newfie-momma in the blink of an eye!  That's good....you'll need that when your newf finally does come home

Ok, so is this breeder one that was actually recommended from your local Newf Club?  Secondly, wanted to let you know that my Newf, Winston, was in somewhat of a similar situation (he changed hands several times prior to 6 mos)-  I think $600 is high, given that the breeder already covered his investment  when he sold the dog to the divorced couple. I'd definitely try to negotiate with the breeder....

Good luck!

[gaagaa4goldens]

I'm soooo excited right now.  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention... I haven't seen a picture of him yet.  Once that happens I'm going to be lost I'm sure.  This is a breeder that was recommended by my local breed club.  I found amny on the net that were in my area, and my breed club people shot them down! (Thank goodness)  The dog was very matted when he was returned.  I just got an e-mail back from the breeder.  It took 4 hours to dematt him.  So right there that's worth something. I've had to de-matt a really matted Great Pyr and it's no fun.  Interestly enough, the breeder said that the dog really liked all the attention.  That's good because he'll be groomed everyday at my house.  What would be a reasonable price to you???   He's got to charge something so that he knows I'm really serious. (I guess??)

[Ali]

If Newf rescue charge $350, I'd suggest that to him. $350 is still a pretty big chunk o' change to show you're serious. Plus, driving all that way is showing a serious commitment, too, right? Find out if he's neutered - that is also a reason for him to lower his asking price if that is a cost you'll be absorbing. Good luck!

[shine]

Is there such a thing as a Gray Newfoundland?  I've never seen one.  Is that a Lanseer whose colored have blended together or something? 

My first thought was....how much has this breeder asked about YOU??  Have they made you fill out an application?  Have they asked about your other dog....your children...if you have an apartment or a house...if you have a fenced yard...how many hours you work per week?  I've been active in rescue and animal welfare for 20 years, and in my experience the better breeders/rescuers will be very interested in these things.  They want to know that their animals are going to the best home.  They will make you fill out an application... provide vet references...e ven do home visits when possible. 

Do you know anyone who lives in the area that this breeder is in?  Maybe someone here?  I know BPO does not allow us to post breeder names, but maybe you could ask an Admin if you could post the city they are in to see if anyone could do a check on them...then you could PM anyone who replies with more info.  You could also look for reputable non-breed specific rescues in that area and contact them...they are often a wealth of information. 

[shine]

Oh, how gorgeous!  I love gray, it is one of my favorite colors.  He is a very fuzzy boy...I hope Bodhi gets that fuzzy! 

[gaagaa4goldens]

Hello,
   I did find out about the dog being nuetered.  I haven't been able to talk to my breed club people.  They are all out of town.  I will talk to them tomorrow.  Here are some pics of the dog.  He's pretty cute.  The breeder had to cut off his feathering to get his mats out.  Notice his eyes. He has different looking eyes, but I think that he has a newf experssion. 
     To answer the questions about the breeder inquiry.  I sent him a long, long e-mail telling him about myself and my goals for the dog.  He knows about the cats and about Chase.  He has not asked to verify any of my information.  Like I said before I need to talk to my breed club people.
I'll send more pics in a minute.

[gaagaa4goldens]

Here's a head shot of Moose.

[gaagaa4goldens]

One more pic.  Here's a 'conformation" picture.  The breeder was right.  He doesn't have great bone.  He doesn't have a great head, but what a great expression.  He looks so friendly.  Here's part of the e-mail that I sent to the breeder.  After reading it he felt that Moose would fit the bill.  If expression is any way to measure Moose sure is sweet looking.
I am also a 2nd grade teacher.  I take Chase to school wth me about 4-5 times a year.  Due to his age he has developed Irritable Bowel Disease.  He has a hard time going to school with me now.  He doesn't enjoy it like he used to.  My new dog would be a therapy dog and would be going to school with me.  I also live with 4 cats so any dog that comes to live here has got to have a low prey drive.
     I'm involved in dog training and have taught classes at a friend's kennel.  I also offer private class at my home.  So any dog that I get will have to be accepting of other dogs on his/her turf.

By the way... thank you, thank you, thank you for all the great support.

[Fumble]

wow i'm just reading your post... you've done so much research!   Newfs definately need the no how before you get one... i did all the research there was, and i'm still learning everyday!  but you've got one up on me cause you're a trainer!  Grey newfies are just so sweet to me.. the only ones i'veseen have those piercing eyes... just that look is all it takes!

good luck!

[gaagaa4goldens]

Gosh!!! Fumble is just beautful.  I LOVE his name, very original.  I just got in contact with my local newfie club contact.  She said that the breeder was asking too much too.  I'm not sure where I go from here.  There is also a chance that Chase and Moose won't gell.  Then what???  I'm 6 hours away and the breeder will not refund my money.  Don't get me wrong... I want to go and get him right now!!!!!!!!  But I'm trying to be reasonable about this.  I have got to think of Chase and the cats.

[mynameislola]

The 2-year-old Italian Mastiff we got from a breeder was spayed at her expense, shots were current, and the breeder escorted the dog from the kennel in Oklahoma to my door in California at no cost to me.

[gaagaa4goldens]

Well there you go... I think that if the breeder really wanted to find a good home for the dog they would question my up one side and down another.  Then I would expect someone from the club to come and look at my place.  I'd be willing to meet the breeder even.  The more I look at Moose's picture the more that I want him.  It's the rescuer in me.

[gaagaa4goldens]

THE END...
   So here's the end of this saga... I wasn't expecting to be able to get a young adult so soon from a breeder.  As you all know the holidays are just around the corner.  I'm single and am by myself out here.  I go home for Christmas.  I have a really good petsitter that comes 3x a day for Chase and the cats. I would not feel comfortable leaving a new dog out with everyone just yet.  So.. if I did get Moose I'd have to board him.  I've already checked and the 2 kennels that I've used and trust are all booked up so soon before the holidays.  The first time I talked to the breeder I explained that this may be the case.  I just talked with the breeder again this evening.  I told him that I was still not sure that this dog was the right dog for my family.  I also told him about the kennel situation.  He said that the dog was welcomed to stay with them until after Chrsitams.  However, I'd need to pay boarding fees AND I'd need to give them a nonrefundable deposite ASAP. 

So.. this is how I left is with the breeder.  I told him that Moose is a beautiful dog.  I told him that I'm undecided, and that if someone else came along  he should sell the dog to them.  I also told him that if the dog was still available after Christmas we could talk again.  If he's the right dog for me he'll still be there after Christmas. The whole situation just doesn't feel right.  I hope that I made the right decision.