Visiting The Breeder Of Your Puppy

If possible, visit the breeder personally to select your puppy, even if this means a long drive. This will enable you to meet the breeder and see the conditions in the kennel. Although elaborate equipment is not a necessity, the facilities can and should be spotlessly clean. A good breeder will also question you during the visit about your plans and your own facilities for a Newfoundland. He may be rightfully concerned if you do not have a fenced yard, because he doesn't want to hear shortly that your Newf was hit by a car. Also, beware of the breeder who wants to sell you a puppy less than eight weeks of age. Reputable breeders will typically keep the puppies until at least eight weeks of age when they will have been examined by a veterinarian for inherited health defects and conditions. They will have been given at least one series of vaccinations and be declared free of all parasites.

Many Newf owners are delighted with dogs they bought sight unseen from breeders they have never met face-to-face. Indeed, some of the best-known kennels have shipped puppies all over North America and even to remote corners of the world. If a visit to a breeder of interest to you is not practicable, plan to write some letters or spend some time on the phone. A good breeder is proud of his reputation and will be happy to supply you with references to satisfied customers, and to persons of long standing as Newf fanciers, who know him and his stock. Such persons can also give you valuable information as to the breeder's previous accomplishments, and the primary features he stresses in his breeding program.

You are far less likely to obtain satisfaction in dealing with a commercial outlet or a pet store. Good breeders will never sell to pet shops or puppy mills. Indeed, these establishments usually obtain stock which cannot be sold on a breeder's reputation. Yet, typically, they charge more for a very mediocre or poor specimen than a good breeder will ask for one of his outstanding prospects. A reputable breeder will follow the development of his stock, while a dealer will have no interest after the completion of the sale. The Newfoundland Club of America prohibits its members from selling to pet stores.

Puppy Quality

AKC registration and/or pedigree in no way indicates the quality of the puppy. Puppies can be evaluated as possessing show potential or as pet quality. Breeders differ in their approaches to evaluating puppies. A show prospect puppy is one that possesses the potential of meeting the breed standard approved by the AKC, exhibiting virtues of the breed with the absence of faults. Such show prospects may or may not eventually make good breeding stock. A breeding quality dog should generally be a superior representative of the breed, as well as being free of all serious hereditary defects or faults (even if the faults would not be visible in a show ring). A good breeding quality Newf is usually determined only after the dog has matured and has produced litters which can be evaluated for quality. Pet quality dogs are just as enjoyable as family companions. They are not meant for conformation showing, should not be bred and should be spayed or neutered. Thus one should not buy a pet quality Newf if one plans to use it for conformation shows or for breeding. However, pet quality Newfs may compete in obedience and in water or draft

The puppy will hopefully mature to a temperament and appearance somewhat similar to his parents. Is that what you want in a dog? Do the parents conform to the standard of the breed? Pick a puppy with a good head, top-line, and movement and, of course, a personality that you like. You must allow for changes, which will occur as the puppy matures. Most Newfs go through some awkward stages, especially during the first year, and at times seem to be all ears, all legs, or awkward because of uneven growth. Be patient; most will mature to be beautiful adults. The first year the puppy will get his height, the second year he acquires muscle and rib spring, and the third year he reaches maturity. Remember, there is no sure-fire method of selecting the puppy who will be successful in the show ring. At first glance, all the puppies may look alike to you. But look closely; they are all at least a little different in looks and movement, and each has a personality all his own. Above all, choose a puppy in good health. The breeder can provide assistance in the selection, but quality is only an educated guess when the puppy is but eight weeks old.

Selecting Your Puppy Part 2