Hi there,

I have been passionate about Newfoundland dogs for the last 15 years, I have (at christmas) just lost my beloved 'Louie' at 8 years old to 'Bloat', and I am deverested to say the least.

I have been thinking even before Louie went to sleep, of breeding Newfoundlands as I want them in my life and would like to start a small business, I have thought and thought over the years to change my boring job (a secretary) for something so much more rewarding this would be my passion as I love this breed, my husband thinks I have 'lost the plot' but he can think what he likes!!

If someone can possibly please point me in the right direction I would be ever so grateful indeed, this is my dream and one day I do hope I can make it come true, as I want to bring true happiness to other Newfi lovers who require this magnificent beautiful breed of a dog.

Many thanks

Debi
X

If you want to breed...KEEP YOUR JOB!

Breeding may lose you money, not make profit.  Owners and breeders take time, money, effort and alot of work to produce litters.  They will sit with pictures, videos, pedigres trying to find the right stud dog to go to their bitch to improve faults.  They risk losing their bitch if something goes wrong.  They will make sure they know everything.  And mainly, they will not breed to make a profit moneywise.  they will breed to make the qulity in the breeder better then ever!

Hi Debi,

Sorry to hear about your losing Louie - it's never easy and to lose him to bloat is particularly sad.

Newfoundlands are not my breed but any of the other dog lovers and breeders on here will be able to understand and relate to your love and passion for a particular type of dog - they get under our skin, dont they ;)

As the other reply suggests, breeding however is a huge step and while you may well feel a longing to be surrounded by Newfies, in reality it is probably not at all what you expect.  Why not visit this link http://www.thenewfoundlandclub.co.uk (cut and paste into your browser) and enquire about breed rescue?

Since you clearly have a devotion for the breed, you may not be aware that there are numerous ways you could be involved with them and help towards the rehabilitation of dogs less fortunate than your own beloved boy and also help educate new owners too.  All of this without having to give up your paid employment, take on the huge financial and emotional costs of breeding and of course the life long responsibility for every puppy you ever produced.

HTH, regards Teri :)

Can only agree with the others. If you breed with your dogs' and the breed's welfare at heart you cannot do it as a business & expect to make money! If you're not already a member, join the breed club & see what you can contribute to the breed in another way

Just wanted to add that the only people who breed as a business and do it to make money are generally known as puppy farmers, which I am sure you have no intention whatsoever of becoming! :D

Hi there

As others have said - breeding dogs properly is akin to digging a big hole in your back garden and pouring your money in :D. First you will have to establish a good reputation for your line ( or folk will not want your stock)which means many thousands of pounds campaigning your dogs up and down the country at championship shows - you will need a newish van to transport your (large !) show dogs and pay a dog sitter to care for the ones left at home ( not to mention the cost of overnight stops occasionally). You will need to move to a place where you can put up kennels and have no neighbours to complain about the noise/smell etc and some land to excercise your dogs properly ( unless you want to spend all day walking them a couple at a time). To breed enough puppies to make this a significant alternative to paid employment you will need to be producing 6 or more litters a year so that means at least 8 breeding bitches ( maybe more) plus any dogs that come back to you from owners who can no longer keep them. The cost of feeding such a number of large dogs wil be expensive not to mention the veterinary costs involved.

I know it all sounds simple when you hear of the cost of pedigree pups and a lovely way to earn a living but very few reputable breeders actually make any money and most are simply 'hobby breeders' who have the occasional litter to maintain their line and having something new to show them selves.

By all means be involved with the breed that you love so much but don't be fooled into thinking that you can make a living out of it :D

Yvonne