Some friends of mine have decided to get a newfoundland. they have been thinking about it for a while but on seeing the newfoundlands at DDogs three days ago, have booked a puppy to be collected next week!!! I was a bit surprised as the breeder hasnt even met them yet but ho hum! Anyway, as their "doggy guru" they have asked me what i think so I am now asking you chaps if there are any hedreditary ests that newfoundlands should routinely be done for such as hips/elbows/eyes. if anyone can advise I would be grateful.

Hips (average for the breed was 29 last time I checked) and preferably elbows should be scored. They should also be heart tested for Sub Aortic Stenosis and an increasing number of breeders are also testing for Cystinuria (sp?).

I'm surprised that they have been able to book a puppy without meeting the breeder :( There are a number of puppy farmers exploiting the high prices and large litters generally associated with the breed. IME, good breeders are very choosy about where the homes their puppies go to as they are not the easiest of breeds and certainly not suitable for every home.

The worst heart condition for Newfies is DCM, Dilated Cardio Myopathy, but this does NOT always show until they are older...even to age 8 or 9. That is why it is imperative to check that the Breeders are reputable and to know the Heritage behind the lines to see if there are any recognised 'carriers' of this conditon! I would strongly reccomend that your friends by-pass this offer as usually there is a waiting list for any healthy, tested parents and offspring! I waited a year for Storm and now been waiting 3 years for my next one!!! The price of poorly bred and healthy pups is the same...so why spend that money on something that MAY be unhealthy! The Hip scores of recent years have been getting better, Storms is 7 and 5, total 11. I would advise going to http://www.northernnewfoundlandclub.org.uk/  http://www.thenewfoundlandclub.co.uk/  to get puppy lists. If your friend was to e-mail me, I am a member of both Breed clubs and also help occassionally with welfare cases(doing the home checks and help with transport if needed) and know Del Richards, who is the Welfare Officer for the Newfie Club, I will offer advise and guidance about where to go for a pup. If you go to the Our Dogs site you will see my Affix Yamhamol, the picture there shows a typey, health tested bitch(My Storm) also go to www.bigtop.me.uk where you will also see the type of breeding that is sound. Now I'm NOT breeding until 2008, so I'm NOT after any buyers, I already have a waiting list. Bigtop have a waiting list that runs to 2 figures for the litter Indy should be expected later this year so we are NOT trying to sell anything to anyone!!! But we DO care about the puppy farm and health testing fo the Newfs and would like to help someone avoid a disaster buy!! To be honest the people I know would NEVER sell to anyone we have never met, nor would we let them book a puppy until we were satisfied they would provide a decent home and accept breeding restrictions until the doggies had been health checked and if they were ok the restrictions would be lifted! This is to protect the dogs, ensuring their health and any defects are not passed along the chain! I sincerely hope your friends reconsider or at least seek some guidance and advise, if not from me, then from the Newfie Websites! All the best, love Dawn

yes, my thoughts exactly...i am not happy about it atall. Apparently they were told about the litter by someone called Feona who was doing DD on the Friday & the pups are in sheffield if this rings any bells? I have passed on all that you have said & am awaiting their reply!

Hi

Follow the advise given by Dawn as I also know Del as she owns my boy's father. She's a wonderful lady and will help your friends if they are ready and have the time to own a Newfie which is not a breed for everyone.

Regards
Stu

I thought it was against the rules to "tout" litters in the DD area that enquiries had to be directed to the Breed Club? 

Hmm I thought so too Isabel, but wasn't sure! I think I will e-mail Del and ask for her opinion! Cheers, Dawn

Sam, can you PM me the name of the people selling or their Affix please? This will enable me to make a 'value' judgment with regard to the Breeders and health testing(I have access to the Newfie Database) Of course we shouldn't forget that this MIGHT be genuine and someone of repute may have an available puppy/puppys that they have been let down on! But it does sound very suspicious to me! Cheers, Dawn X

have pm;d you