Brenrich Newfoundlands

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Some facts about us before you call to inquire about buying a puppy....

I have to know a great deal about you. I want to ensure that my puppies go to the best homes possible where they will be loved and spoiled for life. While an email inquiry is good and can give me a great deal of information, you will need to call if you are truly interested in getting a puppy from me. In addition, I like for all prospective owners to visit me, my dogs and the puppies, if possible. I want to make sure you and your family are compatible with Newfoundlands.

My dogs are housedogs -- all of them. If you do not intend to have your Newfoundland living in the house with you or you intend to keep it as an outside dog, you will be wasting your time calling me. Newfoundlands are family members, not merely dogs. They are truly special creatures and they want to be with their people wherever that is -- in the house, outside, camping, trips, whatever. A Newfoundland whose life is spent in a backyard, who receives a pat now and then with his water and food, is a forlorn Newf.

If you call me, I will need to know several things: whether you are looking for a pet, show, or obedience and working prospect; whether you are interested in a male or female; where you are located; and whether you are familiar with the Newfoundland breed. If you are not familiar with the breed, I will try to help you decide and answer your questions regarding Newfoundlands. In truth, they are not a breed for everyone.

My contract requires that all puppies sold as pets must be spayed or neutered. Pets are sold on an AKC Limited Registration, which means that in the event the dog sires or whelps a litter, the offspring will not be registrable by the AKC. The purpose of this provision is to prevent unwanted puppies from being born.
I also require in my contract that if at any time you cannot keep your Newfoundland (for whatever reason), you agree to return the dog to me.

Before a puppy leaves Brenrich, it must receive a heart clearance. I give a full written guarantee on the health of my puppies, but I also want new owners to follow my feeding and exercise schedule. My interest with a new buyer does not end with the sale of the puppy. I love to keep in touch with my new puppy owners, and I will continue to help you with any questions or problems you may encounter with your puppy or adult Newf. My interest lasts for the life of the dog. And sometimes longer.

Newfs Drool

They're big dogs.

They are "high maintenance" dogs, expensive dogs.
You will spend a lot of money on your Newf. It's not really the food they eat that is expensive (although you will invest in the right food for your Newf and it will be pricey) -- it's the accoutrements. The large crate. Grooming tools. Vet bills. The new vehicle you will eventually buy to transport your Newf so you won't have to go places without him. Nothing is sadder than the face of the Newf who didn't get to go along for the ride.

They have health problems.
Even the best breeders can produce puppies with health problems, despite careful attention to pedigrees and health testing of their stock and progeny.

What problems do you need to know about that occur in this breed?
Heart problems (Sub-aortic stenosis or SAS, pulmonic stenosis, cardiomyopathy,etc), hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cystinuria, epilepsy, allergies, to name a few. Because of the polygenic nature of many of these problems, ridding the breed of them is difficult at best. Beware the breeder who informs you that he or she has never had a problem....He or she is either not doing health tests on their stock, or they are simply lying.

Before you buy a puppy, ask to see the OFA certifications of both sire and dam.
Ask to see a pedigree. If you have the AKC registration number or full name of either the sire or dam, you can check the status of each dog on the OFA website yourself. If the breeder has her dogs Penn-HIPPed, ask to see the Penn-HIP results.

Despite your best efforts to purchase a puppy from a *reputable* breeder, you may STILL end up with a puppy with a health problem.
If this happens to you, the best thing you can do is to keep in close touch with that reputable breeder -- a reputable breeder will be very concerned and will want to help you. She will always have the dog's best interests at heart and will want to do what's best for the dog.

Buy Joan Bendure's book The Newfoundland, Companion Dog, Water Dog.
Search the Internet for used copies of older books on the breed. Read everything you can get your hands on about Newfoundlands. If you still want a Newfoundland after you've digested the information, then begin your search for a breeder. Find someone with whom you feel comfortable enough, such that you would call them in the middle of the night if necessary for the health and safety of your dog.

Learn About:

OFA

Heart Problems
Hip Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia

Newfoundlands are very special dogs. But they aren't for everyone.