Page 87 - K9 News - Issue 14 - December 2020

microchipped, the Coordinator will arrange
transfer of ownership with the microchip
company. The Club also arranges for a short
term insurance Policy to be put in place and new
owners are urged to continue with the Policy.
New and previous owners are not put in contact
with each other, but the previous owner can
contact the Welfare Coordinator if they are
concerned about the dog’s progress. There will
be a written agreement stating that if, for any
reason, they cannot keep the dog he MUST be
returned to the Newfoundland Club for further
rehoming.
Taking on a Welfare Dog
Some people want to take on a rehomed
Newfoundland because they believe it is a
cheaper option than buying a puppy! The Club
DOES NOT HAVE a stock of well-behaved,
housetrained, well-groomed 6-month-old
Newfoundlands waiting for a home. If this
is what you are looking for then a Welfare
Dog is probably not for you! Newfoundlands
who need new homes can often be difficult,
untrained and in need of bathing and grooming.
They frequently come from unsuitable
circumstances and may not have the ‘eternal
baby-sitter’ character that is usually expected
in a Newfoundland. Even well brought up
Newfoundlands may have habits that were not
a problem to the original owner (begging from
the table, sleeping on the sofa etc.) but may not
be acceptable to a new owner. Some are not
suitable for homes where there are children,
other dogs, cats, livestock or near neighbours.
However, with careful matching of dog and
owner, rehomed dogs can become a valued
family member.
If you are interested in adopting a
Newfoundland, the normal procedure is as
follows:
z Your details will be recorded by the
coordinator. This will include names of
all residents at your address (and ages
of children), whether or not there are
K9 NEWS DIGITAL / DECEMBER 2020
Just one of the dogs that have been helped by
Newfoundland Club Welfare
elderly or frail people living with you or
visiting regularly, what pets live with you
at present and whether you have owned
a Newfoundland before. We also want to
know the work hours of the residents and
how long your house is left unattended daily
(we are not keen to home dogs where they
will be left alone all day). We also note your
preference for a male or female dog and
what age range you will consider.
z Puppies are VERY RARELY available, and
nearly always come into welfare with a
medical condition.
z We also need to know how far you are
prepared to travel to see a dog with a view
to taking it on (bear in mind that all your
children and present dog[s] will need to go
as well).
z The Welfare Coordinator will arrange
wherever possible for an experienced
Newfoundland owner to visit you and all
your family members in your home. They
will usually bring one of their own dogs with
them if possible. This will provide a further
opportunity to discuss your expectations and
for you to see the reality of a Newfoundland
in your home. Many people are surprised
and often at this stage decide the breed is
not for them when they see how a wagging
tail effectively ‘sweeps’ their shelf contents
on to the floor or that food on a kitchen
worktop is always within licking (or even
stealing) distance and that Newfy drool
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