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Looking for reputable breeder in Massachusetts area

16K views 36 replies 10 participants last post by  sandypaws 
#1 ·
Hello - I'm new to the Havanese forum! It's been about a month since our family said goodbye to our beautiful Havanese Bailey - I didn't think we would be looking so soon for a new dog. I am a little nervous about finding a good breeder as it has been 11 years and I'm unable to contact the previous breeder (Rochester, NY). I live in Massachusetts and I'm willing to travel in New England/NY but feel very reluctant to have a dog "shipped" if the distance is too far.

Should I be posting in a different forum with this question? I welcome any private messages - I understand it may not be the place for breeders to advertise, etc. I also want to have my eyes wide open to any obvious "bad breeders" or puppy mill type breeders.

Thank you in advance for any help!
 
#2 ·
Hi Leigh and welcome. I, too, am from MA and lost my Bailey a year and a half ago at the age of 15. I am fortunate, though, to still have Tyler who is 15 1/2 yo. At the time I got my boys, they were considered a rare breed and there were none to be found in MA. They came from NC and VA. I don't know of any breeders in MA but if you go onto the HCA website you will find a list of breeders. Don't forget to read the section of this forum regarding "red flags" when talking with breeders. It is very informative and definitely a "must read". You mentioned that you don't want a puppy shipped and, rest assured, no reputable breeder will do that. You may have to travel to get puppy who has had a good start in life by his breeder, but it will certainly be worth it. I know I will be doing that when the time comes for me to get my puppy. That ironic part about that is that I am a senior and have never flown commercially but will definitely bite the bullet and do it if I have to to get the best pup I can. Good luck in your search.
 
#3 ·
Thank you for the speedy reply - much appreciated! I'm sorry about your Bailey, it is heartbreaking to say good-bye to a well loved pet. I will definitely check out the information on the forum.

When we got our dog, I had never seen a Havanese in person, so it was a leap of faith to get her ... this time around, I know I absolutely want a Havanese, but it's a little scary to know who to trust - I'm glad I found this forum, there is a lot of good information and support here!
 
#4 ·
You're welcome. There is another source you could try and that's the NE Havanese Club. I don't know how active they are but maybe you could find someone through them in the NE area. I do know that there were a couple of breeders in MA at one point. One I know is not still breeding and the other I had bad luck with 16 years ago when I was researching the breed as I also had never seen a Hav in person before we got Bailey and just wanted to see one. I contacted her and she was not very receptive to having us come over to her place. I agree that it's tough to find someone to trust. That's why I mentioned that you may have to extend your search a little wider than just MA and/or NE. I have a friend in the area who I will be seeing within the next couple of weeks or so who is knowledgeable about the breed and lives locally. I would be happy to ask her opinion and let you know in a PM what she thinks. She is someone who I trust. Hope that helps, Leigh.
 
#5 ·
Thank you Sandypaws ... I just got the significance of your name (Cape Cod/Havanese walking on the beach) !

I would welcome your friend's advice, thank you. I will be visiting someone in Rhode Island tomorrow afternoon - taking a chance and another leap of faith!

I read your reply to Cajun_Mike regarding his dog Tucker - it's heartbreaking! My dog Bailey had congestive heart failure so to read both his and your story was all too familiar. We were fortunate to have Bailey with us for over a year which was much longer than expected. Lots of daily medications and TLC.

I'm glad I joined the Havanese Forum today - I really wish I had been connected in the past!
 
#11 ·
Thank you Sandypaws ... I just got the significance of your name (Cape Cod/Havanese walking on the beach) !

I would welcome your friend's advice, thank you. I will be visiting someone in Rhode Island tomorrow afternoon - taking a chance and another leap of faith!

I'm glad I joined the Havanese Forum today - I really wish I had been connected in the past!
Is the person you're visiting in RI Pam Sowa? If so, I can definitely recommend her. She hasn't been breeding for long, but she has done an excellent job health testing her dogs, showing them in both conformation and performance venues, and raises them right.
 
#8 ·
Thank you Missy for the information - I found a breeder in RI on Saturday that I felt good about and actually visited yesterday with my family. The puppies are only 6 weeks and not ready to go home yet, but we all fell in love with them and will definitely bring one home when the time is right - 5-6 more weeks. I've made a lot of phone calls and have sent emails to breeders - not including the breeders you mentioned. I'm not able to reach our first breeder from NY so I'm starting from scratch and trying to use good references and gut instinct to find the next puppy!
 
#14 ·
Claudia DeVita
DeVita Havanese
Stamford/Greenwich, CT
203-869-1018
CFDVDANCES@yahoo.com
www.DeVitaHavanese.com

I recommend you go to the breeder directory for the HCA. I found Claudia in CT and I know her personally. She's been breeding for many years and gives lots of support to her puppy buyers, she also health tests and shows. She works hard for the HCA volunteering her time and gives back to the breed. It doesn't get any better than that.
 
#15 ·
Thank you Krandall for the endorsement - yes, that is the breeder! Excellent to hear that. And Gableshavs, thank you for Claudia DeVita's name - I actually spoke with her the day before I spoke with the Sowa family and was impressed with her - if I'm remembering correctly, the litter she had was very young and unavailable for a long while.

I am so appreciative of the help from everyone - this forum is a wonderful resource!
 
#17 ·
You won't go wrong with one of Pam's puppies. I know the parents, and they have great temperaments. And you met Pam... she does everything by the book! :)
 
#18 ·
Hi Leigh,

Im so glad you found what sounds like a fantastic breeder! I have no idea what happened to the PMs I wrote but it sure seems like it's worked out wonderfully for you! Yes, I am from Massachusetts too, in the MetroWest area. Where in Massachusetts are you?
Cant wait to hear all about your new puppy and see your puppy pics!
LeeAnn
 

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#23 ·
Metro west here too! Glad it's Pam and not the other breeder in RI. I at first mentioned her as a red flag... But decided to edit it out. My Jasper is from the questionable breeder ... And I love him to pieces, he was right for us, but would steer others away from her, so I am glad others spoke up.
 
#34 ·
Thank you so much for the info! Henry is only just now beginning to look like a Havanese again. He had a horrible haircut in December. Id like to find a groomer who can help us get Henrys cut back to normal. I know, its a long growing out process but little by little. Mary has an excellent summertime groomer so I cant wait to get both my boys to her person . Does the place you mention also do training?
Again, thanks for all the help and hope to meet you with our Havs someday
LeeAnn
 
#35 ·
Just remember that when it comes to puppy cuts, "normal" is in the eye of the beholder. the way you want Henry to look may be very different from what someone else wants. So you not only need to find a good groomer, but communicate very clearly. I also insist on being there while Kodi is being groomed, so I can talk to the groomer during the process and make decisions on the spot. That is a large part of why I chose to work with these two groomers. In both instances, they were open to me being there while Kodi is groomed. I would NOT just drop him off and pick him up anywhere!!! (and this isn't only in terms of the groom job... I don't want him to have to sit in a cage for hours with other dogs barking, and lots of noise and bustle around him. I want to get in and out as quickly as possible.

Especially for Pets does some pet-type classes. I have no idea of the quality, as I've never used them. MasterPeace is where I train regularly with Kodi. (and why Michelle can groom him there, since we're there anyway) They have awesome instructors for everything from pet classes and puppy K to high level competition obedience, agility and nosework.
 
#36 ·
we have a great breeder in Ashland. Of course we keep the boys in a puppy cut. but he has done good longer trims too. (well 4 inches in legnth is the longest we've ever been able to grow them out to) send me a pm if Ashland is close enough to you and I will give you the info.
 
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