Finding a Responsible Rottweiler Breeder
This article will focus on guidelines to help you find a reputable and responsible breeder.
Take your time selecting a breeder. You can ask for recommendations from veterinarians, friends who own a Rottweiler, local breed clubs if they are available, or you can contact the American Kennel Club. If you see “puppies for sale” ads in the newspaper, don’t ask. People who breed their dogs with their friends’ dogs are called backyard breeders and you don’t want a puppy from these people. A backyard breeder will have no idea if the puppies’ parents are healthy or if they have any medical defects that the puppies may inherit. A breeder will test their dogs for genetic problems and be able to provide potential owners with documentation showing that their puppies come from a litter whose parents do not have genetic problems.
A reputable breeder will show their dogs or at least participate in some dog related events. These events may include obedience, agility, herding, or many other canine events. A responsible breeder only breeds to improve the breed of dog. Through participation in dog shows, they can compare their dogs with other breeders’ dogs. If you find a breeder who doesn’t compete in dog events and doesn’t participate in some type of dog club (ie obedience, schutzhund, herding, all breeds, etc.), you probably don’t want to choose a puppy from this person.
A good breeder knows his breed and knows what medical problems (birth defects) are present in the breed. Two medical problems that seem to occur frequently in Rottweilers are hip dysplasia and entropion (eyelid defect). A breeder will tell you about any problems in the breed and what kind of tests have been done on their dogs to make sure they are not breeding animals with faulty genes. An ethical breeder will ensure that the puppy you bring home is in good health and will take it back if a genetic problem is found that cripples the dog’s life. This will be covered in the contract that you must read and sign before you become the puppy’s owner/guardian.
Some good questions to ask the breeder are:
o How long have you been raising Rottweilers? (seek experience)
o Are the parents of the puppies on site and can I see them? The mother should be on the site and probably not the father. Remember that a good breeder breeds to advance the breed of dogs. A person is not likely to have exceptional male and female dogs to mate with and advance the breed. If both parents are on the site, be careful.
o How many litters do you have per year? If they have more than two litters, be very careful. They may be breeding more for profit than for the advancement of the breed.
o Are the puppies raised at home? Raising puppies in a home and around people is a great start to their socialization. If the puppies are raised in a kennel, it may be fine as long as they are surrounded by people and introduced to the house so they get used to the sounds, sights and smells. You want the puppy to get used to a home environment, as she will be living inside when she brings him home.
o What kind of guarantee do you offer? The breeder must offer a health and genetic disease guarantee along with a guarantee to get the puppy or dog back, regardless of age, if she is unable to keep it. This does not mean that you will get your money back; they will retrieve your dog to keep it safe and keep it out of the animal shelter.
A good breeder will select him as a potential buyer. They want to make sure you are a good fit for their pup and are educated about the breed. Many of the questions may seem intrusive or nosy, but a breeder wants to make sure his puppy is going to a person who plans to care for his puppy for the next eight to twelve years. You agree to be responsible for this animal throughout its life.
Before you decide on the breed of puppy you want to adopt, read as much as you can and go to dog shows. Being around the different breeds will give you a chance to see the dog in action. A Rottweiler may not be for you, but another breed is. Get to know the dog before you commit.