REPUTABLE ROTTWEILER BREEDERS
Finding a good breeder is not easy. The sad truth is that there
are far more backyard breeders and irreputable breeders out there
than there are good ones. For sure, you won't find them advertising
puppies for sale in the newspaper, or advertising litters for sale
on the Internet at puppy websites. In fact, many good breeders don't
even have websites. Their puppies are often spoken for long before
their litters are even bred.
Many people who like my dogs ask about their breeder, but I do
not recommend him. I found out about good/bad breeders the hard
way with him, and breeders are not always what they seem. Unfortunately,
you often don't find out if your breeder is going to be good or
bad until you have problems with your dog. That's where the rubber
hits the road, so to speak. Read
the story here.
Going about finding a good breeder is hard work. You have to do
your homework. The best way to find a good breeder is through word
of mouth recommendations from other owners. Go to dog shows and
trials. Talk to people who own your breed of choice. Ask lots and
lots of questions about their goals, breeding practices and contracts.
Ask to see proof of health clearances by providing OFA certifications,
and then look them up on the OFA website. Ask the same kind of questions
about the dogs in their dogs pedigree. A good breeder will not be
offended by these kinds of questions, but will in fact welcome them
and be happy to discuss them with you. Require a contract that specifically
addresses health guarantees. Even if your dog will only be a pet,
it should still be free of genetic health disorders that can cause
a dog great pain, and great heartbreak and expense to the owners.
On the other hand, expect that you will get the third degree from
the breeder. A good breeder does not want one of their puppies in
the hands of well intentioned, but irresponsible owners. They will
want to make sure that you are going to provide a dog with a good
lifelong home, worthy of placing one of their beloved dogs. Expect
to give a breeder references from where you work, where you live,
where you vet your animals. Expect them to want to see your home
and inquire about your insurance carrier. Expect to be required
to sign a contract, with obligations on your part that may include
spay/neuter, pictures at specific ages, co-ownership, specific veterinary
care and health clearances performed (at your expense) at specified
ages.
Expect to wait for a good breeder. They don't sit home cranking
out puppies all the time. They are out with their dogs showing them
and participating in dog events most weekends. They title their
dogs to prove that they are worthy specimens to be bred. As a result,
most good breeders may only breed a litter or two a year, or even
less.
Expect to pay a fair price. Buying a puppy from a good breeder
is going to cost more than dogs you see advertised in the paper.
On the other hand, it will also cost you less than buying from a
pet shop. Even though the price you pay may seem high to you, trust
me, good breeders are bleeding money by the time a litter is born,
when you consider the investment they make in their dogs. It is
a labor of love for the breed, not a profitable business by any
stretch of the imagination.
For many people, finding a good breeder is not important. For
those owners, finding a dog from a rescue group or humane shelter
is a great option. There are thousands of good dogs looking for
homes on any given day. In most cases, they are there not because
they are bad dogs, but because they had bad owners. Although not
impossible, it is rare to find a well bred dog in a shelter. This
is because most good breeders know where their dogs are. Not because
they are psychic, but because their puppies are microchipped before
they leave their kennel, and because a good breeder will always
take one of their own back should an owner need to surrender their
dog. In fact, it is common for a breeder to have first right of
refusal in the contract.
So why is finding a good breeder so important? First and foremost,
it comes down to health. All purebred dogs have a propensity for
specific genetic diseases within a breed. A responsible breeder
wants to breed healthy dogs, and guarantees it in their contracts.
While health screening will never be a 100% guarantee from genetic
disease, it far exceeds the statistical odds you get with a backyard
breeder. In rottweilers, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, sub aortic
stenosis (SAS), low thyroid, eye disorders (entropian/ectropian)
and blood disorders (Von Willebrands) should all be screened and
certified clear. In the US, these certifications should be from
the OFA,
with a certificate and number issued. These can be researched in
the OFA database.
Another reason you want to find a good breeder is temperament.
Half of what a dogs temperament is comes from genetics. The other
half comes from environment. Good breeders often have their dogs
temperament
tested, and make a lot of extra effort to safely expose puppies
to all kinds of sights, sounds, smells, people, animals and enviroments
to get them off to a good start. If you meet a breeder that lets
you pick your puppy, run like heck. A good breeder knows
their puppies, and has them aptitude tested to ensure good matches
with their future owners. They will vigorously interview you to
find out what kind of dog will be a good match for you. You may
even have to wait for another litter if there isn't a good match
in the current litter.
A good breeder will want to provide you with support with your
questions about your dog, and they often become mentors and good
friends. When you get a dog from a good breeder, you are not just
buying a dog, but establishing a relationship. Pick your breeder
carefully. It is important.
If you are considering a rottweiler, read these articles first:
Picking A Breeder
How to Find a Good Dog Breeder
How
to Select a Breeder
What
to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
Choosing
the Right Dog
There are always far more good dogs than there are good homes,
so if you are not looking for a show dog, PLEASE
consider adopting a shelter dog or rescue first:
ROTTS Rescue
SSRR Rescue
Augusta-Richmond
County Animal Shelter
Augusta
Animal Rescue Friends
Canine
Shelter Rescue
Columbia
County Animal Care and Control
CSRA
Humane Society
CSRA
Greyhound Adoptions
Happy
Tails Rescue
Molly's
Militia
Petfinder
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