| > | | | | Some good questions to ask the breeder are: |
| This article will focus on the guidelines to assist you in | | | | How long have you been breeding Rottweilers? |
| finding a responsible and reputable breeder. Take | | | | (Look for experience) Are the puppies parents on |
| your time selecting a breeder. You may ask for | | | | site and may I see them? The mother should be on |
| recommendations from vets, friends who own a | | | | site and probably not the father. Remember a good |
| Rottweiler, local breeding clubs, if available, or you | | | | breeder breeds to advance the dogs breed. It is not |
| may contact the American Kennel Club. If you see | | | | likely that a person has exceptional male and female |
| advertisements in newspapers for "puppies for sale", | | | | dogs to mate and advance the breed. If both |
| do not inquire. People who breed their dogs with their | | | | parents are on site be cautious. |
| friend's dogs are called backyard breeders and you | | | | How many litters do you have in a year? If they |
| do not want a puppy from these people. A backyard | | | | have more then two litters be very cautious. They |
| breeder will have no idea if the parents of the | | | | may be breeding more for profit then advancement |
| puppies are healthy or if they have some medical | | | | of the breed. |
| defect that could be inherited by the puppies. A | | | | Are the puppies house raised? Raising puppies in |
| breeder will screen their dogs for genetic problems | | | | a house and around people is a great start on their |
| and will be able to give prospective owners | | | | socialization. If the puppies are raised in a kennel, that |
| documentation showing their puppies are from a litter | | | | could be fine as long as they are around people and |
| whose parents are free of any genetic problems. | | | | are introduced to the home so they may become |
| A reputable breeder will show their dogs or at least | | | | accustomed to sounds, sights and smells. You want |
| participate in some dog related events. These events | | | | the puppy use to a home environment as they will |
| may include obedience, agility, herding or numerous | | | | be living inside when you take them home. |
| other dog events. A responsible breeder only breeds | | | | What kind of guarantee do you offer? The |
| to improve the dog breed. Through participation in | | | | breeder should offer a health and genetic disease |
| dog events they are able to compare their dogs with | | | | guarantee along with a guarantee to take back the |
| other breeder's dogs. If you find a breeder who does | | | | puppy or dog, no matter the age, if you are unable |
| not compete in dog events and does not participate | | | | to keep it. This is not to say that they will return |
| in some type of dog club (i.e. obedience, schutzhund, | | | | your money; they will take back their dog to keep it |
| herding, all-breed, etc) you probably don't want to | | | | safe and keep it out of the animal shelter. |
| choose a puppy from this person. | | | | A good breeder will screen you as a prospective |
| A good breeder knows their breed and knows what | | | | buyer. They want to make sure you will be a good |
| medical problems (congenital defects) are present in | | | | fit for their puppy and are informed about the breed. |
| the breed. Two medical problems that seem to occur | | | | Many of the questions may seem intrusive or nosey |
| frequently in Rottweilers are hip dyplasia and | | | | but a breeder wants to insure her puppy is going to |
| entropion (eyelid defect). A breeder will inform you | | | | a person who plans to take care of their pet for the |
| of any problems in the breed and what kind of | | | | next eight to twelve years. You are committing |
| testing has been done with her dogs to make sure | | | | yourself to being responsible for this animal for their |
| she/he isn't breeding animals with defective genes. | | | | lifetime. |
| An ethical breeder will guarantee that the puppy you | | | | Before you decide on the breed of puppy you want |
| take home is in good health and will take the puppy | | | | to adopt, read all you can and go to dog shows. |
| dog back if a genetic problem is found that debilitates | | | | Being around the different breeds will give you a |
| the life of the dog. This will be covered in the | | | | chance to see the dog in action. Maybe a Rottweiler |
| contract that you must read and sign before you | | | | isn't for you but another breed is. Get to know the |
| become the owner/guardian of the puppy. | | | | dog before making the commitment. |