| How to find a Responsible Breeder |
| A responsible breeder is one that will answer all your questions and will have nothing to hide. One that will be responsible for all the puppies they produce for their entire life, including the ones they are not able to place and take back any puppies that don't work out. One that allows their brood bitches sufficient enough time for recovery from one breeding before doing another. They breed dogs because of their admiration for the breed and want to contribute to the betterment of that breed. They guarantee their puppies to be free of genetic diseases common to that breed and replace any puppies should these diseases arise. A responsible breeder will evaluate their puppies as to their attributes and weaknesses and their suitability for a show/breeding prospect or simply a family pet or companion. This does not mean that the "Pet Quality" puppies are deficient, it merely means that this particular puppy may or may not possess the necessary qualities to be considered a "Show/Breeding Quality" puppy. A responsible breeder will always certify their dogs of being free of inherent genetic disorders prior to being bred and will make every effort to make sure to minimize the inherent genetic disorders that their puppies may potentially have. Show breeders breed for correct type in accordance to the breed standard, for size, proportion, angulations, reach and drive of gait, head type and other traits important in maintaining the breed standard. Working and sporting dog breeders concentrate their breeding programs toward proper working drives. They breed in an effort to retain strong instincts to perform the duties their dogs were originally designed to do. Their dogs should be predisposed to perform their line of work, be it protection, herding, tracking, etc. These dogs may not necessarily be the beauty queens of the show ring, but they will possess the correct type and temperament for their breed. The health of these dogs are just as important to the working kennel as they are for the show kennel. LOCATING A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER Your area all-breed kennel clubs are a good place to start. Another good venue is to just go to a show and introduce yourself to the people showing your chosen breed. With the advent of the Internet a whole world of information is open to you. Go online and research the breed clubs. Most of them will have links to breed clubs in your local area. One warning here: As a newcomer, it is easy to be fooled by flashy websites. Don't be a fool, read between the lines. What is their site really telling you and what are they not telling you. You may have to wade through a lot of B.S. before you find a website that is truly worthy of your time. Using the classified advertisements to find a good breeder is a gamble. Few responsible breeders put ads in the paper to sell their pups because they usually don't have any problem finding homes for their puppies. Most well know breeders have their litters spoken for, years in advanced and have a waiting list. The first interview with the breeder should be the most informative conversation you have with the breeder and should be done before you even see the puppies. It is hard to walk away when a little rottie puppy is nipping at your ankles. Ask to see the sire (if available) and the dam of the litter. If either appear to be overly protective or fearful, you don't want one of the puppies. The parents temperament will be directly reflected in each of the puppies. For questions to as a breeder click this link. You should expect a responsible breeder to ask questions of you as well. A good and responsible breeder is going to want to know what kind of homes their puppies will be placed in as well as that each puppy is living up to it's full potential Most breeder/puppy buyer relationship last a lifetime and it is because of the diligence of these breeders that this is possible. Some questions that you can expect from a responsible breeder are as follows: |
Have you ever owned a rottweiler before? How many? How old are they? Where
are they now? Rottweilers are not for everybody and a breeder wants to know if you
have any experience with the breed and what that experience is.
Do You have any children? how many? what are their ages? Rottweilers are not
necessarily a good breed for a family with small children. They are a large powerful breed
and they really don't know their own strength. A rottweiler could easily injure a small child
if left unattended and/or are not properly trained.
Do you live in a house or an apartment? Do you own or rent? Be aware that
rottweilers or one of the breeds that are restricted by Home Owner Insurance companies
and if you are renting or living in an apartment, you may not be allowed to have a
rottweiler as a pet.
Do you have other animals? What kind? How many? Rottweilers are a wonderful
breed but must be well socialized as young as possible, to any other animal he or she
may come in contact with in their day to day lives.
Do you have a fenced yard? No rottweiler should be left outside unattended and
should never be allowed to roam freely. Those electronic "in ground" fences will never be
sufficient enough to contain a rottweiler. Not only do you need to make sure your rottie
does not become a menace to the public, but you also don't want the public to be
menacing to your dog. A locked gate with a high enough fence not only keeps your
neighborhood safe, but it will keep your dog safe as well.
are they now? Rottweilers are not for everybody and a breeder wants to know if you
have any experience with the breed and what that experience is.
Do You have any children? how many? what are their ages? Rottweilers are not
necessarily a good breed for a family with small children. They are a large powerful breed
and they really don't know their own strength. A rottweiler could easily injure a small child
if left unattended and/or are not properly trained.
Do you live in a house or an apartment? Do you own or rent? Be aware that
rottweilers or one of the breeds that are restricted by Home Owner Insurance companies
and if you are renting or living in an apartment, you may not be allowed to have a
rottweiler as a pet.
Do you have other animals? What kind? How many? Rottweilers are a wonderful
breed but must be well socialized as young as possible, to any other animal he or she
may come in contact with in their day to day lives.
Do you have a fenced yard? No rottweiler should be left outside unattended and
should never be allowed to roam freely. Those electronic "in ground" fences will never be
sufficient enough to contain a rottweiler. Not only do you need to make sure your rottie
does not become a menace to the public, but you also don't want the public to be
menacing to your dog. A locked gate with a high enough fence not only keeps your
neighborhood safe, but it will keep your dog safe as well.
| This is only a sample of some of the questions you may encounter in your search for that special puppy. Do not be offended and answer every question with a positive attitude. A responsible breeder will only be looking out for the best interest of their puppies. One thing to remember, the breeders that have been in the biz for a long time will have a sixth since about people and will be scrutinizing everything you say and do. One last note: Never be afraid to talk to people, Some of your best leads will come from your veterinarian, your groomer, pet supplier stores, and most importantly other breeders. Those breeders, in the know, will know who is ethical and who isn't. Dog people keep well informed and are probably the best people to ask. |
