ROTT N CHATTER, September 1992, Volume 1 Number 2

 

                     QUESTIONS TO ASK A BREEDER IF

                        YOU WANT TO BUY A PUPPY

 

     Do not be in a hurry.  You may regret it later.  A reputable breeder

will likely not have a puppy immediately available to you.

     Can you look at the parents?  Do they have sound temperments?  What are

their confirmation faults?  Every dog has at least one fault and probably

more.  Are the faults something you can live with?

     Ask to see the AKC registration papers and OFA certifications.  Have

the dogs been shown at all?  Ask to see the show results and proof of any

titles.  If they haven't been shown, why not?  Do not believe answers like

"We breed for working ability", or "American judges do not know what a good

Rottweiler looks like", or "It's too political" or "We don't have the time

for that, besides I know our dogs are good".  These are poor excuses for "I

mean to make money at the expense of the Rottweiler breed".

     If you do not get satisfactory answers to the above questions, call the

breeders of the parents and ask them if these dogs were sold as pets only

(not for breeding).  If either breeder cannot give you satisfactory answers,

do not buy from this litter.

     Who is their veterinarian?  Ask to talk with him/her about the dogs'

health histories.  Have they been wormed?  Have they had their shots?  What

kind and how many?  See where the bitch and puppies have been living.  Is it

clean and dry?  Do they look happy and healthy?  If you can't tell, take

someone with you that knows how to look for problems.

     How many litters has the bitch had?  How often has she been bred?  Once

a year is enough and never before she is two and OFA'd.

     If there is more than one litter on the premises, what precautions has

the breeder taken from keeping them from getting mixed up?

     Ask about the breeder's feeding program.  What written instructions and

information does the breeder provide the buyer?  Ask for names of some

buyers to see if they have had any problems and if they are satisfied with

the pups they bought and the way problems were resolved.  Does the breeder

have a contract for you to sign?

     Take someone along to keep you from getting emotionally attached to one

of the pups to the point you overlook all of the above precautions.

 

     AND A FEW DON'TS...

     Do Not buy a pup that is under 7 weeks of age.

     Do Not buy over the phone or by mail.  If you do, buy from a respected,

well known, reputable breeder.

     Do Not buy from a pet store.  No conscientious breeder will knowingly

sell to such an outlet.

     Do Not accept an oral promise for an AKC registration application at a

later date.  Have it in writing.

     Do Not pay for a dog until you are sure you are getting such a form.

             (Taken from the Wasatch Rottweiler Assoc., NL)