Breeder vs Puppy Mill
Ethical Rottweiler Breeders……
Here are some things to think about and consider when looking for an Ethical Rottweiler Breeder.
● THE BREEDER DOES SOMETHING WITH THEIR DOGS! A breeder should be working towards something….service animal, showing, working, obedience, herding, carting etc..
● THE BREEDER HAS AS MANY, OR MORE QUESTIONS FOR YOU THAN YOU DO FOR THEM. They work to support their dogs, not the dogs supporting the breeder.
● THE BREEDER IS ALSO VERY HAPPY TO PROVIDE REFERENCES OR POST TESTIMONIALS ON THEIR WEBSITE.
● THE BREEDER USES A SALES CONTRACT THAT PROTECTS THE PUPPY’S WELFARE, THE BREED’S WELFARE, YOUR INTERESTS, AND THEIR INTERESTS.
● BREEDER WILL POST A COPY OF THAT CONTRACT ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR YOU TO REVIEW BEFORE CONTACTING THEM.
● THE BREEDER SPEAKS MORE ABOUT THEIR ADULT DOGS, THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BACKGROUNDS, QUALITIES, AND SHORTCOMINGS, THAN ABOUT ANY PUPPIES FOR SALE, PRESENT OR FUTURE.
● GOOD BREEDERS PERFORM THE APPROPRIATE HEALTH TESTS FOR THE BREED, SHARE THE RESULTS OPENLY, AND CAN JUSTIFY THEIR DECISIONS TO BREED EACH INDIVIDUAL DOG.
● THE BREEDER BREEDS ONE BREED OR CLASS OF DOGS.
● BREEDER BREEDS ONLY MATURE DOGS (24 MONTHS OR OLDER USA Stanards), AND EACH FEMALE IS NOT BRED EVERY HEAT CYCLE.
● THE BREEDER WILL RETIRE THEIR DAMS AT AN EARLY ENOUGH AGE FOR THEM TO HAVE A PEACEFUL LIFE AS A FAMILY PET. NORMALLY 5 TO 6 YEARS OF AGE.
● ETHICAL BREEDERS DO NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH PUPPIES TO REQUIRE A USDA LICENSE.
● IF THERE IS ANY INDICATION THAT THE SALE OF PUPPIES IS PAYING THE MORTGAGE, THAT THE DOGS ARE SUPPORTING THE BREEDER, WALK AWAY.
● THE BREEDER WILL POST ALL OF THEIR BREEDING STOCK (EVEN POTENTIAL BREEDING STOCK) ON THEIR WEBSITE.
Honestly if they feel they need to hide breeding stock from the public, ask yourself what they might be hiding from their customers. Breeding dams on their second heat (18 – 20 months of age) is not ethical. Without having your breeding stock check and certified there is no way you can say your breeding stock and offspring has never had hips or elbow issues.
IN CONCLUSION: THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
● A GOOD ROTTWEILER BREEDER…
● DOES NOT sell their pups to just anyone. They inquire about your life and where their pups are going.
● DOES NOT send a puppy home before 7 weeks old. Rottweiler puppies need to be with their litter-mates for at least the first 7 weeks.
● DOES NOT let you just pick a puppy before 5 weeks old without even knowing the personality of the puppy or evaluate them for temperament.
● DOES NOT just quote prices over the phone, through social media or through email.
● ALWAYS USES a puppy application of some form. Yes it might be a hassle but how serious are you to find the right Rottweiler for you?