Where to get a Rottweiler

It is far easier to say where NOT to get a Rottweiler puppy. Adopting a Rottweiler puppy from a pet store is quite high risk because often these puppies come from puppy mills which engage in mass producing puppies with genetic disorders, serious diseases and bad temperaments.

Newspaper ads and ”free to good home” signs are to be wary about because there are no guarantees on the puppy’s temperament and/or presence of any genetic disorders that may show up later in life. These puppies may appear to be a good deal since they are considerably cheaper than purchasing from a reputable breeder, but you may encounter problems later and have zero support.

I learned this the hard way. My very first Rotties were from a backyard breeder. The price was right and the puppies were adorable. Just to conform to the BYB name, the stud and dam where in the backyard along with other breeds of dogs they were breeding. This should have been a strong warning sign, reputable breeders usually focus all their energy on improving one breed and more likely than not, the stud is not in their home, since they work hard on selecting the most appropriate partner that will improve the breed.

Another strong warning sign to be aware of is the fact that they were allowing us to bring home two puppies at once. Reputable breeders would never allow this; they know how difficult it is already to cater to the needs of one puppy that bringing two home is most of time, out of question.

While double earnings will tempt most people, reputable breeders care more about their puppies than anything else. They are well aware of the risks of sibling rivalry, and know that not many households have the time and dedication to train each puppy separately so to allow them to bond more with the owner than with each other.
These breeders instead complied immediately to the request of taking the two pups home, they actually stated they were happy ”that brother and sister could stay together’’. So hubby and I signed a check and the pups were on their way to their new homes.

And then it happened: as we were riding home, both puppies started developing diarrhea. We did not think much of it, since we presumed they were stressed from being in a car possibly for the very first time, and away from their home, with two total strangers.

But my male’s diarrhea was getting worse overnight and by the next morning he was refusing food. Of course, this was on a Sunday when all the vets in town were closed. I called the breeders and they told me they had no clue what may have been wrong with him. I researched a bit online concerned about Parvo, I tried calling again the breeders to ask if the pups had possibly been exposed to other sick puppies. There was no response. I left a message and they never called me back. Evidently they were avoiding my phone calls.
Laying lethargic in a corner whimpering in pain, we rushed our male to the emergency vet one hour and a half away, The after math? Two nights hospitalization and a bill for $1,300. This would have never happened with a reputable breeder that offers a health guarantee. Phone calls would have been returned, and very likely the bill would have been covered, at least in part. This was the last time we would deal with a BYB. Hard lesson learned.