about breeders

[BIGWRIGHT]

I wanted to know if they have a database or anything that can help first time Rottie owners where a breeder is near them and if they are repuatble or not or if they have had any complaints against them. I think their should be one to decrease the risk of flying puppies all over especially the way flying in now. Two to give a new buyer an advantage to deal and have a good first experience with buying a new Rottweiler puppy.

[TrishB]

I don't think that can ever happen - due to slander / law suits. But it's a nice thought! ;)

I think the closest you will get is being on here! ;) Post your questions, your location and be sure to have people Private Message you (breeders contact info is not allowed to be posted on the boards). Of course, you have to take any advice you get with a grain of salt - after all, it is only one persons opinion (if it were favourable). But it would be a start of where to look! :D

[poohbearsmom]

Contacting local breed clubs? In our area, we have an all breed club, as well as specialty clubs (clubs for specific breeds). Also, you might try local training organizations for referrals.

People do need to be careful not to give out slanderous information, so sometimes you need to read between the lines, so to speak, when asking about certain folks.

So much can be learned about a person by visiting them, and asking them the right questions face to face as well. Again, sometimes you need to read between the lines.... ;)

Use your best judgement and take your time making a decision.
As was posted in another thread - some of the best breeders don't advertise, and only breed occasionally.

Good luck.
Elisabeth

[mbeumel]

I am the new mommy to 2 puppies.12 week old Sasha-and 8 week old Greta.The 12 week old I bought from a "Champion Breeder" or so I thought.The 8 week old was a gift from my neighbor..he bought her from a byb.Anyways what Im getting at is...I made the biggest mistake and went by what I saw on this breeders website.The website had all these showring pictures of his studs and bitches,it showed beautiful dogs that just made your jaw drop!!WHAT I DIDNT KNOW IS HE NEVER SHOWED THEM!!He buys the dogs after they have recieved these titles.I will give him he has dogs with superb pedigrees....but thats it!!Long story short...I had him email me a pic of what he had avialible and.talked to him over the phone for 3 days.I picked out a female from the pics he sent me.
He lives 2 hours away and offered to bring the dog to my house,well stupid me dosent see anything wrong with it after all we have talked about over the phone(he is a verry smooth talker and anwsers all the questions right).
He comes with a female that really didnt look like the one I picked but was told the picture was 4 weeks old.She was soooo scared,but I thought it was because of being in a new place.
He :(
He was in a hurry,had me sign the health cert.,made our price exchange,and was gone.
After he left I noticed the health papers were filled out in the same handwriting(top and bottom)so I called the vet to inquire.
I was told the vet lets him fill out the bottom cause the breeder brings at least 10 puppies per visit and the vet dosent have time to fill in each one.????????????
This was 2 weeks ago when he droped her off.The same day he dropped her off she had the worst runs...just pooping liquid.I called up the breeder and told him I wanted to visit his place.
I was adament..and finally he agreed.The place was a dump!!All of his dogs are in kennels in thier own feces,with no food.His show studs and females were nothing like in the pics on the website!!They had dropped at least 20-30 lbs from what they were.I griped about the health of my puppy and told him he would pay my vet bill(and he agreed).
She was ate up with hookworms!!
She has been treated and is working on being the healthy beautiful pup she deserves to be.
Im still running rounds with him over my girls slight limp she has,and her paperwork(she is from europe and I was told it would take a while to get her pappers from there.)
THE POINT TO THIS LONG,LONG STORY I JUST SHARED...IS NEVER BY ONLINE UNLESS YOU PERSONALLY..OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO PERSONALLY KNOWS WHAT YOUR GETTING!!!
I WAS NAIEVE...BUT I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT LESSON IN LIFE!!
:o

[BIGWRIGHT]

Thank you for sharing that experience that took allot of guts that's the problem though really and it's not just the internet but the internet makes things worse because for people like me you can't get to the kennels and it's becoming more and more common to buy online from breeders that don't live in your state because their are none in your state. I have seen six people already buy online and be dissapointed but several kennels have sang the same old song and I know a few people who have totally given up on buying a rottweiler because their is no more trust. It's not the finacial it's the physical because you get attached and bad things happen. Even without the internet I had a freind who visited a kennel saw the beauty did everything right and picked a puppy and then the dog had several problems and since he got into it with the breeder he just said forget it. You can read a thousand books do your homework and still get screwed. That's why I say we need to start a listing of all the good honest breeders that breed Rottweilers their will no slander in that you just have to make the list or you don't. Their will be no bad statements and the list would have to be of kennels that people can comment on only positive and if their is a kennel that makes the list and it is Known that it should not be on the list then people could PM people and let them know. This was suppose to be the responsibility of the ARV and the AKC I thought it was at least. It is just to scary to go out their on a limb. The better breeders also charge to much and that's crazy as well but what can you do.

[gustav3]

mbeumel:

I'm looking into breeders in Florida and your story makes me more than a bit nervous. Could you please either PM or email me with details regarding the breeder you're talking about. Confidentiality guaranteed, but if you are uncomfortable doing so, I understand.

[Carnals]

I also purchased a rottie through a breeder that I found on the internet. for me it has been a blessing. I started dealing with her months before the breeding had taken place. She took time to teach me, introduced me to others who had purchased puppies from her and invited me to conformation and working shows in my area to see some of her dogs as well as watch her at work as a professional handler.

Just some insight. Always remember, if someone is trying to hide something, more than likely you do not want to know what it is.

[Carol Burke]

I breed ocassionally and have a web site. Anytime I get an inquiry and interest is shown in my dogs or puppies, I insist that the potential customer visit me if at all possible. I want to see their interaction with my dogs and a get a feel for them. I also have an extensive puppy questionaire they must fill out and I do investigate them. If you are dealing with a breeder that doesn't ask lots of questions and have some way of checking up on you I would be very cautious and I would never, ever buy a puppy unless I could meet the mother and hopefully, the father and the litter mates. If you have to drive a few hours it is well worth the trip. I have driven across country to pick a puppy from a litter I was interested in.

[BIGWRIGHT]

I agree that's ok when you can do that but what happens if you can't get their. Like myself I'm overseas and I will tell you the most frustrating thing is getting a puppy and having nothing but problems from day one knowing that you are very limited in what you can do. I had a guy here in the army that went through a so called reputable breeder and theyhad a questionaire and photos sent videos and everything and when they recieved the puppy it was cute and nice. Now it has HIP displasia had the worms for about two months when they recieved the pup. They contacted the breeder and the breeder (a professional breeder now recognized by the ARV) pretty much said sorry but it can happen. That's it all I'm saying is what is the harm in settung up a listing of reputable breeders no negativity but just the breeders that have a proven record of satisfied people. I believe in PM for anyone asking about a breeder but it can get difficult becasue all they are are people oponions. I think we have to do something to protect people from being screwed from breeders who don't stand behind their gurantees, who don't do the things they say they will and who don't work for the betterment of the breed.

[ILVROTTIS]

mbeumel, can you please pm me and let me know where this breeder is, i tried to pm you but i guess you can't get them yet? thanks a lot.

[BIGWRIGHT]

One more thing priceing I had to tell a guy this the other day the more you pay for rottie does not gurantee the less problems and the better it would be. Though I will admit it has become allot more pricey to buy a rottie pup I mean he was about to pay 1600.00 for a puppy. I mean if I asked on the forum for anyone to PM me about a breeder that's fine right. So whats wrong with a list as well. I mean can I put a kennel name on here and just ask for someone to pm me? No becasue I think I need to before I buy my next family member.

[Chilimson]

Today, the web is really a great tool for breeders and buyers throughout the globe. I wish there were more such tools then when I fall in love with Rottweilers. Nevertheless, I think buying from breeders overseas needs a lot of caution because there are cultural differences besides just owning or selling a nice dog. Morality or ethical issues will always arise, and that is what makes the world today. Whether it is altruism or hobby or greed, it is not a matter of one to judge.

But I certainly have a few experiences buying from overseas and had my equal share of joy and heartache. My last import a year ago was a dysplastic dog and she is so pretty, and I think that I must be so unlucky because the breeder told me that she is the only one affected. But after I posted my problem without naming the kennel, I get private emails to confirm my fear that there are others in the litter that have similar problem. Anyway, I am not blaming the breeder because they are willing to replace the dog except that I must pick up the transportation. For reasons due to number of dogs I can own and the quarantine requirements and cost is more than the transportation fee, I have declined the good offer. I have x-rayed the dog and confirm the HD problem, and brought her to swim and give her Glucosomine/Chondroitin supplement daily. She is great pet now, and does not limp at all. This episode has thought me the value of the net, because there are so many people with so much information out there. Just ask and somebody will be kind enough to reply.

I totally agree that one must do a lot of research and check on the breeder as well as the line. Visitation is a must, if you are serious about getting the puppy of your expectation, otherwise, you have to take your own risk and rely on trust. I have learn also that really no breeders can guarantee that the puppy you get will not have HD. The only way is to have a dog and x-ray at at least 18 months, then is it a puppy or dog you wanted? Do you want to pay for the extras and so on? For overseas buyers like myself, it may not be possible to visit the breeder, then I really will encourage doing a lot of research on the web and write to the forum. There are a lot of materials out there, and if you still have issues after doing all the due diligence. Then "tough luck, too bad" is all that I can say. My only caution is that there are really nice websites and breeders who show their dogs and say great stuff before the money transactions. You will be shocked about the behavioural changes, once there are mitigating issues. It will always confirm the saying that "In a crisis, it will always brings out the best and the worst of man!" How true!