What to look for when buying my pup.

[rsaarinen]

Hello, I have been wanting a Rott sense I can last remember and now that I have bought a house I think it's time. I have been reading out them online and have been a frequent visitor to this forum trying to get an idea of what I"m getting into. I"ve made my decision and have found a breeder near me that has been doing rotts for almost 20 years.

He has a litter that I will be seeing this Sunday and they are going for 750.00 to 4000.00 depending on what dog I like. My question to you experts is that overpriced? He quarteees the teperment and hip of the animal as well as chips them. I'm not looking to show the dog just want dog that I can take anywhere and is well behaved. I WILL not tolerate a aggresive dog and plan on training the crap out of my dog to avoid this.

Do you have any suggestions to me for when i'm with the litter. I know not to take the most agressive one or the shy one but the one in the middle. CVan you help me out on this one. Thanks guys.


FYI: I have read the post about " buying a pup" just looking for more adivse thats all!

[flyballmom]

Umm...seeing where you're located...where exactly is this pup you're considering? (Please don't use a kennel name or supply a website.) The first red flag would be why are these pups so widely different in "cost", then why are you being allowed to pick your own pup? A reputable breeder will decide which of his/her pups go where based on the personality of each pup, and what each owner is looking for. Good luck in your pup search...but from the bit you've supplied here I'd be looking elsewhere.

[BostonRott]

You should not be choosing your pup, the breeder should choose it for you. NO puppy is worth $4000, that's ridiculous!!! For $4000, I would expect a dog that is hip and elbow xrayed (and CLEAR!) and also has a BH or CD and is trained beyond that level.

You need to be able to describe to the breeder what kind of lifestyle the dog will live (busy, hiking, couch potato, competition), what kind of family the dog will be living with (kids, other animals, other dogs and specifically what ages/genders) and what your plans are for the dog. From that, the breeder should match you to a puppy in the litter.

When looking at the hip guarantee, are ALL puppies in the litter guaranteed? They SHOULD be. You should NOT be paying extra for the hip guarantee, or the other typical BS of "I only guarantee show puppies." Ummm....why? Are they THAT insecure about their breeding/bloodlines?? ALL puppies should have an equal shot at health and good temperament. Be sure that the hip guarantee is not only for "1 year." Also pay special attention to what the "remedy" policy is. A replacement dog? Does it require you to give up your dog? Will it be from teh same bloodline and therefore at risk for having the same problems?

Do you know the names of the parents yet? Have you been able to research them on the OFA database? There are many here who can help you with that.

[macho rottie]

Stay away from Cultus Kennels!! Take your money and RUN!!!!!!!! Go look in the shelters and rescues out in Washington...half the pups there are from Cultus.
There are some great breeders out Washington way...maybe go to the AKC website?

[rottcrazed]

Just a fleeting thought as I read this fast - WHY is there such a price difference?

All of my pups, pet or show, are the same price because they are all loved the same by me, have the same quarantees (slightly different for show puppies, but overall health issues are dealt with the same), same pedigree, etc... That is a HUGE difference. I agree with BostonRott, NO puppy is worth $4000. Not even if it is gold-plated .

Kristi

[mook1620]

$4000 is ridiculous!!! I agree that if it was a reputable breeder, they would be picking the dog for you as you are a novice owner. I would look elsewhere.

[flyballmom]

Originally Posted by macho rottie

Stay away from Cultus Kennels!! Take your money and RUN!!!!!!!! Go look in the shelters and rescues out in Washington...half the pups there are from Cultus.
There are some great breeders out Washington way...maybe go to the AKC website?

Uh...yeah. That's who I was thinking of.

Edited to say: And this may get deleted, but...they are the largest puppy mill in that area.

[Judi W]

Please make sure your breeder belongs to a Code of Ethics club. Don't just take their word for it, confirm it with the club. That at least tells you they have agreed in writing to abide by minimum breeding standards.

and yes, that price range is totally ridiculous. No pup is worth $4,000. Let's speculate that you are going to pay the $750. Well, that sounds fine, except - you would be purchasing from someone who is dishonest and a scoundrel so don't expect any reassurances or guarantees to have any meaning.

[Platzz]

Good luck in your search.

"I have been reading out them online and have been a frequent visitor to this forum trying to get an idea of what I"m getting into. I"ve made my decision and have found a breeder near me that has been doing rotts for almost 20 years."

Start going back in theold threads and read them too. Look at puppy contracts, puppy "tests" and bloodlines thread topics. Take your time, the pup you buy will be yours for a long time, do it and yourself a favor and do a bit more research.

I suggest you do go see this breeders pupps to start you education. After you visit and talk to a few breeders on the phone it becomes very obvious who the good guys are.

Don't be afraid to concider a hobby breeder, everyone has to have a start. There are plentry of people with years of dog experience that eventually are ready to start a breeding program amd/or want to breed a for themselfs and are looking for proper homes for the rest of the litter.

When I talk to a breeder if I don't get interviewed, they get scratched off the list.

[fbkeays]

Get the parents registered names and AKC numbers. If they don't have AKC numbers, I don't care the reason, RUN very, very VERY FAST away. You are in the US of A and that is the only registration that is worth having a piece of paper.
With the dog's name and #, go to the OFA website- www.offa.org and look up the dogs. If they are listed, check out their offspring if listed.
Ask how many litters the sire and dam have produced. If the sire has produced more then 6, ask to see the DNA certificate- required by AKC. Ask if the sire has sired outside bitches (not ones that he owns). I am assuming that the breeder owns the stud.
If the breeder has any excuse for why they don't do OFA- run away very fast.
Ask to see titles and verify it on the AKC website.
Make sure the dogs have recent (within 12 months) CERF certificate.
Ask when was the last show (obedience trial, agility trial, herding trial, etc) that the parents were entered in.
Make sure the parents of the sire and dam have OFA and CERF too.
Bottom line, if you even have an inkling that the breeder is slimey, RUN.

[Rott'n'lab Mom]

Originally Posted by macho rottie

Stay away from Cultus Kennels!! Take your money and RUN!!!!!!!! Go look in the shelters and rescues out in Washington...half the pups there are from Cultus.
There are some great breeders out Washington way...maybe go to the AKC website?

First of all to the OP, howdy from Woodinville!

I had not heard of this kennel before and I just did a search and noticed the kennel owner is named George and their phone number has a 360 area code. Every time I've ever looked at the Seattle Times classifieds, a George with a 360 area code ALWAYS has rottweilers available. I've learned from this forum that responsible breeders don't take out classified ads in the newspaper.

[macho rottie]

That man has advertised his dogs so much that we even know about him all the way into British Columbia! He ALWAYS has puppies available for sale. His business is that ranch and selling rottweilers year around. I see he has cleaned up his site. It used to show his rotties chained up standing in dirt and mud...no grass to be seen.

[rutylr]

On the pets 4 you web site he states his dogs go for 500. to 7,500.
He has 20 studs and 30 bitches avalible for his breeding stock.
Run as fast as you can.
Donna

[rsaarinen]

Thanks for all you help guys it's appreciated. Just to let you guys know I don't know if I would be able to chose the dog. I just made an appointment to check the litter out this weekend. As for the guarentee he has them for ALL dogs not just certian ones.

I amazed at the fact you locals picked up that it would be at cultus ranch. I have talked to George over the phone and he seems like a good guy. But maybe I should look else where huh? I'm not sure I even want to ask him the ?'s below if you guys have heard bad things about him. Do you guys have any ideas as far as where to look. Somebody said AKC would be a good place. Let me know guys!

[RottiMomCT]

Originally Posted by rsaarinen

I amazed at the fact you locals picked up that it would be at cultus ranch. I have talked to George over the phone and he seems like a good guy. But maybe I should look else where huh? I'm not sure I even want to ask him the ?'s below if you guys have heard bad things about him. Do you guys have any ideas as far as where to look. Somebody said AKC would be a good place. Let me know guys!

They all seem nice...they want your $$...!!! No maybe about it...DO look elsewhere...don't even go LOOK at the pups...not worth it.

Attend dog shows. When you see a dog you like, wait until they are done and talk to the handler, ask questions, get to know a breeder and their dogs. What are you looking for in a dog? A show dog, a pet, agility, a true working dog?

If only looking for a pet, why not consider rescue or a shelter? There are TONS of great dogs out there looking for homes that are in rescue and shelters...