Expecting Mommy

[RoxiesMama]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get all kinds or backlash for this question, but I have to ask anyway. I am looking at two different female Rotty puppies and would appreciate some honest feedback on both situations. I have been reading the posts on this site for over two weeks and I think I've read every single one already! Here's my situation:

The first puppy belongs to a breeder wanting $1,200 for her, but she has been offered to someone else already-but they can't get that person to call them back to say if they still want her or not! So here I sit on pins and needles "patiently" waiting-NOT!

So I found another puppy today-exact same age. They will both be 8 weeks and ready for a home July 21st. This one is a BYB for sure. The lady has both parents on site and this is their 4 litter. They are both 4 years old. She said they are family raised in the house with their kids and around animals with much socialization. They've had no professional training, but are trained with commands by her. Both parents just ignore strangers.

They are AKC registered, shots have been done, claims excellent temperment, and said something about a OPH test that came back as good. She said there are 3 ratings-fair, good, and excellent. What is this? And what should it be? Even if I go with the breeder-should this test be excellent?

Thank you for any help you can offer!

RoxiesMama

[BostonRott]

Do NOT go to the BYB. Do NOT support their unethical practices, please!

A puppy who is only 6.5 weeks should NOT have had shots yet. This is a bad start for this puppy's immune system.

I have no idea what an OPH test is. There is an OFA test for the hips where passing ratings are Excellent, Good and Fair. This is only available to dogs who are 2 years and older, therefore, one can not OFA test puppies.

There are puppy tests out there, the most commonly known one is the PAT (Puppy Aptitude Test). Volhard PAT Most breeders have this testing done on their puppies, by a stranger, in a strange environment, at around 7 weeks of age, but never before.

[Mojave's Mom]

The old adage of you get what you pay for is true.

Don't get a puppy from a BYB just because you want one right this very second. If the first breeder has all her ducks in order and had a waiting list, did all the proper health testing (and can prove it by showing you the paperwork) AND shows/competes her dogs, then sit on pins and needles and wait for the right puppy. If not this puppy, one from her next litter or whenever your number comes up on her list.

Buying a dog from someone who does things half baked only encourages them to keep doing so, therefore contributing to the further collapse of this breed and its reputation.

[BostonRott]

As well, if the breeder does not end up selling you the puppy, they can probably give you a list of others to consider or may have a friend who has a litter due. When I have a litter announced, I always keep close tabs on who else in the area has puppies available, in the event that my split comes out wrong, the litter is too small, etc etc.

[Mojave's Mom]

And adding to Gretchen's good advice....

A good breeder will pick the puppy that is right for YOU- not allow you to choose one or to just pick up whoever is "left over". The right puppy for you may or may not be available in a good breeder's next litter. This may sound like it sucks because there's not a guarantee even when you find the right breeder, but in the end, you AND the dog will be much happier. There is nothing sadder than when a puppy's personality and an owner's lifestyle don't match. So long story short....the wait is worth it.

Good luck.

[Sharon Marples]

Here are a couple of good threads for you to read just in case you have not done so yet:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/bre...r-quality.html

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/gen...buy-puppy.html

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/pup...ee-litter.html


And please, do NOT be in a hurry to get a puppy from anyone just because you want one. Read the posts here and take your time to find a good, ethical breeder that will be there for the life of your dog. Most breeders that I know of have waiting lists for their pups well over a year in advance. It does not surprise me that this breeder is waiting for someone to make their mind up. If she had extra puppies that she did not have homes waiting for, then I would be concerned at that.

And to ditto the others, please run, not walk, away from the BYB person. I would suspect that her dogs do not have any health testing done at all. You need to read up on what questions you should be asking of breeders before you go to see the pups.

Also, do a search on here for puppy contracts to see what type of things should be in your contract so that you and your puppy are protected.

Good luck, keep us posted in your search.

[ecburt]

I always say I'd rather wait for a good quality pup from a reputable breeder and pay a little more than to get a pup cheaply and right away and then spend a ton of money at the vet with physical problems...

[Mojave's Mom]

Originally Posted by ecburt

I always say I'd rather wait for a good quality pup from a reputable breeder and pay a little more than to get a pup cheaply and right away and then spend a ton of money at the vet with physical problems...

....or with a trainer for the temperament and behavioral problems.

[RoxiesMama]

Thank you all for your honest responses! I appreciate them all and with my husband's sensible head, we didn't even go look at the BYB's pups. That would have been too much to resist-LOL!

The breeder's pup was accepted by the person who wanted her so now we wait. But the breeder is actually helping us to find one! She is calling all her contacts and other breeders that she knows and is trying to locate a puppy for us or find out when a next litter is due that we may be able to get on a waiting list. She really has been incredible.

Again, thank you all for the advice. BTW, I bought the Rottweilers for Dummies book on the Internet and just got it yesterday and even that book says to only buy from a reputable breeder! Talk about timing!

RoxiesMama

[BostonRott]

I'm sorry to hear that that puppy did not work out for you. On the plus side, the breeder is doing exactly what she should be.......trying to find you a well bred pup. Congrats on finding such a great breeder and best of luck in your continued search.

[RoxiesMama]

Thank you BostonRott! I just found out that she is flying out to VA in mid-August to bring home a pup for herself and if one is still available, possibly a female for me as well! The breeder has 5 females! She will be calling that breeder tonight to find out if any of the females are available and will let me know tomorrow! The puppies will be 7.5 weeks old then! Oh I just can't contain myself!!! Boy, if you didn't know better, you'd think I was pregnant with a real baby!!!

RoxiesMama

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by RoxiesMama

Thank you BostonRott! I just found out that she is flying out to VA in mid-August to bring home a pup for herself and if one is still available, possibly a female for me as well! The breeder has 5 females! She will be calling that breeder tonight to find out if any of the females are available and will let me know tomorrow! The puppies will be 7.5 weeks old then! Oh I just can't contain myself!!! Boy, if you didn't know better, you'd think I was pregnant with a real baby!!!

RoxiesMama

And I know exactly what litter she is talking about! Those will be OUTSTANDING puppies from a GREAT breeder who I personally know! I'll be keeping fingers crossed for you!

[Greys33]

Can you give me a little more information in regards to the breeder in VA? I've been looking for about 2 months now and haven't found a suitable breeder yet...I take that back. I've found a guy in NY that has been great but I'd love to be able to see a breeder here in VA and learn from a local breeder.

Please do not discuss breeders on the forums

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by Sharon Marples

And I know exactly what litter she is talking about! Those will be OUTSTANDING puppies from a GREAT breeder who I personally know! I'll be keeping fingers crossed for you!

Actually, I take this back, the breeder I know of that has the puppies only had 4 girls, not five. Sorry....

[RoxiesMama]

Thank you all for your replies-with great patience I found myself a puppy this past weekend! Roxie will be 8 weeks old this weekend and the breeder did a wonderful job of picking her out for our family. She wasn't the most active puppy or the most "restful" puppy. Just right in the middle. She also recommended a female for us since she would be our first Rottie-but we only wanted a female-so that was good! We got to meet both of her parents and they acted more like Labs than Rotts! Her Mama weighs 120lbs. and is tall and her Dad is short and all muscles at 90 lbs.!!! He was very intimidating to my husband until he walked over and just licked him to death! My waiting paid off.

Thanks,
RoxiesMama