Need advice badly - thinking of getting new pup

[blueox]

I need some advice from you rottie owners out there. Sorry for the long post, just wanted to explain the situation well.

I want to get a rottie, however I 'm in a transition period in my life. Basically I'm trying to find a new job and buy a house (only 1.5 hour drive from where I live now) and my plan was to get the dog after those 2 prerequisites were taken care of. I'm hoping all of that will happen soon in the next couple months.

The problem is that since I knew that eventually I would want to get a rottie I decided to go take a look in a nearby store that sells purebred dogs - it's called Woof & Company (I have some questions about this CO below). This was probably a mistake as I pretty much fell in love with a 13-week old female rottie that they had. She was incredibly sweet, affectionate, playful, and just wanted to say "HI" and give some lovin' to everyone that came by. It just seemed like it would be the dog I'd want if there was no question about whether I could get her or not. So now, even though the conditions may not be optimal, I'm tempted to get her. Currently I live in an apartment that has some space that I could section off for the dog, and I think I could make it work. I work about 5 minutes away and could probably stop by for 15 minutes in the late morning and then about and hour early afternoon. On nights and weekends she'd be with me the whole time.

So, I guess these are my questions:

Has anyone heard of Woof & Company or anything similar? It sounds like they're basically the "middle-man" between the breeders and the buyers. It looks like a petshop, but is a very professional outfit and they said that all their dogs are AKA certified and backed up with papers. Any input on this would be appreciated.

Does anyone find it odd that she was 13-weeks old, and that they said that I probably couldn't have gotten her much earlier than 12-weeks (at least from them). I hear a lot of people talking about their new 7 or 8-week old pups. I'm not sure if it may be part of their system to keep the dog a bit longer after 8 weeks in order to give it exams and shots (and maybe this one has been there a couple weeks beyond that). I'm not sure, but kind of feel like I would be getting jipped a good 5 weeks of "puppy love."

Does a price of $900-950 sound expensive (again, I'm not sure but there may be vaccinations, exams, etc. that have already taken place and are figured into that price...stuff that I would have to pay for if I got her at 7 weeks).

This is basically the only rottie pup that I've seens so far, so I feel like I would be jumping into it. However, she's already 13 weeks old, so I feel this pressure to get her as soon as possible. I also feel like I would be passing up a good chance to get a really nice, affectionate, NON-AGRESSIVE (very important to me) dog...basically the dog I want.

So, given my questions and concerns above, what's everyone's opinion? Do you think I should hold off and would have no problem finding a great pup later on (esp. a female with the characterists I described), or do you think I should take the chance and get the one that seems great now? If people feel that the one I saw was typical of almost every rottie pup, then I'd be willing to wait. However, if it might be harder to find a real "sweetheart" then I'd be tempted to take the plunge.

Thanks much for any advice you can give on anything I've written - everyone on this board seems very knowledgable and helpful.

[Carina43]

http://www.rott-n-chatter.com/puppymill.html

Read that...
Please please please don't buy that puppy!!
I know it is hard not to.
Yes, that is an excessive amount of money to pay for a poorly bred Rottweiler puppy - particularly one that has a pretty high likeliehood of having physical issues down the road...not to mention temperamental problems.
Read some of the discussions in the "breeding" forum.

And - welcome! :) I know this isn't what you want to hear. Along with many others, I will not even go INTO a pet store that sells puppies, never mind spend one dime in them.

I say hold out for a really good pup (lkkely for less money, too) - take your time and find the right one. You'll have her for 10 years or so - there's really no rush.

[LavenderRott]

Reputable, Code of Ethics Breeders need no middle man to sell their pups. Puppies that are sold in pet store come from puppy mills. There are no exceptions that I know of.

This dogs parents may not be purebred and certainly have not been checked for genetic problems. Large breed dogs are prone hip displaysia and other problems that can be tested for.

AKC papers are no guarentee of quality of puppy and if you search this formu you will see how easy it is to get papers on a dog/puppy that is not what it is represented to be. DNA testing is th ONLY way to see if the stated parents are truly the parents of this pup.

RUN. Don't walk to the nearest exit. When you are settled down in your new home you will find the dog that you are meant to have. Honest.

[JD102175]

I agree with everything Carina and LavenderRott said.

Please do not get this, or any other puppy, from a pet store. All that would accomplish is to promote the puppy mills and BYB's of the world. People who are breeding for one reason and one reason only....The almighty $$$$.


As for your concerns of finding a friendly, non-aggressive pup in the future, you will.

Do some research on breeders in your area. Call your local Rottweiler club or an AKC All breed club. They will be able to give you names of local COE breeders. Talk to the breeders now and tell them of your plans.

Research as much as possible about this breed. Stick around, there are many, many knowledgable people on this forum that are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.


Jaime

[Wrath]

If you're willing to spend $900-$950 on a puppy from a pet store you can most DEFINITELY find a very good puppy from a reputable breeder. The timining would probably work out well for you as well, by the time you were able to locate just the right breeder and the litter is produced you should be settled into your new job and new house and really KNOW if a Rottie is right for you and if you're right for a Rottie.

I can't possibly be more in agreement with the general sentiment here, a pet store is the worst places to buy a puppy from. No matter how cute, outgoing, and friendly she may seem.

[blueox]

Thanks for the welcome.

OK, I'll take everyones advice....seems like there is definitely a concensus. I want to be responsible about it, and I had heard about puppy mills and petstores and that people say you should stay away from them - but I don't know how they can blanantly claim that their puppies are purebred if they aren't...aren't there associations and other "watchdog" organizations that are supposed to prevent that, esp. when it's so out in the open?

Thanks for the advice, I'll take my time getting the dog.

I'm going to research how to find a good breeder, but any more info or "must do's/dont's" that anyone can offer on the process of finding a good, purebred rott pup would be appreciated too.

thanks

[JeanT]

Read the "Breeding" forum right here! The informaiton is amazing - lots from experts, lots from anecdotal experience, all valuable.

I never go into a pet store that sells puppies or kittens. It's the saddest place to go, next to a shelter.

[Carol Burke]

> but I don't know how they can blanantly claim that their puppies are purebred if they aren't...aren't there associations and other "watchdog" organizations that are supposed to prevent that, esp. when it's so out in the open?<
[/b][/quote]

The puppy may very well be purebred, but purebred does not necessarily mean quality. Any breeder trying to improve the breed would not need or get involved with a middleman or pet store. AKC is a registry, that's all, it is not a guarantee of health, adherence to the standard or quality.

I know, it is heartbreaking to see the puppies offered for sale in pet shops, but if you buy one you are supporting unethical puppy mills and you are doing a disservice to the Rottweiler breed.

Hang around the forums for awhile, you will gain a great deal of knowledge and be pointed in the right direction.

[blueox]

Carol, thanks for the explaination.

One thing I left out, and it probably wouldn't sway anyone's opinion, is that I believe they listed what breeder each dog came from, so that you could research who the breeder was and what their reputation was. I guess there's no way to really know though. I'm definitely taking seriously what everyone is saying about staying away from the "store" though.

I would agree though that it's better to physically go to a "local" breeder that you've checked out and has a good reputation.

Off hand, can anyone tell me what would be a reasonable price to pay from a good breeder (or a price range), or does it depend on many variables?

[Carol Burke]

The breeder of the puppy would show up on the AKC registration papers anyway.

Prices vary, but for what you were willing to pay the pet store you should be able to find a very nicely bred puppy with some health guarantees and a breeder who will help you throughout your dog's life.

[Carina43]

Blueox...there's a couple of discussions in the breeding forum that really lay out what to look for, what not to look for, in a breeder...you'll get more info there than anyone could lay out for you here!

Cost - there's some variability, but I'd say between $500-800 would be a fair range. I paid $500 for Cooper; I know some people charge more than that. Worth every penny, too! I'm talking about "pet quality" puppies, those that go to show homes are usually more. You'll get a healthy pup who has been very well socialised and exposed to different situations while young - this really helps build a more stable dog.

I don't breed, and don't know much about it. I'd imagine it would be difficult for the average non-Rottie expert (I've owned Rottweilers since 1986, but as to different breeding lines, I'm fairly uneducated) to figure anything out by whatever they show you at the pet store. You can be guaranteed nobody truly wanting to breed excellent puppies will be selling them through a pet store, though. And as I understand it, there's a lot of fakery in the puppy mill business anyhow.

Good luck finding your spoiledrottenweiler! It's a requirement that new puppy owners post cute puppy photos here, of course. :D

Oh, and thank you, thank you, thank you for being willing to wait and learn! :)

[blueox]

thanks for pointing me in the right direction

I'll poke around the boards a bit before asking anymore questions that there are probably already answers to

I'll be sure to post pics!! May not be for a while though... :)

[tlc]

It sounds like you've been given plenty of reasons to not buy from a pet store, but I think there are plenty of reasons to wait until you get moved also. I have had one dog for 3 yrs and another for about 6 mnths. and we moved earlier this spring. As I am sure you can remember from your last move, moving is extremely hectic and a new puppy would only complicate things. Puppies are so much fun, but the first few months are full of constant supervision and training. So, I think it would be best for you and your puppy to wait until you get settled into your new home and job. Otherwise, even though you wouldn't want to, the puppy could get neglected and suffer in the long run.

Good luck with the move and new job and way to go with the decision to add a rottie to your family. They are wonderful dogs. You'll be able to find a sweet non-aggressive pup when you're ready!

Tabitha

[blueox]

tlc, thanks for the good luck wishes...I'm going to need it in this job market! I agree, moving would be tough on the puppy and it's better to wait until everything is settled and I can give plenty of attention...better for both of us!

[Sharon Marples]

How Refreshing!!

Blueox....I've got to hand it to you, it's wonderful to see someone ask a question and then listen to the answers!

Congratulations on your decision not to purchase from this pet store. You will have much more success and a much healthier pet by purchasing from an ethical breeder who can show you proof of all the testing on the sire and dam.

When you are ready, I'm sure we can help you find a reputable breeder in your area.

Again, kudos to you! :D We look forward to your participation in the forums!

Sharon Marples