What's the Rush? Purchasing a Puppy

[TrishB]

I've been on the forums for quite a while now - since before I got my now 3 year old dog as a 12 week old puppy. This board has seen / heard a lot from me, and me them. I wanted to discuss something that we all see all the time - that we really should address.

DON'T RUSH FINDING THE RIGHT BREEDER!

It's happened here so many times, I can't count them. Some new member comes on, upset about their breeder and sickly puppy. After some digging, we find out that they only had email contact and after a couple of weeks had a puppy in their hands.

Please understand that purchasing a puppy is not like ordering a toaster. It takes time. Think of it like purchasing a car. You want the right vehicle, the right dealership, the right contract, the right rates, the right warranty…. It takes time to evaluate that. And let's face it - you'll have your dog for a lot longer than the average vehicle these days.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you start your search for a puppy:

1) You may have up to 2 years to wait before you get your puppy.
2) Good breeders typically do NOT have puppies available at the same moment that you call.
3) Good breeders try to line up homes before a breeding even takes place – to be sure that they can justify having a litter.
4) It takes time for good breeders to evaluate good homes as well – and they don’t have any spare time once the puppies are on the ground. So they’ll want to talk to you before the breeding takes place.
5) Many good breeders want references. Maybe another puppy owner of theirs referred you, or a breeder you know would be willing to speak up for you, or maybe your vet would be willing to write you a letter. Have these available for them, they’ll appreciate it.
6) You have to sell yourself to the breeder, just as they have to sell their puppies to you. Good breeders will turn people down. If they do turn you down, don’t be upset; ask why so that you can fix it (i.e. you don’t have a fenced yard).
7) Keep in mind that bitches only go into heat approximately every 6 months and that breeders cannot do anything about that.
8) Both parents of your puppy contribute 50% of the puppy’s genetics. Be sure that you are just as happy with BOTH parents.
9) Ask the breeder for some contacts of past puppy buyers. You’ll want to contact them to be sure that they are happy with their dogs / the breeder.
10) Be sure to receive a copy of the contract and to be fully comfortable with it before you sign anything.
11) Good breeders don't breed their dogs just because they're in heat. They breed because they want to achieve something with that litter, for themselves and their breeding program.
12) Of course, as we've all posted here before, for a dog to be qualified to be bred, they should have: Titles before and after their names, along with all health certificates. This ensures that you're getting a dog that meets the standard, has the ability the breed should posess and is a healthy dog genetically to pass on to your puppy. Yes, this applies to both the sire and the dam.

The long and short of it is, this all takes TIME. If you decide you want a puppy today, you are NOT going to get a great, healthy, socialized puppy out of titled, health tested, registered parents of merit, bred by a COE breeder by this weekend.

Enjoy the process – get to know your breeder. Be sure that you are comfortable with them as they will become a part of your extended family.

I had a chat with my father one day – he said that I tend to forget that not everyone wants a ‘show dog’. Some people just want a pet. They don’t want all of the fuss; to some people, it’s just a dog. I had to take a step back because although I don’t agree – he’s right. But it’s those people who get sucked in by the BYB and Puppy Mill sales pitch. “Oh – these are just pets – you don’t want a show dog with all of that stuff – you just want a dog. Here’s what you want, right here, available RIGHT NOW – buy it.” But those are the same people that get saddled with dogs with SAS, hip dysplasia, temperament issues and worse.

Simply put – you want the best value for your money. You can end up with a great dog that’s healthy and a pleasure to have around. Or you can end up with a sickly dog, either in mind or body, costing you more money than a show dog price, several times over.

Take your time – enjoy the search. It is those who have rushed in that often find that if they had just waited, they would have noticed that there wasn’t any certification for their breeders claims, that none of their dogs are out doing what they say they do, that there have been health problems that they failed to tell you about…if they had only taken the time.

Let’s face it folks. Picking a puppy is like walking through a mine field. There are any number of people more than happy to take your money and saddle you with a heart-breaking puppy (never mind the damage to your bank book). Take your time, pick your way through, you’ll be thrilled with you end up on the other side with the perfect puppy for you and your family.

[LynnS]

Trish

I completely agree with you that certain steps need to be taken by someone looking to add a new rottweiler puppy including researching potential breeder...

I just wanted to point out that it doesn't always take a long time to find the right puppy/breeder.....If you have your heart set on a particular breeding or want certain lines in puppies pedigree or have specific working/showing desires than the equation gets more complicated...

[Patty1231]

Unfortunately many, myself included, found this forum AFTER getting a puppy. We can only hope to learn here from our mistakes to keep us from repeating them, and to use the knowledge we gain here to educate others.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by LynnS

I just wanted to point out that it doesn't always take a long time to find the right puppy/breeder....

I agree - but a "long time" to some people is anything over 2 weeks. 2 months I would consider fast. I'd consider 3 - 6 months typical (finding them, talking to them, waiting for the bitch to come into heat, gestation, 8 weeks until they come home....). Sure there are variances - but having one in days is not realistic.

[SonnyRott]

I agree with what you've said Trish but I'd also like to add that some of us who ended up with unhealthy puppies did not rush out because we wanted a puppy that day. We waited for the right time (in our lives) to bring in a new pup.

Many of us waited 6 months plus for the breeding but still got suckered. Do I know more of what to look for the next time I get a pup.....ABSOLUTELY! Experience is a great teacher.

Ultimately, I am responsible for the pup that I purchased and for putting money into my breeder's pocket. I struggle with that. I don't feel I went about it hastily, and I do own a wonderful companion.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by SonnyRott

I agree with what you've said Trish but I'd also like to add that some of us who ended up with unhealthy puppies did not rush out because we wanted a puppy that day. We waited for the right time (in our lives) to bring in a new pup.

I 100% agree. It's not to say that rushing is the ONLY defining factor when getting an unhealthy puppy. Some people are great sales people but poor breeders. Many of them could sell a heat lamp in the middle of a heat wave. It's a hard lesson to learn when you know they told you all of the right answers but you still got burned....

Rushing is yet another cause that I wanted to draw people's attention to.

[rottielover2004]

With harley it was just a fluke. I was refererred to her by another breeder, so I called. Harley's breeder was still unsure at that point if she wanted a female or male. with 3 weeks talking to her staraight, and her doing the reference checks. she decided that she wanted the female. Lucky for me , I wanted a male. I was willing to wait, it just happened this way, and it was perfect timing, I was still on Mat leave. She is really happy with the way Harley and I have turned out together. She was glad to see she made the right choice.....But once again this was a total fluke :)

[TrishB]

Good going! It's not to say that there aren't exceptions to the rule - there are! But at the same time - you should plan for the rule, hope for the exception and take the time you need. Our great dogs are worth the wait!

Sometimes the perfect dog falls into your lap out of the sky as if they're a gift from the heavens.....

For all of the other times - we have to put in the time, effort and simply wait.

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by TrishB

.....Many of them could sell a heat lamp in the middle of a heat wave.

LOL! No kidding!

One of the things that happens alot is people buy a puppy and then research how to take care of them. Many times they are not even sure how to potty train or feed one. It's alot like putting the cart before the horse.

[flyballmom]

Well, I was in contact with Blitz's breeder by phone and email for less than 2 weeks before I brought her home. I couldn't be happier.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by flyballmom

Well, I was in contact with Blitz's breeder by phone and email for less than 2 weeks before I brought her home. I couldn't be happier.

Blitz fell from the sky...

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by flyballmom

Well, I was in contact with Blitz's breeder by phone and email for less than 2 weeks before I brought her home. I couldn't be happier.

But a big difference is that Blitz was NOT your FIRST rottie!

[flyballmom]

Originally Posted by Sharon Marples

But a big difference is that Blitz was NOT your FIRST rottie!

Yes, this is true!! (THANK GAWD! ) And she did sort of just fall into my lap.

[macho rottie]

Excellent post TrishB.

[natesmom14]

[quote=TrishB]
Sometimes the perfect dog falls into your lap out of the sky as if they're a gift from the heavens.....
QUOTE]

I've had two- my mix Daisy and my Rottie, Nikki. I cannot believe how very blessed we have been with these two wonderful dogs- and they were both rescues!

I will say that I agree 100% with this post and I know that if/when down the road the time comes that I do start my search for the perfect Rottie puppy I will be well-armed from all of the fabulous advice from these boards and from posts like this!!!!