Getting ready for new puppy..few questions

[murph5]

Hi there,

I am new to the forum and I have been reading reading and what do you know, some more reading, lol. I love this place!

I have recently put a down payment on a puppy after finding a breeder that suited me in my area (Nova Scotia). She is a registered breeder with the ckc, and has been breeding Rotties for 20 + years. This woman and her husband were wonderful! Not to metion her dogs. I was lucky enough she owns both sire and dam and got to meet both. Myself being a first time rott owner I can't wait to get my puppy, especially after meeting her dogs. What ideal temperments. I also got to see a female from the bitchs last litter, she had a wonderful temp. too. Momma is due the last week of september, this is going to be her second litter. The breeder (last time I was talking to her) was not 100% sure if the bitch was prego or not, she said her teats have gotten larger, she has an increased appitite and shes not as "get up and go" as usual, she has mellowed out a bit. (First question) Are these good signs? I know its a stupid qestion, but I know nothing about breeding(dogs). I am waiting for a call anyday with news. She scanned both dogs and showed their mircochip numbers and their registration papers with the matching number (without me asking) she went over everything with me and I only had to actually ask her a few things because she covered them all on her own. I am just getting anxious about bringing the pup home (she'll come home at 8weeks).

I want a pup that is not alpha. I don't want a crazy full of life pup but I don't want a shy, "lazy" so to speak pup either, kind of in the middle you know? Does that make sense....? What should I look for when going to choose my pup? I know that the breeder will know lots about all the puppies personalities, but is there any signs to look for myself? When it comes to their heads, how true will a puppies head shape be at 8 weeks, to the shape as an adult.. I know theres going to be obvious differences, but a pup with a high skull and short muzzle as an 8 week old, will those points be the same as a 2 year old?

I know a great hock set on a horse to breed, but what about the rotti... what is the ideal set on a rotts hind legs?

I have a female Pomeranian home now. She is 11 years old. Toby(the pom) really isn't a social dog. She is fine with other dogs until they want to play. She will play for a little while, but when she's had enough, she's had enough. I asked the breeder how long I should wait to introduce the new puppy to her. She said its really up to me because I know my dog the best. But I am just wondering if anyone has any advice?


I also own 3 Arabians(they are kept on another family property). I don't want my rotti to be timid of them and I do spend A LOT of time training and conditioning my horses, so I really want my pup to be comfortable and calm around them. Where they are such big animals would there be a *too soon* period to introduce my pup to them? My horses have awesome temperments. So there wouldn't be any dirtyness(is that even a word haha) towards the pup (one was born in a stable where their was a GSD guard roaming the stable at night). I know that rotties have a strong herding instinct, as an adult is this going to be a handful to control? The dog would never be around the horses in an unsupervised situtation.

Being in Nova Scotia we can have some messy winters. The puppy will be coming home in November/December( not near christmas, even tho I don't have people at my house, its usually an outting for us).... is this a bad time of year to bring a pup home? How sensitive would a rotti pup be to cold weather and snow?

Thats all I can think of right now.... I know I missed something in there somewhere.... I hope my post wasn't too long, and I thank everyone in advance for any info! I can't wait to find out for sure my little bundel is on her way!
Murph

[brunie's mom]

Welcome to the forums!!!
Not sure of what a "registered breeder" is??? But I know that you have very few good breeders in your part of Canada
Does your breeder belong to the RCC ( Rottweiler Club of Canada)?? Go to the website www.rottclub.ca and you will find a list of breeders there. These breeders must abide by a code of ethics for breeding...and we call them COE breeders.

What titles and health tests have the parent's of your dog got?? They should have their hips, elbows, heart and eyes certified. This is not a vet check up....but certain tests that must be completed by indivual specialist.

Most COE breeders have ultra-sounds done on the females usually around 30 days into gestation. This gives the breeder an idea of how many puppies are expected and how well things are going into the pregnancy.

As far as cold weather and wet,etc. for puppies....that should be no problem at all. The first rott puppy we got was in the middle of February. We live in the snowbelt in Ontario. There must have been 3 feet of snow on the ground.
You just take them out often and don't stay out too long. We had a bit of problems in the spring when the snow starting to melt....poor pup had never peed in anything but snow and had to find bits of the last snow to go in.

As far as picking out your own puppy....the breeder should be getting to know you and your lifestyle. What you plan to do with your pup and how active a family you are. They should be the one picking out your pup for you...they will have gotten to know them well in the 8 weeks they are raising them.

Gina