Question about puppy

[jwdavismd]

Hello everyone, My name is Jeff. I am looking into getting a rottweiler as a gift for my girlfriend and while searching the Internet I came across this puppy. I like him because he's different but I would like to know whether or not his coloration and markings are within the breed standard. I have tried to find the answer myself but I'm still not sure so if anyone can help me out I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[brunie's mom]

Please don't buy a puppy over the internet.
Is this a puppy up for adoption in a shelter or rescue?
If the "breeder" is selling please read all of the "stickies" in the Breeding forum.
Make sure that that this breeder is not a BYB.

Gina

[warriec]

it looks adorable but please dont buy it without seeing it & its parents personally and make sure its properly bred.

[alice's mommy]

Hi Jeff...

While I'm sure your girl-friend would love the thought you put into getting her such a wonderful surprise, please be aware that Rottweilers take an INORDINATE amount of work and aren't for everyone! While they are freakishly cute, they also grow very quickly, can be incredibly head-strong and must have many, many, many training sessions/hours all the time to really come into their own.

There are tons of rotties out there who have gotten to their teenage years and then were given away/sold because they were "too much work" and had too much energy.

Do you know for a fact that your girl-friend has two hours a day to walk this dog? Does she have the hundreds and hundreds of dollars to invest in training classes? And what about the costs associated with the vets? Plus, there are the "accessories" such as crate, food, leashes, collars, toys, etc., etc., that go along with this adorable furry puppy. Also, can she come home from work at lunchtime to take the puppy out of his crate? Does she have a lifestyle that will keep her tethered to her home for this puppy?

The above poster has talked already about BYB's, so I'll refrain.

Personally, diamonds are always MY favourite present!!!! (less costly in the long run, too) lol :)

[Calin]

Is your girlfriend rottie savvy? Because if she's never owned a working breed before or hasn't read extensively about them to know what she's getting into, a rottie is probably the worst gift you can give. It took me 7 years to get up the guts to own a rottie. And while very rewarding, it is a ton of WORK. If someone would have dropped my pup in my lap 3 years ago and called it a present, I would have flubbed the whole thing up. I'm sure of that.

Also, rotties are prone to all sorts of health problems, so buying one off the Internet is probably an extra, special bad idea. The coloring and marking should be the least of your worries. What about parvo? Hip dysplatia? This stuff could end up costing your girlfriend, no exaggeration, thousands of dollars.

If you're really heart set on buying a puppy, stay away from backyard breeders and ESPECIALLY pet shops. Pet shops are probably the WORST place you could get a puppy, period.

[Shelby427]

If you want to get your gf a rottie, buy some books first, do some real research, find a COE breeder, THEN get the puppy. Do not buy a puppy off the internet, you want to see the pedigree, you want to know that the sire and dam are both cleared health wise (hips, elbow, heart, eyes) and you also want to know that you're going to get a well temperamented pet. Like others have said, the markings and color should be your last question. Good luck on your search, you may have to wait months or even years to get a puppy from a COE (code of ethics) breeder. Be patient and don't run out and buy whatever puppy you find easily - you may end up paying thousands for vet visits, x-rays, etc. if you don't do your homework.

[bessy-senior]

Hello Jeff

Some people have replied you with advice on how important it is to buy a dog from a reputable breeder. This is excellent advice.

I speak from experience, having bought my Rottweiler from a BYB (backyard breeder). I ended up spending lots of money on vet bills because my girl had chronic diarrhea as a pup, plus poor digestion, IBS, bad hips and skin allergies.

Now imagine if that pup of mine turned out exactly the same as the pup you're intending to buy for your girlfriend through the Internet. Picture this: Diarrhea at least 5 times a day, coccidia, tick fever, vomiting, vet bills, more bills for X-Rays, more bills for medicine.

I know I am painting a gloomy picture - but this was what I went through with my girl the first few months of bringing her home. My own fault for not doing enough research. Please please please don't make the same mistake I did.

[alice's mommy]

How about this: give your girl-friend a BOOK about rotties and make a cute home-made gift-certificate saying that you INTEND to get her a rottie (or other puppy of her choice after she researches rotts) when you both find one from a reputable source together. What girl wouldn't want to be involved in the process of getting her pup from day one? :) Gives her time to nix this idea if she doesn't feel up to the work/cost/lifestyle change that a rott would bring.

[warriec]

Let me tell you a true story about a friend who gave a puppy to his girl friend.

Few years back my friend decided to give a labrador puppy to his girlfriend. We saw some puppies and went and bought from a so called BYB. the puppy sure looked sweet and like a lab puppy.

It was a headach from day 1, my friend had to to all the work from vets and daily walking and to supplying the food.

The puppy got agressive when he got older and we later found that the puppy's father was a rottweiler. The puppy was a over sized black lab & very impressive accept for his rottweiler attitude.

Anyway, without proper socialising and training few people in the neighbor hood got bitten and they were forced to give the dog away to another friend. The dog was still agressive and the new owner found it difficult to look after him and in the end the poor chap passed away miserable.

I gave a dog to my gf and sadly the pup died a month after i gave him. it was so depressing. the pup came from a good breeder. I dont think my gf had the time and effort for a puppy - so we broke up over the puppy.

you really must think twice before giving the dog as a gift.

[Shelby427]

Originally Posted by warriec

The puppy got agressive when he got older and we later found that the puppy's father was a rottweiler. The puppy was a over sized black lab & very impressive accept for his rottweiler attitude.

I don't necessarily agree with this statement, you say that the pup got aggressive because of the rottie in it? How about the puppy got aggressive because it was a product of a BYB (regardless of breed) and probably wasn't socialized enough?? I don't think that's a fair generalization. Rottie attitude is NOT aggressive. At least it SHOULDN'T be. And most of the rotties that I have met throughout the years were NOT aggressive at all, because they were socialized properly and had good temperaments. So yes, the OP should absolutely do more research before bringing a puppy home, but don't scare him about "rottie attitude = aggression"

[Calin]

Originally Posted by alice's mommy

How about this: give your girl-friend a BOOK about rotties and make a cute home-made gift-certificate saying that you INTEND to get her a rottie (or other puppy of her choice after she researches rotts) when you both find one from a reputable source together. What girl wouldn't want to be involved in the process of getting her pup from day one? :) Gives her time to nix this idea if she doesn't feel up to the work/cost/lifestyle change that a rott would bring.

This is such a cute idea! Very romantic! He could make it a basket with a collar, squeek toy, perhaps a picture frame for your first picture together with the pup, etc, too!

[AngelBunny]

Consider this:

A really good breeder--the type of breeder from whom you want a puppy--would never sell you a puppy so you can turn around and give that puppy to somebody else.

The fact this puppy is being sold over the Net to anyone willing to pay the sale price means the so-called breeder is much more interested in money than in the either the welfare of the puppy or the owner.

Rather than cruising the Net looking for puppies for sale your time would much better be spent reading thru the Breeding forum here. Doing so will enlighten you and you'll understand why we're all telling you what we're telling you.

Which is

Don't buy the puppy.

[Kanger114]

haha. wow...i wholeheartedly agree with every reply on here. I started my research on rotties about a year ago even though ive already been around a few in my life. Then this october I just got my little guy and STILL WOW.

i cannot agree more or stress it(i know it seems like im beating a dead horse here) but rottweilers and puppies in general ARE SOOOOOO MUCH TIME! im a full time student with no job but my puppy has become my fulltime job as well. for the first week or so sure, hes everything uve ever wanted:cute, furry, clumsy, quiet.

but this quickly changes and the dog will soon turn into a tornado on 4legs. my puppy has tested every last fiber of my patience! i truly understand now why so many puppies end up in shelters.


dont be like the hundreds of other ignorant idiots out there and think 'what a wonderful x-mas gift itll be!' then throw it away after the holidays. sorry that was long but i had to vent.

[warriec]

I may have worded my last post wrong - the BYB cheated me.

Was this puppy advertised from a breeder's web site or was it a picture sent by the breeder.

Anyway, I am totally against giving puppies as gift whatever the occasion.

[jlhnokc]

"Anyway, I am totally against giving puppies as gift whatever the occasion."

I think it all depends on the situation. I had been wanting a rott for awhile since I lost my Jefe. Around Valentine's day of this year I asked BF if I could have a dog. (we are in the process of moving me to his town and already have 2 dogs). He said no problem and that would be my Valentine present. It worked perfect. (although I made the mistake of getting her from a BYB, but we all live and learn). Anyway, so I think it's a good thing, if you are sure of what the person wants and if you involve them. I like the idea of getting her the book and a basket with some puppy stuff.