Do bigger dogs have bigger health problems?

[Nic818]

Hi I'm new around here...but I'm not new to rottie ownership!
My pup will be born next at the end of february, and I can't wait.
My problem is the dad seems to be quite huge. The breeder says he is 145 lbs and thats too big isn't it?
I don't mind having a larger than average rottweiler, but do they tend to have more health problems? Can larger dogs still compete well in sports?
Thanks for any info!



~Nicole~

[StephanieandToby]

145 lbs. is over the standard...I wouldn't get a pup from this breeder. Keep searching until you find a "Code of Ethics" breeder.

Large dogs in general don't live as long as smaller dogs. I'm not sure if anybody knows why....but they do suffer from wear on the joints, etc....just like big people.

Getting your pup from somebody reputable will decrease the chances of health problems.

[Nic818]

Yes I know its above the standard...I have seen pictures and he doesn't look that big, I'm not sure what to think about her saying that...
I have searched and searched and can't find a really reputable COE rottweiler breeder around here...this lady is giving me everything I want in my puppy experience except for a health gaurantee, so that's that. Which is a really bad thing, but even being reputable doesn't gaurantee health, sure it increases it a whole lot but nothing is 100%.
I have been looking into rescue as well, for the past 9 months, and still nothing, and I have changed my mind about becoming involved in rescue because of my own reasons. I was just wondering if for a general rule of thumb above standard rotties can have more hip or heart problems, etc. or if it is just as big of a risk with a standard sized dog, regardless of genetics.

[moondog]

Pictures are deceiving, you can't determine size that way. My dog looks huge in pictures, and she's at the lower end of the standard, size-wise.

It sounds like you are doing a bit of rationalizing about this breeder, i.e. "I got everything I wanted except for health, but what the heck, nothing is guaranteed 100%". If you are not concerned about risking health, then I would suggest you find a dog through a bona fide Rottweiler Rescue group, and support those dogs, instead of accepting the unacceptable from a breeder who chooses not to stand behind the dogs she's responsible for creating. I personally find a breeder who won't stand behind their dogs dispiccable at best, and my heart is with the puppies who didn't ask to be born and are the ones, along with the owners who love them, that suffer the consequences of poor health as a result of shoddy breeding practices while the breeder pockets the cash. When you purchase a puppy from someone like this, you have to take some responsibility yourself that you are helping to keep this type of unethical breeding going. The buck has to stop somewhere.

If you want to find a puppy from a breeder, you may have to go outside your local area to find a reputable one. Start reading all the stickie posts in the Breeding and Puppy Development forum before making a commitment to any particular breeder, and please, please, PLEASE take the time and invest the effort needed to find a breeder that is reputable in all respects. If you don't find it important enough to do this for yourself, at least do it for the puppy you will bring home when all is said and done.

[Cdn1050]

I personally would not put a 145 lbs. dog into agility sports, it's hard on their joints. I'm curious as to where you are looking to find COE breeders. I know for a fact because of your location that there are quite a few COE breeders in and around your area. They test for hips, elbows, heart, and eyes; and their Rottweilers are to standard. I also know that there is a RottStock held once a year somewhere around your area and you are not far from Toronto, and there are always Rottweiler shows where you can meet with numerous COE breeders. I have to agree with Moondog that you sound like you are rationalizing with this breeder. Because of the policies of this site, I cannot give you any names of COE breeders but read the stickies on this site about finding a reputable COE breeder. Sorry but it doesn't sound like you really did your homework.

[Nic818]

I already stated that I do not wish to go through a rescue group. I also do not wish to go out of my province.

I personally find a breeder who won't stand behind their dogs dispiccable at best, and my heart is with the puppies who didn't ask to be born and are the ones, along with the owners who love them, that suffer the consequences of poor health as a result of shoddy breeding practices while the breeder pockets the cash. When you purchase a puppy from someone like this, you have to take some responsibility yourself that you are helping to keep this type of unethical breeding going. The buck has to stop somewhere.

I find it despicable as well, however I don't really want a breeder to help me out with the dog, I'd rather just get my pup and be done with it. Should they really be breeding? No. Will these puppies be sold regardless of wether I buy one or not? YES.

I'm involved with pit bull rescue here in Ontario, the home of BSL hell. I understand all this rescue, responsible breeding, choosing a pet wisely kind of deal, really I do, I'm just so exasperated with rescue I just want my puppy!

I know it sounds crazy, but it is what it is. Its not that easy to find a reputable rescue around here either, nevermind breeders. Should I adopt from a lessthandesirable rescue, or buy from a lessthan desirable breeder?

I want a baby purebred rottie, my last one I got when he was 4 and I had less than 5 years with him. I hope this dog will last at least 10 years, I want to raise him from a a baby and I want him very soon. I have never had a pup and I would really like one.
I have already adopted from rescue, and if I did find a reputable breeder I would have to wait probobly a couple of years, which I'm not willing to do.

I don't really want to discuss my options, I have already made my decision, I know all the othe options and there are reasons I have chosen to go this route that I didn't even touch on in this post. I'm sorry I brought it up, these pups are already conceived before I came into the picture, they will be born, they will be bought by a bunch of different people. I will try not to think about those pups, but he is already coming anyways, why shouldn't I have him? I will love him so much!!!! I have been waiting my whole life for this guy, and I know he will be a wonderful addition and he will give my heart some peace since the loss of my boy Spike(he came with that name by the way).


I'm going to keep the dog forever, I will love him and take care of his needs, provide the best vet care, nutrition, toys etc that he could ever have, and he is already on his way, so whats the big deal if I get him?
Because I am putting money into the hands of a byb and enabling them to continue to do what they do? Someone else will do it, and its my money to waste.

I love this dog already SO MUCH. Thats all that matters to me.

[Mavides]

Originally Posted by Nic818

...this lady is giving me everything I want in my puppy experience except for a health gaurantee, so that's that.

So, if a health guarantee isn't important to you...what exactly IS important -- what ARE you looking for in a breeder? Personally...I believe health should be NUMBER 1 -- what good is everything else if your dog can't walk because of bad hips and/or drops dead at one year old because of a bad heart. Please, keep searching for a breeder that gives you EVERYTHING you want .... no exceptions.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Nic818

...so whats the big deal if I get him?
Because I am putting money into the hands of a byb and enabling them to continue to do what they do? Someone else will do it, and its my money to waste.

It may be your money to waste, but IT'S NOT YOUR BREED TO HELP RUIN!

Originally Posted by Nic818

I love this dog already SO MUCH. Thats all that matters to me.

You love the idea in your head of this dog....he doesn't even exist yet, so you don't even know him yet. There is nothing here to love except what you've created in your own mind. THAT is what matters to you.

[Nic818]

How the ???? am I ruining the breed, please explain? Am I breeding dogs? Am I breeding dogs below standards? No, I'm buying a dog that already exists, which means I am using MY money to buy a dog, therefore perhaps wasting my money but doing nothing to the breed except owning one not fit to show...might be healthy, might not be, that is a risk and it always is.
RUINING the breed to me includes breeding said dogs, breeding with different breeds, and breeding for such characteristics such as size only...also misrepresenting the Rottweiler nature, instead of showing off with a true breed ambassador dog, which comes down to nature and nurture, and you take that as it comes and deal with it responsibly.

You love the idea in your head of this dog....he doesn't even exist yet, so you don't even know him yet. There is nothing here to love except what you've created in your own mind. THAT is what matters to you.

The dog is a fetus, so technically he does exist. The rest IS true, but so what? I fail to see what the problem is with loving my puppy, ok. I just dont see how thats ruining the breed. I'm buying a dog that someone else WILL buy if I don't, I AM, there is nothing to discuss, I tried to delete this thread because its pointless but I cant.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Nic818

RUINING the breed to me includes breeding said dogs, breeding with different breeds, and breeding for such characteristics such as size only...also misrepresenting the Rottweiler nature, instead of showing off with a true breed ambassador dog, which comes down to nature and nurture, and you take that as it comes and deal with it responsibly.

INVESTING in unethical breeding practices with that money that is "yours to waste" is undeniably the single most destructive contribution that can be made to ANY breed.

What do you think this breeder is going to do with your money? It's apparent she will have no need to put any aside in the event one of her puppies suffers from a genetic disease since health is being completely swept aside. She's going to sell the litter, laugh all the way to the bank while thinking "Woo Hoo! Pay Dirt! Let's do that AGAIN!"

Originally Posted by Nic818

I'm buying a dog that someone else WILL buy if I don't, I AM, there is nothing to discuss, I tried to delete this thread because its pointless but I cant.

Oh, there's LOTS to discuss.....you just don't want to hear it.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by Nic818

Hi I'm new around here...but I'm not new to rottie ownership!
My pup will be born next at the end of february, and I can't wait.
My problem is the dad seems to be quite huge. The breeder says he is 145 lbs and thats too big isn't it?
I don't mind having a larger than average rottweiler, but do they tend to have more health problems? Can larger dogs still compete well in sports?
Thanks for any info!



~Nicole~

Yes...145lbs is WAY too big for a Rottweiler.
This BYB should not be breeding dogs...sounds like they know nothing about the Rottweiler breed.

My first Rott was from a large oversized sire....Bruno suffered with HD from the time he was 9 months old, and had to be euthanized because he was in pain and could no longer walk by the age of 5.

Please do not support this BYB...all of the dogs sitting in shelters and in rescue come from BYB's.
You sound young and immature....and have alot to learn.
Go to the Rottweiler Club of Canada website Rottweiler Club of Canada - Rottweilers in Canada we have code of ethics breeders listed by province. You DO NOT need to support this BYB by giving them your money. ...it only encourages them to breed more crap, quality dogs.

Go to Adopt-A-Rott Our mission is dedicated to Rescuing and get in touch with them....they may have a nice dog that needs a good home, or puppies.
They do get pups in time to time, but they are never posted on their website.

Go to the Breeding forum, and read all of the "stickies"...this will show you what you need to be looking for.

Gina

[Trace]

You have stated that longevity is important to you. Do you honestly think that's a quality you're going to find with a BYB who refuses to guarantee the health of their pups?

[spidey]

Yes, bigger dogs and ESPECIALLY dogs who are bigger than their breed standard tend to have more health problems. Regardless of what you want to hear, you should be very suspicious of a breeder who breeds dogs way outside the standard AND doesn't offer a health guarantee, that's a pretty solid message that she has health issues in her lines.

There are plenty of ethical Rottweiler breeders in your area, this one isn't one of them. Being in a rush to get a puppy and being concerned with ethical breeding, longevity and health are not things which are compatible with each other.

[Hmbbzmom]

We have two rotties. One is papered, Bentley and Baylee we got from a byb. We were actually in this bad neighborhood-can't remember why. Bentley has had so many problems that we can't count them all. Baylee, however, is PERFECT. I'm not kidding-she's also crazy. We didn't purchase her for the price, or not for our lack of facts about BYB's but when we saw her we had to rescue her from the Hell she was living in. 6wks old outside in the rain just laying there ready for us to take her home, so we did. It was the BEST choice we ever made. I still don't agree with BYB's and there is no guarantee. I guess it depends on what you want the dog for in the first place. Baylee is my best friend and she helps me when i clean their poo in the backyard (bites the shovel and flings her head around like she's going to miss her wonderful mess) . What else could i ask for?!!!!

[MonteRiehl]

Originally Posted by Hmbbzmom

We have two rotties. One is papered, Bentley and Baylee we got from a byb. We were actually in this bad neighborhood-can't remember why. Bentley has had so many problems that we can't count them all. Baylee, however, is PERFECT.

You are seriously confusing the issue here. You haven't even stated "what papers" We all know that Papers don't make the dog.

Even the worst Back Yard Breeders find some paperwork to go with their dogs if their customers seem to want it. Many orginazations have been created just for this. Continental kennel Club. To prove this point, I know someone who registered a GOAT as a great dane with one of these registries.

Correct paperwork from the Correct country breed "club" is a good place to start, but only one piece in the whole picture of a "good dog". Most of us also want Health guarantees, 3rd party inspection for dog confirmation (dog titles), 3rd party inspection of Parents', Grandparents, etc Hips eyes, elbows. I also want to see "working" titles to prove temperment. (Think Obedience titles, etc.)

Code of Ethics breeders are breeders who commit themselves to a standard ethical guideline which usually states they only exist for the betterment of the breed. These are the breeders who provide the above list of "things" to prove that their pups are "good dogs".

Do a search here on RDN, or on google for what Code of Ethics Breeders do for other breeds.