Where to Look for Your Rottweiler
You've made up your mind that you want a dog, and you've determined that a rottie might be the dog for you. But where do you obtain a rottweiler? Reputable breeders, animal shelters, and rescue organizations are all valid places to look for your rottie. We'll look at each of them below.
When people think about getting a dog, the first thing that comes to mind may be a pet store. After all, you get groceries at a grocery store and gas at a gas station, so why not get a pet at a pet store? Well, going to the store is great if you're buying bananas but not if you're buying a dog. You're looking for a 10-plus-year companion, not a bunch of fruit.
Not all dogs are the same or of the same quality, even though they may be priced and appear the same. Treating a dog like a disposable item is what helps contribute to the pet overpopulation and is part of the reason that millions of pets are euthanized in shelters every year. Let's look at the reputable breeder and why you may want to buy your rottie from one.
Reputable Breeders
What exactly is a reputable breeder? A reputable breeder is someone who seeks to improve the rottweiler breed. He or she isn't breeding dogs to make a quick buck but to produce the finest rottweilers for conformation or performance work. Reputable breeders choose their dogs carefully when they breed. Their dogs are screened for genetic diseases, and they offer guarantees they back up with a contract.
The reputable breeder's dogs have conformation or performance titles on them. The breeder will be glad to tell you everything about your puppy's ancestry — in fact, you're likely to get inundated with photographs of dogs when you ask about them. If one of the parents isn't a champion, the breeder is working toward obtaining a championship. When you're done talking to the reputable breeder, you know her dogs are her kids.
How much do rottweilers cost?
A show-quality rottweiler can cost $800 to $1,000 or more. A pet-quality rottweiler should cost between $400 and $800.
Puppies are not always available, and the reputable breeder often has a waiting list. Seldom does a reputable breeder breed more than two litters a year. A reputable breeder screens the buyer to make certain that the buyer will provide a good home for the rottweiler and that the rottweiler is the right dog for the buyer.
When you buy a rottweiler puppy from a reputable breeder, the breeder doesn't stop caring about the puppy he or she sold you. Reputable breeders like to hear back from puppy buyers and are happy to be a resource for further information. You can ask your reputable breeder about veterinarians in your area, advice on housebreaking your rottie, and other questions you might have.
Animal Shelters
Another place to look for your rottweiler is the animal shelter or “pound.” Surprisingly, a quarter of all dogs that appear in an animal shelter are purebreds. Because rottweilers are popular, you may find both purebreds and rottweiler mixes in the animal shelter. Most rottweilers you find at the shelter will be adolescents and adults. Occasionally, you may find puppies, but this is not as common.
Animal shelters and breed rescues are a cheaper alternative to purchasing a dog from a breeder. The shelter or rescue will still charge a fee, but it is often less than what you would pay if you bought a puppy from a breeder. If you are looking for a companion and not a show dog, this is a viable alternative.
People give up their dogs at the shelter for a number of reasons. In some cases, behavior may have a role in it. In other cases, the former owner may not have realized what a responsibility owning a dog is. Still other dogs are strays or had owners who died or had to give them up. Whatever the reason, you should ask the shelter about the known history of the dog.
When you rescue a dog from a shelter, you usually don't know the dog's history or pedigree. Dogs coming from shelters are usually pet quality and must be spayed or neutered. However, if you are planning on your rottie to be just a pet or to compete in performance competitions (obedience, tracking, herding, agility, and Schutzhund), this shouldn't be a concern. You'll be getting a pet and saving a life.
Rottweilers make wonderful family pets.
Rescue Organizations
Another place to look for rottweilers is a rottweiler or purebred rescue organization. These rescue organizations are usually affiliated with a breed club such as the American Rottweiler Club. Rescue workers are volunteers who usually screen the buyer to make certain he or she is a good match for the rottie.
You may find rotties from reputable breeders that need new homes, or you may find rotties rescued from shelters or from situations where the owner could not keep the dog. Dogs may be of any age, but you're more likely to see adolescents and adults rather than puppies. The American Rottweiler Club has its own breed rescue. Contact the National Breed Rescue for a breed rescue in your area.
