Buying a Rottweiler puppy is not the same as adopting one for many reasons. And that is why it’s important to look at some of these questions before you go just anywhere to get a puppy. You want to be sure that you’re getting exactly what you want. In this article we discuss the 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy a Rottweiler Puppy.
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What is the First Question to Ask Before Buying a Rottweiler Puppy?
The first question you should ask before buying a Rottweiler puppy is where the dog is coming from. You should be able to see the living environment of the dog and its parents before you buy. You should also be able to see the parents and their pedigree so you know more about the health and wellbeing of the dog.
Can I See the Parents?
One of the first things that you should talk to your breeder about before buying a dog is about the parents. You want to be sure that the parents are what you think they are in terms of breed, size, and condition. The condition of the parents will tell you more about the health of the puppy that you’re buying.
If the parents are in good condition then chances are they’re being well taken care of. Also, if they are the breed you think they should have papers (which is another thing to ask about). You want to see the papers for the parents of the dog you’re getting so you can be sure that you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Also, asking to see the parents lets you know a little more about the puppy you’re getting including things like general temperament (in most cases) and their potential for health problems. You should also ask to see any papers on the puppy you’re buying including papers that show if it has been registered. Also, what kind of medical care it’s had so far, and any certifications if it’s an older dog.
Ask about the age of the parents as well as the puppy and see how well the puppy gets along with its siblings and its parents as well. You want to be sure that the puppy gets along well and knows how to play but doesn’t get too aggressive. This will let you see the general health of the entire litter and the general temperament of the dog as well.
You’ll also want to know more about other socialization that the dogs have had. Have they been around other dogs, cats, or other animals? Do they know any simple commands? All of these things are going to be important to the overall qualities of the dog. You want a dog that hasn’t been socialized outside of the family but you do want them to have some socialization with their family.
What is the Puppy’s Diet?
While you can change the food that your new puppy is eating it’s best to take some time with the food that the dog is already used to. A good breeder will tell you all about the food that they’re feeding their puppies and give you any additional information you need about their healthcare and any additional supplements or medications they may be taking.
Make sure you know how much the puppy is eating as well. Sticking to all of these dietary requirements for at least the first little while is going to make sure that they are well acclimated to your home before changing anything. Changing things too quickly can be stressful for the puppy and can make it harder for your dog to feel comfortable with the family.
You’ll also want to know that the puppy has been fully weaned. This should be happening at approximately seven weeks of age. Puppies that are younger than this shouldn’t be going to their forever homes just yet. It’s important for them to get the full experience of their start with mom before being taken in with different families.
Alongside their diet and age, you should find out about when you can take them home, which should be around eight weeks. Some breeders may prefer to keep the puppies with them and the mother until they are closer to twelve weeks. So make sure you know what your specific breeder has in mind and what this means for you getting to take home your puppy.
What Medical Care Has the Puppy Had?
The puppy should have had at least a basic checkup and some of their first vaccinations, which occur between six and nine weeks of age. If the puppy is older then they should have their second set of vaccinations as well, which occur between ten and twelve weeks of age. Some puppies may also have deworming and flea treatment taken care of as well.
You want to know which treatments have already occurred and you want to also know what vet they have gone to see. This will let you know more about how well the breeder takes care of their animals and also will help you keep their records straight.
You should be able to get a copy of the medical records for the puppy. The breeder should be able to get these documents from the vet that the puppy goes to so you can see which vaccines they have had, what health problems they have already been screened for.
The more you can find out about the puppy you’re buying before you take them home the better it’s going to be for you and your family. You’ll be able to verify that the puppy you’re buying is healthy and that you’re not getting into something that you haven’t foreseen when it comes to their overall care.
Ask about the guarantees that come along with your purchase, including whether or not the dog is guaranteed to be healthy. If the dog is not found to be healthy you want to be able to return to the breeder and get a full refund. This is something that quality breeders will offer because they are willing to stand behind the puppies that they breed.
Finally, make sure that the puppy is registered with the American Kennel Club if you are buying what you believe to be a pedigreed dog. If the puppy is not registered or can’t be registered it means that they are not the full pedigree that you may think they are. This is definitely a red flag if you thought the dogs were pedigreed.
Do You Have References?
If you’re buying from a reputable breeder they should have references of other people who have purchased dogs from them before. You want to be able to talk to those people about the dog that they received and even about the interactions they had with the breeder to make sure this is someone you actually want to be working with.
By talking to references you can find out about the general health of the puppy that they received, whether there were any problems, the temperament, and a whole lot more. It’s going to give you a better idea of what you’re in for in the future, though you should take a few things into consideration.
For one thing, if you can actually meet the dog that the reference got from the breeder you’re going to be even better. You want to see how healthy they are and how friendly and sociable they are. Keep in mind, however, that some of this will be down to the way the puppy has been raised following the new owners getting it.
While dogs are born with a certain temperament and health condition these things can and will change over time as a result of the care and attention that the dog has gotten since it was born. So, you can take a look at older dogs from the same breeder, but know that they are also a product of their present environment, not just their previous environment.
Also, consider whether or not the puppy you’re getting is from exactly the same pairing. Some breeders have a single pair of dogs that they breed together. Others might have multiple pairings or even use a stud dog from a different breeder. You want to know what the pairing is that you’re getting compared to the one that the references had as well.
What Does the Contract Cover?
First, you want to make sure that you’re getting a contract or bill of sale. This should lay out exactly what you’re getting as well as what your responsibilities are. For example, it should specify the dog you’re getting, the age of the dog, and any guarantees. This might be that the dog is pedigreed and able to be registered with the Kennel Club, or that it is free of health problems. You and the breeder will need to discuss any guarantees or specifications.
On the other hand, this contract may also specify some rules and restrictions for you. Typical contracts may include provisions against breeding the dog you purchase, including a requirement to spay or neuter them. It may also prohibit you from showing the dog professionally. Make sure you and the breeder discuss all of these rules before you purchase the dog.
Finally, the contract should lay out the general terms, such as the cost of the dog and at what time you are allowed to take them. The more that is spelled out in the contract the better it’s going to be for you and for the breeder so try to get a comprehensive contract written up. This will help you and the breeder feel more confident and comfortable with the contract you’re creating and the transfer of ownership.
You should get a legal and official document that states that the puppy is yours and grants you full ownership in the process of signing this contract. This will help you with anything you need in the future when it comes to taking care of your new dog.
Is There Anything You Want to Know About Me?
This may seem like a strange question to ask but it’s actually extremely important. You want to work with a breeder who cares about the puppies that they’re selling. If they are a responsible and caring breeder they’re going to want to know a little about you as well as tell you all about themselves.
A responsible breeder will want to know more about your family and who is going to be in the household with the dog. They should ask about other pets and likely about your schedule so they know how much attention and care the puppy is going to get. Breeders may ask about whether you work in the home or outside the home and who is going to be there for the dog throughout the day.
It’s important they ask questions about the general lifestyle that you have including whether you’re home a lot or travel a lot. They may ask about your plans with the dog, such as showing, breeding, or just having a family pet.
Some breeders may even ask to do a home inspection or see where the dog is going to live. They might want to know things like who your chosen veterinarian is or records for other dogs and animals in your care to be sure that this puppy is going to be well taken care of.
If the breeder has no questions for you at all then it’s not a good sign that they care about the puppy you’re buying and should be a red flag.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing your next puppy, and especially when you’re buying a Rottweiler puppy, make sure you’re working with an experienced breeder who’s going to do everything they can to care for the puppy first. And for you, make sure that you’re asking the important questions before you take that new puppy home.
