This is a list of what NOT to do when looking at puppies!

DO NOT buy a pup which is NON KC REGISTERED.  The Kennel Club plays an important part in your pups ancestry.  There are "alternatives" out there, the most common being the Dog Lovers Registration Club (DLRC) but these are designed as a money making scheme and to provide unregistered stock with potentially false pedigrees.  Also if a dog isn't KC registered, its likely that the parents have not been health tested and this is VITAL

DO NOT buy a pup from un-hip scored parents.  Each breed has its associated health defects, in the Rottweiler Hip Dysplasia has been a big problem.  Reputable breeders will endeavour to eradicate this by a process called hip scoring.  Each hip is scored and an overall result given for each hip - this results in a ratio such as 2:2 which gives an overall score of 4.  The breed average is currently 13 and you need to look for the parents of any litter being well under this.  Don't be fobbed off by a breeder telling you that their stock is ok and hip scoring isn't necessary - it is a VITAL part in your choosing process.  If the parents are not hip scored, walk away and find another breeder.

DO NOT buy from a bitch that was mated under 2 years old.  The Rottweiler is a very slow maturing breed and a bitch is not fully mature until she reaches two years old.  It is extremely irresponsible for anyone to mate/breed under this age as she is still a baby and ill-equipped to cope.  Also the "breeder" would have no idea how the bitch would mature and conform to the standard.  Don't be fooled by tales that its better for them to have a litter before the bones have grown etc. its total rubbish.

DO NOT assume that because you can see both parents its a good thing.  It's rare (although not unknown) for a breeder to own a stud dog that will complement their own bitch.  All dogs have their faults and the breeder should be striving to eradicate those faults by choosing a compatible stud.  Think carefully if they own the stud, it's likely that the mating hasn't been thought out properly and has been performed for economy.

DO NOT buy from someone who is breeding from their first Rottweiler.  This breed requires considerable experience before embarking on breeding and it isn't gained by owning one.  Breeders should be knowledgeable as you will want to use their expertise.  

DO NOT choose a breeder that delivers - this is the sign of a puppy farmer:  Reputable breeders will expect you to travel to them on several occasions before they let you take away a precious puppy.  One that offers to deliver is after a quick buck - walk away.

DO NOT listen to a breeder that lets you take away a pup under 7 weeks:  7 week is the absolute bare minimum that any pup should leave his/her litter.  Any breeder than sells you a pup before this is totally unreputable, your pup is likely to go down with infections and potential deadly diseases, not to mention the emotional trauma.

DO NOT buy from a breeder that doesn't impose RESTRICTIONS on the pedigree and in the contract.  Restrictions etc. are in the contact for the protection of the pup and this is a sign of a good breeder - we will go through endorsements etc. on the DO page!

DO NOT be fooled by claims of Champions in the pedigree.  Unless the breeder knows their genetics it means absolutely nothing.  Two champions can be put together yet be completely incompatible.  A good breeder knows their dogs faults and is honest about them.  References to Champions in the pedigree counts for nothing and you will see many breeders producing offspring from pet quality dogs and using this as a selling point.

This tends to be touted from people breeding from pet quality dogs, if in doubt please ask us and we will be happy to advise.

DO NOT listen to the advertisements that offer "the old big style" rottie - there is no such thing.  Rottweilers are not large dogs, if you are looking for a big dog, look to another breed.  The conformation of the Rottweiler has changed over the years but the size remains unaltered.  Look at the Breed Standard for an idea on how big a Rottweiler should be, over this will lead to joint troubles and the breeder is not breeding to standard which is irresponsible and a detriment to the breed.

There appear to be a lot more don't than do's but they are all here for a reason ===> The DO's