NOTE:  For every one good breeder there are 20+ bad ones.  Remember, the bad breeders are BAD and totally overshadow the good ones. Please do your research and confirm what kind of breeder you are going to be dealing with!

How do I know or find out if a Rottweiler Breeder is reputable?

First and foremost, remember this, there are all kinds of Rottweiler Breeders out there. For every one good breeder there are 20 bad ones.  Remember, the bad breeders are BAD and totally overshadow the good ones. Do your research! When searching for your future Rottweiler companion, please be sure to do your research on the breeder you choose. If you are not certain where to begin you can start with Rottweiler Breed Clubs and verify if the person is a member in good standing. You can also ask the breeder for references including a vet reference. How many puppies do they produce a year and what is the environment they are whelped in? These are just some of the questions to have answers to. Remember that the environment a puppy is in and the level of care it receives during the 1st 8 weeks of life will have a great impact on the future temperament of the dog. As there are many critical learning phases during this period as well as the quality of care and attention the female received while she was pregnant.

Also be sure to verify health and working documents/certifications of the parents. (For example, the Hip certification information on a particular dog can be verified online at www.offa.org ) Not all Rottweilers are the same. They can vary greatly in temperament and health all because of the way they were bred. Aggression in Rottweilers is commonly associated with poor breeding, poor handling, lack of socialization. Unfortunately we are in a country where commercial breeding (puppy Mills and this include back yard volume breeders) is a popular source of income. And the extra care required is often omitted because of the cost factor it would impose. Hence, cut into their profits. Please try to stay away from these types of breeders for they have no true passion for the preservation and betterment of the Rottweiler Breed. The lower prices some breeders advertise at may sound good. But in the long run it could cost you more in both money and emotional pain.

What is Standard? (click for more info)

For each breed of dog, there is a breed standard which is a word description of the perfect dog of that breed. Standards describe the mental and physical characteristics that allow each breed to perform the function for which they were originated. The standard describes the dog's looks, movement and temperament. Breeders involved with each breed are attempting to produce a dog that most closely conforms to the breed standard. In this respect, dog shows are not unlike cat shows, bird shows, cattle shows, horse shows, etc. In fact, for almost every species bred by man there are competitions among breeders. Licensed judges examine the dogs and place them in accordance to how close each dog compares with their mental image of the "perfect" dog as described in the breed's official standard.

The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) is the World Canine Organization. It has 80 members, almost every country in the world has a Kennel Club that is a member. One National Kennel Club is recognized from each country (the AKC in the US) and that National Kennel Club issues their own pedigrees and trains and licenses their own judges. The FCI also mandates breeding rules and a Code of Ethics to be followed by breeders of each member country.

The FCI recognizes 337 breeds, each of them is the 'property' of a specific country (normally the country of origin). The 'owner' countries of the breeds write the breed standard for their breed and the adoption, translation and updating of the standards is carried out by the FCI. The Rottweiler originated in Germany and the ADRK (Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub has the right and responsibility to set, maintain and revise the breed standard for the Rottweiler for the rest of the world.

The Breed Standard and what is it and what standard do you have?

With our breeding plan we will only breed according to the current Federation Cynologique International (FCI) Breed Standard . This is the ONLY official standard that is recognized throughout the world. The U.S. is the ONLY major country that does not abide by the FCI Standard. The Federation Cynologique International (FCI) is the World Canine Organization.

The FCI standard mandates a natural tail. Since we believe there is only "one" Rottweiler Breed and also we are be striving to one day have our dogs presented internationally, we will have natural tails in order for the dogs to compete in the future internationally. Many U.S. hobby breeders choose to leave natural tails in compliance with the FCI Standard.

The United States Rottweiler Club (USRC) , Alliance of Independence Rottweiler Klub (AIRK)  and the American Rottweiler Verein (ARV), allow American breeders to show their dogs with natural tails.

We have found in our own research as well as others individuals research that puppies with natural tails begin walking sooner, open their eyes earlier and have much better balance than their docked counterparts. As someone who has worked with Rottweilers for a long time I can state, people in general definitely find it easier to "read" a Rottweiler with a tail.

Unfortunately there are many people, some lacking in knowledge and others misguided, equate working ability with aggression. A stable temperament by Vom Eschenhagen's definition is the ability to do protection work (Schutzhund), yet function as a pet therapy dog. Working ability and aggression are not directly linked. In fact, a well trained protection/Schutzhund dog is less of a liability than one without training out of non-working lines.

What's the difference between a German Rottweiler and an American Rottweiler?

In most well bred and correctly structured Rottweilers, the distinction is unnoticeable (with, of course, the exception of the tail). The division is made by the difference in standards between the two countries.

In the United States it is legal to breed a dog at  an extremely young  age of 8 months old (a puppy). Even to have the dog registered as a purebred through the AKC requires only that both parents be registered, the male be at least 7 months old, and the female be at least 8 months old. However, a REPUTABLE breeder will not follow this.  They will follow the breeding ethics of a Breed Club.  Such as the USRC, ARV, etc. And not breed neither a male or female before a minimum age of 2 years old.

Germany has much more stringent requirements. Germany requires that both the male and female pass a breed suitability test known as a ZTP. The test includes; an official hip (HD) and elbow (ED) rating to ensure that the dog is free from dysplasia; an obedience certificate known as a BH; body weight and measurements to ensure the dog is within the standard; a check for disqualifying faults; bite work; courage analysis; and overall temperament and mind assessment. In addition to this test, one of the dogs must have also passed at least a SCH/VPG I.  From these facts comes a mandatory conclusion that Germany most definitely rears a more sound and correctly structured Rottweiler. This is not to say that there are not excellent dogs born and bred in the United States.  As was stated above, As the Rottweiler is a "German" Breed and those that breed to maintain the integrity and improve this wonderful German breed of dog will adhere to the strict breeding guidelines as in Germany. There are good and bad to be found in every breed and in every country.

Why do some Rottweilers have tails?

Please understand and know  that all Rottweilers are born with tails. In the past it has been customary to have the tail removed or "docked" as part of the identification of the breed. Ten years ago, in 1998, Germany passed a law making it illegal to dock the tail of a dog. Since that time all Rottweilers in Germany, and the majority of Europe, have their tail intact. The fact is that tail docking for the Rottweiler is becoming less and less common. As the Rottweiler is a "German" Breed and those that breed to maintain the integrity and improve this wonderful German breed of dog will adhere to the strict breeding guidelines as in Germany. Both the FCI (the recognized standard followed throughout the world) and the ADRK (Germany's Rottweiler governing body) forbid the docking of tails. Most of our dogs have their tails intact due to the fact that they are of strong German lines. Accordingly we  will not dock tails on our litters.

What about homeowners Insurance and my  Rottweiler?

This is a very important thing to ask. There is additional information is available from the HSUS website and Insurance.com on how insurance companies could treat you as a dog owner.  Here you can find some additional information on dog bite liability.

On a some what of a good note. Some states (actually only 6 of them) have pending legislation to prohibit insurance companies from refusing to insure or discriminate against as a result of owning such breeds. For example, as of August, 2008, the state of New York had 5 bills pending to restrict insurance companies from non renewing or canceling policies as result of dog ownership. The American Kennel Club has a page on their site that lists sates with pending legislation along with a brief description of the bills.

Two states, Pennsylvania and Michigan, have laws that prohibit insurers from canceling or denying coverage to the owners of particular dog breeds.

What is Breed Specific Legislation and will it pertain to me?

Oh yes in deed it very well could pertain to you. Breed specific legislation is exactly what sounds like...regulation of your right to own or, in many cases, not own a dog based solely on the breed or "type" of dog, not your responsibility as an owner.

Click Here and you will find the States that currently have State level laws prohibiting local municipalities from passing BSL.

Breed specific ordinances are quick fixes and not a sufficient long term solution for many reasons.

Remember, the most dangerous canines can be any breed of dog as they are the dogs  that unfortunately fall victim to some persons shortcomings such as poor and/or lack of  training, lack of socialization and overall irresponsible dog ownership.   And there are those dogs that are the victim and the result of unethical breeding practices that foster poor health, neglect and abuse, which can lead to viciousness, aggressive type behaviors and more.

Ultimately, it is all about a person being a "Responsible Dog Owner" This includes the responsibility for training and controlling your dog at all times.

Even the American Kennel Club (AKC), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and ASPCA have acknowledged that Breed Specific Legislation does not work. Dr. C.W. Meisterfeld, Americas most experienced professional dog trainer (since 1954), an U.S. judicial certified canine behavioral expert witness explains why the BSL has failed and why the dog attacks are increasing on a global level here.