Buying a Rottweiler Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening scheme for eye disease. DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined by an ophthalmologist before breeding (includes checks for multiple inherited diseases). Litters can be screened for MRD (multifocal retinal dysplasia).
- the scheme checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Cancers
- various, particularly osteosarcoma – bone cancer
- CCL – Cranial cruciate ligament disease
- rupture of the knee ligament
- Ectropion
- drooping eyelids
- Entropion
- inturned eyelids that rub on eyeballs
- Osteochondrosis
- abnormal cartilage of joints
- SAS – Subaortic stenosis
- abnormal structure of heart, can cause heart failure
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- JLLP – Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy
- breathing problems, progressive weakness and paralysis
- LEMP – Leukoencephalomyelopathy
- progressive weakness and paralysis
Other Tests
- Rottweilers can be examined by a veterinary cardiologist to check for SAS (subaortic stenosis)