Welcome to the Eis Haus Rottweilers Information page.  I hope this page helps to inform and educate those of you who are looking for guidance.  If you would like more information, or would like to speak in person, please feel free to contact me. If you are looking for a reputable, responsible breeder, or would like to assess the one you are dealing with, here is a list of things to look for, and questions to ask: Make sure the breeder does the minimum standard health screenings (OFA Hips, OFA Elbows, OFA Cardiac, CERF Eyes).  You should be given copies of all documentation related to any and all health screenings or health issues.  If the breeder hesitates or refuses to provide this information, it is best to locate another breeder. Preferably the breeder will pursue titles in some venue (whether it be a working venue or conformation) to prove the dog's worthiness to be bred.  These titles are an indication of a dog's working ability, willingness, energy, drive, focus and/or adherence to the breed standard.  These are very important things to consider when deciding whether to breed a dog, or whether to buy a puppy from a prospective litter. Most reputable breeders will perform some type of temperament evaluation such as a Temperament Test (TT) through an agency such as the American Temperament Test Society, or a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate through the American Kennel Club. Ask the breeder to explain to you the reasons they chose to breed those two individuals together.  There should be a specific goal(s) in mind when doing a breeding, therefore there should be legitimate reasons/goals for the breeding If you are interested in performance events such as obedience, rally, agility, herding, tracking, schutzhund, etc., try to find a breeder who has experience in those venues and/or has bred dogs performing in those venues, since that breeder will most likely be able to guide you to a puppy who will fit in with your goals. If you are interested in conformation shows, try to deal with a breeder who has been successful in that venue. Make sure you deal with a breeder who offers a concrete health guarantee.  Also ask for references of previous puppy buyers.  Try to get references of one or two puppy buyers that have had problems with their puppies (this will give you an indication of how that breeder will support you in the event your puppy has a problem).  Don't be satisfied with the "best case scenario" references&ldots; talk to the people who have had problems with their puppies, and don't fall for the "I never produce puppies with problems" line.   Every breeder, no matter how careful or ethical, will produce some type of problem.  We are dealing with genetics, which can be very unpredictable no matter how careful you plan and research.   In the event of a problem, you want to know that you will be taken care of. If you are searching for the right puppy, you should be dealing with a breeder who will guide you in the right direction, after getting to know you and developing an understanding of what you are looking for in a dog.   If you feel that you are not getting the guidance you need, and are setting out to select a puppy for yourself, please keep in mind this is a commitment for the lifetime of your dog, so be certain that you get what you really want. Make sure you take into consideration your home environment, and lifestyle.  Don't get an extremely active puppy if you live a more sedentary lifestyle.  Conversely, don't get a very mellow, laid back dog if you expect him/her to go running 5 miles a day with you. You should look for a puppy whose personality suits your own... you don't want to get a very dominant puppy if you are a very complacent person, this will most certainly end up in disaster. If your goals include performance events such as Obedience, Rally, Agility, Herding, Tracking or Schutzhund, you need to look for a puppy whose aptitudes line up with your goals.  Ideally a puppy aptitude test will be performed by an experienced, unbiased evaluator, on each puppy in a litter, which will give a good indication of each puppy's aptitudes, strengths and weaknesses.  Even if you are not hoping to train or compete in any working venues, it is good to have this detailed information in order to make an informed decision on which puppy best suits you.   Below are some links you may find helpful in your search: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) American Kennel Club (AKC) American Rottweiler Club (ARC) Colonial Rottweiler Club (CRC) Medallion Rottweiler Club (MRC) Rottweiler Health Foundation (RHF) AKC Rottweiler Breed Standard     © 2007 Eis Haus Rottweilers | Valerie McGraw ~ All Rights Reserved Site Designed & Maintained by:  Felske-Jackman Web Design Eis Haus Rottweilers ~ Valerie McGraw | Rome, New York |  Rottweiler Breeder ~ Professional Dog Show Handler