Before you pay
A buyer's checklist for a trained Rottweiler
Trained is a word, not a standard. Turn it into things you can watch and documents you can read.
Turn trained into observable skills
- Walks on a loose lead past other dogs, bicycles and crowds.
- Sits, downs and stays reliably with you holding the lead, not just the previous handler.
- Recalls from distraction.
- Accepts a vet exam and being handled by strangers calmly.
- Settles in a new room within a few minutes.
Protection claims need extra care
If a program says the dog has protection training, ask what that means, who did it, what the dog was tested on and how an owner keeps the skills sound. We do not describe methods here. The point is to see a calm dog that responds to its handler, and to hear a professional say plainly when a dog is not suitable.
Paperwork to request
- Registration papers and a pedigree you can check with the issuing club.
- Health test results for both parents and, where relevant, the dog.
- Vaccination and veterinary records.
- A written contract that spells out what happens if a health or behavior problem appears.
- An itemised quote for the dog, any training and any handler lessons.
Money, honestly
Prices for trained dogs vary widely from provider to provider and this site publishes none. Do not trust a figure you cannot see on a written quote. Avoid sending a large deposit before you have met the dog, and prefer payment methods that offer buyer protection.
Meet the dog
Meet it somewhere neutral, ideally not at the seller's home. Take your own veterinarian's checklist, bring the people who will live with the dog and walk away if anything feels rushed.
When you are ready to talk, send a request about a Rottweiler. Compare lines first on working line or show line.
Sources
Quick answers
Should I buy a puppy or an adult?
An adult's temperament is easier to see, while a puppy gives you more say in upbringing. Either way, ask for records and meet the dog.
Can I return a dog?
Only if the contract says so. Read the terms before you pay.
Weighing up a Rottweiler? Talk it through.
Send a request and K9PN will pass it to an independent professional who works with Rottweilers near you.