RottPerth

I don't understand how the RSPCA's recommendations are a bad thing for dogs, the only outcome I can see is healthier dogs. Given my recent experience with bad breeders I would fully support the RSPCA as somebody needs to do something about the unethical breeders in this country. What is wrong with you people?

My dogs lick their bowls (which are metal) when they want food. There is no way I could miss the sound of the metal going along the floorboards so they've never been without food. I understand sometimes forgetting though, I guess I've just always been reminded by my dogs before I have a chance to forget

Yes they have numerous balls, squeaky toys and a bungee rope hanging from a tree. Whilst I doubt they would fight over a bone I only allow them when i'm can supervise. They dont ever fight but I wouldnt want to risk it. How old is Asha?

This topic is in the general discussion area now

That is a gorgeous photo Do they have plenty of chew toys, or perhaps a bone to chew on? My girl used to chew on my doona/pillow when she woke up during the night and she was bored. I would just give her a toy to chew instead, I find those hard plastic chewbones are really good, or give them a kong with treats inside or something like that to keep them occupied.

The mode of inheritance is currently unknown, and dogs may be bred BEFORE there is any indication of a heart problem. That tells me it would be quite possible to unknowingly breed a rottweiler pup with SAS and unknowingly sell it to someone. It appears that some dogs are sub-clinical, and there is absolutely no way of ascertaining that they will throw pups with SAS. So, I don't think the breeder can be blamed for this pup having a problem. To breed the parents to each other again is not something I would do, and I don't believe it is best practise. IMHO, the breeder should take back the pup, refund your money, and allow you to purchase elsewhere, if you wish. However, it seems to me, that like MVD in Cavaliers, there is basically no way of knowing when you buy a pup, that it will develop SAS. The breeder offered to "rehome" Molly for me (whatever that means). She is my dog and I love her, it's not her fault that she was born with this. It is also not necessarily the breeder's fault if she didn't know that she might produce a pup with this. It is, however, her fault if she produces another pup from the next litter from the same breeding parents. My intention here wasn't to throw blame at breeders, it was simply to find out if there was a way that breeders can be informed about health issues in bloodlines, any breeder who really cares about the future of their breed would be happy to give/receive this information. I also wanted the opinion of other "ethical" breeders about the responses I have received from this breeder because this is my first dog from a registered breeder so I have no prior experience to go on. If I wanted to breeder bash I could do much worse things than post a thread on a breeder forum. If you were in my situation you would want some answers too.

Thanks Bilbo Baggins

I can only hope that my breeder reads this post and maybe rethinks her next breeding based on other breeder's posts. Molly went from Moderate to Severe within 4 months so isn't expected to live past 3, I think given the severity at such a young age she will be lucky to get another 12 months. Even my vet said to me at the last visit that there's no point in having her desexed (which is a very big call for a vet in my experience)

Are breeders able to find out the pedigree of a registered dog just by the dogs registered name? So if I post my girl's registered name that will help other breeders who read this to make informed decisions? Am I allowed to do that?

No there is no open health registry in this country for Rottweilers. We (NRCA) only record HD, ED Eye and Mouth. Heart checks is not compulsory at this stage, I really don't know if they ever will be here. I personally think they should be and certification should be done at least a basic like the OFA (Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals) offers. I think there needs to be some sort of registry to report any health issues so breeders can at least look at a blood line and see if there's any common issues. It seems too easy for some breeders to produce puppies for money and not care about the future of the breed. This is really sad for Rotties I love my girl so much, she is the best dog I've ever had, I would hate for this to become a common problem because it's heartbreaking

This would concern me greatly and to answer your question, no I wouldn't continue on like there is no issue. SAS is an extremely serious health issue for any breeder and one IMO that should be of a priority to make sure it doesn't happen again. I shake my head that a "breeder" would continue to go on and repeat a breeding knowing it has produced a pup that has a diagnosed SAS condition. I would be testing all pups in that litter to be finding out answers. But saying that, I do take health issues extremely seriously. I do not think that ignorance is an excuse, and in this case it seems education is not being considered either. Maybe my ethics and morals are to high?? I really don't think so, the ONLY reason to breed is to improve, breeding knowing that SAS has been produced is not breeding to the betterment of the breed, it is to the detriment, but hey that is my opinion. Thanks for your reply, is there any way for breeders to know that they may be purchasing a breeding pup which may come from parents that have produced this? This is my main concern.

I would like the thoughts/opinions of breeders out there with regard to a problem I am having. My 11 month old Rottweiler was diagnosed with subaortic stenosis at 12 weeks of age. She has had two heart ultrasounds and my breeder has been advised and also had a second opinion from her own vet. I am concerned about the future of the breed in Australia because she is breeding the same two parents together again this year. I have asked her to consider that there is a possibility of this being hereditary but she is not interested in listening. I would like to know if there is a requirement for pedigrees with major health issues to be reported/documented somewhere for the benefit of future purchaser's of future litters and to advise those who have already purchased from the same breeding. My girl has no restrictions on her so if the wrong type of person had bought her they could be breeding her with papers. Or a breeder might buy one from the next litter without knowing that this condition is running in the bloodline. I don't know what to do and it is really concerning to me because I would like to continue to have Rottweilers as pets and I don't want to see this become a common problem with Rottweilers in Australia. Would other breeders ignore this and keep breeding away like there's no issue?

I had a GS for almost 16 years and lived in everything from a 1/4 acre block to a tiny courtyard villa. She was a very happy dog, walked daily, loved playing fetch and swimming at the beach. I had 3 others dogs during her lifetime and she was happy being around them. She never had exposure to kids and yet at ag 6 when she first interacted with some she was great, really gentle. She liked digging so maybe a digging pit would be a good idea. They love being around their people so she was always with me, inside or out. Great dog, I love the breed and think there's no reason not to have one in suburbia as long as you're committed to giving it what it needs and putting up with a few trenches in the garden

Your Rotties are absolutely beautiful, great videos

Hello My 11 month old girl Molly also has SAS. You are the first person I've been able to find who is in the same situation so it doesn't seem very common here in Australia. I did a lot of research on the web and it depends on the severity of the condition as to their longevity. Unfortunately Molly was diagnosed as severe at 9 months and already had damage to her heart wall so she won't make 3 years The vet told me that a lot of dogs with this condition can go on to live normal happy long lives. I hope Schmoo is one of those I'm like you, I'm really worried about getting my next Rottie because it's such a heartbreaking condition to deal with.