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Article posted Thursday December 18th, 2003

"A Breeder with all the right stuff"

From time to time we encounter a breeder that so embodies the ethics and the morals of what we consider to be a great Rottweiler breeder that we have to acknowledge their efforts. As I was surfing around the Internet looking at various Rottweiler web sites, I stumbled across a breeder's web site that caught my eye. It was not the flashy animated content, or even the site's color selection and artwork, but the opening photograph. It depicted an attractive young lady in a wheel chair with a magnificent Rottweiler proudly sitting in front of her. Who is this wonderful friend of the Rottweiler?

The young lady in the photo is "Amy Hopper" owner and operator of "Rottweiler Station", a Breeding and Obedience Training facility located in New Salisbury Indiana and her canine companion is "Wart Der Gerichtsvollzieher Erlo,CGC,SDIT" aka; "Gusztav". I emailed Amy and asked her if she would agree to tell us her story. The following is Amy's reply to my email;

Q - When did you first discover that the Rottweiler was the right breed for you?
A - I have been in the company of Rottweilers as long as I can remember my father, before me also raised Rottweilers . My very first Rottweiler came from my fathers breeding program and when he felt I was responsible enough to care for a Rottweiler he placed a beautiful 8 week old female puppy in my arms on Christmas Day that was the happiest day of my life. Cody-bear was in my life for 13 years and each day she amazed me with her intelligence as well as her loving and nurturing disposition, although she is no longer with me she opened the door to my love for these outstanding dogs. Cody-Bear will never be forgotten and she will always be in my heart.


Q - What is it about the Rottweiler that interested you?
A - The breeds strength, character, loyalty, and independence are a few of the things that intrigued me.


Q - Tell us about your first Rott/s, did you show them, where they just pets, etc.
A - My very 1st Rottweiler Mentioned above Cody-bear was my companion she was never shown however was my therapy dog, I was in an accident leaving me confined to a wheel chair I had a hard time adjusting to my disability and Cody-bear was a big part of my therapy. It didn't matter how bad I felt Cody-Bear was my responsibility and I would get up to take care of her, one look into her big brown Rottie eyes and my problems seemed to fade away.


Q - When & Why did you start a breeding program?
A - I started my own breeding program over 8 years ago, the reason I started was as with other responsible breeders to better the breed as well as I wanted other families to feel the joy and companionship that I have felt over the last 13 years! I strive to be the best breeder that I can be, someone who is trust worthy, caring, and completely devoted to these wonderful dogs. I have studied genetics, temperament, pedigree's, any information that I can get my hands on to learn more about these magnificent dogs!


Q - Tell our readers about your ethics in breeding this regal animal.
A - As a breeder I strive to produce genetically healthy puppies, with working ability, and sound temperaments. I am dedicated to carefully screening potential owners and placing my puppies in to the right homes with families who are willing to give my puppies the love, attention, and training they need throughout their lifetime.

People today have such a terrible perception of this wonderful breed and my goal is to change the way people see the Rottweiler. I feel that threw my puppies achievements I am attaining this goal. I have puppies who are therapy dogs and also I have one special boy who is my Service Assistance dog ("Gusztav" pictured above). My puppies have been very successful in the Obedience ring and have made superior family companions.

For those who are considering breeding their Rottweiler I would like to stress that when breeding is done correctly it isn't easy, it's not a get rich plan, We spend literally 130 + hours with just one litter of puppies, countless hours screening new owners, socializing puppies, training both our puppies and our adults. Most Professions lead to a 30- 40 hour work week, my work schedule is 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 365 days a year. To me it is my Labor of Love but if this doesn't sound like your cup of tea then please, not only research the breed before you purchase a puppy, but also research before you breed "even one litter of puppies" because once your female whelps both her and those puppies lives depend on you.

Your responsibility doesn't end when your puppies join their new families. A good breeder will always be available to answer questions from their new owners, and will always be available to take those puppies back should something ever happen, and the new families you have chosen can no longer keep their puppy.

Before you consider breeding your Rottweiler please, volunteer for your local Humane Society or shelter, it just may change your mind about breeding. I have worked with my local Animal Shelter and have rescued Rottweilers from horrible conditions thus, making my screening process for new owners even more thorough!

If you'd like to read what her puppy's owners have to say about Amy and Rottweiler Station: Click Here 
If you'd like to email Amy about purchasing one of her top rotts: Click Here and tell her in detail what you are looking for and why.

All of us at RottenRotty.com want to thank Amy and her canine crew for taking the time to share her story with us and we can only hope that every breeder out there will strive to breed with as much care, passion, and love for the breed standard as Amy. Thank you!

Visit Amy's web site at : http://hometown.aol.com/lotarotts/myrottweilersindex.html