Black Bear Rotties Frequently Asked Questions
& General Info

Although we do not mind replying to emails and phone calls, please check out the information below first as most questions will probably be answered. Any health information located on this website, is merely for information purposes and should not be used to replace or seek professional veterinary or health specialist advice.
  • While we strive as breeders to produce a healthy, sound quality family companion, most of the puppy’s future health and development rests on the shoulders of the owner. We give the puppies the best start possible by choosing healthy bloodlines, free of hip/elbow dysplasia and only by breeding health tested parents with OFA checked hip/elbow ratings or their European equivalent.  All puppies are supplement bottlefed and raised in a clean environment. They are well socialized with children and adults.  It is your responsibility to continue that course.
  • We breed dogs from European bloodlines, primarily from Serbia and Croatia. These dogs possess nice temperaments, beautiful structure and healthy bloodlines, all necessary for a quality family companion. We breed for proper structure, temperament and health and for the primary purpose of family companion.
  • Do you dock tails?
    • We typically dock our puppies tails. We may occasionally have a litter with tails left intact. We will post under litter information whether the litter will be docked or not. 
  • Do you remove dew claws?
    • Yes, rear dew claws are removed according to breed standard
  • When can puppies go to their new homes?
    • We allow puppies to be picked up when they are 8 weeks old
  • What is the deposit?
    • Deposits are $500 non-refundable (but transferrable to another litter if not enough puppies are whelped). The deposit does not secure a specific puppy, just your place in pick order. We allow buyers to choose their puppy in order of deposit received.
  • How can I make a deposit?
    • We currently accept cash, PayPal (with a $15 transaction fee), or postal money order. We receive inquiries daily regarding our puppies, PayPal is usually the quickest way to secure your place in line for a puppy.
  • How much do the puppies cost?
    • That depends on the pair that have been bred and whether or not the puppy is being sold with limited or full registration. Most of our puppies are sold to pet homes on limited registration but full registration option can be discussed. Balance is always due in cash at time of pick-up.
  • What is the difference between full and limited AKC registration?
    • Limited AKC registration is given with pet price puppies. You could not register offspring of a dog or compete in AKC shows with limited registration, though other AKC events are open to the dog.
    • Full AKC registration is given with show/breeding price dogs. With full registration you could register purebred offspring of your dog and compete in AKC shows. We do not guarantee that a dog will be able to breed or will win shows.
  • Is there a health guarantee?
  • Where are you located?
    • We are located on the Eastern shore of Maryland, close to the Delaware border. Our dogs have plenty of rural farm ground to exercise on.
  • Do you ship your puppies?
    • IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR PROSPECTIVE PUPPY BUYERS:  Due to recent regulations implemented by USDA/APHIS, hobby breeders with 4 or more intact bitches will lose their hobby-breeder status and be forced to become a commercially licensed kennel if they sell any puppies "sight unseen". At this time, we do not ship our puppies. You must pick them up at our loctation in Denton, Maryland. Most of the time it is just as cost effective to fly in and fly back with the puppy in the cabin with you. They can be carried on  in a soft crate and put under the seat in front of you. This is a better experience for the puppy as well. We will not knowingly sell any of our puppies to brokers or pet stores.
Some Other Recommendations: 
  • Feed a suitable diet appropriate for fast growing/large breed dogs.  We feed our puppies and adults K9 Kraving Raw Diet dog food, the only USDA approved dog food in the United States. Made with fresh, human grade ingredients, a diet as close as nature intended it. Click on the link to learn more and find distributors in your area. The puppies will be on this food from around 4 weeks till they leave. If you would like to keep the puppy on this diet we are able to sell by the case. We have seen an improvement in the health of our dogs and the puppies whelped while the mom's were on this diet during pregnancy.  We also supplement with Taste of the Wild dry dog food and the puppies will be used to this food if you prefer to feed dry. It is a high quality, premium dry food without grains and fillers. There will be two samples of Taste of the Wild in the puppy packs.  
  • We do not recommend spaying or neutering your dog at a young age as this has been proven to cause developmental and/or health defects in growing dogs.  When neutering/spaying a dog you are taking away essential hormones that play key roles in proper development. It has also been proven to cause issues such as incontinence and improper bone development. Good common sense articles from a long term german shepherd breeder/trainer/dog specialist can be found on this site, Leerburg.
 
  • Support your dogs immune system by providing a food containing probiotics or consider adding them to your pets diet. A healthy gut helps make a healthy dog.
 
  • Talk with your vet regarding the best deworming schedule/heartworm prevention for your area.  Dogs are susceptible to intestinal worms because of everything they put in their mouth! We like to regularly deworm every three months to keep our dogs clear of intestinal parasites.  Most veterinarians recommend a monthly heartworm preventative, others recommend looking at your area and giving the preventative during the months when your pet is at risk.  Always test for heartworms before giving a preventative. Good Heartworm article.
 
  • Discuss vaccination risks/benefits with your veterinarian. Follow the required schedule for your area/state. But do your research, we do not believe over-vaccinating is necessarily a good thing for dogs.  Or vaccinating for things your dog will not be susceptible/exposed too. We recommend Dr. Dodd's Vaccination Protocol.
 
  • We recommend restricting vigorous or uncontrolled activity (agility, jumping, and so forth) and exercise of your puppy until he or she is at least 15 months old.  Your puppy will need controlled exercise on a daily basis (running, playing and going on walks). No jumping on or off things that are taller than your puppy’s height at the shoulders.  Your puppy is still growing and maturing. 
 
  • How you treat and train your dog will determine its adult temperament. Rottweiler’s need a calm and confident leader, not harsh, but firm. They are naturally loyal and protective, so we do not believe they need any additional protection training if being purchased as a family companion. You cannot “over” socialize them. They love children, but never leave them together unsupervised as they are big dogs that think they are lap dogs and can accidentally knock down a small child. Children also need to be taught that they must respect and treat a dog properly.
  • We do not recommend spaying or neutering your puppy until between 18-24 months of age due to health reasons. Please watch the Youtube video on our Resources Page.   
  • Above all, employ common sense and sound judgement when dealing with an issue. The most invasive or expensive options/treatments aren’t always the best for animals or humans.