About Us
KUSA registered ethical breeder of ADRK German bloodlined Rottweilers since 2001
Meet Retha Crafford
The Heart of Craffenheim Rottweilers
Hello, I'm Retha (Margaretha) Crafford, and animals have always been the central focus of my life. From managing our beautiful Boran cross cattle and previously breeding and riding magnificent Boereperde horses, I have always been deeply involved in the animal kingdom. Today, my full-time passion is Craffenheim Rottweilers, a journey I began in 2001. I am an occupational health professional by qualification and a qualified surgical theatre nurse but now it is Rottweilers only 24/7/365, meaning I am physically present with the dogs permanently, ensuring their environment and care are always optimal.
My dedication to this incredible black and tan breed resulted in a decision nearly two decades ago to focus solely on the Rottweiler, and it has been the most rewarding commitment. Since then, I'm proud to say I have bred numerous Champions, exceptional companion dogs, dedicated service dogs, and superb working dogs—specifically high-drive herding dogs utilized on large cattle farms.
Craffenheim Rottweilers
Our Home
My Non-Negotiable
Health First
When people ask for the single most important quality I strive for, my answer is immediate and unwavering: healthy puppies. My background makes health a near obsession that is carried into every decision in my breeding program. Without a healthy genetic base and proven lines, you have nothing. Temperament, beauty, and the balance of a complete Rottweiler can only be achieved if you start with health. I refuse to compromise on health for fleeting 'show beauty'—to me, beauty IS what beauty DOES. My mission is to preserve the Rottweiler in its correct and healthiest form, ensuring a type that will survive the ages.
A Family Dedication
I couldn't pursue this passion without the unwavering support of my incredible family. My husband, Craffie, is the core reason I am able to do what I love. He (and my now adult children) have always understood and wholeheartedly agreed that our dogs are cared for first: their needs and medical care always take precedence over holidays, social functions, and a traditional social life. For their love, support, and sacrifice, I am truly indebted.
I am also blessed with an incredible team of kennel managers and staff who I trust implicitly. Because of their dedication and my personal mentorship, I am able to spend the majority of my time focused directly on the dogs' happiness, health, and wellbeing.
Our Blessed Setting
We are privileged to be located far off the beaten track in the country side of KwaZulu-Natal. Away from the traffic, city noise, and pollution, we and our Rottweilers live in a protected, sheltered environment. This setting adds immeasurably to our quality of life, and I am always delighted to welcome visitors into our peaceful world for visits.
I am proud of the Craffenheim Rottweilers making their mark around the world. While I admit to having made mistakes over the years (each one a lesson taken to heart), my promise remains: I will continue to learn, research, and improve on my knowledge, using my decades of experience to ensure we breed not just a complete and healthy Rottweiler, but one of exceptional quality and permanent temperament.
Our Location
Heart of the Historic Battlefields Route
Craffenheim Rottweilers is located on Rietspruit Farm in the tranquil, rolling hills of Ingogo, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, placing us directly in the heart of South Africa’s most historically charged landscape: the Battlefields Route. This region, framed by the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg mountains and the plains of Zululand, links over 80 battle sites, forts, and memorials, making it a living classroom of the conflicts that shaped the nation.
Our quiet farmland setting stands in stark contrast to its turbulent past, which witnessed three major waves of conflict: the Voortrekker–Zulu Wars (including the Battle of Blood River, 1838), the brutal Anglo–Zulu War (1879, featuring Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift), and the two Anglo–Boer Wars. Our immediate surroundings are deeply connected to the decisive moments of the First Anglo–Boer War: the Battle of Ingogo (Schuinshoogte) took place just kilometres away on February 8, 1881, and a few weeks later, the war ended with the pivotal Boer victory on Amajuba Hill, whose striking silhouette dominates our western horizon. The area is dotted with historic towns like Newcastle (home of Fort Amiel), Dundee (near Talana Hill), and Ladysmith (famous for its 118-day siege), blending heritage with the peaceful rhythms of rural life where our Rottweilers thrive.
Here at Craffenheim Rottweilers
Our Breeding Philosophy is a Holistic One
Craffenheim puppies use the words of Ziggy Marley and say,
“I was born by myself but carry the spirit and blood of my father, mother and my ancestors.”
We do not breed ‘fashion’ Rottweilers, nor re-invent the wheel to create extreme heads, weak temperament, or out-of-standard Rottweilers. We breed “old school” ADRK; committed to improving the breed by showcasing a TOTAL ROTTWEILER from the oldest, most proven lines in Germany. If it is an out-of-standard extreme head or docked tails you want, we are not the breeders for you.
We base our breeding on legendary German lines, proven in conformation, temperament, health, longevity, fertility and tested titles. We use the best lines in the world and intensely study pedigrees before deciding on combinations.
There is no “best male”—only the best male for a specific female. We import our own sires to ensure perfect genetic and temperament matches for each brood bitch. Selecting popular sires without regard for compatibility is not breeding—it is fashion following.
We have no desire to alter a breed already altered in extreme ways. We preserve the characteristics in temperament and appearance that the breed was blessed with. Fashion will never dictate our breeding.
We strongly believe in breeding diversity to avoid harmful overbreeding. Line breeding is used only when the dogs and lines have been thoroughly researched. Reckless combinations are a cardinal sin.
Females are the dominant force, providing the majority of traits; the male contributes essential improvements. Simply repeating the same combinations is not breeding: it is manufacturing.
Breeding is 80% research and knowledge of lines and faults. Every line has faults. Denying faults is kennel blindness. Only by acknowledging imperfections can one breed responsibly.