There are some myths or sales gimmicks used in regard to Dobermans.
"Rare White" - A white doberman is just an albino mutation. Like all albino animals they can have many vision and skin problems. All dobermans that can produce white/albino carry a Z in their registration number. No responsible breeder would breed a doberman that may produce this genetic defect.
"Warlock, Superior size, King ect " - There is no "giant" line of Dobermans, sure some are a bit larger then standard, some are a bit smaller. Some breeders may use mostly larger dogs in their breedings. European lines do tend to be a little larger. No responsible breeder prices puppies based on size or on projected size.
"Rare colors Blue & Fawn" - All four colors Black-Red-Blue-Fawn are AKC & UKC accepted for the show ring. Blue & Rust and Fawn & Rust are not "rare" they are simply a recessive dilute color. Blues and Fawns have been in the breed since the very start of the breed. A judges report speaks of the high quality of Blues in 1910. Fawns have been recorded since 1912. No responsible breeder prices puppies based on color.
"There are two doberman breeds American & European" - There are not two seperate doberman breeds. There are two different types, similar to many working breeds. The working German Shepherd looks different from a show German Shepherd, a field Labrador Retriever looks different from a show Labrador Retriever........... An American Doberman bred only for the AKC conformation show ring looks different from a European doberman bred only for "sport"
There are many different breeders of Dobermans, they may have quite different goals, some breed only for appearance, hiring handlers and only showing in AKC conformation shows. Some breed only for high drive, competing only in Schutzhund or some other bite sport. Some breed only for working ability, search & rescue or drug detection dogs. Many breeders breed simply for companions and a natural personal protection, they may do obedience, rally, agility or even therapy work.
Even though breeders have various opinions on the best qualities to breed for, or what is important to them, no one "special interest" group owns the breed and gets to decide what will be bred.
There is one issue all responsible breeders agree upon and that is the breeding of healthy dobermans.
The most harmful myths of all.......
"Dobermans are OK left outside or in a kennel" - The Doberman breed is a devoted, loyal breed and needs to be with their family for proper socialization and good temperament. A Doberman should not be mass produced in some warehouse/kennel type situation, being used like livestock. This can lead to severe temperament problems due to lack of proper socialization.
"Dobermans don't need Health Testing, my Vet checked them out and they are fine"- The Doberman breed does need Health testing, these are specific health tests that are not done during a routine "office visit".
vWD(von willebrands disease) a genetic inherited blood disorder, found in Dobermans that can result in death from bleeding during surgery or a minor injury, if a Doberman is clinically Affected. The testing done by VetGen is a DNA genetic test that can tell you if a Doberman can pass on this condition. Only 15% to 20% of Dobermans are Clear by DNA testing. Our male is Clear and will never produce Affected puppies. We do not use Affected Dobermans for breeding. All Dobermans used for breeding should have this vWD DNA test performed by VetGen.
PHPV/PHTVL and PRA are hereditary eye defects found in Dobermans. All Dobermans used for breeding should have a CERF exam done by a board certified Opthalmologist.
Hip Dysplasia is a hereditary defect in Dobermans. All Dobermans used for breeding should have xrays summitted to OFA or PennHip to be cleared of hip dysplasia before breeding.
Elbow Dysplasia is a hereditary defect in Dobermans. All Dobermans should have xrays summitted to OFA to be cleared of elbow dysplasia before breeding.
Cardiac clearances can be done in a variety of ways. Auscultation, Echocardiographic, Holter moniter. There is a new test available as of the second quarter of 2008, this is a plasma or serum quantitative blood test for canine NT-proBNP. But with any cardiac testing it is not a definative test, it only tells you about that dog on that day. What it can not do, is tell you if that dog will develop cardiac problems later. It also can not tell you if any puppies produced will be clear of cardiac problems. All Dobermans used for breeding should have some form of Cardiac screening done.
There are some myths or sales gimmicks used in regard to Dobermans.
"Rare White" - A white doberman is just an albino mutation. Like all albino animals they can have many vision and skin problems. All dobermans that can produce white/albino carry a Z in their registration number. No responsible breeder would breed a doberman that may produce this genetic defect.
"Warlock, Superior size, King ect " - There is no "giant" line of Dobermans, sure some are a bit larger then standard, some are a bit smaller. Some breeders may use mostly larger dogs in their breedings. European lines do tend to be a little larger. No responsible breeder prices puppies based on size or on projected size.
"Rare colors Blue & Fawn" - All four colors Black-Red-Blue-Fawn are AKC & UKC accepted for the show ring. Blue & Rust and Fawn & Rust are not "rare" they are simply a recessive dilute color. Blues and Fawns have been in the breed since the very start of the breed. A judges report speaks of the high quality of Blues in 1910. Fawns have been recorded since 1912. No responsible breeder prices puppies based on color.
"There are two doberman breeds American & European" - There are not two seperate doberman breeds. There are two different types, similar to many working breeds. The working German Shepherd looks different from a show German Shepherd, a field Labrador Retriever looks different from a show Labrador Retriever........... An American Doberman bred only for the AKC conformation show ring looks different from a European doberman bred only for "sport"
There are many different breeders of Dobermans, they may have quite different goals, some breed only for appearance, hiring handlers and only showing in AKC conformation shows. Some breed only for high drive, competing only in Schutzhund or some other bite sport. Some breed only for working ability, search & rescue or drug detection dogs. Many breeders breed simply for companions and a natural personal protection, they may do obedience, rally, agility or even therapy work.
Even though breeders have various opinions on the best qualities to breed for, or what is important to them, no one "special interest" group owns the breed and gets to decide what will be bred.
There is one issue all responsible breeders agree upon and that is the breeding of healthy dobermans.
The most harmful myths of all.......
"Dobermans are OK left outside or in a kennel" - The Doberman breed is a devoted, loyal breed and needs to be with their family for proper socialization and good temperament. A Doberman should not be mass produced in some warehouse/kennel type situation, being used like livestock. This can lead to severe temperament problems due to lack of proper socialization.
"Dobermans don't need Health Testing, my Vet checked them out and they are fine"- The Doberman breed does need Health testing, these are specific health tests that are not done during a routine "office visit".
vWD(von willebrands disease) a genetic inherited blood disorder, found in Dobermans that can result in death from bleeding during surgery or a minor injury, if a Doberman is clinically Affected. The testing done by VetGen is a DNA genetic test that can tell you if a Doberman can pass on this condition. Only 15% to 20% of Dobermans are Clear by DNA testing. Our male is Clear and will never produce Affected puppies. We do not use Affected Dobermans for breeding. All Dobermans used for breeding should have this vWD DNA test performed by VetGen.
PHPV/PHTVL and PRA are hereditary eye defects found in Dobermans. All Dobermans used for breeding should have a CERF exam done by a board certified Opthalmologist.
Hip Dysplasia is a hereditary defect in Dobermans. All Dobermans used for breeding should have xrays summitted to OFA or PennHip to be cleared of hip dysplasia before breeding.
Elbow Dysplasia is a hereditary defect in Dobermans. All Dobermans should have xrays summitted to OFA to be cleared of elbow dysplasia before breeding.
Cardiac clearances can be done in a variety of ways. Auscultation, Echocardiographic, Holter moniter. There is a new test available as of the second quarter of 2008, this is a plasma or serum quantitative blood test for canine NT-proBNP. But with any cardiac testing it is not a definative test, it only tells you about that dog on that day. What it can not do, is tell you if that dog will develop cardiac problems later. It also can not tell you if any puppies produced will be clear of cardiac problems. All Dobermans used for breeding should have some form of Cardiac screening done.