Dobermann breeder experiences sought

[kurt535]

Hi all,

I am starting a medium-term search for a UK Dobermann breeder, the intention being to buy a puppy q4 or q1 2017. I've researched a few online but horse's mouth can't be beaten hence me posting here.

Any feedback positively welcome.

Ty

[tonyb1968]

Have you tried through the kennel club?

[Autopilot]

kurt535 said:

Hi all,

I am starting a medium-term search for a UK Dobermann breeder, the intention being to buy a puppy q4 or q1 2017. I've researched a few online but horse's mouth can't be beaten hence me posting here.

Any feedback positively welcome.

Ty

Apologies in advance, but my response is probably going to drag on a bit

Why a Dobermann and what will you use it for, family pet, working or sport? Why are you specifically looking for a UK breeder? Is there a preference on a male or female?

Buying a Dobe is bit of a minefield to be honest so you're doing the right thing by getting the right breeder. I'm sure you've already done it, but a quick nose around on the internet will show there's a ready supply of dogs all from champion bloodlines etc etc! The right breeder will of course only attempt to create perfect litters by DNA testing both parents, hip score assessment, eyes...DCM, Wobblers free etc etc, the list goes on. The breed does have a LOT of health issues so is in your best interest to get a pup from a litter where ALL health scores are available for you. If you can't be shown the full bloodline, then you probably want to steer clear. A good breeder will of course be able to provide all of this where as an advert somewhere like Gumtree etc is less likely to be offering a pup of the quality you're after despite being from 'champion bloodlines'.

Even with the best possible breding, it isn't rare for a Dobe to develop issues. I have two friends who've had Dobes from excellent bloodlines, one developed a strange wheezing sound and pretty much dropped dead from DCM at two years old and another which has now had all sorts of operations. There is of course a science behind it all but I'd say it also requires a degree of luck.

We have two Dobes, a UK Male and an imported Female and they are VERY different creatures from each other. We got the female as Euro imports tend to be from working bloodlines so create higher energy dogs which want to work and generally regarded as requring a handler who knows the breed and certainly not for the faint hearted.

She is a beautiful creature! She's from the Altobello Kennels in Serbia. Her dad was brought over from the U.S and put over an Altobello Female. The dad has an IPO3 and the mum was from the showring but due to the high drive it had, used for work also and also got an IPO3 so pretty much as good as you can get. Using a dog from the U.S helps keep the bloodlines clean. She's the calmest, loving dog you could ever want for. She does what she's told, has absolutely zero aggression in her and if you don't interact with her, she'd just sleep all day and I dare say you could get away with not exercising her much as she's predicatbly calm the whole time. If all Dobermanns were like her, then I'd recommend the breed to anybody and everybody, she's no effort at all and most importantly, she's fit in with our life and we've not really had to change the way we do anything.

The UK male we have is from a bloodline very strong in the showring circle and NOT working lines. He is VERY intelligent, EXCEPTIONALLY willful and has an off the scale desire to want to work. He's about 3.5 years old now and will admit that we did talk on many occasions about rehoming him with a professional handler as we really quetioned his suitability as a domestic pet. He is the most loving dog ever, you can't move without him being attached to you and loves nothing more than being with people and is so gentle with very young children. His issue is that he has absolutely no 'OFF' switch. He's alert and guarding 24/7 and very difficult to live with. He is of course at the extreme end of the scale and would say he's the exception rather than the rule. For the first two years we had him, I don't think I ever sat down for more than 20 minutes without him kicking off. If anybody walks past he goes mental, if he's in the garden and theres a bird on the fence or the roof of the house he goes mental, literally anything and everything makes him kick off and start guarding. I can only really liken him as a very badly behaved child.

Our neighbour seems to have some wildlife living in their garden under their shed which backs up to our fence. Because he can smell and hear something, until we managed to move the shed and clear the hedgehogs out, he could only go in the garden on a lead. If you let him out for a pee, he'd just fly down the garden and start trying to destroy the fence to get in. When we lifted the fence panel up to see what the problem was, he stuck his teeth in to the shed and bit a chunk out of it.

I haven't said any of this to put you off, but for you and others to realise what commitment is required if you have a high-drive dog.

We love the breed and to be honest, we probably wouldn't have any other breed. They are the most affectionate creatures, brilliant temperaments, amazing with toddlers, small dogs etc. For us personally based on our experience, we probbaly wouldn't get a UK dog again and have found that the female temperament tends to be calmer. When our male kicks off over something, the female jumps on him and tells him off as she knows we don't like this behaviour.

With regards to breeders, there are loads to choose from but would say it's probably best to start with Chancepixies. This is run by David Anderson who is the head of the UK Dobermann Association, he's a show judge and has 35+ years of experience with the breed. He's based in Dover, but was the right breeder for us, so well worth travelling for the right dog.

Newfords also have good reputation and the lady that runs it is brilliant.

If you use Facebook, joing UK Dobermann as it's a good resource. A lot of the people there (us included) do work the dogs so can offer a wealth of experience. Litters do get advertised on there and they ALL post heath screening results so you know you're dealing with reputable breeders.

If you need anything else, just yell.

[Autopilot]

Saya Di Altobello as a pup. She's chunky as hell now!

[kurt535]

Auto,

Thanks for this. I trained rescue dogs for about 10 years so am familiar with large breeds (including their various 'issues') and what it takes from the moment they come home for the first time.

I have taken a dog ownership break of 6 years and, following quite a lot of research, the final choice was either a Dobermann or Mallinois. As I am hoping to avoid killing hoovers on a regular basis, the Dobe has come out on top.

Cursory scan of the net does indeed throw up various breeders. As you rightly ask what will I use the dog for, he/she will not be used to 'defend' a scrap yard or encouraged to be an aggressive little sod. Rather, agility, character, intelligence (and health) are my preferred aims. Being able to live within their family of humans is vital. One breeder makes a point of disclosing health scores of their litters which sounds refreshing but, as my research is really just beginning, I am eyes wide open.

I doubt I would be brave enough to import a pup as I would not know where to begin. But, the mixing of clean bloodlines sounds such common sense. Your dog sounds similar to my last dog (gsd cross) and I'd rather avoid a small furry animal muncher this time :0. I'll also make cursory enquiries with the breeder you mention. Useful info - ty.

FB page sounds useful as well and I will join it. Overall, super dogs though. I am very much looking forward to learning all about them.

Edited by kurt535 on Sunday 10th January 17:51

[Don1]

Newfords Dobermans. Georgie is an amazing breeder, really cares for all her pups, and YOU are being vetted for ownership, not the other way around.

(We have 2 from her - one male from pup, one female rescue).

[deadslow]

Autopilot said:

Saya Di Altobello as a pup. She's chunky as hell now!

Well I aint going to be climbing over your garden gate anytime soon