Finding a Puppy
Dobermans: We don’t own them, they own us!
I hope the information below will help you in your search for the perfect
Doberman puppy.
THE DECISION: Is the Doberman the right breed for you?
There are breeds that appeal to a large percentage of the population and some that
please only a select group. We like Dobermans. Lots of people don't. You're definitely going about it in the right way by finding out what the breed is like
before you decide to get one.
First
of all, Dobermans are a short-coated breed, which means that there is NO CHOICE as to where they will stay:
the Doberman is a HOUSE dog and cannot survive being in the cold or heat.
If you live in a very cold climate part of the year, this is something to consider. Because a Doberman's ears are erect and thin, it is important to make sure he/she is not outside for long periods of time where ear tips could get "frost bite"... or worse.
Heat can also be a problem, as the Doberman has a very short and thin coat layer around the ears and muzzle which can sunburn and blister.
These are among the important considerations to remember as you make your choice. After all, your companion deserves the best care you can provide.
In
addition, the Doberman is a very active, lively, and energetic breed. They are on the go and love to be where the "action" is at all times. They need to be around their family,
so if your lifestyle is such that you cannot spend long periods of time with
your dog, or you work
long hours on end, then a Doberman is probably not the right breed choice for
you. They are a highly intelligent dog and require things to do, people with whom to interact; loose in a house all day, or locked in a dog kennel for hours on end will only lead to bad habits and destructive tendencies.
Exercise and a FENCED yard large enough for the Doberman to move about and run in is a necessity: for the safety of the dog, to prevent injury from cars, and to allow for free exercise. Walking on a leash is no substitute for a free run.
THE PURCHASE:
The purchase of a purebred, registered puppy is a very important decision that should be considered very carefully.In the purchase of a Doberman Pinscher (or any other breed), a buyer deserves a dog that is healthy, attractive, mentally sound, and functionally correct. It should be a dog that has the best possible chance of providing years of companionship, whether it be as just a pet... or for show events (conformation) ... or for performance competition (obedience, agility, flyball, tracking, schutzhund, etc)...or work (search & rescue, guide dog, medical assistance, therapy work, etc.)
THE SOURCE:
The best source for buying a purebred Doberman is a breeder who has had years of experience and cares about the dogs that represent their kennel. With your new puppy comes a friend, who is always there for you and your dog.
Most people want a Doberman simply because they like the the dogs appearance and want a pet and a companion for themselves and their families. Inevitably they become attached to their dog, meet other Dobermans owners, learn about shows, and get hooked. Dobermans are habit-forming.
The purchase of a purebred, registered puppy is an important decision that should be considered very carefully. A puppy should be brought into a home that is ready and willing to care for and welcome him or her into the family. Your Doberman puppy should be considered an investment even if he is intended only for a pet and family companion.
THE BREEDER:
All ethical and responsible breeders health test, temperament test, title their dogs, and aim to produce only the highest quality Dobermans, which will better the gene pool.Responsible breeders are choosy about which dogs they breed – they study pedigrees for quality in conformation, health, longevity, temperament and working ability.
They try to find the absolute best match for their female, sometimes traveling to great lengths to find the best male.
Some people may feel it doesn’t matter which breeder they deal with because all they want is a nice pet...that it doesn’t matter if the parents of the dogs have any conformation, obedience, working or temperament titles. But it DOES matter!
A breeder who doesn't health test, temperament test and title their dogs is basically saying that a buyer does NOT deserve any of this.
It's extremely insulting that a breeder would try to satisfy a person with something that requires less knowledge, less effort, less commitment, and less cost per unit. Don't settle for that!
THE SEARCH:
In your search for the "perfect" dog, you may have noticed that the prices vary widely. Newspaper ads may show one litter selling at $800.00 each and one at $1000.00 each.Though both are AKC registered, you will see through our conversations that AKC "papers/registered" are no indication of the quality of the pup.
In this area a well-bred "pet" quality puppy generally starts at $2,500.00. Show quality puppies start at $3,500.00 and go up from there.
Breeders set their own prices. Each breeder approaches breeding with a slightly different philosophy and has different regimens for raising puppies. Some are more involved and more thorough in pedigree research than others. Time and effort needed to research pedigrees, find the proper mate, breed and deliver healthy puppies, requires a breeder's time, energy and expertise...and generally speaking, the price will reflect that.
If one divided the cost of a puppy over the 10+ years of a dog's life and takes into consideration extra veterinary expenses that may occur with poorly bred pups, the price is not unreasonable.
TAKE YOUR TIME:
Never settle for less because of time, money or other considerations. Your pup may be a part of your family for ten to fifteen years and compromises now will affect you and your dog for a long time to come.If you are not able to find the puppy you want immediately, a few weeks or months of patience will generally be rewarding. In fact, getting a pup from some of the better litters usually requires a wait - as many are sold in advance of whelping.
So educate yourself, look around and see what is available by attending local shows and communicating with other owners. Talk with various breeders about required and expected standards and be wary of faults that are bred into the breed by the "backyard" breeders.