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Member of the Internet Link Exchange
If the Doberman is for you...Look for a reputable breeder...ask many questions...ask about longevity in the dogs lines...if the parents were tested for diseases...ie....VWD...CVI...Thyroid...Cardio...etc....Ask if they researched their lines and what did dogs in the generations pedigree die from and at what age...Ask to see proof of testing....Also....Ask to look at puppy registration papers!.....BEFORE buying a puppy, look to see if there is a "Z" in the registration number on the AKC registration form......the "Z" means.....that these dogs can or are "albinistic carriers" going back to the white doberman Sheba....Go to my White Doberman Information Link on my main page, for more information on this! There is much research to be done if you want the best odds for a happy, healthy doberman puppy!... The Other Alternative....is perhaps to think of getting a Rescue Dobe, there are many out there in need of a good home!
There is also a standard for the Doberman, which was developed many years ago and for specific reasons...Variations from this standard should be looked at carefully...There are Dobermans that are being called "Warlock Dobermans" the reasons being... they are very large and out of standard dogs...Actually, there is no such thing as a "Warlock Doberman"per say, for the size! ...It may be possible that these very large doberman dogs are bred with a larger breed, perhaps Great Danes and are called Warlock Dobermans because of their very large size. In my personal opinion...Anyone telling you they have Warlock Dobermans because of their size is not really telling the truth!..Be warey of this.....But..on the other hand, there may be breeders that use Warlock for their kennel name, and call their dobermans Warlock dobermans, because of the Kennel name...This should not be confused with Warlock being used as the size of the Doberman!
Although Dobermans are a loving, loyal and excellent companion for some people...they are not the breed for everyone! Too many times people see this "adorable" little puppy and rush in and buy it without any thought that this "little" puppy is going to grow up very fast and be a "big" strong dog. Then some people find out that this is not what they really wanted after all... and the poor animal either ends up getting tossed from home to home, and loses all his security and maybe trust in people, gets bewildered and does not have a stable life...OR he may end up in a rescue situation, where he will again be placed in a good home this time....OR...he may be abandoned and left to fend for himself...which in the long run something terrible will probably happen to him in this situation...OR....worse yet, he may end up in a Dog Pound with a Clock ticking away his life!
This is in my opinion the greatest dog there is...but in someone else's opinion he may be quite the handfull! This is why before rushing into getting a Doberman you should be sure this is the Breed for you... Absolutely Sure!!! You should do lots of research and talk to breeders, ask lots of questions, make notes, talk to people that own Dobermans and find out all the pro's and con's before you take the final step and purchase one.
You should ask yoursef these logical questions and answer them honestly...after all there is a living creature at stake.
1. Am I capable of handling this type of dog when he grows up to be big and strong and agile?
2. Can I care for it properly...they are time consuming...especially if you have the ears cropped...they have to be taped and taken down and cleaned and aired and retaped ...sometimes for a very long period...this has to be done over and over till they stand. They have to be trained, maybe taken to obedience classes, socialized...further training, etc...this all takes time too, but with the right person can be a very enjoyable task.
3. Do I have the time, and am I willing to give this time to give him/her the proper attention, training, love, socialization, care, exercise, etc...Remember, its gonna be another family member.
4. Do I have adequate room in my home for a dog of this size? Is my money situation healthy enough to handle problems if they arise...when a pet gets ill or acquire's a disease the treatments and medications and veterinarian bills can be large and take a big bite out of your pocketbook!
5. Do I have a fenced in yard to let him run and exercise and play...if not...am I willing to take him for daily walks for exercise?
6. If I have children, do I really have the time to be attentive and fair to all, including the dog?
8. If I have children, have I taught them how to properly treat and behave around animals? The questions could go on and on...these are just a few to make you stop and think and help you make the Right Decision.
7. Also, Dobermans do not make good outside dogs, their short coats are not suitable for extreme cold temperatures, and Most Dobies Hate the rain! Besides, they thrive on, and require, (even demand) a lot of human attention, and being outside they do not get this. If your thoughts are to keep your dobie outside...then he is not the dog for you!
The Doberman is a working dog, and has lots of energy and that energy needs to be directed in the right directions..Some people say Dobermans are aggressive...Well in my Webster Dictionary I find Two meanings for aggressive:... One being: Hostile and Combative...After all these years with Dobes I would not say they were aggressive in those terms...Meaning Two being:, Energetic, Enterprising and Bold, Yes I would say the Doberman is definately Agressive in those terms!. With the right people they are the most wonderful dog anyone could ask for..".if properly trained ", they can be a very special member of your family unit and all the joy they bring you couldnt be written in a book...but if untrained, they can be a very big pain and hard to handle!
Before you rush out and get that Cute little puppy, make sure you do your homework and consider all the pros and cons and answer the above questions honestly...for your sake and the sake of the new little creature you are about to take on responsibility for...When you have thought things out and are sure this is "absolutely" the breed you want...then find yourself a Reputable Breeder and get your Doberman, Im sure the breeder will help you with all the questions and problems that may arise... It will be a very happy day when you bring your new puppy home and you already know and accept what is in store for you, and you can enjoy seeing him grow up and his own little personality develop and helping him to learn things the right way. Its such a Joy!
They are the Ultimate dog...I am not trying to scare anyone away from getting a Dobie, but its so sad to see so many being put up for adoption or rescued or worse, because the people that had them didnt ask themselves those simple questions and didnt make a commitment to taking care of this animal for life and had second thoughts, or thought the dog was too much for them when it grew up, or they didnt take the time to train it and cant handle it now that its grown....I put this page up so people can stop and think and be fair and honest to themselves and to the dog. Granted...this can happen in all breeds...but Dobie's are special in my heart.
So please do Try and make the right decision: Gee, Im positive I want to be owned by a Doberman...smile....Or....Well I dont know if I want to deal with all that, Or... I cant handle all that, I dont have the time!...If you decision is yes...then I wish you the Very Best and enjoy one of the Worlds finest!
Remember they are little
Darlins....and can be a Loveable little, big..
's...smile...
But then again, sometimes
they can be a Lovable...sometimes questionable..little, big..
's!........*VBG*