no poodle

thanks to all that have taken the time to respond and advise. i have been reading the thread about recommended breeders, but have not finished it yet.
it takes some time as many of the recommendations don't indicate location.

i don't think the working dobe will be the best match for my family. this will not be my first dobe. i i just consider dobes in general as protectors, not that i will train or work the dog in that manner. we are looking for a great family companion.

DLS

no poodle, have you ever considered looking into getting a rescue Dobe. Check out the rescue forum here. Lots of information there about why, how and where.

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thea2003

Umm, by the sounds of it, you arent wanting to work your dog, you just want it to be basically a laid back member of your family, in my very novice opinion, i wouldnt go with working lines with high drives. You want protection, well any dobe working or show will protect you, the ones rosamburg was talking about are prob. More suited to serious working homes.

RedFawnRising

Thea, No poodle already posted this: i don't think the working dobe will be the best match for my family.

Just sayin'

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Rosamburg

I didn't bring them up. She asked an opinion about a specific breeder. That is why I made the point that the dog would be need to be worked.

Like A Boxer

Thank you soooo much no poodle for looking here before buying! With the DPCA breeder referral, however, you should call/e-mail with a certain number of questions. Good questions (to start) would be:

1.) Do you actively title your dogs? In what? Obedience/conformation, etc. Ask if they are championed or at least pointed towards their championships.

2.) Do you health test? To start, vWD, hips, eyes, heart. Some also do thyroid and much more. Ask to see proof. If they only test for vWD, keep looking elsewhere. If they don't test at all, run far away.

3.) Find out how many breedings they do per year. They should do no more than 2. If they do, run away.

4.) Ask them what they find wrong with their lines. Ask for what they'd like to improve on through further breedings. If they tell you absolutely nothing is wrong with their lines, move on, because that's a lie. No such thing as a perfect line.

5.) Ask if they will offer lifetime support.

6.) If all goes well, find out what they usually charge and what you get for that price. If they are charging something ridiculous like $2500 for a pet companion, again, I'd run far away.

7.) You should ask to at least meet either the dam or sire of the litter. If they can't provide at least one for you to meet, I would move on.

8.) If they don't ask you lots of questions, move on. Breeder should give a lot of thought to who they give their babies to. If they only ask you for your name and if you'll be paying with cash, check or credit, move on.

9.) Ask them about their contracts and health guarantees. If they don't guarantee anything at all, move on. Nobody will promise everything, but they should at least promise something.

10.) Ask them if you ever have problems with the dog or if your life style changes and you can't keep them if they will take them back. All reputable breeders will take back dogs rather than leave them to be thrown into a shelter.


These are just the start of many questions you should be prepared to ask. Please be patient, as many reputable breeders will only breed one or two litters a year. Impulse is what makes people go and buy BYB or puppy mill dogs. Definitely big thumbs up for doing your research

Good luck!
JB