BenVera

While perusing the various pet adoption sites, I started to wonder how the albino dobes (in shelters and rescues) fare when it comes to successful adoptions. And this really got me thinking...

We all know how many homeless dobes are out there. Many of us have taken in, fostered, adopted, and donated our time and money to help these dogs because we simply love this breed.

But, how many of us love the breed enough to take on an albino dobe?

As (the collective) we become more informed, we share disdain for BYB'ers who keep popping out z-factored dogs (and profiting off of them). It is my opinion that the majority of those dogs do not get to spend their whole lives in one household. Now I don't have any statistical proof to back up my opinion; I believe it to be true because of the various health complications and temperament issues associated with the affected dogs and how many I come across on those sites. If I'm wrong here, please provide any info to correct me. I'd appreciate it.

Back to my question...

So, say you are looking for a dobe to adopt. You've been approved by your local rescue. When you visit the dogs at the rescue or shelter, would you avoid the albino based on its color, or lack thereof?

Or would you embrace the homeless albino as you would any other dobe?
If so, then my follow-up questions to you would be: how would you handle answering the same ol' questions from the uninformed people you and your albino dobie meet in public? I imagine some wouldn't recognize it as a Doberman at first. They may ask about health issues, temperament...who knows. People come up with some pretty interesting questions.

Would you tell them the dog is a rescue? What if they liked the look of the dog and asked how much you paid for it? Would you then go into the whole speech about why no one should breed z-factored dobes and albinos should not exist, but this one is a rescue, etc etc? Could you stand the constant questions about YOUR albino dobe?

Or would you opt to adopt one of a different color, so as not to *promote* the breeding and ownership of albinos?

Please feel free to share any and all opinions. I am really curious to know how those on DT - a growing group of increasingly informed Doberman enthusiasts, would handle this topic versus the average person who sees an albino dobe on some dumb BYB website and immediately creates a Paypal account in order to ship home their new 6 week-old pet!

__________________

PatchworkRobot

I probably would avoid it, but not due to the health issues or breeding that went into getting an albino. The albino doberman just doesn't appeal to me aesthetically (for this same reason I wouldn't go out of my way to own a pekingese).

That being said, I wouldn't leave one on the side of the road simply due to it's color. Yes, I would tell people that the dog was a rescue and yes, I would go onto a spiel about why albinos should not be intentionally bred. I cannot imagine that constant questioning is much worse than the dirty looks that Dreizehn sometimes gets due to his breed, the snarky comments about his cropped ears, or the nasty looks towards his prong collar. It can't be much worse than people constantly stopping me to ask about and/or love on Ruthless.

Not adopting a dog as to not promote the breeding of that dog would leave A LOT of homeless dogs in shelters. Not just albino dobes but also all of the "designer" breeds or the double merle dogs, etc.

__________________

lolonurse

I have seen some albino Dobes that were rescues and were just so appealing and sweet - and they deserve good homes, too! Just like any special needs dog, they have issues which require special attention or watchfulness - but they are Dobermans just the same. I think it was last winter that there was a kerfuffle about a woman with a rescued albino - she entered into obedience trials with her, and I think she won, and a lot of people were in a snit about it... but the dog was really good.

__________________

Amelia_

For me personally, when adopting apperence wouldn't really be one of my first priorities when looking to adopt, number one would be personality and fit with my existing dogs. I'd happily take any dilute or albino as a rescue, cropped and docked or all natural or any variation of really. I would have thought that whites would go quicker than perhaps other colours as people tend to like unique things. I think I'd be quite a good home for a dog with more needs like an albino or dilute, but I think I'd forever be down at the vet as I'm quite a worrier I'd probably get sick of explaining that albinos shouldn't be bred!

__________________

millerdobes

In my area, there are very few albino dobermans. There are quite a few Z factored dogs in rescue. Here is a list of what is in our area right now and we have more that aren't posted:

Pet Search Results: Adoptable Pets in Bixby, OK: Petfinder

Most people are asking for cropped n docked and they want young dogs. Honestly, it doesn't make a dog but clearly you can see what I mean by the pictures.

Personally, I would not take on an albino due to the possisibility of health problems and the fact that most don't see well. Have to know you're limitations. That is a potential for fear but then some maybe fine, temperatment #1. For those that do, I respect rescue dobermans period. I wouldn't support purchasing and furthering those that are breeding for money. (albinos or Z factored)

madmyk

Yes I would....depending. It, like most things, would be based on the individual. Temperament would be the primary factor for me. Adopting/buying/owning ANY animal just based on looks is a bad idea. If it were ONLY about looks I would own a Weimaraner due to the color. A Weim is not the best choice for me, but I like the color best. Not a good reason to choose. That is not saying a preference in color or style (docked,cropped) should not be considered. If you only want/like Black and Rust should you get a Blue, Red, Fawn... if your heart is not in it, NO.
Adopting an albino could present a great opportunity for educating the public. You know people will ask about the dog while you are at (insert public outing) and you will have the chance to explain all about BYB and Z-factor dogs.

Just my $.02

millerdobes

Well said! I agree with you.

dobesofwizland

I have had the opportunity to foster for a short time an albino dobie and he was beautiful. Ghost did get returned to the foster, not because of his doing, because he brought too much dirt into the house. Any dobie does that! Ghost is in his forever home and doing wonderful. We stop in and see him and he doesn't want to go home with us. I too agree that an albino dobie in public is a great educational tool and that is what the public needs. We have an albino breeder in our area and really don't understand why she does it.

madmony

I would take any dobe, as long as the temperment was good. Having had a dobe that was so damaged mentally, I can't do that again. When we went to look at Lexi, she would have take the BYB award for being a hot mess. She is very short, one ear doesn't stand, white stripe down her chest, vWD +. When we took her out of the cage she was fine with the other dogs and didn't bark or show any interest. That was good enough for us. Fortunatley, we can afford any of her medical issues. I would take one if I could make a difference in their life. I wouldn't be telling people that they were "rare",

__________________
Oliver RIP
With enough thrust, pigs fly just fine.

OliviaB

I would someday love to adopt a female companion for Gunner, but an albino would not be my first choice. Health issues would be my biggest concern and the constant questions and explaining I'm sure that comes from owning such a dog would get very tiring. That said, if an albino seemed to fit our needs perfectly and was available, I may consider it if everything else about the dog was ideal.

__________________
Olivia and Gunner

thea2003

The colour of a dog (or lack of) wouldn't effect my decision to choose a dog. Im not generally a fan of white dogs, so probably an albino dog wouldn't be on top of my list, but if everything else about that dog appealed to me and it happened to be albino, it wouldn't stop me from adopting it.

__________________

Rosemary

The only way I would own an albino would be if it was a rescue.

If I had a choice between two rescue dogs, one an albino and one a blue, I'd take the albino in a heart beat IF it was a better fit for my family. For me, temperament is more important than color (or lack thereof), even though I love, love, love blues.

Seeing as how I am already having to explain a long-coated GSD, explaining an albino Dobe probably wouldn't be that a big deal. And if I educate some people about BYBs and the like, then, maybe they will educate some more, who will educate some more.....

__________________
Proudly Owned By...
Lucky Rat Dog CGC

Ilka Of Pear Orchard Cemetery BN RE CA CGC

Speed Queen Leontine Von Washateria- Foster Failure

dobermama

Color was not a factor when we were looking to adopt- I would have accepted a rescue puppy of ANY color, and just let the health chips fall where they may.. As my DH said there are NEVER any guarantees with any animal...

That being said, I do not prefer the albinos- I find them to be the least appealing. I have owned a white GSD though, so obviously the fit of the dog into my household is the most important thing to me.

The same is true for my rescue cats- I would LOVE to have another black kitty, I have NEVER lived this long without one. But, at the times I was looking to adopt there weren't any near me who were a good fit for my fur family. Instead I wound up with a flame pt Siamese mix and a Ragdoll/Siamese mix. Would NEVER have sought out a flame pt- I am a Sealpoint person- but cannot imagine life without my guy now

greenkouki

No I would not. I think many of can say we are drawn to the breed based considerably on its looks, and an albino is just not what I know as a doberman. There are folks out there that will, and that's great because those dogs need homes too. It's not their fault they were conceived.

As millerdobes suggests, looks are important even in a rescue dog. Many people only want to adopt a cropped dog through rescue, myself included. Some rescue groups will crop any puppies that come in based on this high request for cropped dogs.

__________________
*DT Forum Etiquette: Please Read Before Posting*

Rosemary

Not to hijack this thread, but it's something I've often wondered about. If "most/many" people who want a Dobe only want a c/d dog, why are there so many uncropped or even completely natural Dobes in rescue? Seriously, why aren't all/most the dogs coming into rescue c/d?, since that is what "most/many" people like?

__________________
Proudly Owned By...
Lucky Rat Dog CGC

Ilka Of Pear Orchard Cemetery BN RE CA CGC

Speed Queen Leontine Von Washateria- Foster Failure

wolfgirl1987

it wouldnt be my first choice, but i would consider an albino if the situation arose. Will i specifically seek out one? no.

Bentley will have a sister one day and odds are she will be a different breed. Most importantly she will be a rescue, and be a good match for our boy. Breed will be a key factor in decision making, but how Bentley and her get along will be most important.

wolfgirl1987

I think it's because there are a lot of BYBs that dont crop or dock and alot of people likely dont want to pay more to get their puppy cropped on their own.

and most rescues come from BYBs

Hilary

Providing temperament was a match for my family I definitely would. Simply for the reason that, as educated and competent dobe owners, I feel my family would be a better home for an albino than most. Not only an albino, but any special needs dobe. We are informed on their health issues, know of accommodations that may be needed, can afford excellent healthcare and would know how to use the public interest they draw to educate others. In order to thrive I feel they would need a home like ours and know I could provide it. So yeah, I would certainly be up for it.

ZeldaRules

People want a c/d Dobe but have no idea what goes into getting pretty ears to stand. Your average joe will not want to spend the money on a crop or will give up during posting. BYBs don't crop their pups and are no help to their puppy buyers. Anti-crop/dock people can try and slice it any way they want to, but it is a fact that floppy eared and un-docked dobes typically sit in rescue longer than c/d ones.

ZeldaRules

Look-wise I have nothing against an albino dobe but I would not purposely want to own one. I am outdoors a lot with my dogs and an albino would not fit with my lifestyle.

dobermama

" Many people only want to adopt a cropped dog through rescue, myself included."

Funny, as my husband and I are the EXACT opposite. I personally dislike the look of the cropped Doberman, always have. The soft velvety ear is so perfect to me that I cannot imagine having a dog without it... That being said, I would adopt a cropped dog if it was the best fit for the family. I would mourn the loss of the ears, but would love the dog regardless.

When looking to rescue, I looked specifically for a puppy that was not cropped or docked. My boy is docked, not cropped (wish he still had his tail too!), but is also the best dog for our family.

brw1982

My biggest concern is/would be health and for that reason I'd have to think about it seriously before making a decision. So put me in the 'undecided' column.

__________________


Old Drum's Crimson Crisp, "Fiona"
Old Drum's Fiery Rumors of Taliesin, "Tali"

BenVera

greenkouki and Rosemary,

It's interesting that you mention that about most people only wanting to adopt cropped/docked dobes. I didn't know that most rescues will crop pups in order to find homes for them faster. But I think it's pretty great that they do since it helps those pups get placed in (hopefully) responsible homes who will take the proper care of their ears.

What I find even more interesting is that the majority of albino dobes I see in rescues ARE cropped/docked! Now how the heck does that happen?! I can't imagine the irresponsible BYB'ers are getting them cropped. Or maybe they do in order to 'move their product' and make room for more?

Not to stereotype, but doing exactly that, I'd venture to guess the people who buy albinos from these jackasses are buying them specifically FOR their looks and want a fierce-looking white dog with steely blue eyes. That is, of course, until the dog starts racking up vet bills or stops getting along with the other members in the household.

Personally, I would adopt an albino IF it were a good fit in our home. The color would not be a deterrent.

I never mind when people ask me about Tessa. Many comment on her *unique* color. She's red. Lol.

Like patchworkrobot, I've had people make all kinds of snarky comments about her ears as well. I've developed a thick skin about my dogs in that regard.

But I usually do always stop and answer questions about dobes if I'm asked. I would do the same with an albino dobe.

__________________

ZeldaRules

Just like there are people who only adopt senior dogs, you guys are still in the minority. Yes, in Dobe rescue I've seen people come to us specifically wanting floppy ears and a tail, I've also seen people come to our GSD rescue only wanting a white GSD. It still doesn't change the fact that the majority wants that c/d look of a Dobe and will wait until one is available in rescue while passing up floppy eared dobes, or the majority wants that classic rin tin rin look of a GSD.

DobeAndBorderCollie

I'm so glad you asked this. I adopted an albino Doberman a month ago. I initially went to the rescue to adopt a Black and Tan Doberman. I had a black and tan one growing up and LOVED him!!! After seeing both dogs, the Black and Tan was beautiful, CGC certified, and a great dog. However Hades, the albino, was skin and bones with sad eyes but a total sweetheart. When I squatted down to pet him he rested his head on my shoulder and relaxed his whole body. I was sold. I gave the guy $500 even though the adoption fee was $300 bc he ran an exclusive Dobie rescue and I wanted to help as much as I could without adopting them all (believe me I thought about it).

With that said, I also have a penchant for adopting the reject dogs that most people wouldn't want. My other dog was the runt of the litter, born completely deaf and has to be fed a special diet. I figured if I can afford to really give this dog the life and love it deserves, I'd rather take him then have him be shuffled from house to house with people who don't understand his special needs.

I do struggle with getting stopped everywhere I go so people can pet Hades and ask about him bc he is so striking and unique looking. I feel the need to explain he's a rescue and albinos shouldn't be bred and have a lot of issues. All while Hades is leaning on them to get a good ear scratch. Most people don't listen and just take pictures of him then comment on how beautiful and sweet he is. *sigh* :/




Sent from my iPad using PG Free

__________________

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion