Having Second Thoughts - Page 2 - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

ZeldaRules · 01-24-2013, 11:40 AM

How do you justify it emotionally?

Because its not just any dog, it's a Doberman, and I don't care what anyone says...you won't find a more loyal and genuinely devoted breed that loves you to their core.

Ojai Sho-Shawnee · 01-24-2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby'shuman

If you choose not to have a Dobe because you may lose him/her one day to an illness (whatever it may be) you may as well never have any dog.
There are no guarentees in life, you just try your hardest to make sure you have done all you can to avoid the pitfalls you may encounter.

This.^^

I lost my heart dobe when she was 12 in 1995. I didn't think I'd ever be able to have another dobie, my heart was so shattered. I had and said goodbye to other wonderful dogs in the time since then. None fulfilled or challenged me or loved me like a doberman though.

I waited 17 years after burying my Shawnee-girl and I brought a pup home last November. She is on my lap now, aleep with her blankie in her mouth. I catch myself calling her "Shawnee" sometimes, but it is no longer with sadness, but with the joy that only a dobie can bring (to me).

The health issues are scary. I know I have done the best I can do by her in purchasing where I did. She will be with me as long as she's with me. I will not cheat either of us out of a moment of our time together by fretting over things I cannot control.

Good luck whatever you decide.

~Bev~

blackdoberboy · 01-24-2013, 12:38 PM

I lost my red boy 3 weeks before his 10th birthday...And what a wonderful 10 years it was ..I missed him so much I had to get another...I did my home work and took 6 months to get another boy. The best thing I ever did...There is no other breed for me...

PatchworkRobot · 01-24-2013, 01:05 PM

You do what you can to stack the odds in your favor (great breeder, great food, great care) and you enjoy every moment you have with them while they give you every single ounce of themselves.

I hope not to lose my boy at 3 (or 4, or 7, etc) but when the day comes, whenever it is, I will be happy to have had the time that I did have with him and I will know that having that time, even if it's short time, was much better than never having it at all.

kates · 01-24-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brw1982

All the happy shiny health testing in the world doesn't mean squat because if they're a Doberman, they're at risk. Period. Any safety net someone thinks they have in health testing or pedigree research can be as flimsy as wet paper one day when your dog still drops dead in spite of all the warm fuzzy research you did.

I agree with your post 100%, there are NO guarantees and there is NO way to avoid DCM. I did want to point out that personally, I would still recommend health testing and pedigree research on the front end to try to minimize risks. I don't think you wouldn't recommend testing/research (??) but this part made it sound that way. To me, the testing and research is mimimizing a risk that will be there, regardless. We do know it's a genetic disease, so why would you buy a puppy that has DCM close up in the pedigree on both sides? IMO that's playing with fire.

It's true, the Doberman is not for the faint of heart. Or, for that matter, the faint of checking account

I do yearly holters/echos to try to catch DCM early and extend life is something were to show up ... and I have the kids on pet insurance that does cover genetic diseases so that I don't have to worry about the expense to try any DCM treatment available at that time.

But I can tell you this - I've never regretted or questioned owning this breed. The joy they bring on a daily basis is incomparable and so hard to describe. It's having someone (or someones) who loves you unconditionally, would lay down his/her life for you, and always has your back, all wrapped up in one. Plus awesome cuddles.

avianantics · 01-24-2013, 02:59 PM

There are as many good experiences as there are bad ones. I currently have Dobes #9 and 10. The other 8, all lived to be btw 9 and 12 years of age. 1 lost at age 9 to DCM, 2 at age 10 to Cancer, 1 at age 11 to Bloat. The other 4 were "let go" due to "old age" issues, 2 at age 10+, 1 at 11 and 1 a few weeks after she turned 12.

All you can do is the best you can do, purchase from a breeder that breeds for longevity, and does health testing.

Once you have one, you will understand.

brw1982 · 01-24-2013, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kates

I agree with your post 100%, there are NO guarantees and there is NO way to avoid DCM. I did want to point out that personally, I would still recommend health testing and pedigree research on the front end to try to minimize risks. I don't think you wouldn't recommend testing/research (??) but this part made it sound that way. To me, the testing and research is mimimizing a risk that will be there, regardless. We do know it's a genetic disease, so why would you buy a puppy that has DCM close up in the pedigree on both sides? IMO that's playing with fire.

Yes, thanks for clarifying. I'm not recommending against pedigree research and health testing. I'm just warning anyone against taking it as hard fact that your dog will always be perfectly healthy and die of old age in their sleep.

kates · 01-24-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brw1982

Yes, thanks for clarifying. I'm not recommending against pedigree research and health testing. I'm just warning anyone against taking it as hard fact that your dog will always be perfectly healthy and die of old age in their sleep.

Seriously. If only it were that easy ...

Elzajpn · 01-24-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoverTune

For the past year or so, I've been convinced that my next dog would be a Doberman, but after spending some time here and reading about the myriad of health issues they have, I've got to admit that I'm having second thoughts. I knew there were some health problems of course, but the thought of having my dog drop dead at 3 years old of DCM has me pretty freaked out.

How do you.. I guess, justify, the investment? Emotionally, much more than financially, I mean.

Your situation is much better than Japan. I guess information is disclosed.
Most of the breeders here are suspicious and we can hardly obtain detailed info. It was a big gamble for us. I believe we won.

My doberman is going to be 4 years old next month. I want to celebrate her but at the same time I'm very scared that the life stage with her is going to be the "second half". I can understand your fear, but if you're scared too much, you lose great opportunity spending with your dream dog.

There are lots of Canadian or American members here. You can be assisted if you ask for

blackdoberboy · 01-25-2013, 09:44 AM

I'm trying to do eveything right. He eats raw-He has been tested.. Every 6 months he gets either a holter or an echo-both normal....He is negative for DNA DCM. His CERF is normal, VWD clear, Thyroid-Normal....At this point all is OK. Thank God. I hope for the best. Love this boy