Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums banner

Opinions on some breeders

7K views 21 replies 13 participants last post by  MeadowCat 
#1 ·
Hi everyone!
I am looking to buy my first Doberman companion. I live in CT and have been looking in any surrounding (and not so close) states for a reputable breeder.. I came across three breeders that are in a close range price wise, and seem to be legit.. They are numbered not in any specific order..

1. MikaDobe from South Carolina, I spoke to Hank and Ginny Dingfelder.
2. Windsong Dobermans from from Indiana, and I spoke to Elaine Adams.
3. KettleCoveDobe from Massachusetts, and I spoke to Sharon Duval

I would really appreciate any suggestions on these breeders..

Thanks! :2smile:
 
#3 ·
One of our members, Shelian Dobermans, has co-bred with Windsong in the past. She might have some insight there for you. You could always send her a private message using that function on the forum. Her user name is ShelianDobe.
 
#4 ·
I'm kind of on the wrong coast to be of much help but I do know (at least by reputation although not necessarily in person) Elaine Adams (Windsong and Sharon Duval (KettleCoveDobes).

Either of those breeders would be, in my opinion legit and suitable places for looking for a Dobe companion.

Don't know a thing about MikaDobe. But there are several others in your vicinity if you haven't talked to any of these: In New Jersey, Eastwick (Sophia Koster DVM), Kerwynd, (Susan Kershaw), Niklby (Betty Cuzzolino) New York BluJ's ( Judy Crowley), Gemini, (Marion Crowley) Kalora (Estelle and Keith Corr), Raindance Dobermans, (Susan James)

Some might not be at all suitable for a variety of reasons but they are all legitimate breeder--most of them long time breeders.

Good luck with your search.

dobebug
 
#11 · (Edited)
A friend of mine has a Niklby dog that ended up in rescue as a senior. The elderly woman she was sold to "went to the hospital" and never came back, the family dropped her off at a vet clinic to euthanize and the vet couldn't bear to do it so got them to sign over ownership and see if they couldn't find a home by the end of the week, and my friend adopted her from there. We did some digging in dobequest based on her birthday because I thought she looked too nice to be just some random craigslist dog and figured out who she was. Betty thanked my friend immensely for saving the dog from euth and they go back and forth sometimes with pictures of the dog and her sister and chatting etc as the years have passed.

The dog does have some health concerns but turned 10 in May with no sign of cardio or cancer on the horizon just yet. We are keeping an eye out for a Wobbler's dx as she does have a weird gait but hard to tell if that's the seizures and Addison's we know she has. She's very sweet and definitely exactly what they needed in a dog... rotten to the core of course with her begging and thieving ways >:)

EDIT:

Suvie at 10 years 2 months
 
#6 ·
Is this them? https://absolutek9s.com/ If so, what about them appeals to you? That's a serious question, because a quick glance at their website tells me a lot of things that would make me do a hard pass on them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LadyDi
#8 · (Edited)
If you are asking about the breeder I linked, by my count, they have 5 dogs (3 "active"), and 14 bitches (10 "active"), with four litters already this year and one due in September.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LadyDi
#10 ·
Absolute K9's looks like an absolute puppy mill. Not only selling dogs but collars and dog food as well. I wonder if they have any used cars they'd like to add to the mix? :badcomputer1:

They don't list pedigrees.

The only "health testing" they list is Embark. I'm sure they only do the DNA testing through them because it's cheaper than doing it separately, not because they actually care about the breed.

I personally wouldn't support a breeder who had 14 dobermans because there's no way IMO that those dogs are getting the one on one love and attention that they deserve. And they def. aren't getting the proper health testing they deserve, Bill Gates himself couldn't afford that.
 
#14 ·
Absolute K9's looks like an absolute puppy mill. Not only selling dogs but collars and dog food as well. I wonder if they have any used cars they'd like to add to the mix? :badcomputer1:

They don't list pedigrees.

The only "health testing" they list is Embark. I'm sure they only do the DNA testing through them because it's cheaper than doing it separately, not because they actually care about the breed.

I personally wouldn't support a breeder who had 14 dobermans because there's no way IMO that those dogs are getting the one on one love and attention that they deserve. And they def. aren't getting the proper health testing they deserve, Bill Gates himself couldn't afford that.
I gave absolute K9’s a visit last week. They have 23 dobermans in total, but the place they keep them was well managed and had no bad smell. You can tell when a breeder doesn’t love the breed or is just in it for money, or is dishonest. But the way they manage there “kennel” and dobe’s radiates love.

Originally, I was buying from Shelian Dobermans, but very unfortunately, I was too late. I’m buying my first Doberman from Absolute K9’s now. I’ve done my research and am familiar with red flags, but I have gone with my gut after visiting them.

On paper, you can say they’re not reputable breeders. But to me, they care tremendously for the breed and there dogs (which also means there well being/health). Maybe I’m just trying to make myself feel better considering I gave $1000 non-refundable already, who knows. I don’t think they sell any type of products by the way. Let me know what you guys think.
 
#17 ·
23 dobermans, some inside the house. Outside, they have 3 or so comfortable, heated sheds and disperse the dogs in the sheds accordingly. Brad said they don’t plan how much litters they have a year, but I think around 4. A lot of them are “retired”, which means they’re not used for breeding.
Honestly, I haven’t seen any proof of health testing, because I didn’t ask for it. I was so distracted from all the dobermans jumping and flying past me. Darsey told me they take there dogs health seriously, and breed after hours of examining each dogs pedigree. She also said they’re getting a dobe from Argentina, that apparently has a awesome blood line.
 
#16 · (Edited)
As a newer owner who went through the search effort, I can offer that I almost went with Absolute K9s and then, I joined this forum and learned about health issues and the need for comprehensive health testing and moved on quickly. Also, my pups mother is a Windsong bitch, fwiw.
Good luck!

edited to add: I had a lengthy conversation with the owner of Absolute K9 and, while she was a pleasant person and quite chatty, she only told me that she is “in the process of getting DNA for the dogs” and was unable to answer affirmatively when I asked about various health tests. It was also a bit unsettling when I did research and discovered she changed kennel names at least once and moved from the Midwest US to the southern US. I am not stating that is concrete evidence of shadiness, but it added to my concerns.
 
#19 ·
I'm going to concede that a lot of breeders really do love their dogs and want the best for the breed.... However, that does NOT mean they are doing the best that they could. A lot of people believe they're doing the right thing, but that doesn't mean they actually are. I wouldn't base this decision on the feeling you got when you went there. Ask for proof, listen to the people here. 1000 dollars is nothing compared to what you could be spending on health treatments and/or behavior specialists because of difficult temperaments. I've been where you are. Had I known better, I would have gone a different route. Best of luck with your decision!
 
#21 ·
I appreciate everyone’s help. I will certainly ask for those test falfenix suggested for me to look for. Darsey sent me the mother and fathers Embark DNA test and they do have OFA results. Also, I understand that finding a breeder that checks off every requirement in my book: reasonable driving distance, litters due date, etc. and that test for everything under the sun is close to impossible.
 
#22 ·
Embark doesn't cover any of the testing that I would consider a necessity - it's genetic testing that doesn't give you any information about the current health status of the breeding dogs.

What you SHOULD be looking for (in health testing) is:

A current echocardiogram AND a current 24 hour holter monitor test by a board certified cardiologist
An OFA certification of hips and elbows
A current thyroid on both parents - and whether they are currently on thyroid medication
Liver and kidney results
Whether the parents are vWD clear, carrier, or affected
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top