You could do so much better in Texas for a bit more money. Those dogs aren't well oput together and while I didn't go through the website to look, I doubt she health tests.

I do know of a litter that will be bred in the next week or so in Ft Worth. You can pm me if you are interested.

 

Does the breeder title or work their dogs in any venue?

Do they do the following health testing?

Hips (OFA or PennHip)
Elbows
Thyroid panels
vWD
Eyes (CERF)
DCM (Echo & Holter by a specialist/cardiologist)

Personally, I also like to see that the breeding pair have passed a WAE (working aptitude evaluation) for temperament in which case they should have WAC after their name.

The breeder should be willing to supply you with copies of health test results if you ask.

ETA...I don't know who the breeder is but if they have a website your willing to post then members could peruse it and give you more informed advice/opinions.

 

Hi. welcome to the forum.

Glad to hear you've fallen in love with our favorite breed

I was looking over your breeder's website you posted and wanted to just throw a few thoughts at you:

Nice people who are good to talk to may or may not actually have a good breeding program. When folks are nice, it is sometimes harder to be objective and make clear, informed decisions about a puppy purchase.

Very knowledgeable Doberman breeders do stuff with their dogs. Stuff more than just loving on 'em and walking around with 'em, you know? They show them or compete them in Rally or obedience or agility or Schutzhund.

They do this, not to be "elitist" or "snobby," but because they really want to get to know their animals--see what they are made of, so to speak. See how their joints hold up to athletic work, how their temperaments withstand pressure, and to get opinions from unbiased/outside sources as to the quality of the animals...all BEFORE they make a decision as to whether to pass those traits on to the next generation.

If you want a nice pet Doberman, you deserve to have one whose parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, etc have health testing. All breeds have their pitfalls when it comes to heritable health issues, but sadly, the Doberman breed has far more than its fair share, esp. cardio disease (DCM, dilated cardiomyopathy, to be specific).

Being a vet tech and running the dogs in for a checkup does not tell near the whole story, and many of the dogs this gal is breeding may be in what is called the "occult" stages of heart disease now--where they are seemingly symptomless, but their hearts are enlarging and becoming less and less efficient, until one day they will be in heart failure.

Good breeders test breeding stock for cardio--it unfortunately doesn't rule out the possibility of future problems, but it does let you see what has been in the bloodlines in the past, and gives you a picture of what is going on with the animal at time of breeding.

So, to sum up all that ramble, I am sure this is not an evil person who hates dogs who you've been dealing with, but is she really going about things the right way? Is she running her breeding program in a way that is likely to produce better dogs with great minds and fewer health issues?

She would probably claim so, but the proof is in the pudding, and I personally, choosing a breeder, would want all those health tests, and some documented proof that the dogs were of a quality to be adding to the gene pool, so that my *pet* Doberman would have a better, longer, healthier life.

If you choose to gamble and not go with someone who does all the testing and titling, then rescue is a great way to go--the adoption fees are very reasonable, and the dogs need homes, so you'd be doing a good thing.

 

:goodpost::goodpost::goodpost:

 

The first thing I saw that screams RUN is..... "The puppies will be ready to go to their new homes May 14th at 6 weeks of age."

RedFawnRising gave you excellent information and advice, please take it to heart.

Welcome to DT!

 

Read her "health guarantee," for further enlightenment.

Mychampion, you asked for further suggestions--I'd recommend reading the article linked on here about what to look for when purchasing a Doberman puppy.

I'd also take care not to buy into misconceptions about price. There are some general guidelines, of course--and really no good breeder could do it right for just a few hundred dollars--corners would be being cut somewhere, and cutting corners on living beings is just not cool.

At the same time, someone who hypes their pet quality pups as worth $3500 or up is likely not being realistic (or truthful).

The general consensus is a pup from an ethical breeder, who has done all complete health testing on the parents, has taken proper care of the dam during her pregnancy, and fed, handled, and maintained the pups properly, including all vet care as appropriate, is about $1500 to maybe $2000, and that includes ears cropped by a vet who does an excellent job.

So, since this breeder you have been communicating with is asking $1000, that gives you some basis for comparison.

One thing we hear a lot on here is story after story about folks who saved a bit at the front end, but ended up pouring it all back into the pup in vet bills within the first year of the pup's life--not to mention the PITA to downright heartache--depending on the severity--of dealing with the illnesses.

Again, if lump sum budget is a concern, and you are going to take a risk with health, then rescue dogs are there, ready and waiting for somebody to love them for who they are--and you may or may not luck out on vet bills with them. Rescue is always a gamble, but it's a good charitable act.

All my Dobermans have been, and are now, rescues--and they have been lovely dogs on whom I get tons of compliments. They have done everything from obedience to agility to pet therapy to service work for me, so don't rule out a reputable Doberman rescue as a source for a good companion. Sadly, I did lose one of them to DCM, young, but it's a risk you take.

If you go for a good breeder, just research the bloodlines well, ask for documentation of longevity, causes of death in the pedigree, health testing/titling on the parents, and expect to need to spend about $1500.

Good luck.

 

The Buying a Doberman Pinscher Guideline is now located here
Buying A Doberman Pinscher

I'll try to get it corrected in the sticky area. BTW, I have noted that it needs updating and will work on it, but it's still a very good resource.

 

Glad you are checking before jumping. Please go to the DPCA breeder referral program and you can find breeders in your area. Usually DPCA members show or work their dogs to assure conformation and temperament. A BYB just LOVES tou heir dogs and they are great couch potatoes.

You might pay more up front but should not have major problems from someone who trials, shows and health test their dogs. This is BYB at its best - NO one would let any puppy got at 6 weeks. Every book your read recommends 7 at the least. Mine leave at 10 weeks after ears are healed and posted.

 

Everything about that site screams BYB .... you could do much better ...and shipping a puppy off at 6 weeks and calling it well socialized is another joke... just crazy in my opinion.