I am sorry you are having such a hard time.eace Along with the failure to mention anything about a contract or conditions of buying a puppy kind of leads me to wonder if they are: *just selling a puppy for a big price tag with little to no consideration of it truly being a show propect; *they have no interest in the puppies future in regard to breeding or resale etc.. *there may be a capitalization of people's naivety and potential tunnel vision to have a puppy from a 'big name' breeder.
Either way, it makes me wonder what is going on there? Do these folks truly care about providing potential owners and puppies with the best fit and therefore the best chance of have a happy and successful future? Or are some individuals perhaps a little too tired and maybe even jaded about the whole breeding - puppy person thing to really care?
I don't know who you have been talking to - but I think some breeders might get lots of interest, have lots of contacts from individuals, and then those people might not always follow though. So maybe they don't take an hour or so to talk to every person like it is a for real deal? I just am not sure. I am pretty sure most breeders of standard quality Dobes do have a screening process in place.
So until you actually meet the breeders, talk to them in person or lots on the phone or e-mails and so forth you might not know the entire process of them selling a puppy from just surface level. Networking comes in handy here, knowing people with certain dogs from breeders, going to lots of shows, talking to Dobe people, Doberman e-mail lists, etc.
And from what I understand contracts are only worth the paper they are written on and the people the contracts are between. I know someone will correct me if I am wrong but even with both parties living the US - contracts can sometimes be very time consuming and hard to enforce even in the States - much less different countries.
The price thing - that is a lot of money for a young baby puppy. Personally, I think you could find a quality Dobe puppy, a solid show prospect for less from a well trusted breeder like the others have said. If they are selling Dobes for that much, someone is willing to pay that, but some aren't. I believe that is a personal thing between you and that breeder. However, most prices for show prospects are 1,500-2,500 in the US. I know there are lots of variables and lots of different numbers.
Good luck on your search. I know you probably know all of this and I know you have been searching a very long time. I am ready to see some puppy pictures from you!!!
