A dog from a good breeder will come with its first shots, and its ears cropped for 1,500-2,000, along with coming from proven quality and health tested parents. Also, you have better odds of getting a dog with a good temperament since they come from a ethical breeder who only breeds the best, and the parents have gone through lots of training and being in all kinds of environments from getting their titles.I have looked at them, and really liked what I saw... and although I understand that breeding, raising, health testing, and taking care of a litter of puppies is not cheap, I cannot justify paying $2000 (or more) for a dog that I am going to alter and never breed, especially in cases where they do not come docked or with any vet care. I paid less than that for my first car... I have been doing research on the breed and what to expect when buying, and I know that there are health tested, pet quality dobermans for less than that... Money is not a problem, I just cannot personally imagine spending that much on an altered animal. We are not looking to spend more than $1500, and I am more than confident we will be able to find a good breeder at this cost or less (through speaking with other happy doberman owners)
I totally get not wanting to drop 1500-2000 on a well bred puppy. In that case, why not rescue? Rescues have young puppies on a regular basis from terrible people who dump them. A rescue puppy will have the same breeding behind it as a BYB puppy so instead of lining the pocket of a greeder who abuses the uterus of their poor bitches, give a second chance to a pup from a local rescue.The two dogs that inspired me to bring a doberman into my home were 2 HUGE male dobermans my mother rescued when I was a child... I would love to rescure a dog in need. But i have a growing family, and I am a strong believer in starting socializing from a young age. I want to be able to make sure my dog is able to handle every situation he may be exposed to in my life... and so we have decided that a young puppy would be best for us. I am sure that once we have the one, there will be more to come, and perhaps then, a rescue dog would be our best bet.
Agreed. I was speaking specifically to puppies. Most are breeder dumps that didn't sell quick enough.Not to mention that not all dobies in rescue were dumped for behavioral issues or any issues at all. Sometimes things happen and the owner can't keep the dog (death, deployment, loss of a job, new spouse or kid with allergies) and so a great dog will end up needing a new home.
Bears repeating.I totally get not wanting to drop 1500-2000 on a well bred puppy. In that case, why not rescue? Rescues have young puppies on a regular basis from terrible people who dump them. A rescue puppy will have the same breeding behind it as a BYB puppy so instead of lining the pocket of a greeder who abuses the uterus of their poor bitches, give a second chance to a pup from a local rescue.
Don't think there are puppies?? There ARE! Sometimes you may have to wait a month or two, but it is far better than to support BYB practices.
Due respect, your post demonstrates just how much more research is needed, for you to make a fully-informed and ethical consumer decision.The male she is breeding with is not her dog, and has been totally health tested. The bitch she is breeding with this year will be the first time she has had a litter... and she has been tested and cleared for everything except OFA...which is being done in June before she is bred. I am not overly concerned with having champions in the bloodlines, though the father does. And from what I understand, many of the puppies she has had in the past ARE titled and compete in many different arenas.
Does that sound better... her website has not been updated in a VERY long time...
Holy Cr*p!! If that picture of a dog behind a wire fence does not scream BYBER, I don't know what would!!!!! Makes me want to cry.Do you know the registered names of the sire and dam? How old are they?
You said the dogs have been tested and cleared for everything. Did she tell you "everything" or did you ask specifically about all the tests you know of?
@Fitzmar: Here's a link to the advertising picture posted for the sire of the last litter.
Rufus