Each year we only produce a limited number of puppies, but we are not here to sell you a puppy.
We are here to help you learn about the breed, answer your questions and provide you with support. Knowing that not everyone who contacts us can get one of our puppies, we have created a list of questions you need to ask your potential Doberman breeder.
Just remember - this is your puppy, your investment, your new family member. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions. A good breeder will appreciate your interest and respect your concerns.
We are here to help you learn about the breed, answer your questions and provide you with support. Knowing that not everyone who contacts us can get one of our puppies, we have created a list of questions you need to ask your potential Doberman breeder.
Just remember - this is your puppy, your investment, your new family member. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions. A good breeder will appreciate your interest and respect your concerns.
Are your puppies AKC registered?
The American Kennel Club is the only registration club that traces the albino gene in Dobies. This is very important because you do NOT want to purchase a z-factored Doberman -ever. (Please see the Do NOT Buy This Puppy page.) CKC (Continental Kennel Club) and unregistered puppies could be z-factored and you would have no way of knowing this. Being z-factored does not mean the dogs are not full-blooded.
Are your Dobermans z-factored?
Ask. Whatever you do, do not be afraid to ask this question. Better yet, have the breeder read the first four letters/numbers of the registration to you over the phone before you go to visit. You are not going to steal the pup’s identity with only four of the registration numbers. If they do not have their registration numbers yet, have them read the numbers for both the dam and sire. If they don’t have these numbers on hand, chances are they know what you are looking for and want you to “see” the pup, fall in love and not care about this serious breeding fault. Have the breeder clearly state the first two letters on the registration. An AKC registration that says WP or WS is okay. If it says WZ – Do NOT buy this puppy.
Ask to see pedigrees.
You might not know what you are looking at (besides the fact that you do not want a “z” in the registration number), but look for champion titles and other signs that this is a quality Doberman. Also feel free to have the breeder explain the papers to you. A hesitant breeder is not one I would want to do business with. Normally this won’t be an issue though because they will want to “showoff” their amazing Dobies.
Ask to see the health records of the parents.
Don’t just ask for the special testing records, see if the dogs have been to a vet lately. Are they up-to-date on all their shots? I know some breeders give their dogs their own shots, but you should ask for the number of their vet to talk with the vet about the last time the dogs had received a clean bill of health. Someone who has been a vet tech breeding dogs may try to do everything themselves, but a healthy check-up is good business. A vet will see things the owner may not be looking for.
What are the congenital defects in this breed?
The breeder who says "none" or "I don't know" is to be avoided. That's a person who's not screening for what he/she does not know about, and you don't want to pay the price for this kind of inexperience or lack of education.
How old are the parents?
This isn’t a deal breaker, but you really want the parents in their prime. Not too young, because the breeder won’t know what health issues may arise later (unless this is a pup from a first generation of breeding.)
How many litters has the female had?
If the female is 4-years-old and she has had seven litters she is being over-bred. That means every time the dog goes into heat she is having puppies and you may be dealing with a breeder who cares more about having another litter before the dam is healthy enough to have another litter. This isn't a deal breaker - we have had an "accident" before - but be aware of the issue. Over-breeding means the pups might not be getting the proper nutrients or the Dobie could be depleting the nutrients she needs. If the breeder takes a long time to figure out how many pups the Dobie has had, this should raise a flag. You want a breeder who is invested in the well-being of each litter.
Do you keep your dogs inside, outside, or in a kennel?
Outside dogs are not interacting with their owners, they are not being properly socialized and they face greater health risks from mosquitoes, insects, etc. that may carry diseases. Dehydration, lack of exercise, unclean conditions, and extreme temperatures are things you should look for – just like it would be for person living in these conditions - these things can factor into the overall health of a puppy or the parents that will produce a puppy. Another important aspect of where a Dobie is kept is that companionship is vital to a dog's emotional well-being – and a well-rounded Doberman will raise pups with better temperaments. Personality traits and social skills of your Dobie form from the very first stages of life – from snuggling with his/her dam, wrestling with his/her litter mates, or by being handled by a breeder each day. If the parents of pups are kept in a separate area these experiences are denied.
Can I see where the parents are housed and sleep?
You want to look for cleanliness and overall conditions. Is it a place that is scratched or overused up by a bored Dobie wasting away it's life in nothing more than a cage or small backyard? Do the dogs have toys, a comfy bed? Or are they being kept like "livestock" and only appreciated for their breeding potential?
Is this the only breed you raise?
This question helps you determine the investment the breeder has made to the Doberman breed. There are “dog” breeders and then there are Doberman breeders. This will also indicate the size of the breeding program. If a breeder is breeding two or three different breeds you can bet there are different needs from each breed that will divide the breeders time.
May I see the parents?
This is a very important request. If the sire or dam is housed somewhere else, you will want to make arrangements to have the dog present when you visit or to be able to go where the other Dobie is housed. If this can’t be arranged, look somewhere else for a Dobie. The only exception to this rule is if you are buying a high-end champion pup and the female was artificially inseminated. THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN INSPECTING THE PARENTS- You want to look at the Dobie’s teeth (22 in the lower jaw and 20 in the upper jaw - four or more missing teeth is a fault.), their ears should be clean and not have an odor, coat should be shiny, and make sure the nails are clean, short and not broken. The Dobie should let you handle them with no problems, but if you are uneasy about opening a mouth to count teeth, ask the breeder to show you these areas of the dog.
Pay attention to temperament:
This is one of the most important things to look for in the parents and the pups. Dobies should act proud, noble, be energetic, be watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. If the parents or pups display shyness, fearfulness, inappropriate aggression, avoidance or cowering do not buy a puppy. Shy or fearful Dobies will be prone to biting. They can also be easily stressed by things in their environment and unpredictable or dangerous. You are not going to be able to fix these dogs - temperament is genetic.
The following are standard traits to the Doberman temperament and should be easily observed:
· Fearless-to confront the unknown with a confident stable attitude. No fear present, but keep in mind that aloofness is not fear. Panic and flight is fear. In most cases when a dog raises its hackles, it is a sign of fear and the body language says, "keep away" not that they will tuck their tail and run.
· Loyal-faithful allegiance to its master. The desire to give 100% without question and remain steadfast in deference and support of the master’s needs.
· Has a positive attitude towards the handler and a strong willingness to please.
What does any health guarantee being offered cover or include?
First - make sure to read the contract. Too often breeders offer a 3-year health guarantee that carries no promises, does nothing to protect the puppy or dog being purchased and is just a piece of paper. Don’t be fooled. Chances are almost 100 percent in the favor of a 3-year lifespan of any Doberman – even a sick one. All this guarantee does is make the breeder appear to have a personal investment in the pups – and sometimes it is a scam. Unfortunately, some breeders use this contract as an opportunity to make more money by making you buy a supplement or special dog food using their personal id to purchase the food. These "supplements" are required to keep a guarantee valid, but the breeder is getting a percentage of this sale. Yeah - they are having you buy a snake oil. Always check with a veterinarian about any supplements you give your Dobie.
Can I contact current owners of your puppies?
Then make sure you CONTACT them. Ask other buyers if the breeder was fair, if they are happy with their pups, how did they find the breeder (if it is a family member or relative of a friend, you might want another reference), and ask if they would recommend the breeder. Have they had any problems with their puppy or in the dealings with the breeder? Would they do anything differently?
How do you socialize your puppies?
The pups should be handled from birth and exposed to different sounds and environments until they go home. If the breeder says I socialize the puppies "in my home" this is the best answer you can get. But be careful. Keeping them in a back room or basement away from daily interactions is not socialization. Some breeders will set up an area inside their home that is nothing more than a "show pen" so they can tell people the pups are raised underfoot. Look closely and evaluate what you see or don't see. You want a puppy who knows what the dishwasher sounds like, whom you don't have to peel off the ceiling when a pan drops, who has set a paw on linoleum, carpet and tile. Your pup also needs to be socialized away from the security of their pack. Are the pups familiar with a crate before they go home with owners? Will the puppies have any house training before they go home with the new owners?
Do your dogs interact with kids or other animals?
This is another important element of socialization. The more a Dobie is exposed to, the better they become at assessing what is a threat and how to react to a situation. The most important lessons are learned by puppies through the experiences of the world around them. Being exposed to a variety of experiences creates a well-rounded Doberman. According to the American Kennel Club, studies show that the puppy’s first three months of life will strongly influence what kind of companion the pup will grow into and how he/she will react to the world. Early socialization – or the lack of it- is a vital determinate of a dog’s lifelong behaviors.
Other things to inquire about or to consider:
Are the tails docked, dew claws removed? And if the AKC papers are not in your hand when you walk out the door with your puppy, do not buy the puppy.
The American Kennel Club is the only registration club that traces the albino gene in Dobies. This is very important because you do NOT want to purchase a z-factored Doberman -ever. (Please see the Do NOT Buy This Puppy page.) CKC (Continental Kennel Club) and unregistered puppies could be z-factored and you would have no way of knowing this. Being z-factored does not mean the dogs are not full-blooded.
Are your Dobermans z-factored?
Ask. Whatever you do, do not be afraid to ask this question. Better yet, have the breeder read the first four letters/numbers of the registration to you over the phone before you go to visit. You are not going to steal the pup’s identity with only four of the registration numbers. If they do not have their registration numbers yet, have them read the numbers for both the dam and sire. If they don’t have these numbers on hand, chances are they know what you are looking for and want you to “see” the pup, fall in love and not care about this serious breeding fault. Have the breeder clearly state the first two letters on the registration. An AKC registration that says WP or WS is okay. If it says WZ – Do NOT buy this puppy.
Ask to see pedigrees.
You might not know what you are looking at (besides the fact that you do not want a “z” in the registration number), but look for champion titles and other signs that this is a quality Doberman. Also feel free to have the breeder explain the papers to you. A hesitant breeder is not one I would want to do business with. Normally this won’t be an issue though because they will want to “showoff” their amazing Dobies.
Ask to see the health records of the parents.
Don’t just ask for the special testing records, see if the dogs have been to a vet lately. Are they up-to-date on all their shots? I know some breeders give their dogs their own shots, but you should ask for the number of their vet to talk with the vet about the last time the dogs had received a clean bill of health. Someone who has been a vet tech breeding dogs may try to do everything themselves, but a healthy check-up is good business. A vet will see things the owner may not be looking for.
What are the congenital defects in this breed?
The breeder who says "none" or "I don't know" is to be avoided. That's a person who's not screening for what he/she does not know about, and you don't want to pay the price for this kind of inexperience or lack of education.
How old are the parents?
This isn’t a deal breaker, but you really want the parents in their prime. Not too young, because the breeder won’t know what health issues may arise later (unless this is a pup from a first generation of breeding.)
How many litters has the female had?
If the female is 4-years-old and she has had seven litters she is being over-bred. That means every time the dog goes into heat she is having puppies and you may be dealing with a breeder who cares more about having another litter before the dam is healthy enough to have another litter. This isn't a deal breaker - we have had an "accident" before - but be aware of the issue. Over-breeding means the pups might not be getting the proper nutrients or the Dobie could be depleting the nutrients she needs. If the breeder takes a long time to figure out how many pups the Dobie has had, this should raise a flag. You want a breeder who is invested in the well-being of each litter.
Do you keep your dogs inside, outside, or in a kennel?
Outside dogs are not interacting with their owners, they are not being properly socialized and they face greater health risks from mosquitoes, insects, etc. that may carry diseases. Dehydration, lack of exercise, unclean conditions, and extreme temperatures are things you should look for – just like it would be for person living in these conditions - these things can factor into the overall health of a puppy or the parents that will produce a puppy. Another important aspect of where a Dobie is kept is that companionship is vital to a dog's emotional well-being – and a well-rounded Doberman will raise pups with better temperaments. Personality traits and social skills of your Dobie form from the very first stages of life – from snuggling with his/her dam, wrestling with his/her litter mates, or by being handled by a breeder each day. If the parents of pups are kept in a separate area these experiences are denied.
Can I see where the parents are housed and sleep?
You want to look for cleanliness and overall conditions. Is it a place that is scratched or overused up by a bored Dobie wasting away it's life in nothing more than a cage or small backyard? Do the dogs have toys, a comfy bed? Or are they being kept like "livestock" and only appreciated for their breeding potential?
Is this the only breed you raise?
This question helps you determine the investment the breeder has made to the Doberman breed. There are “dog” breeders and then there are Doberman breeders. This will also indicate the size of the breeding program. If a breeder is breeding two or three different breeds you can bet there are different needs from each breed that will divide the breeders time.
May I see the parents?
This is a very important request. If the sire or dam is housed somewhere else, you will want to make arrangements to have the dog present when you visit or to be able to go where the other Dobie is housed. If this can’t be arranged, look somewhere else for a Dobie. The only exception to this rule is if you are buying a high-end champion pup and the female was artificially inseminated. THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN INSPECTING THE PARENTS- You want to look at the Dobie’s teeth (22 in the lower jaw and 20 in the upper jaw - four or more missing teeth is a fault.), their ears should be clean and not have an odor, coat should be shiny, and make sure the nails are clean, short and not broken. The Dobie should let you handle them with no problems, but if you are uneasy about opening a mouth to count teeth, ask the breeder to show you these areas of the dog.
Pay attention to temperament:
This is one of the most important things to look for in the parents and the pups. Dobies should act proud, noble, be energetic, be watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. If the parents or pups display shyness, fearfulness, inappropriate aggression, avoidance or cowering do not buy a puppy. Shy or fearful Dobies will be prone to biting. They can also be easily stressed by things in their environment and unpredictable or dangerous. You are not going to be able to fix these dogs - temperament is genetic.
The following are standard traits to the Doberman temperament and should be easily observed:
· Fearless-to confront the unknown with a confident stable attitude. No fear present, but keep in mind that aloofness is not fear. Panic and flight is fear. In most cases when a dog raises its hackles, it is a sign of fear and the body language says, "keep away" not that they will tuck their tail and run.
· Loyal-faithful allegiance to its master. The desire to give 100% without question and remain steadfast in deference and support of the master’s needs.
· Has a positive attitude towards the handler and a strong willingness to please.
What does any health guarantee being offered cover or include?
First - make sure to read the contract. Too often breeders offer a 3-year health guarantee that carries no promises, does nothing to protect the puppy or dog being purchased and is just a piece of paper. Don’t be fooled. Chances are almost 100 percent in the favor of a 3-year lifespan of any Doberman – even a sick one. All this guarantee does is make the breeder appear to have a personal investment in the pups – and sometimes it is a scam. Unfortunately, some breeders use this contract as an opportunity to make more money by making you buy a supplement or special dog food using their personal id to purchase the food. These "supplements" are required to keep a guarantee valid, but the breeder is getting a percentage of this sale. Yeah - they are having you buy a snake oil. Always check with a veterinarian about any supplements you give your Dobie.
Can I contact current owners of your puppies?
Then make sure you CONTACT them. Ask other buyers if the breeder was fair, if they are happy with their pups, how did they find the breeder (if it is a family member or relative of a friend, you might want another reference), and ask if they would recommend the breeder. Have they had any problems with their puppy or in the dealings with the breeder? Would they do anything differently?
How do you socialize your puppies?
The pups should be handled from birth and exposed to different sounds and environments until they go home. If the breeder says I socialize the puppies "in my home" this is the best answer you can get. But be careful. Keeping them in a back room or basement away from daily interactions is not socialization. Some breeders will set up an area inside their home that is nothing more than a "show pen" so they can tell people the pups are raised underfoot. Look closely and evaluate what you see or don't see. You want a puppy who knows what the dishwasher sounds like, whom you don't have to peel off the ceiling when a pan drops, who has set a paw on linoleum, carpet and tile. Your pup also needs to be socialized away from the security of their pack. Are the pups familiar with a crate before they go home with owners? Will the puppies have any house training before they go home with the new owners?
Do your dogs interact with kids or other animals?
This is another important element of socialization. The more a Dobie is exposed to, the better they become at assessing what is a threat and how to react to a situation. The most important lessons are learned by puppies through the experiences of the world around them. Being exposed to a variety of experiences creates a well-rounded Doberman. According to the American Kennel Club, studies show that the puppy’s first three months of life will strongly influence what kind of companion the pup will grow into and how he/she will react to the world. Early socialization – or the lack of it- is a vital determinate of a dog’s lifelong behaviors.
Other things to inquire about or to consider:
Are the tails docked, dew claws removed? And if the AKC papers are not in your hand when you walk out the door with your puppy, do not buy the puppy.