Doberman breeder

[Canuck]

Can anyone with knowledge or experience with a Doberman breeder please suggest one for us? We are interested in one with a European pedigree.

I've searched online but it is hard to tell a reputable breeder from a bad one online.

We reside in Canada but the breeder does not need to be from Canada as I'm sure most breeders will ship across borders.

Thanks in advance

 

[SizzleDog]

Sure, I'll help in any way I can!

First though, a few questions.

1. What part of Canada are you in? While some breeders ship, many do not - especially to first-time Doberman owners. It does seem that fewer and fewer breeders are willing to ship, including my mentor/co-breeder. We have sold several puppies to Canada but have required the buyers to make the trip down.

2. What do you like about the European-bred dogs? (There are several types, so it would be helpful to know what "European" characteristics appeal to you.)

3. Are you willing to pay $2000-$2500 for a dog?

 

[Canuck]

Sure, I'll help in any way I can!

First though, a few questions.

1. What part of Canada are you in? While some breeders ship, many do not - especially to first-time Doberman owners. It does seem that fewer and fewer breeders are willing to ship, including my mentor/co-breeder. We have sold several puppies to Canada but have required the buyers to make the trip down. I am from British Columbia, I've noticed several breeders here who's pedigree comes from Altobello in Europe. The Altobello dogs look great but I've heard that they are a commercial breeder out to make money

2. What do you like about the European-bred dogs? (There are several types, so it would be helpful to know what "European" characteristics appeal to you.) Primarily I like the size, gait, posture, and health of the Euro dobes. Correct me if I'm wrong but the American dobes were bred for show and are smaller and leaner than their European counterparts

3. Are you willing to pay $2000-$2500 for a dog?

Yes I definitely would as that's the range we are looking at. We found several breeders under $1,000 but they are not registered and we are not interested in that.

Thanks for your time Sizzle, my answers are above.

 

[noodlerubyallie]

Dobermans as a whole share a host of health problems, no matter the origin of their pedigree. Typically, Euro and American are the same size, although the Euro dobes I've seen are actually shorter at the withers.

Pictures are deceiving; any Dobe being shown is typically being shown heavy, as well, to make them look more imposing.

There are a few in Canada that have imports; Di Ravallese is one, I believe, and Dobereich.

 

[SizzleDog]

I am from British Columbia, I've noticed several breeders here who's pedigree comes from Altobello in Europe. The Altobello dogs look great but I've heard that they are a commercial breeder out to make money

In BC, I'd recommend looking at Braebrook and Holmrun. I have a fair bit of experience with the Holmrun dogs, and they're fantastic.

European dobes are no more healthy than their North American counterparts, and on the whole I see more health testing being done by North American breeders. Altobello is a European commercial breeder and show kennel, and you can be sure that they're not sending their best dogs to North America. They have a bad reputation, and you're wise to avoid them.

Primarily I like the size, gait, posture, and health of the Euro dobes. Correct me if I'm wrong but the American dobes were bred for show and are smaller and leaner than their European counterparts

Actually, the European dogs you're attracted to are the ones that have been bred for show. European show dobes do tend to be coarser, but when we're talking sheer size... I've seen plenty of North American dobes that are quite large. I myself own a male who is just shy of 30" at the shoulder. It is largely a myth that European dobes are larger, and people seem to forget that Dobermans are supposed to be a medium sized breed. My smallest Doberman of either gender was part European. There are fine and coarse examples on both sides of the pond. In this breed, bigger/coarser isn't better.

Here's a photo of my part-Euro male. He was barely 26" at the shoulder. Granted, the European part of his pedigree was made up of fast little sport dogs, not heavy clunky show dogs.

And here is my 100% American-bred male, the 30" tall one I mentioned above. His brother Rocket is equally as large and is easily a 90-95lb dog at peak condition. My little part-Euro boy was dwarfed by Jayne and Rocket.

lIMG_6418 by sizzzle_dog, on Flickr

Again I caution - in this breed, don't get hung up on size. Temperament and health are what you need to focus on.