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Looking For NC/VA/MD/Eastern Shore Breeder

Mearntain

Jr Member
As the title states, I'm trying to locate a reputable breeder in either NC, VA, MD, or on the Eastern Shore. I live in NE North Carolina and am willing to travel a reasonable distance, but do not want to ship a puppy.

I've been having trouble finding someone reputable with quality dogs that I feel trustworthy with. Either I find people I feel comfortable with, only to do more research and find out they are a BYB or have less than par health issues in their genetics. Other issues have been sellers either sending undesirable pedigrees or not wanting to send them electronically, which is an immediate turn off.

I have my reasons and dont feel a need to explain, but I am not interested in a rescue animal. I also dont want an older dog either. I'd like to find a doberman puppy from a reputable breeder who does not want an absurd amount of money (for example one breeder told me $4000). I'm sure their dogs are very nice and worth it, but I cant justify 4 grand. I wouldn't even spend 4 grand on a horse (and yes I know they are worth more than that sometimes).

The younger the better, ideally anything below 14 weeks would be fine with me. I am ok with having to wait a few weeks or couple months to get the dog, but I also am not looking to sit on a waiting list for a year or 2 either.

Any suggestions? Can anyone point me in a good direction? My number 1 reason for wanting a doberman is for a pet/companion with a secondary job of doing some mild farm work while outside with me. I plan on doing some professional training with the dog as well. Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing back.
 
Undesirable pedigrees? Are you looking for a particular line? American lines/Euro lines? Cropped & docked? Health tested parents? Titled parents?

Don't feel bad... when I was looking for a pup, someone I know (not much on a personal level) offered me a nice male pup...outstanding pedigree... $6000. :eek: I passed without a second thought!
 
The undesirable pedigree I was speaking of had the parents of the dam as half siblings. I understand line breeding and in breeding are different, but the half sibling part was sort of a turn off, which led me into looking into how reputable the breeder was to see if they may have had a valid reason for doing so.

Being that almost every dogs name in the pedigree was Hung's ____________, I did a search for Hung's Dobermans which led to a wealth of news articles and forum posts about Hungs Iron Kennels. If you're not familiar with him, a quick google search will easily show you why I was turned away.

I'm not necessarily looking for a particular line, just want to make sure I'm getting a healthy dog from decent genetics, and from someone who is breeding for the betterment of the breed and not just for money. I recently had a dog pass away a few months ago, so maybe I'm just trying to be extra cautious in what I choose.
 
I'm not necessarily looking for a particular line,
I’d start by figuring out if you want a European or an American first. The temperaments are said to be similar but there may be differences in energy levels that might catch you off guard. I have a Euro and we are surrounded by American Dobermans locally and Kaiser is always the crazy one lol. If you’re on a farm that should be an awesome outlet for the energy.
 
I'd say I'm more leaning towards the American, but if I were to come across the right breeder with a nice European line, they certainly wouldn't be out of the question.
 
Unfortunately, 'world famous pedigree/bloodlines' is seen way too often. And then there are some still insisting they have WARLOCK Dobermans. No, they're just oversized. :rolleyes:

I completely agree with you regarding the 1/2 sibling breedings. Not something I would likely be interested in buying or producing.
The boy I bred my girl to... his Great Grandsire is my girl's Grandsire.... that's about as close as it gets!
 
In a nut shell, I guess the best way to put what I'm looking for besides having tails docked and dew claws removed, all I want is a purebred doberman pup that comes from a healthy line of relatives that would make for a good pet, and not dead set on sex, but would prefer female. I love the look of cropped ears, but not sure that's something that I'd be able to do by myself for months to have them done properly, so I'm leaning more towards uncropped ears.
 
I love the look of cropped ears, but not sure that's something that I'd be able to do by myself for months to have them done properly
Most reputable breeders will have them cropped and docked before they come to you. Dobermans from reputable breeders do have a price tag that starts at a minimum of $1500. and goes higher than $3000. but I don't worry about the initial cost if it's a reputable breeder and it's more the cost of a lifetime of care that's going to cost more.
 
I love the look of cropped ears, but not sure that's something that I'd be able to do by myself for months to have them done properly, so I'm leaning more towards uncropped ears.

If that’s what you really want, you could it.
 
$1500 I can handle, and I'm willing to go more as well from the right person. There is a point that Ill reach to where I couldn't "justify" more for, and I'm not sure I've exactly determined what that price point is yet, but I do know that the $4000 I was told by one person was beyond that. If I was looking for a breeder, full time worker, or a show dog, thatd be one thing, but those aren't my goals. And I certainly understand breeders have lots of money invested into their animals and cant lose money. Hoping to be matched with the right person at some point in the near future.
 
If that’s what you really want, you could it.
Are you saying it's something that's not hard to do by yourself? Alot of the videos I've watched always show 2 people and the dog pulling back a bit. I live alone currently so I wouldn't have the second set of hands to help.
 
I am a first time Doberman owner with zero experience posting ears.

I read this site, asked a lot of questions and watched every video I could find. I still screwed it up but after about the eighth time posting, I realized I was learning and getting better; Ragnar was also learning what was expected. So, to be honest, I think everybody screws it up at first- it is a learning experience for both the owner and the pup because each pup is different and it’s a developmental time for the pup. All in all, a great bonding experience too.

I tried the two people approach but that only made it worse to me because he would squirm more and/or my helper (daughters) would position him the wrong way.

The big thing that helped me was getting a grooming arm to hold him into a high sit.

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I am telling you that if I could do it by myself, you definitely can. It will be kinda rough at first but you will get it. Before you know it, you will have her taped and posted within 7mins.

If you ever have any issues or worries....just ask. This crew on this forum is awesome. Somebody is always here to help out.
 
Are you saying it's something that's not hard to do by yourself? Alot of the videos I've watched always show 2 people and the dog pulling back a bit. I live alone currently so I wouldn't have the second set of hands to help.
I have not seen or heard of that. Posting your own Dobe's ears is not hard, and the pup should not resist beyond a bit of squirminess the first couple of times. They get to enjoy the sensation of the ears being handled, and enjoy the personal time.
 
If someone is producing pups with $ being the main purpose or goal, they aren't worth dealing with. As you said, a good breeder will put into their dogs with an educated purchase, health screening, showing or trialing their dogs. If all they have is a female, homework on a stud, stud fee, travel. Prenatal care (should include being prepared for emergency c-section), ultrasound, x-ray, puppy tails & dew claws, first 2 sets of shots, ear crop (some are upward of $650/pup, even if you bring them an entire litter). 2-4-6-8 wk dewormings.... plus A LOT more.

Even the best of breedings produce pet/companion pups, but you know it was a well thought out breeding (not just 2 dogs with the right plumbing thrown together).
 
I would say don't limit yourself to an area. Find the right dog and make the drive. I drove from Chicago to Long Island NY to pick up my now 15 month old boy.

Most reputable breeders will have them cropped and docked before they come to you
If the buyer wants it done. More and more breeders are allowing the buyer the option.
 
If the buyer wants it done. More and more breeders are allowing the buyer the option.

If a breeder is breeding for potential show pups, they won't know at 3 days of age who to dock and who not to. I can kind of understand the ears, because by 8 wks, they should know who will go to a pet/companion home.
 
Are you saying it's something that's not hard to do by yourself? Alot of the videos I've watched always show 2 people and the dog pulling back a bit. I live alone currently so I wouldn't have the second set of hands to help.
I have a 14 week old and have posted her up twice without help now. The first couple times I needed my husbands help because she wouldn't sit still and then after that just needed his help holding her ears while I taped. You can see my thread in the puppy section. I posted her by myself a few days ago and today without help. Today she basically slept through it except for an occasional groan. I just wait until she's tired to post and do her nails. I'm starting to get the hang of it so it is quick and already so much easier. Only you know what would be best for you but don't be discouraged because it can be done.

I'm in Leesburg, VA and got my puppy in Gloucester VA. I don't know that my breeder has any future plans for another litter but I can tell you that my dog has been line breed so I wouldn't be able to recommend her to you anyway. Good luck in your search!
 
If a breeder is breeding for potential show pups, they won't know at 3 days of age who to dock and who not to. I can kind of understand the ears, because by 8 wks, they should know who will go to a pet/companion home.


I think it's more common in working lines and what @Drogon is referring to. Owners want to compete internationally and only natural dogs can compete in some other countries.
 

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