Doberman becoming "extinct?"

DD4MSpock

DD4MSpock

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See the above. I do agree that "inbreading" might become an issue. But I'm curious as to your thoughts. Is this truly a concern for us? And why does it not happen as much for other breeds? I have come to respect this guy's videos on dobermans so it it's why I gave it my attention.

Thoughts?
 
When you look at some sire's 'progeny' there is quite a list! I don't know what the answer is, but I have lost my fair share of dobermans to DCM and cancer :thumbsdown: I don't agree with the food thing, although I try and feed my dogs the healthiest I can afford...I have a friend that only fed raw, and she still lost a doberman at 7 years old to DCM - I have another friend who fed Ol' Roy the dogs whole life, and bar food and the dobe lived until 13 1/2. The illness remains a mystery. I titer and don't over vaccinate and just do the best that I can...loving them each and every day:love:
 
@GennyB posted this one yesterday too and we really need to diversify the lines as much as we can without going for the "pretty only" look from the same sires over and over if it means compromising the health.
 
This is the reason that I am a bit fearful of giving myself to a purebred Doberman. I do think there are enough thoughtful breeders in many countries who are working hard to overcome the problems but it will take a long time and meantime we run the gauntlet with each dog.
However there is a need for caring homes for surrendered Dobes so it's a gauntlet I'll willingly run!
 
jazzies mum said:
However there is a need for caring homes for surrendered Dobes so it's a gauntlet I'll willingly run!
Click to expand...
That is exactly right and they all deserve a loving home after being tossed to the side. It could turn into heartbreak for us, but they will always give us their best and it could turn into many years of love and companionship.
 
jazzies mum said:
This is the reason that I am a bit fearful of giving myself to a purebred Doberman. I do think there are enough thoughtful breeders in many countries who are working hard to overcome the problems but it will take a long time and meantime we run the gauntlet with each dog.
However there is a need for caring homes for surrendered Dobes so it's a gauntlet I'll willingly run!
Click to expand...
I like the idea of fostering, where your long experience in and love for the breed could rehab a young dog. I'm also very wary and doing homework on next big dog as thats about all I have in me...it will have to something smaller after that...
 
There is a movement in Australia towards intelligent outcrossing of Dobermans. Called D.R.O.C., Doberman Rescue Outcross Collective, and they are breeding for health and temperament. Using mostly Rottweilers and German shepherds. Droc is based in Europe but breeders here are making their own group. Interesting!
 
Very interesting, thanks @jazzies mum I like noodling over this kind of thing...and BS about it here without gate keeping by purists...

Just an OBTW when I entered DROC into Brave search I got a lot of other stuff, then tried Doberman Outcross Collective and got stuff from ten years ago, plus the familiar doberman preservation project (DPP)
cavalier outcrosses, etc...

Other Projects - Cavalier Improvement Project

cavalierimprovement.com cavalierimprovement.com

My inner child with ADD loves the rabbit hole of the innertoobs, in dogs especially-
It is quite varied yet I see the same topics get covered over and over and in different breeds, seems like every decade or so...

Here is a good one from DCF talking about Dalmations, and why not so simple in dobes...
Dasz88

Thread 'DCM and the future of the breed'

Hi all,

I had a friend just have to out her dobie down for heart failure-- it came on so sudden. He is only 8 years old. She did everything right, bought from a very reputable breeder, and as far as i know, he was just a ticking time bomb. This is a bit of a rant, but it makes me sick that the DPCA and other guardians of this awesome breed can't get their heads out of their butts and save the breed. Dobermans used to live 12-14 (or even 15) years regularly. Now we have to celebrate when one lives until 10? And that's just normal? It really upsets me.

It takes 2+ years of full time...
  • Appreciation
  • Like

I imagine the debates in Germany over the breed standard...Herr Greunig et al.

Last time I looked at DPP it was on hiatus, breeding to resume late 2025/early 2026...
www.dobermanpreservationproject.com

Progress

When the Doberman Preservation Project was launched in 2018 its objectives were based on sound genetic diversity principles, but an outcross program had never before had access to commercially...
www.dobermanpreservationproject.com
But now its saying discontinued, but progress left up for others to review.

IMG_9995.webp
Here is something I'd never seen before: archives of dobe pics...

ADPEF – American Doberman Pinscher Educational Foundation

adpef.org adpef.org
 
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I'm sorry. It's Doberman Reset Outcross collective and not rescue. My mistake. It took a bit of finding and I managed to find a FB group but it is based in Europe. I love the idea of getting some good genetics back into Dobermans but here in Australia I think they are starting their own initiative. I'll try to find out more and if anyone is crossing with Ridgebacks I might actually brave a pup!
 
I like the Ridgeback cross idea, and look forward to anything you find on FB in the EU or elsewhere in AUS.

Other than other dobes thats the breed BYB Bonnie seems to be most friendly/attracted to on meeting on trails, beaches. Its like they recognize one another somehow.

We had a rescue ridgey/retriever cross 30 years ago, very smart, clever, stubborn but loving. Did a lot of research and note they are a mix of a lot of what went into dobes, from the Boers who brought their hunting and guard dogs with them to Africa, then crossed with the native khoi khoi village dogs, wanting to bring in the hybrid advantage of heat tolerance, disease resistance, the euro dogs lacked, and the courage, good with family and animals, ability to work in packs to defend against lions.

A lot of similarity in dobes as functional dogs, both in form and behavior/temperament.

A good choice for anywhere warm.
Bringing in hybrid vigor and adapted to climate from dingos cross is a similar idea, as in "red dogs."

Famous movie of same name...
 
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Watching "Red Dog" made me cry as it's based on a true story.
There are actually Kelpie X Dobes that come up from accidental breedings fairly often but it's not a cross I like. Kelpies are high energy intelligent working dogs with a more frenetic work ethic than a border collie so add that excitable temperament to a Dobe and it could get messy.
 
There's a group on FB I've joined called Doberman Outcross. I don't think it's very active and based in Switzerland I think but it's interesting to read the back posts. What I don't see there is the generational development back to Dobe type. 🤔
 
Yeah, I think the Gordon Setter cross is a bit weird. Hovawart is an interesting choice and probably a good one. My husband's family in Germany have had hovawarts and they are nice dogs--stable, protective, similar to a doberman temperament. I had to look up the other 2 breeds. The "short-haired German stopper" is the same as a GSP--wouldn't be my choice either for a cross. Nor would the lapphund. Honestly the best cross I've seen that was initially done w/ the doberman disappearing project was the labrador. And TNFisher who is a member here has a doberman/labrador cross that is just about perfect! His dog has a doberman body type AND personality, slightly heavier coat I think, but loves the water. She is solid black w/ just faint rust markings when she's in the sun.

But then again, labs also have cardiomyopathy in the breed, and this report does say these breeds have been chosen due to their low incidence of genetic heart issues. This could be a very interesting experiment.
 
I'm thrilled with the idea. You have to remember that the first few generations will not look like Dobermans but with proper breed-backs they can easily get the look back in a few short years.

As a side note, I saw some replies on one page and every.single.one. was negative. Talking about mutts and doodles and adding disease that the Dobe never had. They don't have a clue how genetics work, but thats the voice of the DPCA people... and why the Doberman will not see progress in health here.
 
I believe this is what is currently being done in Australia. Here they seem to be using Rottweilers and German Shepherds that are chosen for soundness, free from genetic disease and stable temperament. I wish I was a lot younger as I could really get on board with this.
Some pups from these matings are available at times and I was impressed with the obvious care taken to choose good foundation dogs.Screenshot_20260530-211147.webpScreenshot_20260530-211245.webp
 
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