Doberman Cross Breeding Project

The easiest way to explain this is that the DNA is like a barcode. No matter how all those barcodes look, each one represents a different item. Once the Doberman became its own breed and they closed the book on other breeds, they got their own defining "bar code". The barcode of the Beauceron is different. Embark through it's DNA magic can see these differences and also magically tell you if it's a mix and what breeds and approximate percentages.

Here is another useful explanation, for me at least:
 
Me too, @Ddski5 in re: "i haz questions?"
and 🙌 good idea to start a new thread dedicated to this project.

I too am very interested to learn "what exactly are they targeting as a trait, as a specific improvement to bring to the dobe breed?"

And how? What tools and methodology?
Genetics vs genomics?

I'm assuming there is something that speaks to health, specifically DCM, given how much attention its garnered over the years.

Comparing this FKC "Fix the Dobes" Plan to the now terminated DDP (that frankly to me looked like another attempt to justify hypertrope Bandoggery...🧐)

And other debates (remember the squawking and clucking at the youtuber interview of Dr Sophie Liu on the Wade study) ...?

Speaking for myself here is a legit effort that at least allows this weird old fart in the peanut gallery to discuss ideas openly without the gatekeeping typical in purist show circles to shutdown the very mention of the elephant in the room.

One thing I find fascinating in tribal politics is how the various groups see themselves. Look up "suomi" as the key point of pride for the Finns national identity.

Its like the honey badger memes...on teh innertoobs.
I am about to get a Dobie puppy and my breeder is fanatical about genetics. Her research indicates that the goal is not specific new "traits" in and of themselves, but pretty much entirely around strengthening and broadening the genetic diversity of the Doberman breed before inbreeding makes it extinct. Breeder told me that the plan is to crossbreed in those other breeds and then breed them back out over some number of generations while hanging onto the added gene diversity (probably a few years of work I am guessing). No plans to change the breed in any material way aside from more genetic diversity. o time will tell but with some genetic studies in my background (waaay back), I find it hard to believe it won't have some impact on the breed that will be hard to predict. But man plans and God laughs. I suspect that I am not telling anyone anything new when I mention that the breed as a whole has one of the the highest COI's of mainstream breeds at about 42% with only a few near or above like 26% for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and as much as 37% for Polish Hounds, 58% for Bull Terriers, around 45% for some Collies (and who the heck has heard of a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever??), and the outlier is the Lundehund at almost 80%. The next well known mainstream breed with a "high" COI is the Great Dane with an average of about 9% (my last guy was a big ol' goofy GD, absent friends... 😢🥰). I found a study that said there are an estimated 70 (high risk) to 235 (long term risk) effectively unrelated genetic templates of the Doberman breed. My coming pup comes from a relatively estimated COI litter at 22%, so I am hopeful that he will be a long laster with fewer problems but will love him regardless.
 
@BGpa Those are all good reads and pretty easy to read. Sometimes my head explodes after too much science-speak!
I know, its pretty deep for me.

I'm struggling to understand half of thst Embark link you sent, as it is!

The practical challenge, after is in the application- "what do the best breeders use, and how do I understand the use of the tools well enough to ask questions and rank breeders by answers.?"

Along with the rest of the criteria for choosing a breeder, the dogs parents/grandparents performance in shows, trials, and health and longevity, and my own research on lines (as you have suggested should go five deep).

So far the DPCA's "how to choose a breeder" the DPCA, and UDC referral lists and the names here and other sources by replies, that I've collated are my starting checklist.

@Rits and a couple others have been very helpful in putting things in context and thanks to you all here who have given so many tips as well.

I've definitely got more reading ahead on the genetics.
 
I am about to get a Dobie puppy and my breeder is fanatical about genetics. Her research indicates that the goal is not specific new "traits" in and of themselves, but pretty much entirely around strengthening and broadening the genetic diversity of the Doberman breed before inbreeding makes it extinct. Breeder told me that the plan is to crossbreed in those other breeds and then breed them back out over some number of generations while hanging onto the added gene diversity (probably a few years of work I am guessing). No plans to change the breed in any material way aside from more genetic diversity. o time will tell but with some genetic studies in my background (waaay back), I find it hard to believe it won't have some impact on the breed that will be hard to predict. But man plans and God laughs. I suspect that I am not telling anyone anything new when I mention that the breed as a whole has one of the the highest COI's of mainstream breeds at about 42% with only a few near or above like 26% for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and as much as 37% for Polish Hounds, 58% for Bull Terriers, around 45% for some Collies (and who the heck has heard of a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever??), and the outlier is the Lundehund at almost 80%. The next well known mainstream breed with a "high" COI is the Great Dane with an average of about 9% (my last guy was a big ol' goofy GD, absent friends... 😢🥰). I found a study that said there are an estimated 70 (high risk) to 235 (long term risk) effectively unrelated genetic templates of the Doberman breed. My coming pup comes from a relatively estimated COI litter at 22%, so I am hopeful that he will be a long laster with fewer problems but will love him regardless.
@web_creator Welcome!
Would love to see pics of pup when you can and learn more of your progress.

Do you happen to have a link to share for those studies you cited? Thanks!
 
@web_creator Welcome!
Would love to see pics of pup when you can and learn more of your progress.

Do you happen to have a link to share for those studies you cited? Thanks!
Happy to help. <<Wade, C.M., Nuttall, R., & Liu, S. (2023). Comprehensive analysis of geographic and breed-purpose influences on genetic diversity and inherited disease risk in the Doberman dog breed. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 10(1): 1–17.>> Comprehensive analysis of geographic and breed-purpose influences on genetic diversity and inherited disease risk in the Doberman dog breed - PMC

A little from the Finnish Kennel club - Cross breeding

Following is one that shows a significant list of breeds and COI's. And while we are geeking out on alla this, the high numbers (and apparently more accurate ones but who knows who will wax religious on this) are genomic inbreeding (F_ROH), measured from actual homozygosity runs on the genome compared to Pedigree-based COI's, which only capture inbreeding accumulated from the pedigree horizon and miss the deep breed-founder bottleneck. But if you want to see the really ugly numbers, then: Actual Inbreeding of Purebred Dog Breeds

And now for a few pictures and happy to share going forward. I am new to this forum and you are a heavy poster and responder in many areas of my interest, so I might take the liberty of pinging on occasion :). The pics are from one day and about four weeks. The nine week pic is the current profile pic...

~~Jim
 

Attachments

  • Digger - Four Weeks Old.webp
    Digger - Four Weeks Old.webp
    360.6 KB · Views: 1
  • Digger - One Day Old.webp
    Digger - One Day Old.webp
    76.9 KB · Views: 1
Happy to help. <<Wade, C.M., Nuttall, R., & Liu, S. (2023). Comprehensive analysis of geographic and breed-purpose influences on genetic diversity and inherited disease risk in the Doberman dog breed. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 10(1): 1–17.>> Comprehensive analysis of geographic and breed-purpose influences on genetic diversity and inherited disease risk in the Doberman dog breed - PMC

A little from the Finnish Kennel club - Cross breeding

Following is one that shows a significant list of breeds and COI's. And while we are geeking out on alla this, the high numbers (and apparently more accurate ones but who knows who will wax religious on this) are genomic inbreeding (F_ROH), measured from actual homozygosity runs on the genome compared to Pedigree-based COI's, which only capture inbreeding accumulated from the pedigree horizon and miss the deep breed-founder bottleneck. But if you want to see the really ugly numbers, then: Actual Inbreeding of Purebred Dog Breeds

And now for a few pictures and happy to share going forward. I am new to this forum and you are a heavy poster and responder in many areas of my interest, so I might take the liberty of pinging on occasion :). The pics are from one day and about four weeks. The nine week pic is the current profile pic...

~~Jim
All good stuff thanks esp for the "red dawn" link. The Wade, Nuttal, Liu study is especially usedul and set some heads spinning like the Exorcist "redrum!"
when dobertoober guy interviewed Dr Liu, but the facts are the facts.
I try to follow smart people and if you google Dr Liu its very interesting, what she is up to, too.
Like to hear more from you and as you notice some of this is of recent interest- lots of VERY dobe smart folk here (imma just two byb dobe noob myself) so I try to pick brains to learn more.

Must restrain myself from geeking out at times. 🤡 So apologies in advance and @JanS will advise if AITA here (like in reddit speke...btw another good source for dobe stuff but not as searchable as archives here- a gold mine.)
So applogies if I overpost!
 
Last edited:
All good stuff thanks esp for the "red dawn" link. The Wade, Nuttal, Liu study is especially usedul and set some heads spinning like the Exorcist "redrum!"
when dobertoober guy interviewed Dr Liu, but the facts are the facts.
I try to follow smart people and if you google Dr Liu its very interesting, what she is up to, too.
Like to hear more from you and as you notice some of this is of recent interest- lots of VERY dobe smart folk here (imma just two byb dobe noob myself) so I try to pick brains to learn more.

Must restrain myself from geeking out at times. 🤡 So apologies in advance and @JanS will advise if AITA here (like in reddit speke...btw another good source for dobe stuff but not as searchable as archives here- a gold mine.)
So applogies if I overpost!
I thought the retired thing would give me more time but now wonder how I ever had time to work??? But it will give me time to protection train my new pup (assuming he continues to grow and successfully gets through ongoing assessments over time, so far so good). What a great way to engage with my dog! I am pretty sure I have nailed down a trainer to help me (former trainer in the military and discussions have demonstrated a very good guy). Now I just gotta get the pup, nine days away... :thumbsup:

Thanks to all!
 
I thought the retired thing would give me more time but now wonder how I ever had time to work?
I think most of us asked ourselves that question. I see a rare few asking if we get bored but that's a hard no.
We got both of these current dogs shortly after I retired and it does give you more one on one time with them but we did need to make sure they got used to being crated if we need to go somewhere together.
 
I thought the retired thing would give me more time but now wonder how I ever had time to work??? But it will give me time to protection train my new pup (assuming he continues to grow and successfully gets through ongoing assessments over time, so far so good). What a great way to engage with my dog! I am pretty sure I have nailed down a trainer to help me (former trainer in the military and discussions have demonstrated a very good guy). Now I just gotta get the pup, nine days away... :thumbsup:

Thanks to all!
Protection train or bite sport?
Two different things but hugely interesting hope you can share as you go.

We thought about level 1 protection "train scary bark in, on command" at the LEO trainer of 40 yrs with BP and several South SD county LEAs, who trained us and Bonnie on BO. And later on e collar.

They said "earliest assess is at 10 months" and
So I returned at that age
And after a bit they said "well, she's sweet soft temperament" and "a runner" which I took to mean "run loose off leash to investigate things" but now I think more like "run away!" 🤡

She is neither now thanks to lots of socialization, BO, CGC and SD training and on purpose I dont put her in a situation she has to defend herself unduly, as I'm the dominant dog protecting if push comes to shove in dog fight, coyotes, etc.

I've also read dobes can learn to be bullies, in dog park etc, so I avoid putting her in a position to do more than enforce her boundaries with knuckleheads that cant read the room, so she doesnt have to pursue to make the point. I'm the one that takes on the other bully that gets out of hand or we leave.

I dont train other peoples dogs and I sure as he double hockey sticks dont try to train fools on two legs...🧐

They also said "to get a protective bark you elicit a bark in play, and reinforce and shape it..." (which I have funny stories but assume I will get my azz ripped enuff by rando know it alls as is...🤡 so feel free to PM someday...)😉

Or
they could "activate her" that I took to be "make her mad", so I went with gut and declined to hold on that until later.

As I've instead since trained her as light mobility SD
The point on that is "you dont want protective training on the record" as its considered disqualifying by some in that SD world.

Any way, long boring story all about ME, but its for context to help you understand my interest. And dint be shy.

And srsly curious: Next dobe MAY be a big sharper male to fill the protective role as needed, as backup to softy Bonnie and DW if I am off traveling.

Real PPD done right in dobes is slighlty different than in GSDs, and in any case is legally like a loaded gun in liability so if I do, I have thoughtful prep on boundary fences and housing needed, and finding the right trainers.

They are out there, not as common as in sport inc bite sport and word of mouth as they are training exec protection at six figures, with privacy as you might expect demanded by clients. PM to share tips as needed.
 
Last edited:
I found this infographic that may make more sense to people who don't quite get using the chosen breeds in the Finnish Outcross program. Every little bit helps, and even though I already understand how it works, I'm mentally able to process things better if I have a picture in my head!

View attachment 161565
Bump on this as I was reading a bit more on Hovawarts and origin: they were created/improved by outcross of Leonburgers, GSDs and Newfi's.

Its in the international club page, links iirc.
The relevant point being that again: europeans dont seem to have a problem with breeding outcrosses for longevity and good heath, back crossing once goals achieved. See longevity @14yrs and genetic disease DM percents in the Hovawarts as tested, for example vs GSDs, another breed at risk due to extreme fashion in show conformation.
 
@DD4MSpock and others who want to stay within the bounds of "pure", I think there are many breeders doing so...where I am now spending time researching, reading pedigrees, going to shows or gleaning results online...again, I'm a noob, so thats just for context-

And because its relevant to the scrience of genetics, and how that can be leveraged more...

One last mention of Dr Sophie Liu, DVM who is now a breeder of Dobermans thats improving the breed, per standards on both show and work side with emphasis on behavioral and physical health:


I've noticed in past work life that if you follow the up and comers, you can divine where the product/service providers are shaping best practices, and their success is best validated in dobes on proof, and then lets hope proven again based on popularity/selection by wise consumers.

Btw, Reminds me of @Rits
And thanks again to her and others who are so busy for taking the time to educate me/us on forums.

Glad to see young up and comers passionate about the breed and making things happen.
 
This came up in my memories and not some mixes I would do, except maybe with the RR.
Thats a pretty comprehensive list. I sometimes wonder about all the many dog info sites, lately and how much is copy and paste. But this one goes back to 2021 for a lot of content. Which is probly why so many competitors sprung up, writers stuck at home during covid?

I guess I'm getting "stuck up" too, now 🤡,
as I dont see any of these crosses that appeal except maybe the

GSD cross, for more guard temperament, or
a boxer mix they omitted, for happy go lucky.
Or the Ridgeback cross...for more stubborn 🤷🏻‍♂️🤣

TBH I'm too spoiled by "no shedding" to go back to Sheperd anything without a real need tho...😉
 
Very interesting. If I could have had another Dobe X Ridgeback I would, but Clancy and I are probably a better fit considering my age, which I hate to admit! Looking at both the Greyhound and border collie mixes I'm sort of thinking Clancy might have a fair bit of Greyhound in there.
 
Very interesting. If I could have had another Dobe X Ridgeback I would, but Clancy and I are probably a better fit considering my age, which I hate to admit! Looking at both the Greyhound and border collie mixes I'm sort of thinking Clancy might have a fair bit of Greyhound in there.
The rescue greyhounds we see around here in socal sure are sweet and gentle souls. They are almost shy but when they get the zoomies, lookout! Its pure joy.
 
Not to go too far OT on this topic, by OP @Ddski5 (feel free to rein me in)...
But since we are talking cross breeds and interesting "functional dog breeding" to a particular working quality, here is a story:

BYB Bonnie and I signed up for AKC CGC, on purpose at a particular Petco because a very wise trainer did classes there, per a tip I got from another trainer.

Must have been slow season as we ended up with just one other dog in class, a rescue that the older couple learned later was a Karelian Bear Dog.

Really cool dog, a not yet mature male, stubborn but trainable and wanted to play with Bonnie, who as a juvenile liked playing with other big energy dogs...GSDs, Mals, pitties, a couple of big french mastiffs who "adopted her" as little sister, and another big male uncut dobe pup etc...

Anyway, so because the z Karelian was more interested in playing than training with ok by the Petco trainer we met at dogpark before CGC classes to burn off energy some so we could all learn in class...worked.

Anyway- been thinking about that dog and I was about to do some more checking on a really neat Karelian trainer...
And an article on camping in bear country was in the news today...caught my eye and esp the wildlife scientists note that big dogs normally "stay out of it" in bear conflicts...

Which is what I am training Bonnie to do in predator interactions... per my ref to coyotes, owls, mtn lions, bears..."leave it" and "come" first time no exceptions.

And followed a link within that article to this:

The dog trainer has been doing this functional dog breeding for nearly 30 years.
Pretty cool dogs!

What have you seen @Nordika along these lines in your neck of the woods in bear country?
 

Back
Top