I think I am leaning this way

[tobinsdad]

Good Evening

For a few weeks now, I had my mind made up about getting a Doberman puppy then last week a alternative was brought to my attention about maybe going down the rescue dog path I gave it some really good thought and after getting feedback from some of you mostly positive. I then contacted a AKC representative in Northern California who's job title is puppy referral so after a few conversations with her I was back on the puppy prowl. Then she sent me a list of breeders who have (for a lack of a better term) older Doberman's anywhere from 6 months to 2 years old. I am really leaning towards this option. According to the AKC rep these Doberman's have been maybe thought of as show dogs but for some reason they decided not to show them. Most of the Doberman's have some kind of training which I feel is a huge plus. Has anybody out there received their Doberman through a registered breeder who had a little age on them. I just don't see a down side but I am sure there are things I am not thinking of that could be a minus and if there are I am sure some of you will let me know.

Thank you

 

[Ingrid H]

I know three purebred dogs that were sold a bit later in life (6-9 months of age) by breeders who decided that the dogs were not going to make it in the show ring. All three dogs had issues stemming from poor early socialization and one of them has not really become a normal dog. I totally blame the breeders for not taking the time necessary to properly expose the pups to as many people and situations as possible. The pups were pretty much just raised in a kennel environment.

I don't think raising pups in a kennel environment is as common with dobermans because doberman owners and breeders realize that the home environment is what the breed needs for its psychological well-being and development. But if you go this route, make sure the young dog has been socialized, been a part of the family and been exposed to the wider world outside the breeder's own property.

 

[zmchristopher]

Id speak to Katja, I know she had a puppy who was under a year old, from what I can remember it was ideal for her because it bypassed the 'hard work' bit of a young pup

 

[MyBuddy]

I got Buddy at 7 months old from a breeder! I was there to look at a black and rust 8 week old female and I walked away with a Red 7 month old Male! He was potty trained, crate trained and for the most part, well socialized. I don't feel he was driven in a car much just by how he acts, pretty uncomfortable and not like some dogs who jump at the chance to get in a car. It was also a flip flop of his environment and took him a while to adjust. He was with several other dogs in a house with only a woman for the first 7 months of his life. Then he is taken from that and put here in a strange house, with a strange woman (no comments! ) and a MAN (horrors!) who he thought was the bogey man! He took to the horses right away, loves the 10 acres to run in but it took me a lot of doing to get him to warm up to my husband. And there were some other things he was shy of so he was a work in progress. It took time but he has developed into a wonderful dog who LOVES my husband!

I don't think raising pups in a kennel environment is as common with dobermans because doberman owners and breeders realize that the home environment is what the breed needs for its psychological well-being and development. But if you go this route, make sure the young dog has been socialized, been a part of the family and been exposed to the wider world outside the breeder's own property.

I agree with the above and any breeder that knows her/his stuff knows a Doberman does not do well in a kennel environment. If you find a good breeder, their dogs will be living in the house with them. You can see the personality developed a bit more too with an 'older' dog and find one to match your family.

 

[JanS]

I'm not entirely sure how much an AKC rep would know specifically about the Doberman breed compared to the DPCA, so I'd definitely check their breeder referral as well so get a better idea about the breeders the rep referred you to.
http://dpca.org/breed/breed_referral.htm

As for getting an older pup, it really can go either way depending on what has been done with them and how they were brought up so far.

 

[Doberman Gang]

We bought Redman when he was 5 months old. He was potty trained and crate trained. He had been socialized and he is the little lover boy. But he is a Doberman and can flip his switch and become mr. Hyde so continued training is a must.

 

[StarlightDobe]

well, I cant think of a downside to adopting an older pup, it would seem to me that the little guy/gal would be a wonderful pet. The only thing I would think would be possibly the pup might be in the beginning stage of becoming bonded to whoever has them, but, even in rehome situations this can be handled and they can bond to another person . I briefly read somewhere that as young pups they begin to bond to whoever is raising them, but it shouldnt be too hard to get them to velcro to you. They are such great dogs like that.

 

[Dobs4ever]

As in all things it depends on the situation, the breeder, the dog and is it the right fit. Older dogs or puppies can become available for a variety of reasons and it depends on those reasons. - But you would not have to deal with potty training!!!!

To add: I agree with Jan not sure what an AKC rep would know or not know about Dobermans - it is a job and does not necessarily mean they even own a dog let alone know about training or who to recvommend.