Looking for good breeder for service dog

[SamKrew]

Hello! This is my first post here and I’m really excited to get some opinions. As the title of the post says I’m looking for recommendations on breeders specifically for service dog work!

Now before we get into anything else this is not the first service dog I’ve trained and I plan on utilizing the help of a professional trainer as well as my own experience. I understand not every Doberman is good for service dog work and they can occasionally be difficult to train and I hope to very carefully select my prospect by temperament.

So a little of what I’m looking for:

My preference is a breeder closer to NewEngland (closer to nj the better) for ease of pickup and from what I’ve seen it seems there’s mostly rescues. I am comfortable working with a rescue but there are a few more risks associated with them. I’m willing to go further away if they offer transport!
I don’t have a preference between American or European however I do have a heavy preference for both cropped ears and tail. As far as aesthetics go I don’t have a huge preference on coat but I do have a soft spot for the blue coat.
I’m looking for a dog with a calm but confident temperament that wants to please their owner during training.
I’m also only considering male dogs.

My needs when it comes to the service the dog and their tasks are varied. I need a psychiatrist focus with a slight bit of mobility work. The tasks trained have to do with my CPTSD and anxiety primarily so I need work that involves sensing panic attacks and disrupting harmful behavior. For the mobility aspect I’m needing help with pushing buttons to open doors and item retrieval.

Thank you all and I’m excited to hear some recommendations and opinions!

 

[JanS]

I know our breeder in Kentucky has the ability for transports to your door and she has some well rounded pups. You aren't going to get a blue there though since she mostly breeds blacks and reds.

 

[SamKrew]

I know our breeder in Kentucky has the ability for transports to your door and she has some well rounded pups. You aren't going to get a blue there though since she mostly breeds blacks and reds.

I’m not overly picky with the color or anything! I’d love to know more about the breeder, do they have a website or a profile on here?

 

[JanS]

I’m not overly picky with the color or anything! I’d love to know more about the breeder, do they have a website or a profile on here?

Melrae Dobermans

Home page of Melrae Dobermans, a breeder from Zeeland, MI. AKC CH Dobermans

www.melraedobermans.com

 

[Ddski5]

Gallant Hearts guide dog center in Mississippi trains Dobermans to be guides for the blind. Not for sure what the situation is over there, it’s been well over 10ths since I’ve talked to them. I know it’s a far jump from NJ but to reach out and talk to them may be a very good resource for finding one closer to you.

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064874550394

I also agree with @JanS, I got my Freyja from Melrae’s. If trained by the right person/technique, I am sure she would have made a great service companion. She has a great on/off switch with a great temperament.

Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[Ravenbird]

Blues & Fawns are beautiful, but keep in mind that some of them have frustrating skin sensitivities and allergies which are no fun to deal with.

@Rits has a Melrae Doberman in SD training - I'm sure she will give you some input soon!

 

[Rits]

It takes a very special doberman to be a SD, they have a very high wash rate. It is typically not advisable to seek any working/guardian breed to do service work, specifically because if you ever were to need help from someone say in a medical episode, this service animal cannot act on their natural instinct to protect.

For this reason, I personally don't feel comfortable placing a doberman that I've bred in a SD home because I am breeding to keep those natural instincts intact and strong. There are some NA show lines however that have dobermans with the temperament that may be closer to what you are looking for. I'd look for these breeders that have put obedience titles on their dobermans and have sold dobermans as successful SD's in the past. Foxfire is one that comes to mind that I know has sold a number to SD homes.

My breeder (Melrae) has sold some as SD prospects but she does have SA in her lines, which is where I got my girl (not a SD) from and they are known to be sharper. The SD I have in training with me for my father is from her and is a unique situation. He was meant to be a conformation dog that didn't turn out so the SD aspect wasn't planned from the start but his temperament showed he would be suited for that new purpose. He is from different lines (NA). His dad is VERY laid back and sweet. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

9/10 it takes a unicorn of the breed to be suited for SD work. As long as you are 100% ok with your doberman puppy becoming a pet if things don't work out, I would continue your search but if not, I would look into a different breed. Something you will have to ask yourself and be willing to answer honestly!

 

[Ravenbird]

It takes a very special doberman to be a SD, they have a very high wash rate. It is typically not advisable to seek any working/guardian breed to do service work, specifically because if you ever were to need help from someone say in a medical episode, this service animal cannot act on their natural instinct to protect.

For this reason, I personally don't feel comfortable placing a doberman that I've bred in a SD home because I am breeding to keep those natural instincts intact and strong. There are some NA show lines however that have dobermans with the temperament that may be closer to what you are looking for. I'd look for these breeders that have put obedience titles on their dobermans and have sold dobermans as successful SD's in the past. Foxfire is one that comes to mind that I know has sold a number to SD homes.

My breeder (Melrae) has sold some as SD prospects but she does have SA in her lines, which is where I got my girl (not a SD) from and they are known to be sharper. The SD I have in training with me for my father is from her and is a unique situation. He was meant to be a conformation dog that didn't turn out so the SD aspect wasn't planned from the start but his temperament showed he would be suited for that new purpose. He is from different lines (NA). His dad is VERY laid back and sweet. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

9/10 it takes a unicorn of the breed to be suited for SD work. As long as you are 100% ok with your doberman puppy becoming a pet if things don't work out, I would continue your search but if not, I would look into a different breed. Something you will have to ask yourself and be willing to answer honestly!

Very well stated!

 

[Lisamac]

I know our breeder in Kentucky has the ability for transports to your door and she has some well rounded pups. You aren't going to get a blue there though since she mostly breeds blacks and reds.

Following

 

[Kstew6007]

We actually do this in Nebraska. We have show lines with temperament testing done at 42 days and send several puppies to service training programs. We have quite a few pups in working service homes. I’d be happy to help, as we also have blue & rusts and black & rusts.

 

[Ddski5]

We actually do this in Nebraska. We have show lines with temperament testing done at 42 days and send several puppies to service training programs. We have quite a few pups in working service homes. I’d be happy to help, as we also have blue & rusts and black & rusts.

Sure would like to see your website or Facebook page in which we can find some more info? Can you post some info please.

 

[Kstew6007]

Sure would like to see your website or Facebook page in which we can find some more info? Can you post some info please.

We don’t have a kennel, as we only have one litter a year. (Quality over quantity) We usually list on AKC but other than that we generally pull from our wait list. My email is [email protected] for more info.

 

[Ddski5]

We don’t have a kennel, as we only have one litter a year. (Quality over quantity) We usually list on AKC but other than that we generally pull from our wait list. My email is [email protected] for more info.

I think it would be great if you could post some information here so all can learn and see what you have going on…there is usually people that come on here asking about Dobermans becoming service companions.

Yes. I would love to know more information about your show lines that you pull your service training pups from.

What is the name of you business/operation? Do you have Facebook or info on the internet?

What kind of temperament testing do you do at 42days?

Where do you send them for the service programs? Or do you formally train the pups yourself?

Do you do any health testing?

What would be the process of acquiring one of your service Dobermans?

What service skills would the be able to do for someone in need? Any specific training rendered?

Do you crop and dock? If so, who do you usually use as the vet?

I am really interested in learning more about your Dobermans.

 

[Two Dobes]

Would definatley appreciate more clarity on your dobermans

 

[BGpa]

Following

Thoughtful comment @Rits. Makes common sense to me.

I read somewhere that even with a breed chosen for patient kind temperament (goldens)
From with good breeders with multiple litters bred for SD work,
and foster volunteer helpers trained in socialization
there was still a 30% washout rate.

IIRC was before the advanced training inc with recipients on site.

So the point about choosing a dobe, especially as a first time DIY trainer makes it a bit of a crap-shoot.

Thats not to say it cant be done...but its quite an investment for such low chance of a good return on investment, if the end goal is a solid SD, first.

@SamKrew does not appear to be active...PMd for an update.

 

[BGpa]

Would definatley appreciate more clarity on your dobermans

+1, same here

 

[BGpa]

It takes a very special doberman to be a SD, they have a very high wash rate. It is typically not advisable to seek any working/guardian breed to do service work, specifically because if you ever were to need help from someone say in a medical episode, this service animal cannot act on their natural instinct to protect.

For this reason, I personally don't feel comfortable placing a doberman that I've bred in a SD home because I am breeding to keep those natural instincts intact and strong. There are some NA show lines however that have dobermans with the temperament that may be closer to what you are looking for. I'd look for these breeders that have put obedience titles on their dobermans and have sold dobermans as successful SD's in the past. Foxfire is one that comes to mind that I know has sold a number to SD homes.

My breeder (Melrae) has sold some as SD prospects but she does have SA in her lines, which is where I got my girl (not a SD) from and they are known to be sharper. The SD I have in training with me for my father is from her and is a unique situation. He was meant to be a conformation dog that didn't turn out so the SD aspect wasn't planned from the start but his temperament showed he would be suited for that new purpose. He is from different lines (NA). His dad is VERY laid back and sweet. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

9/10 it takes a unicorn of the breed to be suited for SD work. As long as you are 100% ok with your doberman puppy becoming a pet if things don't work out, I would continue your search but if not, I would look into a different breed. Something you will have to ask yourself and be willing to answer honestly!

Oops, repeated myself..,
Really wise insight, thanks,
@Rits

And to the OP - "SamKrew"- sill here?
@JanS I notice I cant reply "@SamKrew"..,
Privacy setting?

And to @Kstew6007
Have you had a chance to get back to @Ddski5 ?

I've sent you a PM here and also to your direct rmail- interested in same...
Thanks!
-Bonnies Gpa

 

[JanS]

@JanS I notice I cant reply "@SamKrew"

That's probably because they haven't been here for over a year. After a certain amount of time you can't anymore unless they log in again.

 

[BGpa]

That's probably because they haven't been here for over a year. After a certain amount of time you can't anymore unless they log in again.

Gotcha, thanks.