Picking up our new puppy soon!!!

[Jason_G]

I don't think the vet would have the cheek swabs for the DNA testing. There are several labs that do canine genetic testing.
They mail you the swabs, you swab their cheek and send it back in.

Gensol Find Your Dog Breed | GenSol Diagnostics
Vetnostics
VetGen

I get the swab part, but they require to draw the blood sample too??

I found this testing site from NC State Veterinary Hospital: NC State Veterinary Hospital: Small Animal: Veterinary Genetics -Doberman Pinscher Dilated Cardiomyopathy - NC State Veterinary Medicine On the submission form, it has both "Submitting SWABS" and "Submitting Blood" options.

 

[Jason_G]

I won't place a litter un-cropped and most breeders won't. Cropped and not placed until ears are healed, sutures are out and ear are ready for posting. Anyone that is breeding for the betterment of the breed and concerned about their litter will either have or find a very experienced vet that does a beautiful quality crop not some wonky-ass chop job.

Do you have any Doberman puppies available or little due soon?? LOL

And also, any suggestions on the puppy food? Raw? Grain-free? or not grain-free dry food?

I am planning to introduce to my Doberman (if everything goes well) on the raw diet later. But in the meantime, she would still probably mostly be eating kibbles during her puppy age...

As always, thank you so much for all the great information.

 

[Panama]

Do you have any Doberman puppies available or little due soon?? LOL

And also, any suggestions on the puppy food? Raw? Grain-free? or not grain-free dry food?

I am planning to introduce to my Doberman (if everything goes well) on the raw diet later. But in the meantime, she would still probably mostly be eating kibbles during her puppy age...

As always, thank you so much for all the great information.

No, I had a litter last year and my girl was spayed this year. So.. no more puppies for quite a while.
Whatever the breeder is feeding the pups, I would continue to feed until the pup is well adjusted in the new home/environment.
Once they are comfortable and ear posting is well underway, that's when I suggest slowly changing to what food you prefer. I do not recommend Grain Free.

 

[Jason_G]

Gotcha! thanks for the information again!

The reason I asked about the food was that there is currently an argument going on about should people feeding Doberman a grain-free diet or not...since "grain-free" food potentially increase the chance of getting heart problems, like DCM.

I just canceled my dog food order I placed yesterday and going to conduct some more research on that before decides what to go with.

Much appreciated for all the advice!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Additional question for the Doberman experts, is there any method that we could use to select the puppy? Example: Play with both of them together vs. individually? any particular thing to look for?

Thanks,

Jason

Two of my Doberman pup purchases saw me choosing the pup. The other was chosen for me. No, correction: The second purchase was chosen for me, but I got to meet both pups from the litter – the breeder keeping the other.

My first Dobe, it happened that I got pick of the litter. This was a hobby breeder and I just happened to be one of the first callers. Upon meeting the litter, I chose one of the two largest males, who also were the mellowest. Inexperienced? Yes, I was; but it worked out beautifully for me. His temperament, while plenty active and energetic and a pain like a Doberman, was manageable. He was nice and mellow in the house most of the time. Of course, being mellow in the house most of the time is a Dobe trait in my experience (except when they get an inkling that you might be getting ready to walk them).

My second Dobe, I got to meet both pups. We drove to the breeder's property. They released both pups from inside a building and they came running up to me as I was kneeled down. Like I said, I didn't have a choice between the two pups; but they both acted the same: Literally didn't break stride as they jumped on and started to climb up me and proceeded to bite the top of my head! These were working Dobermans and my boy was quite a machine.

My current Dobe was chosen for me. When I met him at a training field, I knelt down. He, too, didn't break stride as he trotted up to me and proceeded to place his paw on my mouth. Yum. This was indicative of how he does have a very pronounced tendency to put his paws up on everyone and everything.

If you have say in it, I'd like to meet the pups individually first, then together. I personally would be looking for as much confidence as possible. Timidity can be found in this breed, as in many. If you want to test them a little, you can be standing up when you meet them. To take is easier on them, kneel down. I would hope both would act confident. If a pup doesn't come to you right away, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not confident. You need to be able to read dog body language. She might just be less social. Generally, more social is desirable.

 

[KK's kids]

it is super difficult for me to find a reliable vet that would do ear croppings in the DMV area, especially during this crazy pandemic time. Trust me, I have made many calls to the high rating vet from Google, and the answers I got were "No".

VERY VERY VERY true!!!

this is a time-sensitive task as the ear cropping needs to be preform in between 9-12 weeks. A recommended and who is not only willing to crop the ears but also know what they are doing type vet is nearly impossible for me to find with a short amount of time...I don't think I will have 100% confidence for a random vet that simply offers the service but can't guarantee to deliver an excellent end result to crop my puppy's ears.

I realize the procedure is time sensitive. I believe that now, as opposed to times past, anyone correct me if I'm wrong. it is recommended that the ears be cropped between 8-10 weeks.

I wish you nothing but the best. And I do hope your new puppy buying experience turns out to be a good one!

 

[KK's kids]

I won't place a litter un-cropped and most breeders won't. Cropped and not placed until ears are healed, sutures are out and ear are ready for posting. Anyone that is breeding for the betterment of the breed and concerned about their litter will either have or find a very experienced vet that does a beautiful quality crop not some wonky-ass chop job.

If you will notice UNLESS you are buying show quality dogs. Pet quality dogs come out of these litters all the time. I realize you do not place your dogs until far past crop cut off. I wasn't targeting ethical breeders like you, but you are not, nor would I say in the majority of breeders out there.

I'd personally like to thank you for your continued efforts to keep Doberman bloodlines strong, and the excellent example you set for people considering or practicing dog breeding.

 

[KK's kids]

[QUOTE="Jason_G, post: 612252, member: [/QUOTE]
*On the "flat feet and stand on toes" note, that was the Dam in the background of the picture and I didn't realize that until you pointed it out... so is that mean they are not 100% pure Doberman? OR just not a show quality Doberman?

Again, thanks for all the information and best wishes.[/QUOTE]

No. No. Flat footed Dobermans are quite common. High on the toes is just an AKC breed standard. So, no, not Confirmation quality but hey, there are always alternatives such as Obedience, Agility. etc.

And, Sure! No problem: )

 

[Jason_G]

Two of my Doberman pup purchases saw me choosing the pup. The other was chosen for me. No, correction: The second purchase was chosen for me, but I got to meet both pups from the litter – the breeder keeping the other.

My first Dobe, it happened that I got pick of the litter. This was a hobby breeder and I just happened to be one of the first callers. Upon meeting the litter, I chose one of the two largest males, who also were the mellowest. Inexperienced? Yes, I was; but it worked out beautifully for me. His temperament, while plenty active and energetic and a pain like a Doberman, was manageable. He was nice and mellow in the house most of the time. Of course, being mellow in the house most of the time is a Dobe trait in my experience (except when they get an inkling that you might be getting ready to walk them).

My second Dobe, I got to meet both pups. We drove to the breeder's property. They released both pups from inside a building and they came running up to me as I was kneeled down. Like I said, I didn't have a choice between the two pups; but they both acted the same: Literally didn't break stride as they jumped on and started to climb up me and proceeded to bite the top of my head! These were working Dobermans and my boy was quite a machine.

My current Dobe was chosen for me. When I met him at a training field, I knelt down. He, too, didn't break stride as he trotted up to me and proceeded to place his paw on my mouth. Yum. This was indicative of how he does have a very pronounced tendency to put his paws up on everyone and everything.

If you have say in it, I'd like to meet the pups individually first, then together. I personally would be looking for as much confidence as possible. Timidity can be found in this breed, as in many. If you want to test them a little, you can be standing up when you meet them. To take is easier on them, kneel down. I would hope both would act confident. If a pup doesn't come to you right away, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not confident. You need to be able to read dog body language. She might just be less social. Generally, more social is desirable.

Thanks and much appreciated for the advice. I will for sure to pay more attention to their confidence and social levels when playing with them in-person.

 

[JanS]

I won't place a litter un-cropped and most breeders won't. Cropped and not placed until ears are healed, sutures are out and ear are ready for posting. Anyone that is breeding for the betterment of the breed and concerned about their litter will either have or find a very experienced vet that does a beautiful quality crop not some wonky-ass chop job.

I agree times 100!

 

[Epik8]

Jason_G, I have read this thread through several times now. Yet, I do not see your answer to what seems to be "the elephant in the room". What health tests have the sire and dam had prior to this breeding? Particularly, what heart health screenings have they had? Please do not wait until the day you go to pick up either one of these pups to get the answer to these questions!

 

[Rnrgyrl]

In NC the NC Univ State will test for both DCM 1-2. If you go to the website for the veterinarian school you should be able to find the link and you can order a swab package and then you can just pay them online! $70 for swab testing. Good luck!

 

[Jason_G]

In NC the NC Univ State will test for both DCM 1-2. If you go to the website for the veterinarian school you should be able to find the link and you can order a swab package and then you can just pay them online! $70 for swab testing. Good luck!

Great! Thank you! That is exactly what I was looking at too (the NC Univ State site).

 

[Kaiser2016]

Just wanted to weigh in on this breeder, I agree that the hind legs on that adult seem off, but I’m no expert.



Do you have any full pics of the parents? I guess my concern is paying good money for a dog where YOU end up doing all the testing. That’s not how it’s supposed to work. What work is the breeder being compensated for then? Just wondering what assurances you are getting with this pup. Ultimately you will follow your heart on what to do next. Whatever it is, be sure to buy insurance.

 

[Rits]

Yeah, your breeder should be doing the health testing on the parents...not you on the puppy. It's backwards to do it that way. Now you can do Echo and Holter in addition to the parents, and it is advised to do so you can catch anything early! If they can't supply DNA testing for DCM 1 & 2, Echo, Holter test results, walk away.

 

[Jason_G]

Jason_G, I have read this thread through several times now. Yet, I do not see your answer to what seems to be "the elephant in the room". What health tests have the sire and dam had prior to this breeding? Particularly, what heart health screenings have they had? Please do not wait until the day you go to pick up either one of these pups to get the answer to these questions!

That's a unknow for now, but I will try to find out shortly.

 

[Jason_G]

Just wanted to weigh in on this breeder, I agree that the hind legs on that adult seem off, but I’m no expert.

View attachment 107704

Do you have any full pics of the parents? I guess my concern is paying good money for a dog where YOU end up doing all the testing. That’s not how it’s supposed to work. What work is the breeder being compensated for then? Just wondering what assurances you are getting with this pup. Ultimately you will follow your heart on what to do next. Whatever it is, be sure to buy insurance.

I only have the Dam's photo in hand. But the Sire is red and rusts European Doberman.

 

[GennyB]

Another issue that gives me pause, is the breeder having the ears done.

I guess I don't understand why it would be an issue. A breeder SHOULD have the ears done. They have a pretty good connection with a Vet that knows what he/she is doing. Cropping is an art form and a knowledgeable experienced Vet is a MUST! I think any breeder worth their salt should have the pup cropped, healed and ready to post before letting the pup leave their home. That goes double for first time dobe owners. So many newbies get overwhelmed by trying to have it done themselves. Bringing home a doberman pup for the first time is enough.

 

[Rnrgyrl]

I get the swab part, but they require to draw the blood sample too??

I found this testing site from NC State Veterinary Hospital: NC State Veterinary Hospital: Small Animal: Veterinary Genetics -Doberman Pinscher Dilated Cardiomyopathy - NC State Veterinary Medicine On the submission form, it has both "Submitting SWABS" and "Submitting Blood" options.

You can do just this swab part you don’t have to have the blood submitted

 

[My2Girls]

Dr Mark Johnson at Pender Vet is supposed to be the go to Dobie vet in the NoVa area - I think he works out of the Fairfax location. I don’t use that practice but several dobie owners I’ve met have mentioned him. (We are kinda new to the area and started using a different vet before finding out about dr Johnson).