Australian National Kennel Council Registered Breeder

Success is a journey, not a destination.

This site is optimised for Internet Explorer.  Best Viewed at 1280 x 1024 resolution using Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Why is it best to buy your Dobermann Puppy from a Reputable Registered Breeder?

This decision if going to affect the next 10 plus years of your life.  It is in your best interests to purchase your Dobermann puppy from an established Reputable Registered Breeder.

Reputable Registered Breeders are members of the Canine Association in their home state and they must abide by a Code of Ethics put in place by their Association. 

Reputable Registered Breeders may also members of the Dobermann Club in their home state (if there is one) so they also must abide by a Code of Ethics put in place by their Breed club. If the Breeders are not members of their State Dobermann Club ask why not!!!   

Do not be frightened to ask the Breeder questions.  Find out how long they personally have had Dobermanns, how long they have been breeding Dobermanns.  Ask them about previous pups they have bred, how they long their stock lives for, causes of death in previously bred dogs, ask about the ancestors of the parents of the pup you are interested in.  Ask if photos are available of the ancestors.  GOOD breeders will give you this information before you have even asked the question and will take the time to answer any of your questions honestly and will be actually be happy that you have taken the time to ask!

If visiting a Breeder of your prospective new family member, ask to see ALL the dogs they have.  They should be happy to oblige this request and most will show their other dogs without you needing to ask. This will give you an indication of the entire set up.  ALL dogs on the property should be healthy, happy and well-tempered and living in clean dry environments with full buckets/dishes of fresh clean water. 

Ask where the puppies are raised.  Most Reputable Registered Breeders have a separate area where the puppies can play and interact with the older dogs without actually running with the bigger dogs - this can lead to injury in the puppies if the bigger older dogs are too rough in their play.

Champions in the pedigree are nice to have but to someone wanting a long living healthy animal, the purchaser should be more interested in longevity and health of the ancestors - not just how many blue ribbons they have won.  Dogs do not title for many reasons and titles gained in ANY field should not be used as the ONLY gauge that a prospective Dobermann owner uses when making a decision about which breeder to buy from.  Having said this, ideally the breeder will actively participate in at least one of the disciplines and WILL have long living Champion lines.

There are lots of claims being made by people that extensive health testing is done on their breeding stock.  This may be what they believe is proof of (probable) longevity in their stock but the true test is in the longevity behind their breeding stock and indeed the animals they have actually bred themselves.  Just because extensive health testing has been done on the parents, this does not necessarily mean a long living healthy dog.  There are only a few DNA tests available at present and the Cardio one is only for ONE fo the genes attributed to causing heart issues.  Anything else is surmising.

Do not expect to contact a Reputable Registered Breeder and have them say "oh yes, we have puppies available".  Reputable Registered Breeders ALWAYS have waiting lists and you can almost guarantee that you will be waiting at least 6 - 12 months and sometimes longer for a puppy to become available.  (I waited 18 months for my first show bitch)

Reputable Registered Breeders screen all puppy buyers very closely.  We, personally, knock back more people than we will sell to. DOBERMANNS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE.

Backyard Breeders (this a person who breeds and cannot register the puppies so there is no proof of parentage or even if the offspring are purebred) DO NO HEALTH TESTING, and DO NOT HAVE A CODE OF ETHICS THAT THEY MUST ABIDE BY, can usually tell you nothing about the puppy's parents or any ancestors, are commonly in it to make a "quick buck", have raised the puppies "on the cheap" and really do not care what happens with the puppy once you leave their driveway.

Let's do a comparison

By purchasing your puppy from a Reputable Registered Breeder, you have the peace of mind of knowing that if any problems arise, the breeder will be there to assist and guide.  If your circumstances change and as such are unable to keep the puppy/dog, most Reputable Registered Breeders will take the puppy/dog back until your circumstances improve or will help with the re-homing of the puppy/dog.  Most want to know how the puppy is going, love to receive photos and regular updates as many regard them as their "kidz".  I know I do!!!

By going to a Reputable Registered Breeder you will be purchasing a healthy, happy & well-tempered puppy who will have a healthy, happy & well-tempered mother and will have been raised in clean surroundings, fed good nutritious food, de-wormed, vaccinated, been tattooed and/or micro-chipped, been well socialised and will have been raised with love in mind not $$$.  Healthy puppies are well-covered, alert, active, outgoing little creatures with bright eyes and smooth shiny coats.  Bear in mind that it is not always possible to see the father of the pups as he may live in another state.  If it is possible to see the father then you should do so.  Afterall, he has contributed 50% of the genes your puppy is going to inherit.

Yes purchasing a Dobermann puppy is going to cost more if purchased from a Reputable Registered Breeder than from a Backyard Breeder.  (I make no apology for that).  Yes, with most Reputable Registered Breeders there is a difference between Pet Puppy price and Show/Breeding Potential Puppy price - mine cost the same as I raise them all the same.

A very wise man and long time successful Dobermann breeder has always told me "YOU DON'T GET A ROLLS ROYCE FOR A HOLDEN PRICE".  To me (and most Reputable Registered Breeders) the Dobermann is the Rolls Royce of dogs!!!

Remember - this is an investment that is going to pay you back one hundred fold on a daily basis for many years!!!