Re: Dobermans
Reply #1 –
Woodstock
I dont have experience with Dobes but I do have experience with Rottys and GSPs. The main advice I can offer is is spend the money upfront and buy from a reputable breeder. DONT buy a dog from the Trading Post, Pet Shop or the like for $300 as it could potentially cost you thousands if things like hip displacia, eye lid problems etc come along (and trust me they do). I was give the advice by the Rotty Club of Victoria at the time to buy a dog from one of there recommended breaders as they 100% guarantee their dogs are free from hereditary and "bad breeding" diseases. Try and find out if there is a Doberman Club of Victoria and talk to them (President, members etc) about the breed, known defects to look for and whether they have a list of recommended breeders. Go along to there events.
Then comes training, training and more training. These Clubs (I know the Rotty Club did) run Obedience training nights which I would highly recommend. You get to train your dog amongst people who have the same breed and trainers who know the breed intimately.
Good Luck.
My $800 Rotty cost me upwards of $5K after all the ops as he developed entropion (eye lid problem). In the end, he only lived to 6 yo as he went blind and I had to put him down so research, research, research.