Doberman Health 101
Step 1 - Know Your Information Is Good
The internet is a blessing and a curse.
Anyone can put up a fancy website without having to prove their depth of knowledge and experience in any way. Honestly, there is so much misinformation on-line it is alarming and does a great deal of harm.
I have been involved with the Doberman since 1979 when I certified a Doberman as a Police K9 while earning my Master Police K9 Instructor degree. I retired from 20 years as an animal control officer. I was the Doberman editor writing monthly articles on the breed for DogSport Magazine for several years, and went on to get three well received books on dogs published. I have been an expert witness on dog training for both the Seattle Police K9 Unit and the Tacoma Police K9 Unit in court cases. I have traveled to five countries as a speaker to law enforcement and animal control agencies on dog behavior and aggression. I have put over 70 advanced training titles on my own dogs including schutzhund, ring sport and man-tracking. I have been a serious student of the most successful breeding programs for 50 years. As a "dog expert" I have been on 48 Hours, The Oprah Show, CNN, Bryant Gumble's Eye On America, McNeil/Lehrer News Hour and dozens of local television news shows.
Anyone can put up a fancy website without having to prove their depth of knowledge and experience in any way. Honestly, there is so much misinformation on-line it is alarming and does a great deal of harm.
I have been involved with the Doberman since 1979 when I certified a Doberman as a Police K9 while earning my Master Police K9 Instructor degree. I retired from 20 years as an animal control officer. I was the Doberman editor writing monthly articles on the breed for DogSport Magazine for several years, and went on to get three well received books on dogs published. I have been an expert witness on dog training for both the Seattle Police K9 Unit and the Tacoma Police K9 Unit in court cases. I have traveled to five countries as a speaker to law enforcement and animal control agencies on dog behavior and aggression. I have put over 70 advanced training titles on my own dogs including schutzhund, ring sport and man-tracking. I have been a serious student of the most successful breeding programs for 50 years. As a "dog expert" I have been on 48 Hours, The Oprah Show, CNN, Bryant Gumble's Eye On America, McNeil/Lehrer News Hour and dozens of local television news shows.
Step 2 - Do Your Research Before You Buy
It grieves me to see so many people spending way too much money on Dobermans from breeders whose only interest is the making of money. Fancy websites and large puppy mills which push dog show titles as "proof" of quality abound in the world of European Dobermans. These kennels may look legit but when you learn to look between the lines you find out why well advertised kennel names like Alto Bello and Sant Kreal and Pride of Russia are a giant red flag. European puppy mills do big business selling pups to uneducated American breeders. These pups are offered, usually at high prices, to unsuspecting puppy buyers. But there is no reason this has to happen. It's simply a matter of educating buyers, and buyers supporting ethical breeders.
Absolutely no breeder can guarantee you a dog that will live a long, healthy life. There are many diseases which can affect a dog, but in the Doberman breed your basic knowledge of how to screen breeders will give you a much better chance at avoiding heartache.
Absolutely no breeder can guarantee you a dog that will live a long, healthy life. There are many diseases which can affect a dog, but in the Doberman breed your basic knowledge of how to screen breeders will give you a much better chance at avoiding heartache.
Your Guide To Buying A Healthy Doberman Pup
Doberman Health Concerns
Here are links to information on the major health issues in Doberman dogs.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)Hip/Elbow Dysplasiavon Willebrand's DiseaseWobblersHypothyroidismNarcolepsyProgressive Retinal Atrophy/PHPV, Etc., Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus Color Mutant AlopeciaDegenerative MyelopathyPatella LuxationDoberman Chin Acne
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)Hip/Elbow Dysplasiavon Willebrand's DiseaseWobblersHypothyroidismNarcolepsyProgressive Retinal Atrophy/PHPV, Etc., Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus Color Mutant AlopeciaDegenerative MyelopathyPatella LuxationDoberman Chin Acne