ABOUT LUNASCURA
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All about Lunascura Dobermann Kennel and what we stand for...
 We purchased our first Dobermann in 2000, but Lunascura Dobermann Kennel, (Italian for 'Dark Moon') was officially established in 2004 with the birth of our first litter. We are a hobby breeder, meaning this is neither our occupation nor source of income but something we do alongside our life and enjoy the dogs as pets as much as we do running a kennel. We generally have had one or two litters a year and all of them are detailed on the litters page..
After the first litter our interest in Dobermann grew to include showing and working and hence breeding for the requirements of form and temperament that this requires. We also undertook a lot of research and discovered how important health is when breeding. As a result we set our selves some key principles and each time we have bred a litter it has been in the pursuit of getting closer to breeding Dobermann to achieve these three key principles:
 Health – We only breed from fully health tested adults and all of our own dogs are also tested for DCM by DNA using the new test in the USA. We have imported dogs that we have not and will not breed from due to them not passing the health tests and have stopped breeding from bloodlines where health problems were identified. The Health section details what health testing we do.
 Temperament – We only use stud dogs that have passed their ZTP (German breed standard/ temperament test) and we try to spend as much time with the male before using him to see his character. We also do a lot of work with our own dogs and many have passed or are in training to do the ZTP There is a section on ZTP which will explain why we see this test as important.
 Form – There is no point in breeding Healthy, Well-Tempered dogs that are not also beautiful. Therefore, when the first two points are met we also look for form and this often means the dogs that are doing well in shows but not always.
Sadly many people are convinced to buy puppies only because there are 15 Champions in the pedigree or because of cute pictures even though the parents may not be health tested and nor character tested. As a result this leads to too many dogs dying young, and temperament being lost, meaning that balanced dogs are not being produced that are calm, fearless but also not aggressive.
 It is frustrating that the UK does not require strict health testing and that the ZTP or an equivalent to be passed before breeding is permitted. Although Herr Luis Dobermann the founder of this breed sought to create a companion dog that is fearless and will protect you and people may associate this with the Dobermann of Magnum PI or other Hollywood productions, the character testing in the ZTP also leads to the breeding of dogs that are on the whole great pets too.
In saying this, the temperament of the European Dobermann is stronger than those we have seen in the UK for so long due to our small gene pool and people buying from European bloodlines need to know what they are buying and be supported in introducing them into their lives if they do not have experience of them before.
We strongly believe in the principles of the ZTP (which also requires Hip Scoring to be done) and all our pups (from the F-Litter onward) are eligible to do the ZTP, in fact we bred the first dog (Lunascura Flame) born in the UK ever to go to Germany and pass their ZTP there!
Unlike many kennels we have had to move around due to work commitments (see Location) which has been challenging but also fun and has allowed us access to Europe for some extended periods meaning we have met some of the top European Breeders at shows and have also spent time with them at their kennels. We have also been able to purchase some excellent bloodlines and import some fantastic dogs to help establish our kennel and improve the quality of the dogs we produce and show. We have brought dogs in from Russia, Poland, Latvia, Serbia, France and Italy and as these dogs are cropped our focus has been on Europe and not on the UK show scene.
 Over the last 11 years of owning, breeding and training Dobermann and the challenges and setbacks we have had we are still convinced that breeding to truly improve the breed is about the three principles above. For this reason you will see that we have travelled the length and breadth of Europe to use the best males we can find that are Beautiful, Health Tested and of suitable Character rather than using a local convenient dog.Even though our own male Vasco is fully health tested, has his IPO1 and ZTP we do not always use him as no, one dog will always compliment the female so rather than take the easy, cheap option we always aim for the best no matter how difficult or expensive that makes things! As a side note Vasco was the first UK based male Dobermann to go out to Europe and pass the ZTP and Tess was the first female to do the same!
We are lucky in that we generally have a waiting list for puppies and are very selective about the homes were our dogs go. If you would like to own a Lunascura Dobermann puppy please contact us and talk to us about why you are looking for a Dobermann. We are always happy to talk to people about our favourite subject... ….DOBERMANN!
We hope you enjoy visiting our website and please do take a minute to sign our guest book.
Ralph & Ninke
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