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Frequently Asked Questions we often receive....
 Below we have tried to cover many of the FAQs we regularly recieve by email. Please take a few minutes to scan the list of questions before emailing us. We have also tried to answer some of the questions that you may have that you are not comfortable to ask directly. If your question(s) are not answered then please contact us and we will do our best to help you.
I’m interested in buying a Dobermann how do I find out more?Well you have started in one of the best places... on the web and specifically on a breeder’s site with information to read. However, you need to take all information you read on breeders site with caution, we are all human and as a result we all have our own opinions and many of us differ which doesn’t make anyone right or wrong but it does make things more difficult for you so what other sources do you have: - Dog shows-go and see the dogs and ask people questions there.
- Working Trails
- Breed Clubs
- Ask breeders if you can meet them and their adult dogs, many people have done this well in advance of buying a puppy.
- Rescue centres - some centres will let you walk a dog or foster a dog.
- The Kennel Club Website
(Back To Top) DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)DCM is the Dobermanns' 3rd biggest killer after old age and cancer. The DCM gene or genes is estimated to be carried by around 50% of the breed worldwide. DCM can occur in several breeds including Dobermann and causes weakening of the valves in the heart and muscle walls.
DCM is hereditary and dogs can and do die under 4 years old. It is important not to breed into known DCM bloodlines to ensure that the condition is not continued.
 There are several tests available. The first is a relatively new DNA test that is provided by Washington State University and can be done by post. This test is based on the one KNOW gene that can cause DCM in Dobermann and will tell us if the dog is Clear, Hetro or Homo Affected. Hetro meaning it has one clear and one affected gene and Homo meaning both are affected. A dog that is Homo Affected is almost certainly going to suffer from DCM while a Hetro Affected dog may suffer but there will be other factors at play such as fitness and weight etc.
A clear dog can only pass clear genes so combinations between 2 clear parents will lead to clear puppies so this is the best combination however due to the previlance of DCm in our breed Washington State University recommend we do not remove Hetro affected dogs from breeding but ensure to mate them to other dogs that have tested clear.
It is important to remember however that this test is only for ONE gene and even clear dogs can develop DCM due to other causes. However testing to rule out this gene is better than NOT TESTING as not testing means that this gene could also be in play so as far as we are concerned there should be no excuse for not testing and 100% of our dogs are tested!!!
It is also possible to have your dogs tested for clinical signs of DCM by a canine Cardiologist however it is also not possible from this test to guarantee that a dog will not develop the disease and for this reason we do not carry out routine testing of this type as the dog could be clear today and not next week. This is not a decision due to funding (as thanks to the new Boehringer Ingelheim funding for all registered Dobermanns between the ages of 5 and 9 can be tested free of charge at Liverpool University) it is a calculated decision that the DNA test provides facts but this test does not unless the dog is affected at the time of testing.
You may feel that this is not a solution however we combine the use of the DNA test in our breeding decisions with the review of LONGEVITY. Much as with humans, if you have a relative with a heart condition then the doctor will actively check your heart etc from an early age. If all you ancestors have lived long healthy lives without any heart conditions then it is likely that you will also lead the same long life. We believe that it is the same in dogs and we cover this in the next section.
NEW ARTICLE ON DCM MAY 2011: LINK (Back To Top) Should I buy a dog or bitch?This is a very personal decision and is often based on previous experience of having dogs however as a general rule I recommend Bitches if this is your first dog. When males reach approx 18 months, they often become dominant with other males no matter how much socialisation you have put into them. This can take much of the fun out of socialising and exercising your dog. Males can also be much more independent and challenge the authority in the home. I do not recommend males for people with young families who do not have previous experience with large breeds and preferably Dobermann. Bitches are generally easier to manage, depending on the breeding of the dog. (Back To Top) All of our pups come under contractEach puppy we sell goes under contract. The contract legally holds you to sticking to the various things listed on this section but also covers a number of other items. These include your agreement to feed the dog, keep it vaccinated, ensure it sleeps inside, and vaarious other aspects that we believe are important for any Dobermann but especially those we breed.
The contract also acts as your agreement that you will keep in touch with us and send us regular updates and photos. Most contracts are standard however those relating to dogs purchased for showing or working will stipulate that you must attend a minimum number of these events unbless we mutually agree to stop. This is because a suitable dog will be picked for you to be successful in doing this and as such that dog could not be shown/worked by anyone else.
There is a standard copy of our contract available through a link on this page and once we have spoken to you and at the point when you are really interested in having a pup we will provide you with the access to see it. We will not send these details by email to anyone we haven't spoken at length so please don't ask. (Back To Top) Puppy Foundation TrainingAs with humans the foundation on which a dog builds its life and the experiences it has at an early age are hugely important.Between the ages of 7 weeks and 14 weeks puppies undergo a huge amount of learning which maps out a lot of their future behaviour and abilities.
 This is not to say that some of this learning if negative can not be undone, however from our experience the better it is and the more attention to detail at this age the easier training is and the easier the dog is to live with later in life.
We promote many techniques and especially a building of prey drive so that the pups attention can be brought onto a ball or a rag with can be used as a reward or motivator later. We offer practical 1:2:1 sessions where we walk you through how to do this and also how to build for the basics you will need later as well as house training, stopping your puppy finger biting and also crate training which is easiest from an early age. (Back To Top) Are Dobermann good with children?As a general rule yes. However no dog should be left unattended with children and even if your dog is good with children they can still be playful and clumsy so you should always be careful. As you rear a puppy with children you need to ensure that the children understand the way the dog thinks and that the pack order is in place for the whole pack and the children learn the dogs boundaries and commands etc otherwise it may end up Mum and Daddy then the Dog and then the Children! If the puppy is well bred (i.e. not fearful) and if children are good with animals and treat them kindly and with respect, then as with any dog, Dobermann are excellent with children. Dogs are also proven to benefit children in terms of social ability later in life and decreased likelihood of having allergies. (Back To Top) LONGEVITYOne of the best indications of health of a dog has to be the longevity of the parents/relatives. Our dogs pedigrees can be found on their profile pages see OUR DOGS. The average lifespan of a Dobermann is 9 years, but with better breeding programmes including fresh bloodlines from Europe this may be slowly improving. Below are some of the dogs in their pedigrees. - Crislea Centrefold of Aritaur - Died aged 13
- Kramnaraks Black Jack - Died aged 13
- Britta Alan’s proud – Died aged 10
- Nitro Del Rio Bianco – Died aged 10
- Ch Holtzburg Mayhem - Died aged 9
- Ch Tamerlan iz Slavnoi Stai - Died aged 8 (stomach cancer)
- Zhemchuzhina Chernozemija Gerts – Died age 5 (infected tick bite)
- Jowendy's Jazz Club – Alive 2008 aged 12
- CH Dallas Royal Bell – Alive 2009 aged 10
- Honeymoon Woodoo Majesty – Alive 2008 aged 9
- Imidz Dasenka Valjur Land – Alive 2009 aged 7
- Eko Royal Bell – Alive 2008 aged 7
- F’Hiram Abif Royal Bell – Alive 2009 aged 6.5
(Back To Top) Can I keep two male Dobermann together?We do not sell males to homes that already have a male dog or that will ever try to mix adult dogs. Dobermann males do not mix and although some people differ in their opinion of this we feel very strongly on this. - What if one of them is castrated? - The answer is still no. We will not sell two dogs or a second dog to the same home.
- What about males from other breeds? - Still the same answer, one male dog per household!
(Back To Top) All of our puppies have endorsements (restrictions) for breeding on their Kennel Club PapersThe UK KC allows for pedigrees to be endorsed so that no progeny (puppies) can be registered from that male/female. We always endorse our pups as standard as must do not go to homes that intend to breed but also because we want to ensure that anyone who does want to breed does so in line with the standards we believe are important.
We will lift these endoresements if the buyer does fully health test the pup and the tests are ok and also if they are looking to breed with a male/female that is also health tested and also that compliments the dog they have from us.
We are not trying to stop people breeding as we ourselves had to start somewhere but what we are trying to do is ensure that we help people start breeding on the best foundations if this is indeed their aim. We also clearly want to protect our kennel name and our puppies from being used to breed from for the wrong reasons.
Please note that restrictions are not valid on export pedigrees for puppies that go overseas to other kennel clubs. For these puppies we just work with people on a trust basis and on the contract we have in place.
You can find full details of these endoresments on the Uk Kennel Club website here (Back To Top) Socialisation Socialisation is a misunderstood concept in our opinion. Many people believe this to be getting puppies together to play, and while we also offer puppy picnicswhich can be fun these can actually be detrimental to the foundation training if they are not managed and understood correctly.
It is important that your dog bonds with you not that everything else is more exciting, and socialisation is about ensuring that fear and aggression towards dogs and many other everyday objects and occurrences are avoided by educating your dog through exposure in a positive non threatening manner.
We have techniques to ensure that even rare occurrences such as the noises from Hot air Balloons, Deer scarers, Helicopters, Fireworks, Cars back firing etc are learned from an early age and therefore Fear, Prey or Aggressive reactions are avoided once the dog has reached its adult size and strength. We also include work with other dogs, animals and situations such as crowds, cyclists, skateboards. The sessions for this training are normally a combination of 1:2:1 and group seasons.
(Back To Top) Should I buy a dog or bitch?This is a very personal decision and is often based on previous experience of having dogs however as a general rule I recommend Bitches if this is your first dog. When males reach approx 18 months, they often become dominant with other males no matter how much socialisation you have put into them. This can take much of the fun out of socialising and exercising your dog. Males can also be much more independent and challenge the authority in the home. I do not recommend males for people with young families who do not have previous experience with large breeds and preferably Dobermann. Bitches are generally easier to manage, depending on the breeding of the dog. (Back To Top) VON WILLEBRANDS DISEASE (VWd)VWd is a blood disorder that causes affected animals, who are cut, to continue bleeding. In some ways it is similar to haemophilia in humans. Thankfully the gene marker for this disorder has been identified and it is possible to carry out a DNA test to identify if your dog is clear, a carrier or affected. The test is done using a swab in the mouth or through taking blood and sending it to a lab. Some vets test by making a small cut on the dog and timing how long it takes to stop. This test is not accurate nor suitable for making breeding decisions as bleeding depends on other health conditions and the levels of Von Willebrands 'factor' in the blood.
Using the chart below you will see the statistical outcome of various combinations of Clear, Carrier and Affected dogs. Producing Clear animals is the optimal outcome however there is no risk in producing carrier animals as long as people continue to test before breeding. Carriers cannot bleed and live normal risk free lives. All our dogs at home are tested for Von Willebrands Disease unless we know both parents were also clear, and w only have mostly clear and some carriers.
| | Clear Male | Carrier Male | Affected Male |
|---|
| Clear Female | 100% Clear | 50% Clear
50% Carrier | 100% Carrier |
|---|
| Carrier Female | 50% Clear
50% Carrier | 25% Clear
50% Carrier
25% Affected | 50% Carrier
50% Affected |
|---|
| Affected Female | 100% Carrier | 50% Carrier
50% Affected | 100% Affected |
|---|
Puppies will not have the disease gene although 50% of the resulting pups in the Carrier to Clear mating could carry the gene and should be tested before mating the puppies when they are adults. While no dogs will be affected 100% will be carriers and therefore all future mating from this line have the potential to pass on the gene. We would only recommend this mating combination when there are significant other beneficial factors at play such as last of a bloodline or where the male is of excellent quality and far beyond any other available. There are rarely males that would fall into this category in this situation although using a male carrier on a clear female is acceptable. While there are no affected puppies in this mating we would never have or agree to a mating where the mother is affected due to the risk to her. Quite often matings can result in the need for a C-section which if the mother is VWd affected could be fatal for her. Any of the red Combinations can produce affected pups Some puppies are likely to be carriers, and some puppies are likely to be affected. Therefore we would never support or agree to these combinations and insist that our dogs are VWd tested before mating to ensure that none of these combinations are made unwittingly. (Back To Top) How much is a puppy?Our pups are normally priced at £950. However, the price may vary dependant on the particular mating. (Back To Top) All of our puppies have endoresements (restrictions) for export on their Kennel Club PapersThe restriction on export is to protect against the restriction fro breeding being lifted by another Kennel Club. This restriction does not stop you from moving abroad with your dog only from moving their papers to another country. As per the breeding we will lift all endorsements if the correct requirements are met.
Please note that restrictions are not valid on export pedigrees for puppies that are sold overseas to other kennel clubs. These puppies go without these restrictions in place.
You can find full details of these endoresments on the Uk Kennel Club website here (Back To Top) Obedience Training General obedience covers a wide spectrum of learning. Depending on your own experience and confidence you may have taught the basics of sit and down and walk to heel etc and may be looking for recall training perhaps where your dog has a tendency to run off to play with other dogs instead. General Obedience also includes fetching objects, a long down, manners at home.
 We teach using positive re-enforcement and as such building on the basics of our foundation course is always best practice where you have developed a desire in your dog for a specific reward (often a ball). From this point we can help you motivate your dog to do more and more advanced tasks or tricks.
This type of training is both fun for you the owner and rewarding as you develop the dogs level of ability but more importantly it helps ensure your dogs mind is stimulated which as a positive by-product helps avoid negative behaviours developing due to the dog finding ways to stimulate their own mind.
 We also train obedience as part of the Schutzhund (VPG/IPO) trials. The requirements for this type of obedience is a more strict than everyday obedience and we offer training to help you and your dog succeed in both these working trails and/or to pass the BH (Basic Handling) test. The patterns for this obedience assessment and also the rules can be found in our work section. This training is offered at classes, for groups at your club or premises or on a 1:2:1 basis.
(Back To Top) Can I keep two male Dobermann together?We do not sell males to homes that already have a male dog or that will ever try to mix adult dogs. Dobermann males do not mix and although some people differ in their opinion of this we feel very strongly on this. - What if one of them is castrated? - The answer is still no. We will not sell two dogs or a second dog to the same home.
- What about males from other breeds? - Still the same answer, one male dog per household!
(Back To Top) PHPV (Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous)PHPV is an eye disease which can occasionally cause loss of vision. It is also called Dutch Eye Disease. The space at the back of the eye, behind the lens, is normally filled with a clear jelly. This jelly is called the vitreous. Dogs with PHPV are born with a hazy, scarred vitreous. The hazy vitreous blocks light passing to the back of the eye. This leads to blurred vision. Sometimes when an unborn puppy is growing in the womb not all parts of the eye develop normally. In dogs with PHPV the first (primary) vitreous that grows in the eye fails to become clear. It grows too much (hyperplastic) and becomes hazy and scarred. Usually it would disappear and become clear but instead it stays (persists). This is why the condition is called Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous. This leads to blurred vision and other eye conditions sometimes developing. Nobody really knows why the vitreous sometimes does not develop correctly. Most cases of PHPV occur by chance although some cases are known to run in certain lines.
Very few dogs are tested in the UK and a grading is not given as it is in some European countries, so we do not know how much of a problem it is in the breed in the UK. Between 1967 and 1987, in the Netherlands 3,775 Dobermans were examined for hereditary eye diseases. In 238 of these dogs severe persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and primary vitreous (PHTVL/PHPV) was diagnosed. After a brief description of the clinical features the results of breeding over the recent years are discussed. The incidence (1978-1987) of severely affected dogs in the litter controls decreased from 5% to 1% in the individual controls from 19% to 8%. This is an encouraging downward tendency. Better results are to be expected once test mating and progeny-testing methods are accepted as breeding methods in dog breeding. All the dogs in our kennel and pups we have bred have to date tested PHPV Clear! (Back To Top) What is included in this price?Included in the price will be:
- KC Papers
- 6 Weeks free insurance
- Full Information pack with rearing and training guide
- Copies of all health, Champion, Character Test and Working Certificates of parents
- Micro chipping
- Letter to your Vet explaining when the pup was wormed, vaccinated and health test of the parents
- A small bag of food to get you started including several weighed out and prepared meals
- Puppy Info Pack
- Puppy Goodies Pack
- For an extra cost we can also arrange additional items such as a crate, additional food etc
For More info on the puppy pack click here (Back To Top) If you do not want the dog at anytime in its life for ANY reason then the dog must be returned to us.The reason for this condition is that we want to ensure that we know where all of the dogs we bred end up... We dont want them to be sold or given away etc. In short we always take the dogs back if for any reason you can't keep them anymore... and that will be true even when we move abroad and if we need to come to you to collect tthe dog we will.
We know that no-one buys a dog with the intension to do this but life can send us unexpected crcumstances and at these times we need to ensure that we have a back up plan and we are the safety net for the dogs we put on the planet and therefore ultimately accept responsibility for homing.
Please note that if you were to tell us you couldnt keep the dog at any stage but a close relative could, for example, then we would be highly unlikely not to agree but we would ask that they sign a new contract in your place.
As always if you would like to ask about this please give us a call. (Back To Top) Ring Craft (Show Training) Showing a dog in Europe for working breeds is very different from the UK and US format. In most European countries working dogs will be double handled and the judge will want to see the dog pulling on their lead so that the chest stands out and the temperament of the dog can also be seen. Single handling with the use of bait is not encouraged and results from this style of showing in a European ring are rarely successful.
 We offer help and training to anyone hoping to campaign their dog in Europe as we do. We have shown successfully in Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Malta and Hungary to name but a few. The training is easiest when started young and builds on our foundation and basic obedience training that uses created ball drive (prey drive) to get the dog excited and wanting to win the reward. This desire for a ball can then be built into a successful show stance as some of the pictures here demonstrate. Seasons for this training are best 1:2:1 but we can also offer group seasons if a number of people would like to learn together, although for beginners only one dog will be trained at a time. Please remember that this is double handling training so you will need to people to handle one dog.
(Back To Top) What is the difference between English and European Dobermann?This is an area which creates much debate and differing opinion. Some people are devout followers of one side or the other an now many kennels have mixed the lines so there is no true one or the other in some UK kennels anymore. The main difference we find is temperament. European Dobermann were and still are bred for purpose. They must be able to display the characteristics they were bred for originally and this is done through the ZTP test. In the UK we had a much smaller gene pool and generally the character was bred out of them and the focus was on movement and “look”. However, these are generalisations and there are exceptions. We focus more on European lines although we do have some excellent UK lines in our kennel which bring better movement and angulations. The advice that we give to people is that the European pups and adults tend to be a little more cheeky, a little more keen to chance their arm and see if today...just maybe today I am allowed on the sofa...so consistency is needed. Generally they tend to be more active and they will need attention and exercise. The best way to understand the difference is to meet them... (Back To Top) WOBBLERS (Cervical Spondylomyelopathy)While genetic factors are likely play a role in the development of this Wobbler’s Syndrome, excess dietary calcium and protein appear to contribute as well. In some progressive cases the prognosis may be guarded. Wobbler’s Syndrome is so named because affected dogs, usually Great Danes and Dobermans, appear to wobble or be unstable. Wobbler’s Syndrome is a disease of the bones of the spinal column in the neck area.
So canine spondylomyelopathy is actually a more accurate term for this syndrome as the instability of the bones of the spinal column causes damage to the spinal cord. The symptoms of Wobbler’s syndrome seem to manifest differently in Great Danes and Dobermans. Most Great Danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy will show signs at a young age-anywhere between three and twelve months. This form develops slowly. Dobermans are more prone to developing acute symptoms between the ages of five and seven years. These dogs experience neck pain and have front leg problems as well as the rear. While the symptoms in these cases may occur more quickly, these animals may respond better to surgical intervention than the slow onset cases.
The fact that two breeds of dog are prone to this syndrome points toward the potential for a genetic basis. The other potential contributing factor may be hyper-nutrition. Diets with high levels of protein and calcium may contribute to malformation of the cervical vertebrae, causing pressure on the spinal cord. None of our dogs have suffered from Wobblers nor have we breed from dogs who have had any evidence of Wobblers in their lines to the best of our knowledge. We also ensure that all puppies are raised on a well balanced diet and all new puppy owners receive a full puppy pack including a feeding guide. (Back To Top) I can buy a puppy for £500-£800 why are yours more expensive?Unfortunately we sell most of our pups to people who have already had a bad experience with a pup they bought thinking all pups were the same. Many Dobermann are dying far too young of DCM, Wobblers and VWd. We invest a lot of time and effort into ensuring we breed responsibly not just for dogs that have strong characters and for beauty but also for HEALTH! We also will not use the stud dog next door. Of the litters in 2008 and 2009 we have or will travel to Latvia, Serbia, Polish/Russian Border (Polish side) and Berlin to use the right stud dog on the right bitch. We won’t use a stud dog that hasn’t been fully health tested or that has not passed the German ZTP (Character Test). (Back To Top) We will choose the right puppy for you rather than you choosing (Unless you are experienced to do so)Many people ask can they choose their own puppy and the answer can be yes or no. As some of our pups will be going to show or working homes these choices are always made first before pet homes as we want to ensure that the best possible dogs go to these homes and are successful.
In saying this if there is only one brown male and someone has reserved the first brown male and we are not keeping them ourselves then you would have this puppy.
The main reason however that we choose or limit the choice of pups is that we aim to match the needs of the home with the right pup. There is no point putting the most dominant puppy in a home with 3 children under 6 as the family will generally have challenges and that pup may come back to us. This is always balanced by considering the experience of the family.
People are told to pick the pup that runs up first and this is the pup that at 8 weeks already has asserted itself as the pack leader in the litter. Why would it not do the same in the family home? Maybe this is what you want if you need a strong willed dog for Schutzhund but peobably not as a family pet.
We always aim to make sure people are happy with their pup and indeed we have a good track record of making the right matches. However, even with our experience we do not always get it right and therefore are always there to support any bad behaviours people have with their pups.
PLEASE NOTE: We do not choose pups until at the least 6 weeks old as they have not developed enough for us to do so before this time. (Back To Top) ZTP Training The ZTP is the German Suitability for Breeding test which has now been adopted across most European countries. This test proves the suitability by checking the form and proportions of the dog, checking the basic health tests are complete and then checking the character of the dog in everyday situations such as crowds, opening umbrella’s, load noises etc and also in a simulated attack.
 The point of the everyday situations is to check that the dog does not get afraid or aggressive demonstrating it will have no tendency to bite as a result of this tendency being exaggerated or in the situation of heightened stress. The simulated attack is to demonstrate that the dog will defend you and they are confident and show no fear when biting the helper or when he puts the dog under stress while driving it. We have taken several dogs through ZTP successfully including having the first two UK based dogs ever to pass ZTP. One of these dogs is Tess who is in the inserted pictures with Judge Armin Hoppe.
 We can help you if you would like to do the ZTP in a number of ways. We can arrange group sessions at you club or home or you can attend sessions we hold either in the UK or in Europe to help you work with your dog to achieve the ZTP pass. This also includes helping you organise the paperwork need and entry into a suitable ZTP test in Europe (PET Passport needed). Alternatively we can train your dog for you and out them through the test. To achieve this, the dog will need to stay with us or one of our associated trainers (potentially in Europe) while training is undertaken and until the test is passed.
(Back To Top) How much is a puppy?Our pups are normally priced at £950. However, the price may vary dependant on the particular mating. (Back To Top) HYPER/HYPO - THYROIDISMThis is a hormonal disorder of a lack or excess of thyroid hormone in the Dobermann, usually occurring around 2-5 years of age. Symptoms depend on whether the dog has hyper (producing too much thyroid hormone) or hypo (insufficient) thyroid-ism. Hypo leads to lethargy, hair loss (usually bilateral on the flanks) and coarseness of the hair, and obesity. Dogs that are affected will be lethargic, feel the cold and often shiver, huddling close to a source of warmth. The most common clinical features of hyper-thyroidism are elevated heart rate, weight loss, increased appetite, nervousness, increased water intake and urination, and increased activity.
Diagnosis is achieved by means of a blood test. Treatment is by means of a daily dose of Thyroxine for life or removal of any growth or cancer on the thyroid gland in the case of Hyper (which can then lead to Hypo). We have not to date tested our dogs for this but after researching for adding health information to our site we have decided to look into testing all of our dogs. (Back To Top) What health tests should the parents have?As a standard we always check the following: - Hips – We hip score all of our adults either in the UK or abroad.
- Eyes - (PHPV) or Dutch Eye Disease
- Von Willebrands – VWd
- Further we do not breed from any lines that we know to have Wobblers or heart disease in them and we also trace longevity of the dogs in the pedigrees that we use and can discuss these down to individual dog when you ask about a specific litter or mating.
Not only should you ask this question when looking at a pup but you should seek evidence of the answer. Unfortunately we have been made aware of people claiming to have health tests that they have not so always ask for proof! You are making a huge decision and we are saddened every time we get another person call us to say their dog died at 5 years old. (Back To Top) You must stay in touch with us and send us regular updates and photos.Apart from the fact that we need to have your contact details in case your dog is lost or found, we want to be in touch!! We do not want to sell our puppies and never hear from them again. With modern technology and communication things like Facebook and digital cameras built into your phones make it so much easier to stay in touch.
Our main drive for wanting people to stay in touch is two fold:
- We genuinely want to stay in touch with you and the pup we have bred and to help and support as you go through its development and later in life.
- This is also because of the second reason that we want to see how the dog develops, how its heallth is and how the temperament is. We strive to improve all of theses three areas but if we do not have contact we don't know if we are being successful or not.
(Back To Top) IPO/VPG/Schutzhund Training Schutzhund training is a name often used to describe the biting portion of the working trail which was formerly called Schutzhund but that is now called IPO or VPG.  This type of biting is primarily sports biting and although it is good to build up some level of aggression in the dog to make the bite strong and to gain better points, the overall intention of the dog is to bite and win the helpers sleeve as apposed to bite the helper. In saying this every dog is different and as a helper I have to understand the intention and capability of each dog I work with.
The training for this type of work generally entails a dog chasing, biting and guarding a helper whether that helper is in a hide, running away from the dog (short attack) or if the helper is running to attack the dog head on (long attack). In order to train a dog to bite in this way and to hold when the helper uses pressure or when the dog is driven by the helper takes dedicated training.
 The dogs confidence must be raised through numerous techniques and exercises however if the dogs confidence or desire to bite becomes too high then it can be difficult to maintain obedience on the field which the examiner/judge will also score you on during the protection element of the test/trail.
 If you are interested in training your dog for IPO/VPG, whether to compete or for the title so that they can achieve international champion, then we can help you.
 Again there are a number of ways to achieve this, either through 1:2:1 seasons to get you started or to perfect any areas you would like to focus on, or we support groups of trainees either at one of the training grounds we use or at your own club or private premises if these are suitable.Finally if you do not have the time to do the training yourself with the dog and only wish to gain the title, then we can take your dog on as a residential trainee and undertake the training and the trial for you (this includes all elements to pass a trial (Protection, Tracking and Obedience).In the pictures on this page you can see us working with Vangilis Hellfire (IPO – in preparation – Middle Left), Vasco (IPO1 – Top and Middle Right), Zakyr Zewi Del Citone (IPO2 – Bottom Right), Eron End Hellfire (IPO3 – Top Left)
(Back To Top) What is included in this price?Included in the price will be: - KC Papers
- 6 Weeks free insurance
- Full Information pack with rearing and training guide
- Copies of all health, Champion, Character Test and Working Certificates of parents
- Micro chipping
- First Vaccination (dependant on age)
- Letter to your Vet explaining when the pup was wormed, vaccinated and health test of the parents
- A small bag of food to get you started including several weighed out and prepared meals
- Collar, Lead, blanket and Towel
- For an extra cost we can also arrange additional items such as a crate, additional food etc
(Back To Top) HIP SCORINGThis is not a widespread problem within the Dobermann breed, however like any medium to large breed dog, there can be instances where Hip Dysplasia occurs. Hip Dysplasia (HD) is the malformation in the development of one or both ball and socket joints in the hip. The hip joint is composed of the socket which is formed by the bones of the pelvis and the "ball" (head) of the thigh bone (femur). Normally, this joint is very tight fitting, however if suffering from dysplasia there will be too much movement in the joint leading to pain and lameness. Hip Dysplasia (HD) is a genetically based disease which is greatly influenced by environmental factors.
The mode of inheritance of HD is complex and the degenerative changes occur with growth if the genetic and environmental factors are present. Due to this complexity, normal hipped dogs can produce offspring with all degrees of dysplasia and dysplastic dogs can produce normal offspring. Breeders can x-ray the dogs they intend to breed from and have these x-rays "scored" by professional veterinary graders.
The current BVA/KC scoring scheme for hip dysplasia (HD) has been in operation since 1984 and since then over 100,000 X-rays have been assessed. Dysplasia means abnormal development, and the degree of hip dysplasia present is indicated by a score assigned to each hip. The hip score is the sum of the points awarded for each of nine aspects of the X-rays of both hip joints. The minimum hip score is 0 and the maximum is 106 (53 for each hip). The lower the score the less the degree of hip dysplasia present. The minimum age for hip scoring is one year, and each dog is only ever scored once under the scheme.
An average (or mean) score is calculated for all breeds scored under the scheme and advice for breeders is to use only Dobermann with scores well below the breed mean score. The average score for a Dobermann in the UK is 10 (the sum of both hips). Brindi – HD (4:3) = 7
Vasco – HD- A1 (Italy) = Max 4
Tess – HD – A1 (Italy) – Max 4
Natrix – HD (4:4) = 8
Ursula – HD A1 (Germany) = Max 4
Havana – HD A1 (Germany) = Max 4
Romance – HD A1 (Germany) = Max 4
Flame – HD A1 (Germany) = Max 4
AVERAGE LUNASCURA DOBERMANN = 4.6
As a rule we Hip Score all our Dobermann before breeding from them and only use tested stud dogs.
The following table compares the scores recognised by Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFI), Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV).
(Back To Top) What does health testing prove/do?Unfortunately there are no guarantees for some things, however VWd is now fully understood and responsible breeding can eradicate affected pups. With the other health issues the doing the tests ensures that adults with health problems are not used to further the breed and the intention is by then doing so that the resulting pups will also be healthy.
PLEASE SEE OUR HEALTH PAGE FOR FUTHER INFO (Back To Top) Tracking Training Tracking is trained normally as part of Schutzhund training as it is one of the tested elements of this assessment. However dogs can also compete in dedicated tracking tests for foot-step tracking and article searching. Tracking can also be training in terms of “search and rescue” and “sniffer dog” training.
 Training for tracking takes long hours and dedication. It is not something you can do sporadically so dedication is a must no matter what the weather is like. It can be trained from a very early age (as soon as vaccinations are in place) and many dogs develop a great love for it and tend to track naturally after a while even when walking in the park or on the street.
 We teach tracking from basics and then work with you to advance your dogs abilities. Normally sessions begin as a 1:2:1 training where we discuss theory followed by a putting this into practice on the field. As explained above tracking takes dedication, with the best performers in this field stating a minimum of 3 tracking sessions a week so we also provide a guide for you to continue to train between supported training sessions.
(Back To Top) I can buy a puppy for £400 why are yours more expensive?Unfortunately we sell most of our pups to people who have already had a bad experience with a pup they bought thinking all pups were the same. Many Dobermann are dying far too young of DCM, Wobblers and VWd. We invest a lot of time and effort into ensuring we breed responsibly not just for dogs that have strong characters and for beauty but also for HEALTH! We also will not use the stud dog next door. Of the litters in 2008 and 2009 we have or will travel to Latvia, Serbia, Polish/Russian Border (Polish side) and Berlin to use the right stud dog on the right bitch. We won’t use a stud dog that hasn’t been fully health tested or that has not passed the German ZTP (Character Test). (Back To Top) Can I see both parents?When buying a puppy from us you will always be able to see the mother of the pups who will still be with them until the pups are collected. However, as mentioned above we often use dogs from across Europe that do not belong to us. For this reason it may not be able to see the male. However we can provide pictures, and web addresses to see him and even the contact details of the owner should you wish to contact them for reassurance. (Back To Top) DNA PROFILINGWhile DNA PROFILING is not strictly health testing we are covering it under this section as it best sits here. The profiling and registering of your Dogs DNA is in our mind important as the whole UK KC system is based on trust... forms are completed and sent in via the post and as such you only have the word of a breeder that the puppy is from the parents stated.
With DNA PROFILING you no longer have to trust as you can contact the kennel club and have your own puppy DNA profiled and this will prove that the puppy is from the parents stated if they are profiled.
We have profiled all the dogs we have had litters from to date and will continue to profile the dogs we own in the future. (Back To Top) Protection Training As we have mentioned in other places on our website, civil protection is something that we train but it is not something to be entered into lightly. You need to have a reason, need to be 100% in control of your dog and you need to understand the risks of making a mistake, and your liability and the consequences for the dog if this should happen even once.
 We work closely with Bulwark Group who are a specialised high-end security firm who often need to provide civil protection dogs to their clients or work with them on close protection jobs with celebrities or high profile civil servants or business people. They have been using dogs bred and trained by us on a number of occasions and now have two of our dogs as permanent members of their team.
 We took a long time to decide if we would enter into providing dogs for civil protection work and training them for other people.
 Clearly we do not want to encourage the wrong type of people to contact us about training their dog to bite due to the potential risks and consequences for all concerned. In order to avoid this we quite often refer people to Bulwark Group who are SIA and NASDU accredited. They carry out an assessment to see if a protection dog is a required or if an alternative security arrangement or precautions could be applicable. If a protection dog is needed, then we will work with them to train you and your dog or train a dog for you. As you can see from the pictures some of our own dogs are currently in training and the dogs we breed have the potential to undertake this line of training.
(Back To Top) What health tests should the parents have?As a standard we always check the following:
- Hips – We hip score all of our adults either in the UK or abroad.
- Eyes - (PHPV) or Dutch Eye Disease
- Von Willebrands – VWd
- Further we do not breed from any lines that we know to have Wobblers or heart disease in them and we also trace longevity of the dogs in the pedigrees that we use and can discuss these down to individual dog when you ask about a specific litter or mating.
Not only should you ask this question when looking at a pup but you should seek evidence of the answer. Unfortunately we have been made aware of people claiming to have health tests that they have not so always ask for proof! You are making a huge decision and we are saddened every time we get another person call us to say their dog died at 5 years old. (Back To Top) How do I choose my puppy?There are a lot of books about how to choose a pup and generally people think that you should choose the one that comes to you first. Well that is the dominant pup... the pack leader and going to be the biggest handful in the house/family when you get it home and definitely NOT the best choice of family dog when you have young kids. On the other hand if a pup is scared of you or fearful then that would not be a good choice either. However, this should not be confused with quietly confident or happy to come when called or when the leader has already greeted you. We take all our dogs back if they don’t work out so it is in our interest to ensure we get the right pup for the right owner. Outside of colour and sex we generally chose your puppy for you and to date we have not had anyone upset with the choice. Often our pups will go to show or working homes so as a result we will often pick for character or looks for these homes first before picking for the pet homes begins. (Back To Top) Other Training AvailableWhile we have done our best to list and describe the majority of training services we offer, clearly the list is not exhaustive. We are contacted with people with many other training needs or where their dogs have developed problems that they need to cure through effective and positive training techniques. If you have a training need that is not listed here then please contact us using the email address below
If you are interested in any of our training services then please email us at training@luna-scura.com (Back To Top) What does health testing prove/do?Unfortunately there are no guarantees for some things, however VWd is now fully understood and responsible breeding can eradicate affected pups. With the other health issues the doing the tests ensures that adults with health problems are not used to further the breed and the intention is by then doing so that the resulting pups will also be healthy.
PLEASE SEE OUR HEALTH PAGE FOR FUTHER INFO (Back To Top) How do I know if you are a good breeder or notThat really needs to be your decision however you are welcome to read our guestbook for comments from some of our previous puppy buyers. (Back To Top) Do you think I should spay/castrate my dog?We do not recommend this at all. Many vets recommend this operation far to easily and more importantly far too young. Also some so called behaviourists think castrating a male is the answer to all your troubles... Believe me it’s not!!! There is a lot of scare mongering about cancer and unwanted puppies. If you are a responsible owner and can ensure your dog isn’t off “flirting” with the neighbour’s dog then there is no need to spay or castrate and frankly in my opinion the statistics about cancer don’t stack up... compare them to cervical and prostate cancer likelihood in humans and we don’t castrate men or give woman hysterectomies just because they don’t intend to have children. And in fact when humans do undergo these procedures they often need to undergo hormone treatment after...so why would it be different in a dog? No... we really advise against this. (Back To Top) Will my puppy be docked?Yes. We live in Northern Ireland and breed our dogs there where docking is currently still legal. We will continue to dock while it is still legal and feel very strongly that docking should continue for the welfare of the dogs. It has nothing to do with looks. (Back To Top) Can I see both parents?When buying a puppy from us you will always be able to see the mother of the pups who will still be with them until the pups are collected. However, as mentioned above we often use dogs from across Europe that do not belong to us. For this reason it may not be able to see the male. However we can provide pictures, and web addresses to see him and even the contact details of the owner should you wish to contact them for reassurance. (Back To Top) Some of your adult dogs are cropped, will my puppy be cropped?We get 3 or more calls a day asking this question and the answer is NO! Cropping is illegal the UK and has been for a very long time. Our adult dogs were imported and legally docked in a country where copping was legal at the time. (Back To Top) How do I choose my puppy?There are a lot of books about how to choose a pup and generally people think that you should choose the one that comes to you first. Well that is the dominant pup... the pack leader and going to be the biggest handful in the house/family when you get it home and definitely NOT the best choice of family dog when you have young kids. On the other hand if a pup is scared of you or fearful then that would not be a good choice either. However, this should not be confused with quietly confident or happy to come when called or when the leader has already greeted you. We take all our dogs back if they don’t work out so it is in our interest to ensure we get the right pup for the right owner. Outside of colour and sex we generally chose your puppy for you and to date we have not had anyone upset with the choice. Often our pups will go to show or working homes so as a result we will often pick for character or looks for these homes first before picking for the pet homes begins. (Back To Top) Do you sell puppies to overseas homes?Yes, we have puppies in Malta, Germany, Holland, France and Bermuda. We are happy to have enquiries from abroad and will talk through what is involved if you are interested in having a puppy from us. (Back To Top) How do I know if you are a good breeder or not?That really needs to be your decision however you are welcome to read our guestbook for comments from some of our previous puppy buyers. (Back To Top) Do you breed Blue, Isabella (Fawn) or White Dobermann?No. We do not use any dogs or lines that we know will throw Blue, Isabella or White Dobermann. There is a lot of misunderstanding about Dobermann colours that often have skin problems and SUBSTANTIAL hair loss after the age of two. Please do not buy any of these dogs thinking they are a “cool” or rare colour that is desired. You will not see any in shows in Europe or the UK for a reason! See our page on Dobermann Colours for more information. (Back To Top) Will my puppy be docked?Yes. We live in Northern Ireland and breed our dogs there where docking is currently still legal. We will continue to dock while it is still legal and feel very strongly that docking should continue for the welfare of the dogs. It has nothing to do with looks. (Back To Top) Some of your adult dogs are cropped, will my puppy be cropped?We get 3 or more calls a day asking this question and the answer is NO! Cropping is illegal the UK and has been for a very long time. Our adult dogs were imported and legally docked in a country where copping was legal at the time. (Back To Top) Is there no way I can get a cropped puppy in the UK?NO!!! Not legally and if it is illegal we don’t want any part in it! (Back To Top) Can you import a cropped dog for me?We have imported cropped dogs for some of our close friends and family; however we do not import dogs generally or to order. Importing is a very expensive and risky business and we do not recommend importing unless you have a relationship with an overseas kennel that you have visited and seen your puppy like you would in the UK. (Back To Top) Do Dobermann make good Guard Dogs?I have included this as it depends on your interpretation of guard dog. Will a Dobermann defend you and your family? Yes indeed! Do they make good dogs to sleep outside or in a factory, building site or other premises? NO! A Dobermann is a Companion dog and should be kept with people the majority of the time. They do not have the thick coat to sleep outside even in the summer and they generally pine and become destructive if left alone for long periods. (Back To Top) What does “work” mean on your website?Working in the context of this site generally refers to working trials for Schutzhund, IPO or VPG. It may also refer to tracking trials or agility. It does not refer to guard dog or security dog generally although some of our dogs have been trained for civil protection and security work.
PLEASE SEE OUR WORK PAGE FOR FUTHER INFO (Back To Top)
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