help!
My previous (much loved) dobie was a rescue so I know nothing of dobermann breeders. I'm looking for a male pup. I've seen some scrawny, nervous types (the dogs - not the breeders, that is !!) and they are just not my idea of a dobie. Health and temperament are hugely important to me.
Can anyone recommend any breeders doing ALL the health checks and breeding calm, happy not NERVOUS dobies? I'm not going to show so he doesn't need to be a future champion - but I would like a "nicely put together" dog from a decent breeder. Life-long country home awaits with huge garden, experienced owner, plenty of walks, love and training (may compete.)

I would contact the Breed Club.  They should be able to put you in touch with a breeder who complies with their code of ethics and carries out all the health tests and screening recommended by them.

Your best bet is to contact the breed clubs listed at the bottom of the Breed Standard. They'll be able to point you in the right direction. :) The best pet puppies generally come from the litters that also contain the champions. :)

When you do talk to the breed club you could ask about any upcoming shows where you could meet the dogs of several breeders. I did this with my dog and another breed I was looking into. You can see which dogs have the temperament you're looking for and talk to the breeders. When I was looking at leos I explained why I was there and all the breeders around the ring were very helpful and informative. Good luck finding your special dog.

thanks for the idea - a great way to meet a lot of dobes and breeders without trekking around the whole country!

As you had a rescue before would you not consider rehoming a Dobe? I'm sure there are plenty in rescue at the moment.

sadly you will not find a breeder doing ALL health tests nor will you find a breeder who breeds for temperament.  Temperament in my opinion is the foremost of any breeding programme but in todays dobermann 'looks' are being portrayed as the be all and end all.  In my opinion this is wrong as most puppies are sold as pets rather than show dogs - I most certainly would rather live with an ugly dog than one with an iffy temperament!!

I must add that nervous dobes are mainly due to lack of socialisation - get your dobes out and about experiecing the day to day life and dont excuse 'bad behaviour' for other reasons - socialise then!!!

Lets take the breed forward rather than backwards!!!

ps a dobe club will only recommend a litter from a member - this does not mean this litter is the be all and end all as per the KC list of puppies.......

Of course owners still need to research what is desirable in a well bred puppy but Breed Clubs have a code which is a step further than the requirements to meet the KC puppy list.

I find it hard to believe there are no breeders doing all the breed club recommended tests.

Sadly it seems to be that only a small proportion hip score, even fewer eye test and certainly far from all test for Von Willebrands disease, but there are a number that do all these tests, as well as select for correct temperament, though some favour high drive working traits which might not suit every kind of potential owner, but these will be very up front about what kind of traits these pups are likely to have and that they are suited to the more experienced homes.

Ethical breeders will always take back any pups they breed whose homes don't work out so it is in their own interest to have temperament as the highest priority as this means fewer are likely to not work out in their homes.  With litters of 10 being common there is always plenty of choice for the showring leaving pletny of well bred pups in need of pet homes.

I'm looking for those breeders!!  I'm aware of potential dobe health problems and would like to find a breeder who tests against all of them - not just one! Haven't contacted the doberman breed clubs as yet but as Breed clubs/kennel club can't enforce these tests and in my experience  usually have to be impartial in terms of not being able to recommend any individuals in particular - they will probably only be able to give me a list of breeders.....

A list of breeders would be a good start, it's only a matter of phone calls after that.
If they are an Accredited Breeder the KC can enforce the requirements of their scheme, if not the recommendations, which can be found here.

Find out all of the health tests that are necessary, what are good results, (just because its been tested it does not mean the test was a positive good outcome! :) ) then get lists of puppies for sale from the breed clubs and the Kc site. maybe show preference to those that are A breeders. Speak to the breed club and find out as much info as you can both about the breed and any problems they know of. Make a list! Of all the health checks, and other matters, and what you want as in how they are reared, etc etc. Then, armed with this, ring the breeders. make sure they have done all the health checks, and tick all your other boxes too! Find out from the breed club if they have members who breed who are planning litters, or may have some in the future, and check them out too. Once you have the list of 'possibles' go visiting, and insist that you see all the relevant paperwork and are happy that the adults are fit and healthy, and the puppies are reared in a way that you would want. Don't simply assume that, because they are A breeders, or breed club members, everything is as it should be. Any reluctance in providing the info, in whatever form that may be, walk away! Any good breeder will be pleased you have taken the time to find out so much, and have a genuine interest in a good puppy and breeder. the more open, relaxed and helpful they are, the better it will be for you in the longrun. Of course, you will have some in depth questions to answer yourself also :D The more they ask, the better IMO.

So do I?  If they are not doing the breed club recommended tests how are they still members?

Because it is a recomendation, not an enforced requirement.

I would think the club will probably be aware of which breeders do.  As I say I can't believe there aren't any.

I would hope they would, but if it is not a requirement to have health tests on the adults to advertise on their puppy sales list, can they point out the ones that do against the ones that don't? is this allowed/does it happen?

I've no idea really but if you can ask for breeders of a certain colour, for instance, I don't see why you can't ask for breeders who have used tested dogs.  Fail in that, what about asking for the names of the Health Committee and making contact with them for an "informal" request for direction, away from the official puppy list?