How to choose a good breeder
Well when they finally got the pup all 3 kids said that they would do there part. They would walk and feed the puppy, no problem! The weeks passed and the puppy was not getting any further along with it's house manners. Everyone started to argue that it was the next persons turn to take her out, or to feed her. Out of a household with 5 people that wanted a family dog, not one person was giving that pup proper attention.
A dog means a decade of responsibility. About 6 years ago a very nice family approached me because their teenaged son wanted a puppy. I asked the boy how old he was and if he planned to go to College. He was 16 and had very definite plans for his future education. The college that this boy would attend would require him to stay on campus. I asked the parents if they too really wanted this dog, as it would ultimately be theirs. The boy was quite mature about the matter and we all decided that it would be better for them to wait until he was finished school and able to commit to a dog. But not too many teens are so rational, and not all parents can refuse their teen's whims and desires.

Had they acquired a dog, it would have received plenty of attention for a couple years. Then after the boy had gone away to school, it could spend several years moping around the house like an extra piece of furniture. So please be wise and completely fair to yourself, the kids, and especially the dog.

The kids don't have to be over any age to enjoy the benefits of having a dog in their lives. Young children learn to become responsible for a pet. If you wait until they are teens however, you likely will have waited too long. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. If you have also been looking forward to owning a Dobermann, the result can only be positive. When the kids leave home, it will give you more time to focus on your own relationship with the dog.

I have mentioned many of the "possible" negative effects of bringing a Dobermann into the home. The benefits are always in the front of our minds, but I personally feel we should be prepared to take the bad with the good. Over-all, the Dobermann makes a great family pet! The advise that is given in this section would remain the same no matter what breed of dog you decide to get. Retrievers, hounds, toys, whatever the breed, kids and dogs need to be supervised.

How to choose a good breeder con't
We at DobeReich hope to be your breeder of choice. However, I feel that it is important to research as many breeders as possible before you make your final decision. A Dobermann is expected to live for 9-12 years on average. This is a long-term investment that should not be taken lightly.

The purchase price of a puppy, or money, should never be your reason for choosing one breeder over another. The exception to this is if you feel the breeder is exploiting their dogs for the sole purpose of income, and possibly at the expense of their dogís health and welfare.

The average price for a Dobermann will vary from one country to another. Different bloodlines may also be sold at a slightly higher price then others. These factors should be considered, but puppy prices should only vary by a couple of hundred dollars. If one breeder is asking a much higher price for their puppies then there should be some very acceptable reasons for this. On the other hand, the same will apply to a breeder selling their puppies for under the average price.

Every breeder has their own reasons for raising Dobermanns. A good kennel will be motivated to make a positive contribution to the breed. As a consumer you should beware of individuals that breed primarily for income, this can often cause a great deal of pressure on the breeder to sell since their lifestyle depends on it.

Ask what food they feed to all their pets and breeding dogs alike, this will tell you a great deal about what to expect from your puppies health. Many apparent genetic disorders are actually a manifestation of poor feeding practices compounded over several generations.
In my opinion, I would always recommend that Dobermanns be raised in the home environment. A Dobermann was never bred to be an outdoor kennel dog. They are a personal protector and guardian, a job that cannot be done from a kennel.

Always ask to see registration papers for the parents of the puppy you are considering. If the breeder is a member of a kennel club (hopefully they will be), it will allow you the opportunity to acquire information about them through contacting that club. The kennel club will be able to tell you if that particular breeder has had any complaints or disciplinary action taken against them.