Westminster 2011

[Princess Doreen]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

The Dobe got robbed, not even included in the group's 4? I don't care how fat the handler was, that was nonsense. Dog was perfect.

I tend to agree with you as to the static balance of the Dobe, but movement counts a lot especially for a breed like Dobes. When I saw how she moved the dog, I figured she was sunk. The breed rings are teeny tiny at Westminster, and they don't get to move the dogs well there. But the group ring is huge and a handler has to take full advantage - not mincing around the ring expecting the dog to look its best. Gaiting shouldn't be about how fast one can run - just gaiting the dog fast enough to show its reach and drive capability and the strength of the topline. The lady handler on the Dobe was not able to do that. But, maybe, just maybe, the judge didn't like the dog for other reasons.

Some other info which some of you might find interesting.

Popularity list of breeds according to AKC registrations -

http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by Princess Doreen

I tend to agree with you as to the static balance of the Dobe, but movement counts a lot especially for a breed like Dobes. When I saw how she moved the dog, I figured she was sunk. The breed rings are teeny tiny at Westminster, and they don't get to move the dogs well there. But the group ring is huge and a handler has to take full advantage - not mincing around the ring expecting the dog to look its best. Gaiting shouldn't be about how fast one can run - just gaiting the dog fast enough to show its reach and drive capability and the strength of the topline. The lady handler on the Dobe was not able to do that. But, maybe, just maybe, the judge didn't like the dog for other reasons.

Some other info which some of you might find interesting.

Popularity list of breeds according to AKC registrations -

http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm

Nice to see Dobes are getting more popular, great dogs. We actually got ours from a shelter here and despite being fixed and having his ears and tail I have been told by breeders that he "could've really been something" we think he is anyway.

[Princess Doreen]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

Nice to see Dobes are getting more popular, great dogs. We actually got ours from a shelter here and despite being fixed and having his ears and tail I have been told by breeders that he "could've really been something" we think he is anyway.

Dobermans have a LOT of health problem - biggest one is heart problems. Lots of young dogs dying in this breed. The more popular a dog becomes, the more breeding is done to meet the demand. Lots of room there for a decrease in discriminate breeding and just breeding anything to anything to producer a litter of puppies to sell.

Dobes are a wonderful breed. I hope yours lives a long and healthy life. But anyone in the market to buy one should do a lot of shopping around making certain that the breeder diligently screens for health defects.

This is just basic practice when shopping for any breed. Stay away from pet shops. If you want a specific breed and don't necessary want a puppy, check out rescue dogs for that breed at the parent club's web-site. If you're not in the market for a specific breed, visit your local shelter. It's a tough thing to do, however. My husband and I volunteered at a local shelter, and I came home every night in tears knowing full well that half of those dogs would never find a home.

Oh shut up.

[Princess Doreen]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Oh shut up.

Make me!

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by Princess Doreen

Make me!

My wife volunteers for a no kill shelter, that can be sad.

[Nascar1966]

Originally Posted by Princess Doreen

Dobermans have a LOT of health problem - biggest one is heart problems. Lots of young dogs dying in this breed. The more popular a dog becomes, the more breeding is done to meet the demand. Lots of room there for a decrease in discriminate breeding and just breeding anything to anything to producer a litter of puppies to sell.

Dobes are a wonderful breed. I hope yours lives a long and healthy life. But anyone in the market to buy one should do a lot of shopping around making certain that the breeder diligently screens for health defects.

This is just basic practice when shopping for any breed. Stay away from pet shops. If you want a specific breed and don't necessary want a puppy, check out rescue dogs for that breed at the parent club's web-site. If you're not in the market for a specific breed, visit your local shelter. It's a tough thing to do, however. My husband and I volunteered at a local shelter, and I came home every night in tears knowing full well that half of those dogs would never find a home.

I had some Dalmatians from a rescue shelter years ago. One had to be put asleep because of a stomach issue and it was also deaf. Another one had three legs and had to put asleep because of a stroke and seizure issues. Im thinking he had a seizure that may of lead to a stroke. Now I have a dog that im thinking is a Staffordshire Terrier but the vet where I got it from says it was a pit.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Nascar1966

I had some Dalmatians from a rescue shelter years ago. One had to be put asleep because of a stomach issue and it was also deaf. Another one had three legs and had to put asleep because of a stroke and seizure issues. Im thinking he had a seizure that may of lead to a stroke. Now I have a dog that im thinking is a Staffordshire Terrier but the vet where I got it from says it was a pit.

Staffordshire Terriers are Pit Bulls

[Echo Farm]

Originally Posted by Princess Doreen

Dobermans have a LOT of health problem - biggest one is heart problems. Lots of young dogs dying in this breed. The more popular a dog becomes, the more breeding is done to meet the demand. Lots of room there for a decrease in discriminate breeding and just breeding anything to anything to producer a litter of puppies to sell.

Dobes are a wonderful breed. I hope yours lives a long and healthy life. But anyone in the market to buy one should do a lot of shopping around making certain that the breeder diligently screens for health defects.

This is just basic practice when shopping for any breed. Stay away from pet shops. If you want a specific breed and don't necessary want a puppy, check out rescue dogs for that breed at the parent club's web-site. If you're not in the market for a specific breed, visit your local shelter. It's a tough thing to do, however. My husband and I volunteered at a local shelter, and I came home every night in tears knowing full well that half of those dogs would never find a home.

Good advice.
Dobes are so short lived that the DPCA gives a Longevity Certification for a Doberman that lives 10 years.

Why is 10 years old the eligible age?

The program founders did an informal and unscientific survey on age and cause of death in Dobermans. Though it wasn't scientific, they got 850 responses and those responses showed that the average age at death for our breed was about 9 for males and 9 1/2 for females. So 10 years old was chosen for the program's marker.