I grew up with shelter dogs, my mother was involved with an organization called PACT, that placed shelter dogs with senior citizens, and we were always members of animal rights organizations growing up (just to give you some reference as to who I am, since I know most of you don't know me from adam :) ). I had always wanted a doberman growing up, and had always loved the breed.

 

When I decided it was time to add another dog to my family after my rescue dog Sawyer, passed away at the young age of 8 from liver failure (congenital issues) I searched long and hard for a doberman to add to my family - finally I was going to get the dog that I had wanted to add as a family dog for so long! First I started with the rescues, but due to having a child under 10 I knew that despite the fact that I manage my home and my dogs very well in order to keep incidents from occurring, the rescues wouldn't consider me. I also read through things that the breed rescues were saying and doing and disliked their policies. They seemed to me to be vilifying anyone that decided that breeding (even responsibly) was their passion. Though I know all too well that there is an unwanted dog issue in the US, I also respect fully the right of people to breed provided that they have good goals for their animals, care for their animals and want to add to the breed.

 

From dealing with many rescue dogs along the years I know that temperament (and lack of training) is the major reason dogs are turned into rescues. Temperament has been my major focus in the horse world as well because I think that the breeders there are getting away from temperaments that are suited to amateur owners. At any rate, I'm getting long winded now, but I decided that that was going to be a major criteria in my selection of a doberman - I was looking for temperament and trainability, because I had had plenty of dogs that had an ill temperament from the beginning. Structural soundness was also important to me, because I'm a horse person...and we can't break those habits *laughing*

 

I spoke with many breeders before I found Lisa & Ernie. I was amazed at the pre-dobieden breeders. Not only their lack of interest in talking to me, but their lack of helpful information and unwillingness to talk about my personal goals for my dog and adding a dog successfully to my family. My personal view is that the dog will show me what they want their career to be, whether it be just hanging on the couch with the kids, a working sport, agility dog or a conformation dog. Same thing with my horses. But the temperament is important as well as being able to keep in contact with the breeder.

 

When I finally found Lisa, I corresponded for awhile via email and she gladly answered all of my questions regarding health testing, temperament and her pups. She happily added me to this group and invited me to ask questions of the group regarding their experiences and their dogs, which the group all happily talked about. Because I am in a remote location (I live in PA) I had to go based on their experiences picking up their dogs, but I was quite satisfied with all answers, and their experiences, and happily added Obie to my home. Before I did so, Ernie also wanted to talk to me to "vet" me, and I must have passed, because he allowed me to have this wonderful pup!

 

Obie arrived as a pup and to be quite honest he has exceeded every expectation of a dog that I could have. My vet just adores him (she's a doberman person) and was happy with his structural soundness and temperament. In fact, she said he was the best dobie she'd ever seen with regard to his tractability (he is even good for shots, which apparently is a doberman weakness often). I've asked questions of the group periodically to make sure I'm on the right track and everyone has been great! Lisa has been wonderful also with regard to any questions that I had.

 

Even though I knew very little about Schutzhund when Obie came home, on a friend's advice, we started with a local schutzhund trainer who has German Shepherds and Malinois. We also started with an obedience instructor at the same time. Both trainers were AMAZED with Obie and he has taken to his training like a duck to water. He loves it.

 

The kids adore him and he loves the kids. In fact, we take him out all the time to football practice & soccer practice and he happily sits and hangs out - and is a great spokesdog for the breed. People are fascinated by him and ask a lot of questions, which means we get to help dispel a lot of the myths regarding dobermans. He is the most confidant dog I've ever met, and gladly greets everyone with a silly grin and LOTS of licks (we're working on only licking on command, because some people don't enjoy dober-kissbaths) .

 

I could go on and on (and I think I already have) but I'm very happy with Obie and Lisa & Ernie, and I would not hesitate to recommend them for someone looking for a pup or older dog.

 

Oh, and one other thing - Lisa has been happy to take back any pup that is deemed "in need" - I've seen it several times on this list. Through no fault of theirs, people are not always equipped to handle a doberman even though they think they are. They are a high energy breed and many end up needing to be rehomed simply because people think they are up to the challenge, answer the questions correctly, but still cannot handle them. I've seen it from all sorts of breeders - even "approved" breeders on the Dobermantalk forums (being a web geek, I trawl the web constantly for information) .

 

So, I guess I've babbled on for awhile, but that has been my experience with my Dobieden pup, Lisa & Ernie, and dogs in my life. I just wanted to make sure I added my .02 (or .10!)

 

-Bevin & Oberon in PA