Choosing Parents:

     When choosing a Doberman puppy, it is absolutely essential for you to make sure that parents of the litter have a steady temperament, good health and possess all the qualities that are intrinsic to the breed. Stay away from shy and vicious dogs. These are disqualifying qualities in both American and European Dobermans. The best thing if the Doberman breeder provides you with information that the ancestors of the dogs passed the ZTP test, HP-test, PHPV-PHTVL. In this case there is less risk for your puppy to develop such dangerous diseases like Hip joint dysplasia, cervical spondylopathy, eye-disease and psyche-abnormalities.

     European vs. American Dobermans

     Study the differences between the American and European linage, make sure that you read the section on America vs. Europe, consider the health and temperament issues as well as the general appearance and working qualities of these two linage. Use all this information as your guide to be able to make an intelligent selection of the best parents for your future Doberman puppy. When choosing a Doberman puppy please pay close attention to both the sire and the dam, as they equally contribute to the genotype of your pup. The saying that the dog inherits the look of the sire and the temperament of a dam, has no base in reality whatsoever. From the genetic point of view approximately 60 present of the genotype comes from parent and 40 percent from the other generation of ancestors.

You can read more about American Dobermans vs European Dobermans here

     A good Doberman puppy should have dark eyes, square body, a reasonably long neck, good bone structure, a wide back, a head with wide jaws and well a developed chin, the lines of the head and the muzzle should be parallel, the elbows aligned with the rest of the body, a wide chest.

     Disqualifications: white spots, light eyes, crooked limbs, not allowed colors. See if the puppy has a hernia. A Hernia is not a disqualifying factor, but its presence is not desirable. If the puppy has a hernia, after the puppy turns 5 months of age, it should be operated upon.

     Of course, at the age of 8-12 weeks, when the puppies are usually taken to their new homes, it is difficult to judge the movements, nevertheless, observe his movements when he is trotting. If he throws his front legs far, and gives a strong push with his hind legs, then there is a good chance of a correct morphological structure.

Marking should be small, well defined, and of a correct shape, desirably bright brick-color, as it is an indication of a good immune system.

     A healthy Doberman puppy has a good appetite, bright eyes with close lying eyelids, shiny hair, pink mouth cavity, medium sized belly (blown belly paired with dull hair may indicate the presence of belly-worms). The puppy should be well-fed (not too thin and not too fat), active and joyful. The docked tail should not have an open wound.

     The puppy should have a correct bite. The number of teeth should be appropriate for his age. The male pups as a rule should be bigger than females.

You can read more about selection here

     Useful Information about Raising a Doberman

     Articles for Doberman owners.