Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I own a dam and sire that I have had 3 litters by. Now my 4th litter is here and 3 of the 8 puppies have white on them. The white ranges from just a few hairs to a white line on the chest plate. This has never happened before. Any ideas?

Could the female have gotten with another dog? I've only seen one litter of just born dobe pups so i'm not really to sure. I know some breeds colors change as they grow. I'm not sure about white but I know colors darken or lighten. Hope so one can answer your question.
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I'm going to try really hard to get past the fact that you have bred 4 litters without even knowing anything about the breed standard. Small amounts of white - usually on the chest - do occasionally crop up in Dobermans. A small patch on the chest not exceeding 1/2" square is allowable. Anything more would be a disqualification in the breed ring. So, it is not desirable, but it does happen.
You might want to go the the Doberman Pinscher Club of America website and start educating yourself about the breed - you can read the standard there. www.dpca.org
In the meantime, 4 litters is a lot to ask of any bitch. I sure hope you are going to spay her after this one and let her be a pampered pet for the rest of her life - she sure deserves it!

First let me say thank you for the replies. Second, I have been breeding and showing Doberman since the 70's. Some of my past Dobermans were when we lived in Texas, Florida, England, Germany, and Japan. This is the first Dam I have EVER had that had puppies with White on them. No she could not have gotten with another male. Yes, I have talked to other breeders on the DPCA. Next the fact that this is the first time it has ever shown is what the mystery is. Yes this is her fourth litter. I am a good breeder that does not breed more than once a year and I only breed when my VET says it is okay! Her first litter was at 2years. She is just turning 6 in Feb of 05 and this is her last litter. Next, I do know of the AKC standard and breed for it!I also know that a dog may have a small amount of white on it. What I am asking is this, what could cause a Dam and Sire that have breeded together for the last 4 years all of a sudden have puppies with white on them?
When I have studded out my Sire, none of those litters have had white on them!
Now I hope this is clearer now and I can get some decent replies.

Sorry, but my statement still stands. Are you a member of the DPCA? Breeding the same bitch to the same dog 4 times in a row because they happen to be yours is not my idea of a good breeder. Is your vet a reproduction specialist?? If this sounds harsh to you then you can check out some of the many Dobermans we try to re-home in rescue. No bitch and dog are so spectacular that they need to be bred together 4 times - that to me is a classic sign of a greeder not a breeder. I call them like I see them.

In addition, what titles do these Dobermans of yours have that even make them breed quality?? Are they health tested? Did you show them? In what? I'm not buying the "breeder" thing at all.

Um, I have to agree.
You only breed when your vet says its ok???
Anytime you breed its a gamble. Just because it never showed up before doesnt mean it cant or wont.
You have both bitch and stud OFA'd?
And all the other tests?
If you use your male for stud to others I hope your vet also told you he has to be tested each time for sexually trasmited dieases.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who said "what is wrong with this picture". Nothing against this list, but it is for pet owners not breeders. The people who come here are looking for information about their pets. Someone who has supposidly been breeding since the 1970's, should also know where to find out the answers to questions about breeding - I do, and I have not even bred a litter.
I just don't want people to read that post and think that it is acceptable for someone to breed their own dog and bitch 4 times in a row. It isn't, and any of the Doberman breeders I know (and I know quite a few excellent ones) would shudder at the thought!
I don't like to critisize, but I could NOT let that pass.