Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A couple of different vets have mentioned that if we choose to get a doberman, that we should avoid the blue ones because they seem to be the least healthy. Anyone else agree with this?

All the vets have said that they do not crop ears before 12 weeks due to excessive bleeding but I've read that a lot of people do them as early as 8 weeks. Any thoughts?

Lastly, almost all of them suggested that we get a puppy sooner than what I've been reading which seems to be about 8-12 weeks. They say it's okay to bring them home at 6 weeks because they will bond with the family better if taken at an early age. What do you think?

Thanks!

Mario

The blue is a recessive color,*I'm guessing. So it is the same way that choclate labs have more problems. I think we got byron when he was around twelve weeks. You really want them with their littermates as long as possible or they can develop some bad habbits.My vet said the longer you wait to bring them home the better. I'm not sure about the cropping thing though, I think some get it done really young.
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I meant to say 8 weeks not 6 weeks that the vet says you should bring them home. My mistake.

Most experts will say bring a puppy home no younger than 8 weeks, 12 preferable. They need the interaction with mom and siblings for as long as possible.

Good luck!
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Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting at the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

>>A couple of different vets have mentioned that if we choose to get a doberman, that we should avoid the blue ones because they seem to be the least healthy. Anyone else agree with this?
>>
>>All the vets have said that they do not crop ears before 12 weeks due to excessive bleeding but I've read that a lot of people do them as early as 8 weeks. Any thoughts?
>>
>>Lastly, almost all of them suggested that we get a puppy sooner than what I've been reading which seems to be about 8-12 weeks. They say it's okay to bring them home at 6 weeks because they will bond with the family better if taken at an early age. What do you think?
>>
>>
>>
>>Thanks!
>>
>>Mario

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If the breeder is going to do appropriate socialization and training of the puppies, it's actually better to leave the pup with the breeder longer. If the breeder is not going to properly train and socialize the pups, you don't want a pup from that breeder anyway!

A lot of people, even some veterinarians, are confused about the research on early puppy experiences. What the research shows is that the puppy needs to be socialized to humans. Those humans do not have to be the humans the dog will eventually live with. Bonding can occur at any time if this early puppy experience has been done correctly.

The breeder can arrange it in some cases better than the person adopting the dog could. That is certainly true for me, because my breeder has a wonderful and very extensive program for conditioning and socializing puppies, with resources far beyond what I could provide for the pup myself. And she knows HOW to do it much better than the vast majority of new puppy owners would know or be able to do.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com