Unfortunately, all our large Dobies had DCM and led very short lives. They are such lovely, endearing animals that we are shunning all such breeders in hopes that the smaller size will put less stress on the heart.
Shag was recently diagnosed with a slow thyroid (which to me explains a lot when it comes to his weight) and put on meds, here's hoping that helps. The shortest we've had a Dobie live was 4 yrs, but she was a blue and they're known to have more health issues than your more 'standard' black and tan Dobies. The longest we've had a Dobie live was 11 yrs.