We had two Dobermans who were with Pets on Wheels and they were naturals at the nursing home. Alas, the breed is short-lived - the only draw back
“Alas, the breed is short-lived - the only draw back “
They didn’t use to be.
In the late 90s, two particular, very popular bloodlines became *the* ‘in sires’ and DCM became endemic.
One ‘dog of death’ is syill being bred via ‘pupsicles’ despite the fact that he was homozygous for DCM and died of it.
The other two dogs are still siring pups, post mortem.
My last Dobermann Arthur, lived to be 14 and was never sick a day in his life.
His best buddy Merlin died 2 years before him and she was at least 4 when I got her and she lived another 8 or 9 years, too.
Hypothyroidism is now a given in the breed and you really should read Dr Jean Dodds book about the epidemic.
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM
If you haven’t already, please have your dog tested for hypothyroidism and DCM.
http://www.vetgen.com/canine-dob_panel_testing.html
Sadly, it’s up to those of us who love the breed *without* the titles who will have to fight to return them to their normal expected life spans.