Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I go to see the dogs before I apply?

Answer: We are not a shelter; we foster these dogs in our homes. We also screen our applicants before showing them dogs. Consequently, you cannot see dogs until you have been approved You can, however, see the dogs currently available for adoption on the main page of our website.

Answer: Just as responsible breeders care about where their dogs go, so do we. We want our dogs adopted by people who share a love of the breed, a commitment to the dog they adopt, and have appropriate expectations. A home visit allows us to meet all members of the family, see your home environment (how high is the fence, is it secure, what sorts of activity there is in your neighborhood, are there hazards in the home that would endanger a Doberman, etc), and gauge what sort of Dobe would best suit your family.

Answer: At the present time, we do not require a fenced yard for a dog over a year of age. One of the most frequent reasons, though, given for a young Doberman to be turned in is he needs room to run so we do require a commitment to exercise. Please think about how much exercise you can provide on a daily basis and be realistic in those expectations. Many of our adopters put in a fence shortly after adopting because they realize that it is safer for the dog and comes in handy for them as owners.

Answer: One of the biggest risk factors for dogs relinquished is not ever having been to an obedience class. We frequently hear that the dog knows how to sit and lie down, etc. The reasons to require a class are many: it helps build that bond between you and your new dog, the dog learns to obey in the face of many distractions in a class, it’s good socialization, it reinforces the leader/follower relationship, and both you and your dog learn more about each other and how to work together.

Answer: Many of the dogs in the shelters have not been spayed and neutered, or have not seen a vet for shots, etc. Our dogs are all current on their shots, have been spayed or neutered, have been tested for heartworms, been placed on heartworm preventive and have been microchipped. All of the adoption fees goes toward our veterinary costs – many of the dogs we get in have also required veterinary care above and beyond the basics – heartworm treatment, broken bones, infections, parasitic infestations, etc.