I was truly set back! The ultimate guard dog was a pussycat. I couldn't believe it.
My next step was to check out German Shepherd Dogs. I was able to find a few big, beautiful, protective German Shepherd Dogs but I also learned about hip dysplasia. (More on this later) I was afraid to buy a German Shepherd, and I really preferred a Doberman, but it had to be the right one. I knew they existed. I had seen three; a pair and their daughter.
The more I looked, the more I learned and the more I wanted. Four years after my life was such that I could have a Doberman, and more than ten years from when I started looking and learning about them, I found "The One". (1985) Kristy was everything I had wanted and more. Through several generations a line was developed, standardizing the qualities of type and temperament that I had looked for all along.
All of our puppies are born in our house. I am with them and their dam during birth. This is when socialization begins. At approximately 10-12 days, their eyes open. They have already been handled extensively, and now they will be handled individually, for 5 to 15 minutes per puppy per day, in addition to the handling and attention they get "as a litter". We are letting them learn that they are each individuals. At three weeks, each puppy's individual personality has begun to emerge. By treating them as individuals instead of "a litter", their self confidence soars.
Self confidence is very important, especially with a dog expected to protect. Guide dog puppies are raised in this way. They need the self confidence to make many hundreds of correct decisions an a daily basis in order that they may unerringly guide their blind owners. Our puppies grow into large, naturally protective adults that must also make correct decisions on a regular basis. (Several are working Police Dogs, and most are loving, devoted family and home protectors.)
We have had two lines of Dobermans, the "Kristy" line and the "Phantom" line for many generations. Because these two lines are being perpetuated for different characteristics, they have been treated almost as though they were two separate breeds and as of the present, I have not crossed the lines
Update; As of 2,001, AKC records show that the individual registrations of Dobermans
with a "Z" have surpassed those without the "Z." (12,570 registered; 6,704 "Z" and 5,866 "Z-free" ) No longer is a "Z" in a Doberman's registration
a negative stigma. The majority now have the "Z".
Due to this fact, and to the fact that my Kristy Line Dobermans have a conformational
superiority my Phantom Line dogs and other "Z" lines have not had with any consistency, I have decided to
make my Kristy Line stud dogs available to "Z-Dobes" for reasons of improvement of the "Z" lines.
I will continue to keep my Kristy Line "Z-free" and can continue to assure any interested party
that no Doberman from this line can ever produce a white. However, I have decided to use my Kristy Line to help
upgrade the conformation of my Phantom Line on a very limited basis through the use of my Kristy Line stud dogs,
Havoc and Defiance. Backcrosses to the Phantom Line will assure the continuance of this line as it is known
worldwide, while improving conformation with each successive outcross.
This seems to me to be the best outcrossing plan available with respect to conformational improvement in my Phantom Line
and without loosing the overall health, temperament and trainability that both my bloodlines are known for.
Breeding animals from both Doberman lines meet the A.K.C. breed standard and have no faults that would disqualify them from the show ring, the only exceptions to this being the white Dobermans from the Phantom line. All are thyroid tested in the normal range, and DNA tested free of vWD. My stud dogs are O.F.A. certified.
The official A.K.C. breed size standard for the Doberman is as
follows;
Before discussing the differences between the two Doberman lines, one must be familiar with the difference between Temperament and Disposition. Disposition is a component of Temperament relating to how one interacts with others. Temperament is the inherent ability of the animal to fulfill it's purpose. For example, let's consider a Coonhound. This particular Coonhound will alert on a 'coon from the back of the truck. His cry is full. He will track and tree for as many hours as he is allowed. He loves to work but dislikes people. He'd bite you as quick as look at you. Oh, but in the field, he is peerless! Next, let's consider a Labrador retriever. This particular Lab is a true lover of mankind. Everyone is his best friend. Unfortunately, he hates the water. He will not swim or retrieve, and doesn't know what a duck is. The Coonhound has a wonderful temperament but a lousy disposition. The Lab has a great disposition but a very poor temperament.
Another term requiring definition is Aggressive. An aggressive dog (or person) is a go-getter. They initiate encounters, friendly or otherwise. Aggressive does not mean viscious. Think of an aggressive businessman.
Our Dobermans have sunny dispositions. They are loving and friendly. They also have proper Doberman temperaments and are suspicious of strangers. This is the first area in which our two lines differ.
The "Phantom" line is being bred to produce family dogs that are Moderately Aggressive. This means that while they are protective of their people, they are not eager for a fight. They tend to be more aloof than the Kristy line Dobes.
The "Kristy" line dogs, while not exactly looking for a fight, are eager protectors should the need arise. They are combative by nature, and enjoy "getting the bad guy". They also enjoy friendly attention from people they have been told are OK.
Due to the different aggression levels of these two lines, if you have other dogs, it is important to note that the Kristy-line dogs are very dominant by nature. They do not tend towards peaceful coexistence with other dogs of the same sex. Interestingly enough, they learn fairly easily to tolerate and even befriend individuals of other species, such as cats, but I have seen the "kill or die trying" thing too often, especially with the bitches. Before allowing this fact to point you towards a milder Doberman, please consider another fact; This same attitude is what makes these particular Dobermans superior protectors. These are true working dogs as existed in Europe a century ago and still exist today. We admire them for their character, their courage and their indomitable spirits and we respect them for their power and their loyalty, and because they demand our respect.
The Doberman is the only breed of dog bred solely to protect. The original Doberman was so formidable that only certain people dared to own one. This would be a difficult animal to own in today's society with friends and neighbors close at hand. In the right hands, a dog like this is a joy to own and a pleasure to be around. In the wrong hands...
The "Kristy" line dogs are aggressive. They approach all who enter and judge them immediately, good or bad; friend or foe.
Many people today do want this kind of a Doberman, but they are hard to find. It took me 4 years to find Kristy. I had recently (1995) decided it was time to purchase another bitch, and again I had trouble finding the right one. Nobody had what I was looking for. I followed up over 30 leads and had some of those leads following up leads for me. What I wanted was just not available for any price. Not in this country, anyway. I finally went to the source of supply and imported an incredible puppy from an extremely well-bred, promising litter in Europe. "Decthra" is all I had hoped for! Decthra has DNA tested 'Clear' for vWD, is thyroid normal, OFA good, conformationally superior and has a great working temperament!
These Dobermans are wonderful protectors, guards, Schutzhund competitors and family dogs BUT they are not for everyone. They are not safe around strangers who are ignorant of the ways of such a dog, or find it amusing to "toy" with him. This could lead to serious injury, and many people who mean no harm must be protected from their own ignorance or stupidity by responsible dog owners.
All of our Dobermans are wonderful with children, even other people's children, and intuitively know that a silly child is no threat. They are deadly protective of their own children and families, so close supervision with strangers is important. For example, leaving one of these dogs home with your children and a new babysitter would not be advisable.
Obedience training and a dominant owner are required for these Dobermans. They are not for everyone, but they are my personal favorites. "Kristy line" Dobermans are available in Black/rust and red/rust. This line does not have any white or dilution. (See below for more information on "whites" and "dilutes".)
There is such a thing as a "Happy medium". Our Phantom line Dobermans are good with children and safe around non-threatening strangers. They are very accepting of human dominance and can be easily managed by even the most inexperienced owner. All will bark at strangers, but some are more protective than others. Most will not make friends too quickly. Rather than greet and judge a stranger, they are more the "bark so they know I see them, then sit back and see how it goes" types. Most would be classed as moderately aggressive when compared to the highly aggressive Dobermans from the Kristy line. The Phantom line has a wider range of aggression levels. It is up to you, the purchaser, to decide on the aggression level you desire in your Doberman.
*It is important to note that "white" is just another color and that these Dobermans are not true albinos. An true albino is a genetic mutation defined as without pigment. White Dobermans do have white pigment, although they do have less pigment than other Dobermans. Despite the assurances of the uninformed, White Dobermans are not intrinsically inferior to Dobermans of any other color. For more Information on white Dobermans, and the white Doberman controversy...
Most Blues and fawns (called dilutes in reference to the silvery tones on the lightened Blacks and reds) tend to have skin problems associated with a defective thyroid gland. Sound breeding programs can and do produce good-coated, healthy blues and fawns as seen in our "Phantom" line.
There are many, many diseases that affect dogs. Some are contagious and some are inherited. A proper vaccination program can greatly reduce the chances of your puppy becoming ill with most of the more deadly viruses. This vaccination program begins at 4 weeks of age and is completed at 18 weeks. It is described in more detail in the health guarantee itself. Another very good way to help protect your puppy is really just common sense; Do not expose it to these diseases! Call your vet prior to bringing your puppy to the office, and ask if there are any canines on site with Parvovirus, Coronavirus or Distemper. If so, reschedule your appointment! If your puppy is under 18 weeks of age, ask for the first appointment of the day, when everything has been cleaned and disinfected the night before. Do not put your puppy on the floor or allow your puppy to come into contact with any other pet. If it is going to be a long wait, leave your puppy in the car if at all possible. Do not allow it to walk in the area which everyone's dogs use as a toilet. Do not take it to pet shops at this young age, either.
There are also, unfortunately, several inherited diseases affecting dogs. I will briefly discuss the four that are the most common in Dobermans.
Cardiomyopathy - This is degenerative heart failure. It is very common in Dobermans. It is not treatable, as heart transplants just aren't done on dogs. Many older dogs of all breeds do die of cardiomyopathy. When animals (and people) age, vital organs deteriorate. An old dog that dies of heart failure is probably not genetically unsound. A four year old dog that dies of it probably is.
Hypothyroidism - This is the thyroid disease commonly associated with dilute colored Dobermans and also referred to as "Blue Doberman Disease" or CDA (Color Dilution Alopecia). This disease is treatable as far as the dog being able to lead a normal healthy life, and in many cases proper attention can even get them to look fairly normal. Unfortunately, this is an ongoing battle throughout the life of the dog.
Von Willebrand's Disease - This is a bleeding disorder in dogs, essentially canine hemophilia. There is a DNA test available through VetGen and GeneSearch (See links page) to determine if a dog is Clear, a carrier, or affected. This is the only accurate test available for vWD. Dogs with this disease can live a fairly normal life, and even when affected, as only approximately 10% of all affecteds are symptomatic, thereby showing clinical signs. Please note, MOST Dobermans are carriers (55%), carriers will never have this disease, and, with only a small percentage of clears in the Doberman populations, it would NOT benefit the breed to remove carriers from the gene pool. Intellegent breeding will prevent affecteds from being produced.
Wobbler's syndrome(CVI) - A degenerative disease of the nervous system and spine, this disease causes it's victims to "wobble" while trying to walk or rise. It is not generally seen in juveniles. It is degenerative, and it is not treatable.
As responsible breeder's, we would never breed dogs known to have any of these diseases. We are proud to be able to tell you that none of our breeding animals had ever been diagnosed with any of these diseases (prior to the DNA test for vWD becoming available,) nor had any of their ancestors appearing within at least 3 generations, and more in most cases. I know this for a fact as most are/were my dogs. At this time, we are pleased to be able to have at least one clear parent for every litter
This is another benefit of an established bloodline (and a genetic health guarantee, which greatly increases the likelihood of any genetic health problems being brought to my attention). How many people selling puppies know anything about any of their puppies' relatives besides the parents? How old are the parents? What is known of their medical backgrounds? Anything?
This is an inherited, degenerative disease of the "ball and socket joint" of the hip. An improper fit between the "ball" (femoral head) and the "socket" (acetabulum) causes the shape of the "ball" to flatten and "wear down". This reduction in size allows the "ball" to slip out of the "socket". (Subluxation) This, of course, is painful to the dog, and often times crippling.
The only way to diagnose Hip Dysplasia is by Radiographic evaluation (X-ray). Hip Dysplasia is not a significant problem in standard sized Dobermans, but it is an extremely significant problem in many other breeds, especially those breeds that are being bred to be larger and larger because of the misconception in our country that "bigger is better". It isn't. The added size and weight of these oversized dogs is more than their skeletal systems are structurally able to deal with. This intensifies the problem.
All breeding animals (over two years of age) of several breeds should be O.F.A. certified. Thankfully, this is not a real problem in Dobermans, but I do OFA my stud dogs. The O.F.A. (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc.) will determine that an individual does not have this disease. Do not accept a seller's "word" that they have never had a problem with Hip Dysplasia. Some animals show no visible sign, especially when young. A puppy whose parents are O.F.A. certified will have this printed on it's A.K.C. Application for Registration (blue card) or Registration Certificate. (If a seller claims O.F.A. certification on your puppy's parents, ask to see the documentation. An honest, reputable breeder will have it and will be happy to show it to you.)
Even if both parents of the puppy you are considering are O.F.A. certified, this is not an absolute guarantee that your puppy does not have this disease. Hip dysplasia is a polygenic disease. This means that several sets of genes determining the shape of the femoral head, the shape of the acetabulum, the tendency for subluxation and probably other traits, all influence the shape and health of the hip joints at maturity. It both parents are O.F.A. certified, this does greatly increase the probability that their offspring will be free of Hip Dysplasia. This is another reason that breeding on a line is important. If all the animals are from the same initial stock and have many genes in common, the chances are good that the shapes of the femoral head and the acetabulum will be similar in the puppies to what they are in the parents, further reducing the chances of the puppies having the disease. (Assuming that the parents, grandparents, etc. do not have it.) For more information on Hip Dysplasia (and other inherited diseases) contact the O.F.A. by writing to;
Whispering Woods is not primarily a show kennel, but show prospects are available upon request. We are a Working Dog kennel, producing moderately aggressive to highly aggressive working dogs that protect their people, providing them with security and peace of mind. (Slightly aggressives occassionally available.) We breed for correct type, working temperament, absolute health and superior trainability, and we are producing animals with all of these characteristics on a very regular basis, so our puppies are in fairly high demand.
We had been breeding an average of about 2 - 3 Doberman litters per year (15-20 puppies), and approximately 70% to 80% of these puppies are "pre-promised". Pre-promised puppies are held for those wishing to have a Whispering Woods Doberman and who are willing to wait for one if nessesary.
Deposits on held puppies are required at 2 weeks of age, once eyes are open and the litter is obviously off to a good start. Deposits are non-refundable (unless puppy becomes unavailable for some reason such as illness, injury or death).
We breed 2 to 3 litters per year, total, despite the number of adults required to maintain diverse gene pools. Some of these adults as well as an occassional neutered male and/or spayed female may be available for sale or adoption. To answer a common question, these are not our older/retired dogs, they are more frequently a pup I chose to keep for training because I especially liked him/her, or that just did not get sold as a pup, OR a pup I had hoped to use in my breeding program that I later decided should be spayed/neutered instead.
Because I do this (and training) full time, I can devote much more time to the puppies than can most breeders, and it shows!
To have a puppy held for you is easy. Simply describe what you are looking for, (Color, sex, activity/aggression level, reason for acquiring the puppy, and any other information you feel would help in the selection process - see the puppy selection questionaire on our 'availability page') and you will be put on the waiting list and told when a litter is expected from which what you are seeking should be available. Many people request a pup from a specific parent such as Flint, etc.
Shortly after the litter is born, you will be notified. A deposit of one
third the purchase price is required at 2 weeks of age to hold your choice.
It is also important to note that approximately half of our puppies are sold by
"word of mouth", and that
advertised puppies will be advertised at a higher price than
will be quoted to those on our waiting list.
Puppies may not leave prior to 7 weeks of age if picked up here.
Puppies being sent by air must be at least 8 weeks old (10 weeks for international).
If the Doberman you are looking for is not currently
available, (color, sex, aggression level, etc.) it is reasonable
to expect a puppy that will fulfill all of your expectations
within 6 months, if not sooner. It will be worth waiting for.
See our Health Guarantees page for more information on how to get
your rebates on titled dogs!
PLEASE NOTE;
Puppies must be at
least 8 weeks old to be shipped, and can go anywhere in the Continental United
States via Delta for under $200.00.(Counter to counter). Other rates/fares available
for older puppies and adults. Purchaser pays shipping costs and supplies crate. Puppy
crates currently are available for approximately $35.00 and adult sized crates for approximtely
$70.00. Health certificates costs $20.00. No puppies or dogs will be sent totheir new owners before
being paid for in full. Absolutely no exceptions will be made for any reason. Puppies
being shipped may be paid for by check or wire transfer. Checks must be received at
least 2 weeks prior to date of departure so as to have time to 'clear' the bank.
Again, no exceptions will be made for any reason.
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