Looking for a new family member can be a difficult and confusing time. I decided to write this open and honest guide to hopefully assist people looking to add a Doebermann (or any puppy) to their family.
Below are examples of ***BAD*** Puppy Advertisements that I have collected from online and newspaper advertisements over the years. I would NEVER purchase a puppy from such advertisements. I will also explain my thought behind each advertisement. Following from this is are examples of ***GOOD*** Puppy Advertisements. Obviouslly advertisements CAN be misleading to DRAW YOU IN so we recommend you visit more than one litter to see how they are reared and ask as many questions as possible. See below for recommended Questions to ask and what the answers should and SHOULD NOT BE. These are only my opinions but common sense should help you decide that what I have written is a good guide to go by.
***BAD*** Advertisements: These are GENUINE advertisements we have found! Sorry if these adverts make difficult reading but I feel it is important to promote responsible breeding and demote irresponsible breeding.
1) stunning puppies for sale,READY NOW!!!!! KC reg, these puppies have had there and 1st jabs they are wormed and vet checked and are all clear, free puppy pack is included to, PLUS 6 WEEKS FREE INSURANCE parents are here, 32 champs in pedigree, bought up with children and well socialised, of show quality or as pets, fantastic temps, lovely chunky pups, deposit secures viewing highly recomended, perfect companions, great family pets very intelligent , these are kc reg puppies, they are looking for new homes. please call for more info
My Comments: OK initially not a bad advertisement, the fact that there is no mention of the minimum required health tests: vWD and PHPV is an immediate concern for me. Show Quality? Nobody should advertise show quality as this is impossible to identify in young puppies - maybe Show 'Potential' would be a better description. Also the fact that they are advertising '32 Champs in pedigree' this means nothing! What have the parents of the litter done in the show ring. To us this is advertising a litter on another breeders achievements. They are also well below the average price of a well bred Dobermann puppy in the UK.
2) A beautiful litter of doberman puppies, from our fantastic line of dobermans, bred for temperament, and looks, the temperament of these puppies will be second to none, having had 7 generations of this breeding line, the first looking after my own children, my first grandchild now 16 learnt to walk holding onto the collar of generation no 3 and now little grandchild calls generation no 6 her best friend, she is 3 and sits in the cage with mum and puppies, the pups are well socialised as this is a very busy household, however they are still excellent guard dogs, that will protect your home and family. They are wormed insured and fleaed, they start at £350 for dogs and £400 for bitches they are eligible for kc registration and this is available for £30 extra, there are black and tan and brown and tan puppies in the litter, deposit of £50 secures your pup till weaning. Mum, grandma, and greatgrandmother can be seen.
My Comments: Well for starters Dobermann has TWO N's not 1! WOW the dogs have taught the kids to walk - FANTASTIC - I didnt realise the litter were bred as assistance dogs! A child in the cage with mum and puppies??? SHOCKING!!! Another NO NO in my eyes is advertising a litter a GUARD DOGS- why? Dobermanns are natural guards, there is NO need to advertise this. OK problem no 1 Why £50 more for bitches? All litter should be sold at the same price! KC Registration at £30 extra? HA HA this only coats £12 per puppy and there is NO reason why a puppy should not be registered with the KC. ***PLEASE DO NOT PAY A DEPOSIT TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU HAVE VISITED THE LITTER AND GONE HOME AND DISCUSSED WITH YOUR FAMILY***
3) Can not get papers due to dame being to young,both dogs are worth looking at as they are being brought up with young children.A must for people looking for a great family pet.Both have got great personalitys and are very loving would keep them ourselves but we already have four other dogs.
My Comments: These people should not be allowed to own dogs in our opinion! How old in the Dam (not Dame). This is an accidental mating - poor puppies. Oh they have 4 other dogs? Quick call the RSPCA - they should not be allowed to own dogs let alone have children!
4) Bookings taken for doberman puppies/black and tan parents with blues and browns in close family,kc reg,excel temp.
My Comments: £600!! No mention of relevant health tests and Sire and Dam. Again cannot spel DOBERMANN - Shocking!
5) Hello I'm the last of the litter, my name is ******, I'm a very playful affectionate brown and rust 9 month old doberman bitch. I'm KC registered and fully up to date with my jabs, I've also been housetrained, I love children and I'm getting good at walking on a lead. Oh, I also have my tail, which wags all the time. If you want to give me a home, love, affection etc, please contact on the home phone number and i will gladly return the affection 10 fold. (Emails are hard to answer due to work commitments, but my daughter will try her best).
My Comments: This advert is very sad. Obviously a 9 month old in a rehoming situation - say no more.
6) 9 chunky healthy puppies were born: 3 boys- one brown and tan and 2 black and tan; 6 girls: 3 brown and tan and 3 black and tan. They raised in Ireland where is no ban for docking. They are ready to go. All puppies will be registered with Irish Kennel Club, legally docked,wormed, paper trained, 6 weeks free insurance. Both parents come from very good champion lines and can be seen . Mum of the litter is security dog. Price is £950 . I let your puppy go for 750 if you prefer have it unregistered. Our aim is to make sure puppies will go to pet caring families. Black and tan bitch left only.
My comments: my only issues with this advert are the fact that NO relevant health testing is mentioned and the fact that there appears to be a £200 discount if you have an unregistered puppy - WHY??? It only costs £12 to register a puppy with the KC! If your aim was for caring families then why bother shipping your litter to Ireland to be docked?
7) READY NOW - stunning doberman pups. Unusual colours - fawn and tan, and blue and tan. KC Reg. Known to make fantastic family pets with superb temperaments. Vet checked and wormed to date. Mum can be seen.
My Comments: The spelling AGAIN! Unusual colours? Now I would expect pink and brown, lime and blue purple and turquoise? But fawn and blue? NOT that unusual!!! Again NO mention of relevant health tests. I would hope mum could be seen!
8) 5 year old KC reg, pure German pedigree stud dog for very reluctant sale. Excellent house pet great with children and babies brought up in familly home not outside. Excellent temprement. The only reason for sale is because we have to move and cannot take him with us. He is proven and has fathered some beautiful pups. New owner would have to agree to home check before sale..Comes with all papers and belongings. Needs a loving home not just someone who wants to make money from him.
My Comments: A German dog WOW? Does he speak german? Oh cannot take him with them but can take the kids - thats the usual excuse! And he comes with belongings? HOW NICE! My advise to advertiser - GET YOUR DOG CASTRATED AND REHOME HIM FOR A DONATION TO DOBERMANN RESCUE!