Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see your health testing?
Please use my dog’s registered name and look them up on
OFA.org, The exception to this will be Kronk’s hips, elbows, and spine because they were all graded via FCI in Italy. OFA certificates can be easily doctored and it’s best to check right at the source, which is the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals website. The only time the grading may not be on OFA is if it was a prelim.
What kind of energy level can I expect from one of your Dobermans?
Dobermans are a high-energy breed. They love to run, jump, and play. They do not love; doing nothing all day, being kept on a bed for hours on end, or being crated 24/7. Dobermans are not content without physical exercise. You can expect your Doberman’s energy level to go down as they reach age two to three, but as they are maturing they need constant outlets for their energy. This does not mean if you take your Doberman on a fifteen-minute walk once per day they will be fulfilled. Staying active with your Doberman is vital to your dog being easy to live with in the house.
How can I make sure my dog is being fulfilled?
You will know if your dog is being mentally and physically fulfilled by your dog’s behavior. If your dog is restless and can’t seem to settle, it would be in your best interest to train your dog, play outside with your dog, or go on a long walk. It is unfair to a dog to keep them cooped up when they so desparately need to do something. I NEVER recommend dog parks. Some great outlets are joining a local dog sport class, food enrichment, or plan-old exercise!
Do I get to pick my puppy?
In certain situations, I will allow you to pick out your puppy if two are very similar. But most of the time, I (the breeder) will pick out your puppy for you. Breeders will notice certain traits + mannerisms and evaluate a puppy much better than a normal puppy owner. Puppy picks are between seven and eight weeks to make sure the correct puppies are chosen for specific owners.
I want a dog and people social Doberman, can you deliver?
It is unusual for a Doberman to be dog and people social. Dobermans are a guardian/working breed, meaning they were bred to be a protector and guard their person or family. With this bred in them, they do not take well to outsiders immediately. I always recommend a gradual introduction when introducing your adult Doberman to new dogs. Your Doberman will not be frightened of new people, but instead, they may be aloof or neutral until the certain person has visited a few times.
You arent always breeding clear genetics to clear genetics. Is that bad?
Breeding clear to clear genetics limits our gene pool significantly. A dog can be a carrier for a disease and still remain disease-free and healthy. If a carrier for a disease is bred to a clear dog, then puppies will be unaffected.
Can I visit your kennel?
My Dobermans do not live in a kennel building, they live in my house. Both(2) of my spare bedrooms are dedicated to the dogs, the house is almost completely dedicated to the dogs at this point. I do not allow visitors due to the potential of a biological hazard. One can easily tract in contaminants on their shoe that can make the puppies sick. Puppies have extremely fragile immune systems and we want to keep them as healthy as possible.
What do you do to socialize your puppies?
Socializing starts early with Early Neurological Stimulation(ENS) and Early Scent Introduction(ESI). I also have the puppies on seven surfaces by seven weeks, as this is shown to improve their lifespan. During their right weeks here I have lots of obstacles and toys for the puppies to play and interact with.
I want updates!! When will I see puppy pictures?
My #1 concern is puppy health and care, not pictures. If you’re not getting updates, I am genuinely busy. I do make the effort to do puppy updates every week, to week and a half. Puppies are like to explore, run around, and have fun! So this means pictures are hard to get.
Sometimes I post videos, and it is an added-bonus to regular scheduled updates. I cannot guarantee video updates on a schedule.
Can we visit our puppy?
At Dalla Grazia Doberman, our top priority is the health and well-being of our puppies. We understand that many families are eager to meet their puppy before they’re ready to go home, but we have a strict policy of not allowing visitors, and we want to explain why.
Young puppies are highly vulnerable to illness before they’ve completed their vaccinations. Serious diseases like parvovirus and distemper can survive on shoes, clothing, or even hands, and a visitor could unknowingly introduce these risks to our puppies and adult dogs.
To protect them, we maintain strict biosecurity protocols and limit all outside exposure during these critical early weeks. This keeps our puppies safe and ensures they grow into healthy, happy companions.
Additionally, minimizing visitors reduces stress on mother dogs and their litters. Puppies need a calm, consistent environment as they develop both physically and behaviorally.
While we know this policy may feel disappointing, it is in place solely to protect the puppies. We are committed to keeping families involved throughout this process by providing regular photos and updates so you can watch your puppy grow and thrive until they are ready to come home.
Thank you for understanding and supporting our commitment to responsible breeding and puppy care.
My puppy tested at risk for DCM..does that mean they’re going to get it?”
No, and here’s why.
At our program, we are committed to breeding quality, health-tested dogs. While a genetic test might show your puppy carries one or two copies of the DCM1 or DCM2 mutations, this does not mean your dog will develop DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy). These results can be alarming, but context is key.
Eliminating all dogs with one or both copies of these mutations from the gene pool would dramatically reduce genetic diversity, which increases the coefficient of inbreeding (COI), and higher COIs are linked to increased health issues and shorter lifespans.
DCM is a complex and still poorly understood disease. These two mutations are just small pieces of a much larger puzzle. In fact, some dogs with two copies of both mutations live well past 10 years old, while others with no copies sadly pass away at just 2 years old. The breed-wide risk of DCM in Dobermans is around 60%, so all Dobermans carry some degree of risk, regardless of test results.
If you're truly concerned about longevity, the best indicator is not a genetic test, it's the dog’s lineage. Look into the family history of the dog. For instance, Magnolia’s sire lived to 11 and her dam is still thriving at 10. Both sets of grandparents lived beyond 10 as well. That's the kind of longevity you want to see.
And importantly, don’t just take the breeder’s word for it. Look up the registered names of the parents and research their background. If you can’t find anything, the breeder may not be focused on longevity, or the lines might not be producing dogs that live long lives.