The following statements reflect Adopt-a-Dobe’s position on a number of issues.
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We support the sourcing of pets through responsible breeders, as we understand that adopting may not be right for everyone. Responsible breeders are those who breed for the betterment of the breed, and who prioritize dogs’ health, temperament, and quality of life. Parent dogs should not be bred until after they have passed all health testing applicable to their breed, and all dogs and puppies should be registered to the appropriate organization/kennel club. Litters should be whelped in a home environment and receive socialization and training appropriate to their age. Buyers should be screened diligently and given a sales contract, including health guarantee, upon purchase. Responsible breeders also offer support for the lifetime of each dog they sell, which includes taking the dog back if the owner is no longer able to care for it.
Although we will intake and rehabilitate dogs who have a bite history, we must be realistic when it comes to expectations and outcomes. We will not adopt out a dog that poses a serious risk to the safety of the public, and we accept that euthanasia must be considered in these circumstances.
We recognize the significance of these procedures in the breed’s history, and understand that they are still required in order to conform to North American breed standards. Although we will not crop or dock any dogs in our care, we will not judge others who have chosen to have their dogs cropped or docked by a licensed veterinarian.
As a breed-specific rescue, our placement decisions are guided by both the individual needs of each dog and documented breed tendencies, including an increased risk of same-sex aggression. This behavior, particularly between male dogs, is commonly observed in Dobermans and many other working and guardian breeds.
Same-sex aggression often emerges or intensifies after social maturity, even in dogs that previously appeared social, tolerant, or friendly with other dogs of the same sex. For this reason, we strongly prefer opposite-sex placements whenever a resident dog is already in the home.
In general, we will not place a male Doberman into a home with another male dog unless all of the following criteria are met:
– Both dogs are past the age of social maturity
– Both dogs have a proven, positive history of successfully living with another male dog in the same household
– This history reflects cohabitation, not simply friendly interactions or play with other male dogs outside the home
Unfortunately, positive experiences such as playdates, daycare, or casual socialization do not reliably predict long-term compatibility in a shared living environment.
All placements must prioritize long-term safety and stability, not best-case scenarios. By placing opposite-sex dogs, we reduce the risk of conflict, protect the safety and welfare of all dogs involved, and set our adopters and dogs up for long-term success. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but only when the above criteria are clearly met.
Our goal is not to limit homes, but to make thoughtful, responsible placement decisions that reflect both the breed and the individual dog.
Research has shown that there is no “right” time to spay or neuter your pets. There are advantages and disadvantages to both pediatric and mature sterilization, and the decision of when to spay/neuter your dog should be made after discussing these factors with your veterinarian. As an animal welfare organization, we must ensure we do not contribute to irresponsible breeding practices and pet overpopulation; therefore, all dogs will be spayed or neutered prior to adoption. If an animal is too young, small, or medically unwell to be sterilized, it will remain in Adopt-a-Dobe’s care and will not be available for adoption until sterilization surgery has been performed.
We also feel it is imperative that our fosters and adopters recognize the importance of sterilizing their pets, and as such, will not place dogs in homes with intact pets except in the following circumstances:
- Owned pet is under 2-1/2 years old and veterinarian has recommended pet stay intact until mature;
- Owned pet is part of a registered breeding program and/or is an active show participant;
- Owned pet is unable to be sterilized due to medical concerns.
In the above situations, references may be requested from a veterinarian, breeder, show judge, breed club, etc.
For a list of articles discussing optimal age for sterilization, visit the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association website.
We believe that training methods and animal welfare are directly related, and as such, strive to employ humane training methods based on current scientific knowledge of canine behavior and the Humane Hierarchy. Training techniques should focus on reinforcing desired behaviors, removing the reinforcer for inappropriate behaviors, replacement of problem behaviors with incompatible behaviors, and addressing the emotional state and environmental conditions driving the undesirable behavior. Positive punishment and any other techniques that focus on using fear or pain to punish dogs for undesirable behaviors are generally unnecessary. Scientific evidence has proven that confrontational training and handling methods may cause adverse effects including, but not limited to, inhibition of learning, increased fear‐related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals.
Visit the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior website for more information.