Britton Farms Dobermans CAUTION

Look what I found in a BLOG

Please do not be fooled by this breeder. I bought a doberman from him over 3 years ago. My dog (Bruno) is now 3 1/2 years old. When I was looking for a doberman, I did a lot of research and tried looking for available dobermans in California, but all breeders were booked for 2+ years. I found this breeder (Britton Farms Dobermans) online. I looked at the website, and they seemed to be legit. Well, even though my doberman looks like a champion (he is 90 lbs with a beautiful black coat), he was a health mess from day 1.

At 6 months old, he could not eat kibble. I tried all the best brands (Orijen, Before Grain, Evo, etc). Eventually I had to give up on kibble and feed him boiled chicken breast, rice, and fish oil. Do you know how difficult/expensive it is to buy/clean/cook chicken breast everyday, twice a day, 7 days a week? But I figured, oh well, a lot of dog owners do that and dobermans are known to have weak stomachs...

At 2 years old he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy (failing heart). This is usually a disease that attacks older dogs, it is very unusual onset would occur in dogs before the age of 5. He is on enalapril and vetmedin for his heart condition. He now can't go out to the park and play frisbee (one of our favorite activities together) because he literally collapses after 10 minutes of play. It's really heart breaking.

Fast forward to this past week. My dog started having urinary problems (incontinence, blood in pee, etc). After looking it up, I figured he had a urinary tract infection. After administering antibiotics for about a week, he did not get better and I took him back to the vet. The vet thought it was a bladder stone, so he had an x ray done. It turns out he does not ave stones, but he has an enlarged prostate. However, in the process of the xray, he should me my dog has really bad arthritis in his hips and back. I asked him how can that be, he is so young, and I have given him fish oil since day 1, and I exercise him almost daily so he is very lean and in shape. My vet said in his case it is just bad genetics....

Ok, so that still leaves the problem of his prostate being too large. My vet said neutering him would fix the problem since his prostate got bigger due to hormonal issues. Well, I can't get him neutered because his heart condition is so bad he cannot go under anesthetics for surgery. Un-fucking-believable.

The reason I am writing this report is because his breeder is a con man of a high caliber. Even an idiot could identify a back yard breeder- usually puppy mills are dirty, with dogs in cages and in poor condition, and they usually sell for very cheap. However, this breeder is smart. He has a clean home (or at least shows in the pictures). He doesn't own the dogs, he merely pays known champion dogs from all over the world to come and breeder at his facility. This does 2 things: it makes him seem legitimate since he is using world class famous champion bloodlines, and it also allows him to charge a lot more (I paid $2700 for my puppy). These two things make it seem like he is a real breeder. He does no testing (even though he says he does, my dog has bad hips/joints, ears, and a bad heart). He probably doesn't even check to see if the dogs are related.

However, there are a few signs he is a backyard breeder. First off, of all the breeders I talked to (I contacted no less than 8), he is the only one without any screening whatsoever- as long as you pay him, the dog is yours. No application, no picture requests of your house/yard, in fact, he doesn't email/call you at all. Also, he is the only breeder I know that has so many litters going on at once. He literally pays like 10 dog owners of champion dogs to ship their dogs from Europe so he can pop out litters at certain intervals to ensure a constant cash flow (especially since he charges up to $5000 for some puppies). No breeder does that. They usually only have 1-3 sires/females, and have 1 litter per year and stop after the third litter for that couple. This guy just keeps having dogs he doesn't own shipped to his ranch to breed, then he ships them back.

Also, he shipped my dog from Texas to California. Doesn't sound bad, right? Considering they are close. WRONG. My dog was on "acer" to "calm him down" and was in a cargo crate for 10 hours. Imagine a puppy being taken away from its parents, drugged, stuffed in a crate, and loaded onto a plane for 10 hours. Yep, that's good breeding right there.

The best part about this is after I called the breeder about my dogs heart condition to let him to know to stop breeding with his parents, he said "If he dies before 5 years old due to his heart condition, I will replace him." Replace him? How about you go fuck yourself instead, my dog is not an appliance, but an animal with a nervous system that can feel pain.

I am writing this as a warning to other people. I consider myself a smart and thorough person, and I did my research before buying my dog. However, I was still fooled. A quick search on online doberman forums (such as DobermanTalk.com, I've linked a few threads below) show other people like myself who bought a beautiful large doberman, only to be slammed with health problems.

Breeders are supposed to make the breed better and healthier. This asshole just wants money. My only hope is that one day, just like the puppies he sells, the breeder himself gets a fatal heart condition and bad hips/back, so he at least knows what he puts the dogs through. Thank you for reading this, and email me if you have any questions or want help finding a good breeder in your area. I also suggest you join dog forums to get a host of good information. I wish I did before I made my purchase....

 Here are the links about Britton Farms Dobermans:
http://www.dobermantalk.com/breeding-breeders/13968-britton-farms.html
http://www.dobermantalk.com/breeding-breeders/6206-britton-farms.html

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a condition where the pelvic ball and socket joint does not fit together well because of a malformation in either or both parts. The loose fitting joint creates calcification as the dog ages, resulting in pain and lameness.
Many large breeds are commonly affected by Hip Dysplasia, but occurrence in the Doberman is rare. However, it is still important to test for this condition.
The Cause of Hip Dysplasia is likely a combination of genetics, diet, and environment. Preventing or reducing the severity of Hip Dysplasia includes healthy exercise and a proper diet.
For the pet Doberman, it is important to catch Hip Dysplasia early, before it causes pain or long term damage. It is also important for prospective Doberman owners, when choosing a breeder, to research the blood lines to insure the parents and grand parents do not have the condition.
Currently, the most common test for the condition is done by taking a certain type of x-ray after two years of age, when the hips are fully developed. This x-ray is sent to the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) where it is graded by an expert panel of examiners as excellent, good, fair, or dysplastic.

Also, a new method has been developed for diagnosing Hip Dysplasia by the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School. This test still uses an x-ray. The difference is that the examination measures the laxity (space between, looseness) in the joints. The dog receives a grade in the form of a distraction index (DI). The university suggests that only dogs falling in the top 50%, having the tightest hips, should be bred.
Advantages of the new test is that it can be performed as early as 16 weeks because what the test evaluates does not rely on fully developed hips. Also, the evaluation is breed-specific. Doberman hips are compared only to Doberman hips.

Treating Hip Dysplasia can start with a number of medications for mild cases. For more severe cases, hip replacement surgery may be required.

 

Reference

Von Willebrand’s

One oddity on the list of Doberman illnesses is von Willebrand’s Disease. It is a genetic disease that, in people and dogs, causes a shortage of the protein von Willebrand factor. This protein is secreted from the inter walls of blood vessels when they are injured, and acts as a glue, holding platelets together. Simply, van Willebrand’s Disease can cause an excessive bleeding disorder.
In the 1970’s, the canine genetic indicator was discover, so now dogs with the gene that causes von Willebrand’s can be identified with a relatively simple DNA test. Using this test, 60 breeds have been identified as having members who carry the gene, including the Doberman.
Some breeds have a serious form of van Willebrand’s. Some have a mild form, including the Doberman. In fact, Dobermans with the gene do not have a bleeding disorder. So, from the Doberman owner’s perspective, von Willebrand’s disease is an extremely small threat to their Doberman.
The fact that there is no bleeding disorder prevalent in the Doberman breed is proven with the tail doc and dewclaw removal. If a bleeding disorder is not revealed here, later during the ear-crop it likely would.
If a prevalent bleeding disorder did exist in the Doberman breed, all of the systematic cutting of the Doberman would certainly reveal it. At least some Dobermans would bleed excessively, but this is extremely rare.
So why is discussion on von Willebrand’s disease so common in the Doberman community – when it’s not a real problem? I suspect it has much to do with the simplicity of the test, and breeders who love to flaunt a passed test regardless of its importance.
If you don’t plan on breeding your Doberman, testing for von Willebrand’s disease is not necessary. For breeders, it is not currently a concern and so many breeders do not hold the von Willebrand’s gene in high regard when forming their breeding plan. Removing all von Willebran’s positive and more so von Willebran’s carriers from Doberman breeding would significantly reduce the Doberman gene pool. In order to get ride of this possibly bad gene, we would have to sacrifice countless good genes.
However, our understanding of this gene and the genome in general is at its infancy. Doberman breeders should keep an eye on this one. Because it’s not causing problems now doesn’t mean it never will in the Doberman breed.

Cycle

This is a way you can test your dog by accessing this website.

VetGen: Link

vWD Type I

In 1996 VetGen scientists, in collaboration with the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, proudly announced the discovery of the mutation that causes Type I von Willebrand's Disease (vWD) and the offering of a DNA test to detect vWD in the above breeds.
Unlike other vWD test methods, the VetGen vWD test offers:

• Definitive results: The VetGen test will unambiguously classify dogs of the above breeds into CLEAR, CARRIER or AFFECTED categories.
• One time testing: Since VetGen directly detects the vWD DNA mutation, each dog needs to be tested only once in its lifetime. This is a significant improvement over the vWD factor assay, which can vary over time in the same dog.
• Ease of use: Simply swab the inside of the dog's mouth using the soft-bristle brushes supplied in a VetGen test kit. Then return the brushes to VetGen by standard mail.
• Quick results: Test results are provided within 2 weeks of VetGen's receipt of the DNA sample.
• Information You Can Use: VetGen's DNA test results enable you to make informed breeding decisions to eradicate the vWD gene from your dogs.

Reference

Doberman Hypothyroidism

The Doberman breed has a high incidence of hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a gland located in the neck that produces hormones responsible for controlling several organs and body functions. In simple terms, hypothyroidism is the deficiency of thyroid hormone.
Due to the thyroid’s effect on so many different systems, symptoms of hypothyroidism are varied. A common symptom is coat and skin problems. These problems include thinning of the coat, brittle or dry coat, hair loss, skin infection, discoloration of the skin, oily coat, and scaly and smelly skin.
Other common symptoms include obesity, weight loss, lethargy or listlessness, anemia, depression, weakness of the joints, slowing of the heart beat, inconsistent heat cycles, and complication during whelping in mother dogs.
In the Doberman, if hypothyroidism occurs it is usually during middle to old age and is usually due to natural atrophy of the gland or dietary iodine deficiency.
Diagnosing hypothyroidism is usually done with a blood test that measures amounts of thyroid hormone. However, a low thyroid hormone level does not necessarily indicate hypothyroidism. Illness and other problems can cause such deficiencies.
Treatment is fairly straight forward. Thyroid hormone in pill form is available for administration on a daily basis. Dogs under this treatment should be periodically tested to ensure the proper dose is being given.
The Doberman should have their thyroid hormone level checked once a year in an effort to identify this illness early. Doberman owners should also be aware of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and keep an eye out for them.

A Doberman with Hypothyroidism

Cervical Vertebral Instability (Wabbler Syndrome)

Wabbler Syndrome is caused by abnormalities in the spinal vertebra which cause compression to the discs that provide cushioning between each vertebra. The compression causes the discs to expand and rupture into the spinal canal where it applies pressure to the spinal cord.
In the Doberman Pinscher affected by this syndrome, these abnormalities usually occur in the fifth, sixth, and seventh vertebra in the neck. Here, the pressure on the spinal cord disrupts nerve function to the legs, mainly the hind legs.
A dog suffering from Wabbler Syndrome will lack coordination in the legs. The hind legs will usually stand crouching, not fully extended, with the feet far apart. In walking, the feet often scuff the ground while the body clumsily sways side to side. Affected dogs are still fully aware and responsive; they have just lost communication with their legs.
Causes of the abnormality that brings on Wabbler Syndrome are unknown. Studies suggest both genetics and nutrition may play a role in their development. Studies also show that for puppies and young dogs, a diet too high in protein, energy, calcium, and phosphorous accelerate growth. This may be a cause of such skeletal abnormalities responsible for Wabbler Syndrome.
Many Doberman breeders tend to feel that irresponsibly breeding the Doberman for a long skinny neck, over a small number of generations could have something to do with producing these abnormalities. Heavy lead work could also contribute to or aggravate this disorder.
The Doberman is one of the breeds with a high instance of Wabbler Syndrome. Also, Dobermans affected by this syndrome are commonly older than four years. This is likely due to a mild abnormality, which over time does damage with movement.
Wabbler Syndrome can not be diagnosed using simple x-ray. A myelogram is needed to make a firm diagnosis and to determine location of the abnormality and the severity of spinal cord swelling. A myelogram is an x-ray done after a special dye is injected, enabling the space around bones to be revealed.
Initial treatment includes steroids and other medications to reduce swelling in and around the spinal cord, but benefits from this are usually temporary. For a permanent solution, surgery is required to correct the problem by removing the ruptured disc and stabilize the vertebrae.
Recovering from this type of surgery is tough. Some Dobermans recover quickly while other require months of significant care.
Diagnosing Wabbler Syndrome early involves recognizing the symptoms and knowing your Doberman well enough to recognizing a change in his coordination. If Wabbler is suspected, the Doberman should see a veterinarian soon. He may be in pain that is not yet recognizable and treatment early is more effective.

Reference

Doberman Cancer

Like in humans, cancer in dogs has a mysterious cause and if allowed to spread is deadly. To prevent cancer from spreading, it must be caught early.
Many cancers in dogs form detectable lumps under the skin. Regular grooming and bathing often allows the Doberman owner to feel these lumps. If a lump is found, it should be examined by a veterinarian.
These lumps appear in all sizes and types and do not necessarily indicate cancer. If removal is appropriate, the tissue can be tested for cancer. If cancer is found, further treatment can continue.
In older dogs, aggressive treatment is at time inappropriate. There are treatments similar to human cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, used to fight cancer in dogs. As with humans, these therapies are painful and hard on the body. With the dog’s life span and their inability to understand the reason for treatment, older dogs are often allowed to go without cancer treatment.
Even when successful, these treatments can take years to fully work. An older dog undergoing treatment could easily spend its remaining years under this painful treatment with little improvement in health and significant reduction in quality of life.
A common cancer in the Doberman is bone cancer, which often forms detectable lumps on the shoulders or legs, or can be indicated by pain in the legs. Prostate cancer has a high occurrence in male Dobermans and for many years mammary cancer has been the number one killer of female Dobermans. Spayed female Dobermans has shown to reduce occurrence of this disease.
Other than finding lump and recognizing symptoms of pain, there is no simple test to find cancer.

Reference

My Nightmare!

Greetings readers of Doberman Breeders RIP-OFF:

            My name is Julie A. Lopez. I’m from San Juan, Puerto Rico. My life always has been passion about dogs. But not just all breeds. In special the Doberman Pinscher. Why? Don’t really know how to explain you. But I can say is a dog with so diversity in his type. By the time I could and afford to acquire one I started searching for almost a year. I go and enter in different forums and groups which were all related about Dobermans. I met people who knew about pedigrees. But my surprises were others; knowing so many diseases in this beloved breed. DCM one of the biggest responsible for dead.

            But this letter is more than this. Is to expose those Big Named Kennels. Calling themselves as Breeders. That name is to big to fit. Who is one of them: Izrafel Kennel. Why? I got the illusion to get a beautiful big Doberman to show and work and what I got was a nightmare, not with the dog, but with the breeder.

3mo

 

          My boy name Izrafel Leon Luthor, born 5 October 2011, son of Izrafel Abe Arroganto x Kim Kaylee Del Nasi. My boy cost weren't the problem but was a big amount for me. I didn’t care anything of this. But getting him home was a bit chaotic. When my boy came it was the most exciting experience ever. But from that moment all started to get bad too. Leon came with this huge bump on his head! I immediately text my breeder asking what happen to him. She told he was fine when he sent him that maybe for flight he got hit. He came at 3 and half months. For the next two weeks I took him to vet and see if all was ok.

3mo

            While playing with him I noticed something weird in his teeth. They were getting all misplaced. I took him to the vet and he diagnosed severe underbite due to genetics. I immediately text my breeder, she said that couldn’t be true. I ask vet this could have been done by bite training a fall or anything possible for it. Saying that this was only genetics. My show dog weren’t anymore. My vet immediately told me he couldn’t be used for breeding too cuz this could be pass to puppies.

This is at 10mo

 

            When I ask for answers on my breeder the only thing she said “I send you good dog". Nevertheless I had faith this could be repair. Time pass and it were only getting worse. By time he was almost 8mo he always were showing signs of to much scalp, bumps everywhere on his body and around his eyes dryness. I had a feeling I need it to do a skin scrap on him. But I thought it was just puppy hood and allergies by food. By 10mo and a half there were some weird loosening patches of hair around his muzzle and the bumps have only got worse. I immediately took him to vet to do a skin scrap. My feared were true. Demodex appeared. My Leon immediately goes to treatment and now is under control thank god.

Patches on the ribs

 

            All this things happen and my breeder in times was there. But the most awful things she accused me for me responsible of all that he have. Accusing me that he has Demodex because of to much bath. Two baths a month. How in the world could this be possible? I ask her so his bite is also my fault what she responded YES! How could it be? Leon will be 11mo and still I don’t have any pedigree papers on her. She always got excuses for this. Never have time.

            I always go private with this. Never go on public try to fix this. But she only used lame excuses.  I ask for full refund on Leon because he couldn’t be shown nor even bred. She told me that couldn’t be done that she could give me another puppy.  We got an agreement of getting new puppy from the mating I picked but why believing again in her when all this happen. I can't get in touch with her because she blocked me from Facebook. Go figure!

          What I said to myself is that nobody is perfect. But coming forward as a breeder and be there to your buyer it would have been a different story. Although he is a beautiful boy and have great temperament and a lovable boy. I'm training him hard in French Ring to get his CSAU (I have to add that in December 8, 2012 we acquire our CSAU). Because he can't be bred or shown doesn't mean he isn't a great pet.

CSAU passed on Dec 8, 2012

 

            Leon now is more than a year and still no pedigree papers. Sad as it is.

Regards...