Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a perfect dog of ANY breed. Canine geneticists estimate that the average purebred dog is carrying at least 4-5 defective genes…. even grand champions. Today’s breeders make the best breeding decisions they can based upon testing results, conformation, temperament, working ability, pedigree, etc. A good breeder is open and honest about the health status of all their dogs and is always willing to help and guide the new puppy owner.
Over 350 inherited diseases have been recognized in dogs. The threat of a health problem is not a reason to avoid a breed. All breeds have their genetic traits and these traits should only inspire you to be more careful in selecting the breeder to insure that bloodlines are as defect-free as possible.
Many inherited diseases are restricted to particular breeds but others, such as hip dysphasia, occur in a wide range of breeds. The more common diseases which affect Dobermans are cervical spondylitis (Wobbler Syndrome), von Willebrand's Disease and thyroid disease. Cancer, hip dysplasia, heart problems, eye defects, skin diseases and chronic active hepatitis (CAH) are also problems which are found in Dobermans.
Since, like every dog, whether purebred or mixed breed, Dobermans can have health issues, the knowledgeable breeder will strive to minimize those over which they can exert some control. They will be open to prospective buyers about their dogs health histories and test results and will always be willing to help the new owner to learn everything they can about their dog.
Because there are no reliable tests for some disorders like CVI and cardiomyopathy and tests for others are not always reliable while still others can be normal at one test and abnormal at the next (like eye disorders and thyroid disease), a breeder has limited control over freeing his kennel from them. For those, he relies upon feedback from the dogs owners over the lifespan of the dogs he provides from his kennel as much as he does testing.
Over the last decade, scientists have begun to identify individual genes and DNA-based technology has been developed to test animals for the presence of disease-causing genes. Some disorders, such as vWD and hip displasia, are genetic and can be reliably tested and accounted for in the breeding practices of the kennel over time. For the others which can't, progress is still being made.
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