Breeding Our Doberman - A Journal of Events Leading to Whelping

"That smilin' dog," my husband's uncle said. "Just look atobedience and agility training, then worked towards an
that smilin' dog." Tango, our Doberman, had greeted ourAKC CGC certification. CGC is a test that measures
uncle at a family barbeque.obedience, socialization, and manners. Dogs who pass
Tango does truly smile. There may be conflictingthe exam receive a certificate of completion. If both
evidence about whether dogs smile or not, or evenparent dogs are CGC, the puppies are easier to place.
have emotions like humans do ... Tango definitelyBoth our dogs passed the CGC easily. We also began
smiles. In fact, she has the prettiest smile of any dogcalendar-watching for Tango's heat cycle. She came
I've ever seen.into heat on June 25, 2008 ... her first birthday. As we
We met Tango in April 2008. Admirers ofplanned to breed on the third cycle, we watched how
black-and-tan breeds, my husband and I had set out toher cycle progressed into December, when she came
find two dogs to provide some security andin on December 1, 2008. We noted body changes,
companionship on our 10-acre property. Our choicesattitude, and behavior towards our male (he was
for black-and-tans were Rottweiler, Doberman, orneutered, of course). By the time the third cycle
Manchester Terrier. We found a listing for Dobermansarrived, we'd have some data to work from. Tango
and decided to give one a try, having researched thewould also be mature enough for motherhood.
breed's characteristics and needs.On May 13, 2009, we began to see signs (spotting)
Tango's breeder brought her to a local park for us tothat the third heat cycle was underway. I contacted
meet her. She showed us Tango's skills at obedienceTango's breeder to let her know the cycle had started.
and socialization (she asked passers-by to pet herShe gave us a date to bring Tango to her facility. She
dog), and let us get to know her. When my husbandhad a newly acquired male that would be a perfect
knelt down to greet Tango, she put her head in his lap;match. Thus on May 25, Tango met her first suitor,
an instant friend. It took very little time for us to decideRambo. The breeder reported two successful "ties,"
that she was the perfect dog for our family. We alsowhere the dogs make the connection correctly. Once
chose an unrelated Doberman male from one of theagain we noted our calendars and embarked upon a
breeder's associates nearby.new waiting game: "Is she or isn't she?"
We had the dogs we wanted. But one little option didIt normally takes five weeks, depending on the dog
present itself before we had left the park. Theand breed, to know if there are puppies on the way.
breeder, as a suggestion, asked if we would beAt 45 days, an x-ray can determine if there are
interested in breeding Tango. She wanted to keep thepuppies, and how many. At one month, we are still at
dog in her own program, but had too many to dealwait-and-see. According to the breeder, it is rare to not
with at the time. Tango's papers were left "open" forhave a pregnancy if there are successful ties at the
registered litters, so it was an option for us. We hadright time of the cycle. After a year and a half of
not previously considered breeding. However, this dogplanning, saving funds, and working with the dogs, we
was worth it. She had correct confirmation,are hopeful that a lovely little bunch of pups will arrive
temperament, and personality. A tribute to thein 2-3 more weeks. It has been an interesting, and
Doberman breed. The breeder even offered to helpeducational, experience ... and it has potential to be
us place the puppies.even more so very soon! My biggest hope is that the
As Tango was only six months old at the time, wepups will inherit Tango's winning smile.
had some work to do. We immediately began