I just wanted to say that I am thrilled you are actually really thinking about ALL the pros and cons BEFORE the dog arrives. Thumbs up to you.

wouldnt the dad be much larger than mum in this case? could = c section for mum, her not rearing them? potentual problems there?

I do wonder if it wasnt planned, why they werent neutered or they didnt just get the mismate jab to prevent the pups, but I guess thats neither here nor there now!

Id go for a pedigree doberman if you wanted one, I love them

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From what I have been reading on this forum over the past week DDB's are not for the faint hearted and can be a real handful. Add to that your inexperience and your little toddler and you're going to have a tough job on your hands. You are right about health tests being no guarantee but at least they go some way to peace of mind as healthy lines usually produce healthy pups too.

If you do go ahead and have a pup make sure you have decent insurance cover in case it has any joint problems as they are extremely expensive. Argos platinum cover gives £7,000 of vet fee's annually, renewed back to £7,000 at each renewal date regardless of if the condition has previously been treated and a £2,000,000 liability cover.
This may seem unecessary but my Flynn has had two hip replacements at a total cost of £14,000. Food for thought and insuring crossbreeds is very high I found with ours, who even at less than one year old was twice the cost of my Malamutes platinum cover with Argos.

Good luck and let's know what you eventually decide.

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"