Reserving A Puppy: We require a holding fee of $500 to reserve a puppy.
Can I Visit In Person: We do not allow any outside handling of the dogs prior to 6 weeks. Visitation is limited to those with a deposit on file or who have provided an ID. Virtual visits are welcome when scheduled in advance! No Deposit - No Hold: Due to the overwhelming amount of interest we will not hold a specific dog without the holding fee commitment. A deposit is required to reserve a dog. Most litters are reserved 6-18 months in advanced, depending on the pairing.
Selecting A Puppy: Our policy is to select the right fit for you and your lifestyle. You are welcome to pick your puppy (must be selected by 5 weeks old).
Can Anyone Have a Puppy?: No, our puppies are available to only those approved by the breeder based on their questionnaire. Dobermans are bred with a specific temperament and drive within the breed standard and are not suited for everyone. A questionnaire is based on past breed experience, past dog experience, lifestyle, and if we feel we are the right breeder for you/you are the right buyer for us. Jackson's Kennel reserves the right to decline the sale of a puppy or to cancel sale and refund the deposit. When Do You Take Deposits?: We accept deposits for planned litters, expected litters and future litters for those with approved applications.
Can I Change My Deposit/Puppy Pick?: Deposits May be switched to any available puppies in that litter. Deposits are not transferable to other litters (current or future). In the event the sex/color is not born/available or if the breeding failed the deposit will be on hold until an available puppy is born. Once your reserved color/sex is born it is reserved for you. If a puppy fails to meet our health standards or is retained by the breeder for their breeding program the deposit is transferred to the next planned litter. There is no guarantee a puppy will be available when a deposit is placed prior to the litter born. In the event a puppy passed away or is unfit for sale the deposit is transferred to the next planned litter or to an available puppy.
What If I Want a Deposit Refunded?: Deposits are not refundable. The deposit is for that specific color and/or sex. If the purchaser decides to not purchase their reserved puppy or wants a puppy from a future or different pairing the deposit is forfeited. If a puppy fails to meet our health standards or is retained by the breeder for their breeding program the deposit is transferred to the next planned litter. There is no guarantee a puppy will be available when a deposit is placed prior to the litter born. In the event a puppy passed away or is unfit for sale the deposit is transferred to the next planned litter or to an available puppy.
Do You Have a Waiting List or Email List?: Due to the amount if people who are not ready or willing to commit to a puppy when a litter is available we only keep a deposit list. If you're interested in a puppy but don't want to place a deposit to secure your reservation for one it's best to follow our website and social media for updates.
Why are You More Expensive than "_______" Breeder/Kennel?: Because I ask what I know my program is worth. I know what all I have put into my program and what is needed to continue to allow me to pursue my dream as a renowned hobby breeder. You don't buy a Maserati for the price of a Ford nor would you buy a Monet for the cost of a craft fair find. There is a lot more that goes into a breeding program than what you see on the surface and asking our worth is fair. If we didn't there wouldn't be breeders offering the pedigree, health testing, education, resources, and outlets like me anymore. Just because it's more than you like to pay or want to pay doesn't mean it's not worth the cost, it just means it's out of YOUR budget.
Can You Pick a Puppy for Me?
YES! We select the puppy that is the right fit for you. We spend every minute of their lives for the first 8-12 weeks with them and we know them well. We place a puppy into the right home fit for them based on their temperament and personality.
Picking For Personality
When buying a puppy personality is key, but not concrete. Finding a puppy that fits your lifestyle is important but keep in mind just like how we grow, change and mature, so do dogs. The puppy's personality and interests will change as he/she grows up. If looking to buy a puppy based off personality the ideal age to gauge that is 5-6 weeks old, with some puppies showing personality traits as early as 3 weeks old, BUT personality is subject to change once the puppy leaves mom and its littermates. (Newborn and young puppies do not have obvious personalities yet.) As a pup adjusts to its home its personality may change. Leaving the pack can change a puppy (typically they become more outgoing or assertive).
We would not recommend a laid back mellow tempered puppy go into an active, busy, loud home due to the possible anxiety a mellow pup may experience in that environment. We would not recommend a hyper, driven dog go into the home of a retired couple due to the high energy the pup will have and the required exercise to keep the puppy engaged and stimulated. While it seems tempting to want that spunky puppy he may not be the right fit for you. If that spunky pup has absolutely stolen your heart he may be the pup for you. While genetics and inherent dispositions are a part of a dog's personality is more about how YOU train the puppy into adulthood. The environment a dog is raised in coupled with the training it receives molds that dog's behavior, habits and temperament. The same dog can fit into a multitude of homes given the right training. Training is very important!
Are the Puppies Good with Children?
The simple answer is almost always yes. Please refrain from asking me if a puppy is good with children. A puppy is almost always good with children. Where it seems like a good question to ask it really isn't. If it was an adult dog being re-homed asking that would be a very good idea. A puppy is nearly always good with children and adults of all ages but it is up to the owners to train the puppy how to behave around children and in the home.
Under our care the puppy is still with it's family which effects how the puppy behaves. Puppies by nature try to integrate into a pack and try to get along with others. We help our puppies navigate their own dog world while learning our world. A puppy's mom helps discipline and teach the puppies their dog skills, dog social manners, dog body language as well as how to be a dog. We start teaching what is acceptable behavior with humans and human/environment socialization. Once the puppy leaves it is important to start training immediately. In our home the pups are exposed to multiple people, sounds, textures, and at the very least to our sons. We play the radio, TV, as well as sounds like kid screams, sirens, storms, clanking noises and so on to help build up tolerance to a variety of everyday and uncommon sounds your pup may experience in his/her new home.
The crucial time to imprint onto your pup is 12-16 weeks. Puppies leave our care between 8-12 weeks old. Puppies should never be bought solely for children; dogs are not toys. A puppy is a family member and to ensure it grows up healthy it shouldn't be left alone with children under 7 years old (to avoid accidental injury or mishaps). A puppy can make a great companion for a child but it should be purchased as a whole family pet. Children lack the forethought to properly train and prepare a puppy for dog adulthood. To give your dog the best chance in life imprinting should be with the adults in the house along side any children.
Are the Puppies Good with Other Animals?
Seeing that being in a pack is how a puppy comes into this world and is raised from the get-go, that answer is yes. Puppies are born into a pack and raised with their siblings, taught manners by their mother, and learn social queues form their siblings. Once home you will need to teach the puppy what is okay and what isn't. It is up to you to socialize the pup now. Slowly introduce the puppy to the pets you have at home, for both parties sake. Any sign of distress remove the puppy to a safe space. It can take days to months for the animals to get along. Keep trying. Older dogs and cats are slower to accept a new addition than another puppy is. It is crucial to continue training and socializing your puppy.
What if I Want to Breed My Dog in the Future?
The Doberman breed exists today because breeders keep the breed thriving. Breeders are essential to the breeds future. Breeding is not for the faint of heart nor should it be taken lightly. Breeding has many ups and downs, good and bad, pride and heartbreak. It takes time and patience as you grow. Some of the best advice ever given to me regarding breeding is never breed a dog you aren't willing to lose. The truth is puppies die, dams die, sires die, illness happens, emergencies happen. You must be prepared to make tough decisions. It is not easy to lose a dog. Breeding can be rewarding and personally fulfilling. If you are interested in becoming a breeder ask us about our mentorship and for breeding advice. We proudly support ethical breeders. We offer breeder mentoring and Doberman breeder education courses. Breeding rights are available after either completion of health testing and one title, or for a one time $1500 fee.
Vaccination is important! Our puppies leave vaccinated starting Parvo & Distemper at 4 weeks old, and their first booster at 6 weeks old. New studies suggest waiting longer between rounds, going 3-5 weeks in between.
Why wait longer? It use to be standard to go 1-2 weeks between vaccinations. The AMVA now recommends 3-5 weeks. More and more pets are suffering from a potentially deadly condition caused by overdosing vaccines or too short of intervals between boosters. Too much too soon or too often can cause immune system failure. The condition is called Vaccinosis; a vaccine caused immune insufficiency disorder. Vaccinosis systematically shuts down the immune system throwing the entire system into shock, leaving the animal susceptible to viral infection with no way to fight it off. Too many vaccines too close does not build immunity, it compromises the immune system. We follow the vaccination schedule set by the AMVA.**http://m.petmd.com/news/view/can-you-over-vaccinate-your-pet-35190 Our pups leave with a minimum of their core vaccines and Bordetella/Kennel Cough vaccine on the AMVA vaccine schedule, starting at 5-6 weeks old. It is recommended to perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years thereafter, or more often. Be sure to maintain your pet's rabies vaccine per your county, city and state law, except when circumstances such as poor health prevent your pet from being vaccinated. You can request written waiver from your vet. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be done to accompany the waiver request. Please note, vaccination is crucial to keeping you pet healthy and protected! Vaccination stops the spread of deadly diseases like Distemper. Vaccinate and titer test will help keep your pet and other's beloved pets healthy!
No. Your puppy will have started learning social skills and proper behavior from mom, its siblings, and from us, the breeder, but we do not start pups on obedience training. Be sure to hire a quality trainer, one who does refresher sessions and is a certified trainer. void large group classes, such as the ones offered through many pet stores. Look for a trainer with accreditation and years of training. You want you and you're puppy to be trained by the best you can afford!
Will My Puppy be Housebroke?
While we start crate training basics when pups are around 7 weeks old it is your responsibility to train your puppy. That includes housebreaking and potty training. Your puppy will have been introduced to three different mediums; pee pads/puppy pee station, pine/cedar bedding, and outdoors. We do our best to prepare your puppy for life at its new home, but be prepared to housebreak your puppy when it arrives. No puppy is going to leave us fully housebroken.
Will My Puppy be Leash Trained?
No. Your pup will be introduced to a leash but will not be leash trained. Leash training is an excellent way to build boundaries, establish safety, and even to bond with your puppy! Keeping a puppy leashed at all times until fully house trained and he/she has mastered basic obedience is a key way to keep control on your dog, correct unfavorable behavior, disrupt discouraged behavior and to keep an established and reliable environment limit.
Will My Puppy be Crate Trained?
No. We do not fully crate train puppies. Puppies are introduced to crates but will not leave fully crate trained. Puppies need to be with their siblings for as long as possible to concrete social skills and manners. Crate training is started once their ears are cropped, which helps keep them safe while healing as well as start basic crate skills. We fully support crate training and believe it is a crucial part of responsible pet ownership.
Why Do I Have to Train My Puppy? Why Can't You Just Do It?
Training is a lifelong journey. As the breeder it is my responsibility to breed standard, healthy, quality dogs to carry on the breed legacy and future. We do our best to provide a solid foundation in temperament, socialization, and behavior so your puppy comes to you at their best. Training is a time intensive and long process. It is also an essential bonding method. Training helps personalize your dog to you and your lifestyle. Your puppy is your own to train how you want and need. Everyone trains their dog unique to them! I get your puppy started so he/she is ready to be molded by you. If you're no prepared for the time it takes for training and roughing it through puppyhood then a puppy isn't for you. If you want a fully trained dog there are special facilities that sell trained dogs ready to go for a modest price of $8000+ (which is reasonable given the time invested into the dog to train it before sending it to a home)..
What If I Have Questions Once I Get My Puppy Home?
Purchase the extended assurance package aka the Premier Puppy Package! A Jackson's Kennel puppy with that package comes with lifetime breeder support. You will have my website, email and my personal number. You're welcomed and encouraged to reach out to me and ask questions or seek advice. If I believe your matter is beyond my scope of skills or requires a professional's opinion I will direct you to talk to your vet or trainer. I want the very best experience for you and your puppy. If there is something I can assist you with, assure you over, or direct you to a resource I will gladly do so. I spend the majority of my life with these wonderful dogs and I have seen a lot of unique situations.
What If I Can't Keep My Dog?
Our commitment to our puppies is for their lifetime. If there is a situation where you're faced with re-homing your pet we will happily assist you in finding the perfect match for your dog. We will also take a Jackson's Kennel Doberman back no questions asked. We are committed to ensuring lifetime homes for our dogs, but are aware that life is unpredictable. If you're needing to place your dog we will help you or take the dog back into our care. A Jackson's Kennel Doberman should never wind up in a shelter!
Please note returning your dog back to the breeder does not merit a refund or reimbursement. There is not a return period nor a "trial period" when taking home your puppy.