| Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is a common health | | | | the Elisa test but was clear on the DNA test. The |
| issue in Dobermans. It is a bleeding disease just like | | | | only true way to test for this genetic disease is |
| hemophilia in humans that can put Dobermans life at | | | | through a DNA test, which is done with a swab and |
| risk from surgery or injury. Although it exists in other | | | | costs around $140.00. There are 3 levels of results |
| breeds, such as Poodles, Shelties, Scottish Terriers | | | | for the DNA test, clear, carrier or affected. What this |
| and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, it is most common in | | | | means in terms of breeding Dobermans is somewhat |
| Dobermans. In a study of 15,000 Dobermans | | | | complicated. It is safe to breed a vWD clear |
| screened, 70% were carriers. Most of these dogs | | | | Doberman with a vWD carrier. It is estimated that |
| were not clinically affected. | | | | the bad gene would be eliminated over a period of |
| Some of the symptoms of Von Willebrands Disease | | | | 2-3 generations. |
| are excessive bleeding, nosebleeds, bleeding from the | | | | Breeding 2 Dobermans that are affected (actually |
| gums and bloody stools or urine. This requires special | | | | suffer excessive bleeding) will always produce |
| consideration before surgery and special attention to | | | | 100%affected puppies. Breeding an affected dog |
| injuries. Physical and emotional stress can worsen | | | | with a carrier will result in half the puppies being |
| bleeding. The treatment for a bleeding episode is a | | | | affected and half being carriers. Breeding 2 carriers of |
| blood transfusion. Certain drugs should be avoided in | | | | vWD will result in 25% of the pups being affected, |
| dogs with Von Willebrand Disease. These include, | | | | 50% will be carriers and 25% will be normal. Breeding |
| aspirin, antihistamines, sulfur based antibiotics, | | | | a carrier of vWD to a normal Doberman will produce |
| ibuprofen and amoxicillin. Your Veterinarian will know | | | | a litter of half carrier puppies and half normal puppies. |
| how to handle treating your dog. | | | | You might be wondering why a breeder or anyone |
| There are 3 types of vWD. Type I is the mildest | | | | would breed a Doberman that has any indication of |
| form of the disease and is the type most common in | | | | vWD. Why not breed only dogs with no vWD, as |
| Dobermans. Type 2 is more severe and is more | | | | affected or carries of the disease? This would be the |
| common in German Shorthaired Pointers. Type 3 is | | | | ideal situation but only 1/3 of Dobermans are normal, |
| the most severe form and is usually found in Scottish | | | | meaning they are not affected with, or carrying the |
| Terriers and Shelties, although as mentioned above, | | | | disease. Using only normal dogs for breeding would |
| there are several other breeds that can carry this | | | | greatly reduce the gene pool which would have a |
| gene. | | | | negative impact on the breed. Doberman breeders |
| Besides, surgery or injury, Dobermans are at risk for | | | | have worked so long to perfect the Dobermans |
| excessive bleeding during whelping and during the | | | | temperament and health after the problems of the |
| docking of the puppies tails. It is so important to | | | | 1970s. To eliminate 2/3 of the breeding population |
| know that your Doberman and his breeding line are | | | | would result in the same problems we worked to |
| tested and do not have Von Willebrand affected | | | | correct. |
| breeding dogs. | | | | It is important to buy a Doberman puppy from a |
| One way to test for Von Willebrand Disease is a | | | | reputable breeder who has tested his dogs for Von |
| blood titre test called Elisa. This test is not very | | | | Willebrand Disease. Be an informed buyer. |
| accurate. We had one of our dogs test positive on | | | | |