About Acclaim Dobermans
Carol and Ellice Hauta established Acclaim Dobermans in Langley, British Columbia, on property we bought to give the dogs lots of room to run and play. Our interest in showing and breeding came about when Ellice and I showed a wonderful male that we originally bought as a pet. He became a Canadian Champion, attained an Obedience Title and was a wonderful ambassador for the breed. We started our breeding program in 1995 with the purchase of our foundation female, Wingate’s Gold Star. Jetz was so much more than we hoped for—she finished her Canadian, American and International championship titles and her Companion Dog and Canine Good Citizen titles. Jetz was a large part of our life and lived to be 14-1/2 years old.
We devote much of our spare time to studying the Doberman breed and our extensive contacts within the dog fancy keep us well informed. Although we enjoyed our time with the BC Doberman Pinscher Club after 30+ years we opted to not renew our membership. We are members of the Doberman Pinsher Club of America, the Canadian Kennel Club and former members of the Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada. We do our best to see that our puppies have sound working temperaments, good conformation and are as free of health problems as possible.
We home raise our puppies so that they fit into any family situation. We spend lots of time training and socializing our puppies from an early age because we believe that a family dog must have good manners. We start basic obedience and show training when the pups are about five weeks old. This ensures that when our pups move to their new homes they are a pleasure to be around.
Breeder obligations: When you purchase a puppy from Acclaim Dobermans we have to fulfil certain obligations to you as a puppy owner. The Canadian Kennel Club requires specific obligations pertaining to registration, which originate from Agriculture Canada through the Animal Pedigree Act. The Animal Pedigree Act requires every breeder of purebred animals to keep a complete and accurate record of every animal, including proper identification through the CKC. The Canadian Kennel Club requires every breeder to provide a new owner with a Certificate of Registration. This certificate must be supplied at no additional cost. Registration is included in the price you pay for a quality dog, and is required before the dog can compete in any CKC - sponsored event. We impose these obligations on ourselves as we feel a great responsibility to ensure that you get a quality pet.
Our Commitment: We carefully select matings based on the health and pedigree of the parents, their temperaments and their overall conformation compatibility. Although temperament is our prime concern, we are very aware of health, inherited genetic disorders and conformation. We feel we have developed a line of Dobermans to satisfy any need, whether companion, obedience or show prospect.
However, before anything else, our puppies are pets. We only sell to select, loving homes. The reason we will ask you so many questions is two-fold. We want our puppies going to good homes, but we also want the puppy to fit well into your family. It is important that you tell us exactly what you are looking for in a puppy so that we can choose the best puppy for you. We have spent weeks watching and getting to know these puppies. We also get the opinion of several other Doberman 'experts' in assessing each litter. By the time the pups are ready for their new homes we know each one very well and can make the best decision as to where they will be most suited. We’ll be happy to explain the reasons for our choices if you like.
Health testing: We test all our breeding stock for several inherited disorders common to our breed. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) will certify the absence of hip dysplasia from x-rays, once the dog is two years old. Testing for thyroid function involves sending a blood sample to the lab. A DNA test for von Willebrands Disease (vWD), a blood-clotting disorder, can be done by the owner and the swabs mailed to the testing facility. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) will certify the eyes free of hereditary disorders; an AVCO-certified veterinary ophthalmologist must examine the eyes and fill out a form that the owner sends in to the registry. While Dobermans have a low incidence of eye disease, testing is the best way to keep it that way. We also test for Heart disorders (DCM) through DNA. Although this is only one test for a disease that can come in many forms, at the moment it's the only test we have available.
Your obligations to us: We ask several things of our new owners. A happy home is one of the most important things you can give your puppy.
A fully fenced yard is a must. Responsible ownership means having your dog under control at all times. A fenced yard allows for proper exercise and control without annoying the neighbourhood.
We’d like you to take your puppy to obedience classes. You will enjoy your pet much more if he has appropriate manners. Training can give you that as well as a bond that only training can provide.
Occasionally circumstances change and it may be necessary for you to find a new home for your dog. Our contract requires that you contact us first if this should happen. We are best suited to find the dog an appropriate home. Dropping the dog off at the pound is not an option.
Ear taping. When you take your puppy home his ears will usually be in tapes as a result of the ear cropping. These tapes are in place to hold the ears erect, so that while the cartilage is hardening the ears are supported in the proper position and with the correct shape. We will give you instructions on ear care and will need you to bring the puppy back on a regular basis for taping. While this is part of the service that’s included in the purchase price of your dog, it’s your responsibility to make sure the ears are properly taped until they stand.
Our advice on buying a puppy: Try and visit dog shows and call breed clubs to find a reputable breeder who is active in their breed and other dog related activities.
Look in breed specific magazines, such as the Doberman Digest. Look for ads that state what the breeder & dogs have accomplished, not those just advertising litters.
Visit breeders and look at their dogs. Make sure you connect with your breeder – you’ll get to know them well by the time the dog is mature.
Don’t look in your local classified section or internet classifieds! Reputable breeders don't need to advertise puppies for sale in these places!
Don't rely on the internet - do your own research by talking to breeders and owners of Dobermans.
Some unscrupulous breeders will try and convince you of the quality of their dogs by claiming:
When visiting breeders watch out for these statements:
Ask to see OFA numbers & Thyroid panels (any reputable breeder will gladly show them to you.) It's not uncommon for someone to say they OFA test when they don't, since most people don't ask for proof.
Ask what their idea of proper or correct temperament is. It should match the breed standard as laid out by the CKC. Beware of people advertising "German temperament." or "German Dobermans". There are no differences - all Dobermans descended from Germany - you have to be diligent in checking all credentials of every breeder.
Ask about belonging to dog clubs or any other affiliated organization of experts.
If you’ve decided to buy a puppy, make sure you understand the major commitment that a new puppy entails. You’ll have to live with your decision for the next ten or more years.
We are always available for any and all questions regarding the pups that are bought from us. We provide help with training, showing and even some kennelling when needed. We love all of our Dobes and hope that each owner does the same.
We are not currently breeding our dogs. You can contact us for referrals.
--Carol and Ellice
Acclaim Dobermans
We devote much of our spare time to studying the Doberman breed and our extensive contacts within the dog fancy keep us well informed. Although we enjoyed our time with the BC Doberman Pinscher Club after 30+ years we opted to not renew our membership. We are members of the Doberman Pinsher Club of America, the Canadian Kennel Club and former members of the Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada. We do our best to see that our puppies have sound working temperaments, good conformation and are as free of health problems as possible.
We home raise our puppies so that they fit into any family situation. We spend lots of time training and socializing our puppies from an early age because we believe that a family dog must have good manners. We start basic obedience and show training when the pups are about five weeks old. This ensures that when our pups move to their new homes they are a pleasure to be around.
Breeder obligations: When you purchase a puppy from Acclaim Dobermans we have to fulfil certain obligations to you as a puppy owner. The Canadian Kennel Club requires specific obligations pertaining to registration, which originate from Agriculture Canada through the Animal Pedigree Act. The Animal Pedigree Act requires every breeder of purebred animals to keep a complete and accurate record of every animal, including proper identification through the CKC. The Canadian Kennel Club requires every breeder to provide a new owner with a Certificate of Registration. This certificate must be supplied at no additional cost. Registration is included in the price you pay for a quality dog, and is required before the dog can compete in any CKC - sponsored event. We impose these obligations on ourselves as we feel a great responsibility to ensure that you get a quality pet.
Our Commitment: We carefully select matings based on the health and pedigree of the parents, their temperaments and their overall conformation compatibility. Although temperament is our prime concern, we are very aware of health, inherited genetic disorders and conformation. We feel we have developed a line of Dobermans to satisfy any need, whether companion, obedience or show prospect.
However, before anything else, our puppies are pets. We only sell to select, loving homes. The reason we will ask you so many questions is two-fold. We want our puppies going to good homes, but we also want the puppy to fit well into your family. It is important that you tell us exactly what you are looking for in a puppy so that we can choose the best puppy for you. We have spent weeks watching and getting to know these puppies. We also get the opinion of several other Doberman 'experts' in assessing each litter. By the time the pups are ready for their new homes we know each one very well and can make the best decision as to where they will be most suited. We’ll be happy to explain the reasons for our choices if you like.
Health testing: We test all our breeding stock for several inherited disorders common to our breed. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) will certify the absence of hip dysplasia from x-rays, once the dog is two years old. Testing for thyroid function involves sending a blood sample to the lab. A DNA test for von Willebrands Disease (vWD), a blood-clotting disorder, can be done by the owner and the swabs mailed to the testing facility. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) will certify the eyes free of hereditary disorders; an AVCO-certified veterinary ophthalmologist must examine the eyes and fill out a form that the owner sends in to the registry. While Dobermans have a low incidence of eye disease, testing is the best way to keep it that way. We also test for Heart disorders (DCM) through DNA. Although this is only one test for a disease that can come in many forms, at the moment it's the only test we have available.
Your obligations to us: We ask several things of our new owners. A happy home is one of the most important things you can give your puppy.
A fully fenced yard is a must. Responsible ownership means having your dog under control at all times. A fenced yard allows for proper exercise and control without annoying the neighbourhood.
We’d like you to take your puppy to obedience classes. You will enjoy your pet much more if he has appropriate manners. Training can give you that as well as a bond that only training can provide.
Occasionally circumstances change and it may be necessary for you to find a new home for your dog. Our contract requires that you contact us first if this should happen. We are best suited to find the dog an appropriate home. Dropping the dog off at the pound is not an option.
Ear taping. When you take your puppy home his ears will usually be in tapes as a result of the ear cropping. These tapes are in place to hold the ears erect, so that while the cartilage is hardening the ears are supported in the proper position and with the correct shape. We will give you instructions on ear care and will need you to bring the puppy back on a regular basis for taping. While this is part of the service that’s included in the purchase price of your dog, it’s your responsibility to make sure the ears are properly taped until they stand.
Our advice on buying a puppy: Try and visit dog shows and call breed clubs to find a reputable breeder who is active in their breed and other dog related activities.
Look in breed specific magazines, such as the Doberman Digest. Look for ads that state what the breeder & dogs have accomplished, not those just advertising litters.
Visit breeders and look at their dogs. Make sure you connect with your breeder – you’ll get to know them well by the time the dog is mature.
Don’t look in your local classified section or internet classifieds! Reputable breeders don't need to advertise puppies for sale in these places!
Don't rely on the internet - do your own research by talking to breeders and owners of Dobermans.
Some unscrupulous breeders will try and convince you of the quality of their dogs by claiming:
- "European" Dobermans - this is the latest claim and doesn't mean anything. American, Canadian, European - they all need to come from Dobermans that have good temperaments, have generations of multiple health testing behind the puppy's Sire and Dam (and not just Thyroid and hips), and most of all come from knowledgeable breeders that have raised these puppies in the correct manner so that you end up with a great dog
- "We have German/European dogs because they are bigger, better & live longer." (There is no proof to this statement)“
- From "Champion lines” or “Show quality” yet they don’t have titles on their dogs
- "I just breed quality pets, not show dogs" (all show dogs start out as pets)
- "I love my dogs too much to show them" (when trained properly, most dogs love showing and it gives them the best opportunity to be well socialized)
- "There's no history of (hip, etc.) problems in my line., so I don’t need to test" (history is only one part of breeding)
- "We don't need to do health testing; all our dogs are guaranteed." (Testing is the only way of knowing for sure)
- "OFA dogs can still throw dysplastic pups, so testing is useless." (This is simply not true)
- "Shipping at 6 weeks..." (This is too young, the pup needs it's mother and pack to gain life lessons between the ages of 6 and 10 weeks of age)
- "Some of our Dobes top 120 lbs.!!!!" (This is too large for an active, healthy Doberman)
- "Free of genetic disease." (Nobody can honestly claim this)
When visiting breeders watch out for these statements:
- "Now the mother's just growling as she is protecting her pups."
- "He'll warm up to you once you get him home."
- "Most Dobe puppies do that (snarl, cower, pee on themselves)."
- "She's just a little nervous about new people."
- "These dogs of mine have true German/European temperament."
- "You can train my Dobes for guard & attack work, they’re from working lines."
- "We'll sell you any pup in the litter you like." (a knowledgeable breeder should select the proper home for each pup based on the personality of the pup and your lifestyle)
- "You can pay us the rest of the cost after you breed her - we'll just take the pups from her first litter."
- "If you buy two, we'll give you a special deal."
- "We have rare, unusual & special coloured pups to show you."
Ask to see OFA numbers & Thyroid panels (any reputable breeder will gladly show them to you.) It's not uncommon for someone to say they OFA test when they don't, since most people don't ask for proof.
Ask what their idea of proper or correct temperament is. It should match the breed standard as laid out by the CKC. Beware of people advertising "German temperament." or "German Dobermans". There are no differences - all Dobermans descended from Germany - you have to be diligent in checking all credentials of every breeder.
Ask about belonging to dog clubs or any other affiliated organization of experts.
If you’ve decided to buy a puppy, make sure you understand the major commitment that a new puppy entails. You’ll have to live with your decision for the next ten or more years.
We are always available for any and all questions regarding the pups that are bought from us. We provide help with training, showing and even some kennelling when needed. We love all of our Dobes and hope that each owner does the same.
We are not currently breeding our dogs. You can contact us for referrals.
--Carol and Ellice
Acclaim Dobermans