GCH. Mistel's Anything You Can Do, CD, ROM, Sch BH DPCA Top Twenty, DPCA National Award of Merit Dam of one litter with 6 champions, 3 of which are Grand Champions Top Champion  Producing Doberman for 2014

Awarded to Mistel Dobermans

GCH Mistel's Can Can Owned by Bob & Nancy Vandiver Multiple Group Firsts, and Multiple Group Placements

Be careful surfing the web for a Doberman puppy.  Anyone can build a beautiful site.  Check credentials first!!  See our credentials on our home page.  You will quickly see what top Doberman breeders have for experience and background.  Be cautious of others.

If you are interested in a puppy, visit our Puppies-for-sale page.

Breeding Practices

The Mistel Breeding Philosophy

First and foremost, Mistel is not a commercial kennel. Mistel is a hobby kennel dedicated to producing occasional very high quality litters. We do not breed for the purpose of income, as we have full income from other sources. produce show quality dogs with outstanding temperaments so they can contribute to the happiness of a family environment. We usually keep only one Doberman puppy, with the remainder being placed in show, obedience, or companion homes.

The few grown dogs that we have are all AKC champions and all live in our home with us. The litters are whelped inside our home, and the puppies are individually socialized and trained.

Since we breed so seldom, it is imperative that we thoroughly research our choices and breed the best possible combination of sire and dam. We simply cannot make mistakes and maintain our limited, but highly successful breeding program.

Mistel Breeding Fundamentals

The Dam

Our dams are always champions. We do not subscribe to the practice of breeding a bitch that was not good enough to complete her championship to some champion male in hopes of getting a good Doberman puppy. 

Though having a champion dam does not guarantee that the pups will be outstanding, it does guarantee that impartial AKC judges (not the biased breeder) assessed the bitch and they determined her to be of champion quality .  Quality bitches bred to quality dogs usually offer the best possibility of having quality Doberman puppies.

The Sire

Sire selection in crucial. We do not breed to a mediocre dog with an outstanding pedigree. We also will not breed to an outstanding dog with a weak pedigree, as they often do not produce well. Rather, we find a superior dog that has a strong pedigree filled with high quality champions and champion producers.

Geography is not a criterion for our breeding program. We determine the best match for the bitch irrespective of location, and breed to that dog … even if it is completely across the continent (and it often has been). Breeding based on how close the dog is to the bitch limits the opportunity of breeding to the best.

Proper testing of the sire for genetic health problems is a must. Sires are usually tested for thyroid function, sound hips, VWD status, heart testing, and other genetic issues. These test results become an important part of our evaluation and selection process.

The Puppies

At about four weeks into the pregnancy, we ultrasound the dam to determine that she is pregnant and that everything is proceeding normally. Late in the pregnancy, we will ultrasound again and x-ray the dam to determine the expected number of pups and to reconfirm that all is normal.

About a week before whelping one of us will sleep in the whelping room until the Doberman pups are born, ensuring that we will be available if anything unusual occurs. After whelping, one of us will continue sleeping in the whelping room to monitor the progress.

Tails are docked and dewclaws removed at three days.

The Doberman puppies are weaned at 3 to 4 weeks of age. After weaning socialization begins. Friends visit to play with the pups, and the dam leads the pups on explorations of our 4 acres of fenced woods and hills.

Shots are given on a predetermined scheduled.

At eight to nine weeks the ears are cropped by an veterinarian with years of experience in cropping show Doberman ears.

We continue with socialization and begin show training during this period. Puppies are allowed to go to their new homes after the ears are healed and they have been posted for the first time.

Doberman Breeder Knowledge

Proper breeding requires knowing the pedigrees and the strengths and weaknesses of each animal in the pedigree.   Knowing names on the pedigree and counting the number of champions is not an indication of knowledge of the pedigree.   Knowledge requires the Doberman breeder to see many of the dogs in the pedigree in person, to speak with top Doberman breeders, and to observe first hand the results of other’s breeding programs.

Gathering the kind of knowledge to be a successful Doberman breeder can only be accomplished through dedicated effort. Resources for this information are available by reading, by being active in dog clubs, and by attending many dog shows.   Of particular importance is attending the annual Doberman Pinscher Club of America National Specialty Show to exchange thoughts with other top Doberman breeders, attend educational seminars, and observe the best Dobermans in this country.  We are proud that we have attended 36 of the last 40 DPCA National Specialties.

Attending shows as an exhibitor also allows us  to evaluate potential sires, and to see the results of other’s breeding.   Since we still show, we are in attendance at shows throughout the year.   As an AKC approved judge, Bob also has the opportunity to have his hands on many Dobermans in all parts of the country for formal evaluation.