How We Started
We fell in love with the breed when we recued a young Doberman out of the animal shelter while we were still in college.  She was an amazing dog that lived close to 14 years.  Once she passed away, our home was empty without a Doberman in it.   As we searched for our next Doberman to love, we learned about the health issues that plague the breed and began to realize how blessed we were to have had so many years with her.

We were fortunate to find a nearby breeder who had very healthy lines, and Piper came to us unexpectedly after another buyer returned her within days of bringing her home.  Little did we know how much she would change our lives. 

​We didn't set out to breed, but as we owner handled Piper in the breed ring, we became passionate about where the breed is headed and how careful and conscientious breeding choices can bring together a perfect balance of health, conformation, and temperament. 
Picture
CH Irongate's Butterfly Kisses RATN CGC TKA RN "Piper"
Our Breeding Tenets
Health
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Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is sadly a defining issue in Dobermans.  Breeding for better health is a universal need in Dobermans, but how each breeder tries to reach that goal is very individual. ​​

We are blessed that our foundation female is well bred.  She has a very nice conformation and a biddable yet driven temperament.  Her pedigree has a very low rate of DCM, and excellent overall longevity.  We feel that being well bred is an important foundation from which to work from, and have used recent breed health studies to help guide our breeding choices. Educating others about breed health is a passion of ours - please see our dedicated Breed Health page for more information.
Conformation
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While breeding for health is our top priority, a dog's conformation and temperament can't be neglected.  Our foundation bitch, Piper, is an AKC Champion with balanced and moderate type from American show lines.  As one part of our commitment to health, we bred her to working line males.  These lines are bred with a focus on the traditional temperament first, but sound physical body structure is still key to produce a dog capable of the work required on the field. The combination of correct structure and classic elegance that conforms to the breed standard will always be a mainstay of our breeding goals. 
Temperament
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The breed standard calls for the Doberman to be energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient.  We feel that the strong, driven, confident temperament of working lines brings perfect balance to the more biddable, yet equally strong nature of show lines to help us achieve a dog that truly is the best of both worlds.  
Conformation
​
While breeding for health is our top priority, a dog's conformation and temperament can't be neglected.  Our foundation bitch, Piper, is an AKC Champion with balanced and moderate type from American show lines.  As one part of our commitment to health, we bred her to working line males.  These lines are bred with a focus on the traditional temperament first, but sound physical body structure is still key to produce a dog capable of the work required on the field. The combination of correct structure and classic elegance that conforms to the breed standard will always be a mainstay of our breeding goals. 
Temperament
​
The breed standard calls for the Doberman to be energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient.  We feel that the strong, driven, confident temperament of working lines brings perfect balance to the more biddable, yet equally strong nature of show lines to help us achieve a dog that truly is the best of both worlds.  
Our Breeding Principles
At Kickturn Dobermans, our puppies are raised in a loving home environment using the Puppy Culture program. This comprehensive program offers numerous benefits, including early neurological stimulation, socialization, and problem-solving exercises, which help our puppies develop into well-rounded, confident, and resilient dogs.
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We ensure that each puppy receives all routine veterinary care appropriate for their age and life stage. This includes regular health check-ups, deworming, and vaccinations to protect them from common diseases and support their overall well-being.

As responsible breeders, we also:
  • Conduct health screenings for genetic conditions in our breeding dogs to ensure the best possible health for our puppies.
  • Provide a clean, safe, and enriching environment for our puppies to explore and learn.
  • Begin basic training and housebreaking to give our puppies a head start in their new homes.
  • Screen potential homes for suitability to ensure our puppies go to loving and responsible homes.
  • Offer ongoing support and guidance to our puppy families, ensuring a smooth transition and a happy, lifelong relationship.
  • Require that, if the owner can no longer keep the dog, it must be returned to us.
  • Assist our homes in completing annual health testing by loaning out our Holter monitor to any home that needs it.

We are committed to raising happy, healthy puppies that will bring joy and companionship to their new homes. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our breeding practices, please feel free to contact us.
Location & Contact
We are located in the Tahoe region of Northern California. Our foundation litter was bred in Spring 2020 and prioritized health, diversity, temperament, and balanced conformation.

Please note that our 2025 Spring Litter will be whelped and raised in Ohio in a joint effort between myself and Rose's co-owner.

Email: [email protected]