Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Dilated Cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is one of the most serious health risks facing Dobermans. It’s a heart condition where the heart muscle becomes too weak to pump blood properly, often leading to sudden collapse or even death. The scary part? Many dogs don’t show signs until the disease is quite advanced. That’s why genetic testing is so important – it gives breeders and owners a chance to catch the risk early, even before symptoms appear.
There are two main genetic mutations that have been linked to DCM in Dobermans: DCM1 and DCM2. Dogs can be tested to see if they carry one or both of these mutations. A dog might test as clear (no mutation), a carrier (has one copy), or at-risk (has two copies). This doesn’t guarantee whether a dog will or won’t get DCM, but it does show how likely they are to develop it.
Responsible breeders use this information to make smart decisions when planning litters – they should avoid breeding two dogs that are both at risk, which could increase the chances of passing on the disease. It’s not about eliminating dogs with certain genes — it’s about pairing wisely to protect the health of future generations.
Both of our Dobermans, Vlad (male) and Alyona (female), are tested clear for both DCM1 and DCM2. This means they do not carry these mutations and are not at risk of passing them on to their puppies. Copies of their official lab results are provided below.
von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD Type 1)
von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) is a genetic bleeding disorder that affects the blood’s ability to clot. Dobermans are especially prone to Type 1 vWD, the mildest and most common form. While many dogs with this condition live normal lives, some may bleed too much from small cuts, lose more blood than usual during surgery, or get frequent nosebleeds.
Luckily, there’s a simple genetic test that can tell you if your Doberman is clear, a carrier, or affected by vWD Type 1. Carriers usually don’t show any symptoms, but they can still pass the gene to their puppies. Dogs that are affected have two copies of the mutation and are more likely to have bleeding issues.
Vlad and Alyona are both tested clear for vWD1, so their puppies will not inherit the mutation for this disorder. Again, lab results are available for review below.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a serious spinal condition that usually appears in older dogs. It starts with weakness in the back legs and gradually leads to trouble walking or even paralysis. DM doesn’t cause pain, but it deeply affects a dog’s quality of life and mobility over time. Sadly, there’s no cure — only supportive care.
A genetic test can check for the mutation linked to DM. Dogs may test as clear, carrier, or at-risk (if they have two copies of the gene). Not every dog with the mutation will develop DM, but having two copies increases the chances. That’s why breeders test — to avoid producing puppies with a higher risk of developing the disease later in life.
Both Vlad and Alyona are clear for DM, meaning they do not carry the gene linked to this condition. Their puppies will not be at risk of inheriting it. You can find their official genetic test results attached below.
