About Our Dogs

At Xentader, our Dobermanns and German Shepherds are more than just dogs — they are family members and dedicated partners. We focus on breeding dogs that combine health, temperament, and intelligence with the ability to excel in both family life and working roles.

Each dog in our programme is carefully selected based on their pedigree, health clearances, and temperament. We believe in preserving the true qualities of both breeds: the loyalty and drive of Dobermanns, and the versatility and trainability of German Shepherds.

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Breeding Philosophy

Responsible breeding is at the heart of everything we do. Our goal is to preserve and enhance the best traits of Dobermanns and German Shepherds by prioritizing health, temperament, and sound structure.

We conduct thorough health testing and research bloodlines extensively to reduce hereditary risks. Our breeding decisions are guided by both scientific evidence and hands-on experience, ensuring every litter has the best chance at a long, healthy, and happy life.

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Available Puppies

When you choose a puppy from Xentader, you’re not just getting a dog—you’re gaining a lifelong companion with a strong foundation. Our litters are planned carefully to match compatible bloodlines, aiming for balanced temperaments and robust health.

We offer puppies for pet homes, as well as those intended for show, sport or working roles. Each puppy comes with a health guarantee, a starter pack, and lifetime support from us.
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🐾 Dobermann Information & Considerations Form

About the Dobermann

The Dobermann is a medium-large, powerful working breed known for its loyalty, intelligence, and protective instincts. They excel as family guardians, companions, and in various dog sports. Their sleek coat and elegant stance make them striking partners for active, knowledgeable owners.

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🔍 Important Considerations Before Owning a Dobermann
• Exercise Needs:
Dobermanns are highly energetic and require daily vigorous exercise to stay healthy and happy. Long walks, structured play, and mental stimulation are essential.
• Temperament:
They are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers. Early and consistent socialization is crucial to prevent over-guarding or nervous behaviours but this can also be affected by genetics.
• Training:
Dobermanns should be trained using methods that suit their individual temperament—whether that’s balanced training or purely positive reinforcement. Consistency, clarity and patience are key to raising a confident and well-behaved dog.
• Space:
They are best suited to homes with secure outdoor spaces but can adapt to apartment living if they receive adequate daily exercise and stimulation.
• Health:
Some Dobermann bloodlines are known to suffer from cancer, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains one of the breed’s most serious health concerns. While no breeder can guarantee complete protection, we do extensive research to avoid problematic lines and prioritize health in our breeding decisions.
• Grooming:
Minimal grooming is needed due to their short coat. A weekly brush and the occasional bath are usually sufficient.

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💡 Fun Facts & Breed Realities
• The breed was created in Germany in the late 1800s by a tax collector, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, who wanted a loyal and protective companion.
• Often referred to as “Velcro dogs,” Dobermanns form deep bonds with their people and prefer to be close at all times.
• While the breed was originally created for personal protection and had strong working roots, many modern Dobermanns no longer possess the same level of hardness, resilience or working drive due to decades of selective breeding focused more on appearance than function.
• There is now a clear divide between American and European Dobermanns, as well as between working and show lines.
• American Dobermanns are typically bred for companionship and conformation, often with a softer temperament.
• European Dobermanns are generally more robust, with stronger working drives and sharper temperaments - but even then, extremes in either direction are common.

🔧 Xentader’s Vision for the Breed

At Xentader, our goal is to bring back the qualities of the original working Dobermann - restoring the balance of structure, temperament, nerve, and function.
We strive to produce dogs who are not only correct in conformation for the show ring but also mentally and physically capable of true working roles. Our dogs are bred to be versatile, stable, and driven - the kind of Dobermanns that can both turn heads in the ring and perform with confidence on the field.

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🧠 Is a Dobermann Right for You?

Dobermanns thrive with active, confident owners who can provide leadership, structure, and daily physical and mental engagement. This breed is not for the faint of heart or casual owners - they require time, training and a strong bond. But for the right person or family, a Dobermann can be the most loyal and rewarding companion you’ll ever have.




🐾 German Shepherd Information & Considerations Form

About the German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is one of the most iconic and versatile working breeds in the world. Known for their intelligence, loyalty, and trainability, they excel in obedience, protection, sport, and as family companions. Their strong drive and devotion make them exceptional partners for the right owner.

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🔍 Important Considerations Before Owning a German Shepherd
• Exercise Needs:
German Shepherds are a high-energy breed that needs daily exercise, structure, and mental stimulation. Without an outlet for their energy and intelligence, they can develop behavioural issues.
• Temperament:
They are deeply loyal, often bonding closely with one or two people. While typically confident and courageous, poor socialisation or genetics can lead to nervousness or reactivity. Early exposure and ongoing training are key.
• Training:
German Shepherds should be trained with techniques that suit their individual personality - whether balanced methods or positive-only approaches. Clear boundaries and leadership are essential. These dogs thrive on having a job and direction.
• Space:
A secure garden or yard is highly recommended. They can live in a home with limited space if they receive the necessary daily physical and mental exercise.
• Health:
Key health concerns in the breed include hip and elbow dysplasia and Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). At Xentader, we test for the above and other known genetic conditions including Haemophilia A (variants 1 & 2) and Mucopolysaccharidosis to reduce risk in our breeding stock.
• Grooming:
German Shepherds have a thick double coat that sheds heavily year round. Weekly brushing is a must, with heavier grooming during coat blow seasons.

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💡 Fun Facts & Breed Realities
• German Shepherds were developed in Germany in the late 1800s as herding and protection dogs. Their popularity soared thanks to their work in World Wars.
• They are one of the top breeds used worldwide in police, military, SAR (Search and Rescue), and sport.
• German Shepherds are highly versatile but they are not “easy” dogs. They require serious commitment to training, structure, and leadership.
• There is now a strong divide between show and working lines, each with entirely different standards, temperaments, and structure:
• Working lines tend to have straighter backs, stronger drives, more intensity, and higher resilience under pressure.
• Show lines, especially in the UK, USA and continental Europe, often have extreme angulation and are bred more for appearance than performance.
• These differences result in dogs that look and behave almost like two separate breeds.

🔧 Xentader’s Vision for the Breed

At Xentader, our goal is to preserve the integrity of the true working German Shepherd, focusing on dogs with balanced drive, strong nerve, and correct, functional structure. We value a versatile shepherd, capable of both competing and being a steady home companion. We aim to bridge the gap between beauty and utility by producing healthy, correct dogs who embody the original purpose of the breed.

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🧠 Is a German Shepherd Right for You?

German Shepherds require more than love and a walk around the block, they demand structure, direction, and an owner who understands their drive. If you want a loyal companion who can work, think and thrive alongside you and you’re ready to commit to their needs, a German Shepherd might be the perfect match.
Holly
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🐾 Dobermann vs. German Shepherd: Understanding Two Iconic Breeds

Brought to you by Xentader - Breeding with purpose, grounded in heart.

At Xentader, we are passionate about two of the most intelligent and versatile working breeds in the world: the Dobermann and the German Shepherd. These dogs often attract similar types of owners - people looking for loyalty, trainability, and presence -
yet they are distinct in their origins, drive, and care requirements.

Understanding their similarities and differences is key to choosing the right dog for your home, goals, and experience level. As ethical breeders, we believe in transparency, education, and responsible ownership - and this starts before you even bring a puppy home.

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🧠 Temperament and Intelligence

Both the Dobermann and German Shepherd are known for their exceptional intelligence - but the way they think and learn is different.
• Dobermanns are sharp, sensitive, and emotionally aware. They pick up on your body language, mood, and energy in an instant. They tend to be more handler-dependent and naturally protective, often requiring strong relationship-building and trust before they work at their full potential.
• German Shepherds are analytical, methodical, and more environmentally stable. They are better at independent problem-solving and are often more forgiving during training. This makes them especially well-suited for working roles.

Both breeds thrive on purposeful engagement - but they need different handling styles to reach their full potential.

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🦴 Structure and Movement

The structural design of each breed reflects their historical job roles:
• The Dobermann is square, elegant, and athletic. They were bred for protection and speed, with compact muscles, tight skin, and a fast, spring-loaded gait. When well-bred, they move with grace and intensity.
• The German Shepherd is longer than tall, often with a slight slope in the topline depending on the line. Their movement should be efficient and ground-covering, with drive coming from the hindquarters. They are built for endurance, not short bursts.

These structural differences also impact injury risk, training method, and physical development timelines - something we consider carefully at Xentader when planning each breeding.

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⚡ Work Drive and Focus

Both breeds are working dogs - but they work differently.
• Dobermanns are reactive, driven, and intense. Their civil instincts (natural suspicion and protectiveness) are close to the surface, and they often work best in short, high-energy bursts. They require deep relationship and motivation to stay focused long-term, especially in distracting or emotional environments.
• German Shepherds are persistent and methodical. They have a natural ability to work for longer durations, solve problems independently, and hold focus under pressure. They are often described as “reliable” in task-based work, but can be more handler-distant compared to the Dobermann.

At Xentader, we adjust our training to suit these differences - never forcing one breed into the mold of the other.

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🏥 Health Considerations

Here’s where the breeds diverge significantly - and where bloodlines, screening, and ethical selection matter most.

Dobermanns:
• DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) is the #1 killer of Dobermanns, affecting over 58% of the population in Europe. It causes sudden death or heart failure, often between 3–7 years.
• High risk of cancer, particularly hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma.
• Prone to autoimmune diseases like hypothyroidism.
• Average lifespan: 7–9 years, though longevity-focused lines may exceed 10.

German Shepherds:
• Prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can affect mobility and working life.
• At risk for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), an incurable spinal cord disease that causes paralysis in older dogs.
• Also affected by cancer, though typically later in life than in Dobermanns.
• Average lifespan: 9–13 years when responsibly bred and well cared for.

At Xentader, all our breeding dogs are rigorously health tested, including:
• Heart screening (echo, 24hr Holter)
• Hip/elbow scoring
• Genetic testing (DINGS1&2, DM, vWD, MDR1, and more)
• Tracking of family longevity

We don’t just test the parents -
we evaluate the whole picture.

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🏠 Suitability for Homes

These breeds are intelligent, driven, and not for the faint of heart. But with the right leadership, they are life-changing companions.

✴️ First-time owners can succeed - but only if they are:
• Dedicated
• Consistent
• Eager to learn and adapt
• Committed to training, structure, and routine

The issue isn’t inexperience - it’s mindset.

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Dobermanns:

Dobermanns are intense and cunning. They are deeply bonded to their person and often thrive in one-on-one partnerships, but they can also succeed in active family homes. What matters is structure, trust, and calm leadership.

They need:
• Mental stimulation and varied tasks
• Confidence and emotional stability in their owner
• Fairness and clarity - they do not respond well to force or chaos
• Strong social imprinting from a young age

A bored or under-stimulated Dobermann becomes anxious, reactive, or manipulative - fast. But a well-led Dobermann is an elegant, focused, and utterly loyal companion.

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German Shepherds:

German Shepherds are thinkers and planners. They are adaptable, often bonding with the entire family and excelling in multiple roles - protection, sport, scent work, and companionship.

They need:
• Predictable structure and physical outlets
• A clear “job” and space to learn and explore
• Balanced leadership and environmental engagement
• Early boundaries and consistent socialization

Though often easier to manage in chaotic homes than Dobermanns, GSDs are no less intelligent - and just as capable of outsmarting the unwary.

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⚠️ Both breeds will test you.

They will push boundaries. They will read your body language.
They will find weaknesses in your routine or confidence - and exploit them.

If you’re not ahead of them, they will be ahead of you.

But if you meet them where they are - with fairness, structure, and purpose - they will exceed your every expectation.

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🤝 At Xentader, We Honour What Makes Them Different

We don’t breed for hype. We breed with intention.
We recognize that Dobermanns and German Shepherds have different needs, different strengths, and different challenges - and we embrace that in every decision we make.

With the right dog, the right preparation, and the right guidance, you’re not just getting a pet - you’re gaining a partner.