Hey {{first_name}} , it's Gerald.
I had a interesting conversation with Raul QBN Kennels, about Embark results.
What to Expect in This Issue
Why my champion stud's VWD carrier status doesn't disqualify him
The 51% coefficient of inbreeding number that shocked an American Bully breeder
How to read Embark results so you actually know what you're breeding
The one genetic test that prevents $3,000+ vet bills
Why "clear of everything" isn't always the breeding goal
Reading time: 4 minutes
“A carrier isn't a death sentence. Ignorance is.“
The $400 Test That Changed My Breeding Program
When Titus came back as a Von Willebrand Disease carrier, I had breeders asking if I was retiring him from stud service.
He's 19 months old. Perfect European bloodlines. Champion temperament. Correct structure.
And yes—he carries one copy of VWD.
Here's what 32 years of breeding taught me about genetic testing: A carrier isn't a death sentence. Ignorance is.
After sitting down with Raul from QBN Kennels (American Bully breeder who's run Embark on 70+ dogs), I learned something critical: the best studs in the world carry something.
The question isn't whether they're genetically perfect—it's whether you know what they carry and breed accordingly.
Why Genetic Testing Isn't Optional Anymore
Back when I started, we used VetGen through UC Davis. You'd check boxes for specific tests - DCM 1, DCM 2, DCM 3, degenerative myelopathy, Von Willebrand Disease, thyroid panels. Every box you checked added to your bill.
Embark changed the game. One test. 256+ genetic conditions. $200.
The difference: You can't hide from what you don't test for.
When Titus's results showed VWD carrier status, I didn't panic. I adjusted. Now every female I breed to gets tested first. If she's clear? No problem, zero affected puppies. If she's a carrier too? We don't breed.
This is responsible breeding. Not perfection. Knowledge.
The 51% Number That Turned Heads
Raul pulled up Titus's Embark results during our discussion and stopped at the coefficient of inbreeding: 51%.
His American Bully female? 20%.
"In my breed," he said, "that's almost unheard of."
Here's what that means: Dobermans have been around since World War I. Over 100+ years, the breed has become incredibly pure. That 51% COI isn't a problem, it's a testament to how tightly bred European Dobermans are.
Compare that to American Bullies (only 30 years old, composite breed from Staffies, Pitbulls, Bulldogs, Mastiffs). Their COI stays lower because they're still stabilizing.
For Doberman breeders: High COI means strong prepotency. Your stud's traits pass through more consistently. But it also means you need to be more careful about genetic testing, not less.
How to Actually Read Your Embark Results
Most breeders get their Embark results back and have no idea what they're looking at. Here's the breakdown:
The K Locus (Last Coat of Paint):
KY/KY = Allows tan points to show through (every Doberman should have this)
KB/KY = Black covers tan points (creates "ghost" tri-colors)
The B Locus (Black vs Brown):
BB = Dominant black (only produces black puppies)
Bb = Black dog that can produce brown puppies (Titus has this)
bb = Brown/red dog
The D Locus (Dilution - The Problem One):
DD = Normal pigmentation (what you want)
Dd = Carries dilution (breed to DD only)
dd = Diluted color (blues, fawns - disqualifications in Dobermans)
Titus is DD. No dilution. That's non-negotiable in my program.
The Breeding Math: Carrier + Clear = Safe
Here's the square reality:
Scenario 1: Titus (VWD Carrier) x Clear Female
50% clear puppies
50% carrier puppies
0% affected puppies
Scenario 2: Titus (VWD Carrier) x Carrier Female
25% clear
50% carriers
25% affected (health risk)
I don't do Scenario 2. Ever.
Scenario 3: Clear Stud x Affected Female
100% carriers
0% affected
This is where stud fees go up. You're fixing someone else's problem.
"If they say "my dogs are healthy, they don't need testing" - walk away."
Why "Perfect" Dogs Don't Exist
Raul made a point that hit hard: "The best current champions—whether show or protection—they're going to have something. One copy of DCM. VWD carrier. Something."
The goal isn't genetic perfection. The goal is:
Know what your dog carries
Test every breeding partner
Avoid double-carrier breedings
Be honest with puppy buyers
The breeders who refuse to test? They're the ones producing affected puppies and blaming "bad luck."
The One Test Every Buyer Should Demand
If you're buying a Doberman puppy, ask the breeder for:
Both parents' Embark results
Proof neither parent is a double carrier for anything breed-relevant
Understanding of what "carrier" actually means
If they say "my dogs are healthy, they don't need testing"—walk away.
You can't see VWD, DCM, or dilution genes by looking at a dog. That's the whole point of testing.
Body Size Predictions (And Why Embark Gets It Wrong)
Titus's Embark projection: 86 pounds.
His actual weight at 19 months: 90 pounds.
Raul's correction: Embark consistently underpredicts by 20-25%. Titus will likely hit 103-105 pounds at full maturity (2.5-3 years).
Why? Embark's database for Dobermans isn't as deep as their database for more common breeds. The IGF-1 locus (body size gene) shows NN (large/large) for Titus—which is correct for a European male.
Just know: take the weight projection with a grain of salt.
What This Means for Your Breeding Program
After 16 years, here's my position on genetic testing:
Test everything. Not just what's convenient. Not just what's cheap. Everything Embark offers.
Require testing from breeding partners. If they won't test, they don't care about the breed.
Understand the results. Carrier doesn't mean it’s over. It means manage.
Be transparent with buyers. They deserve to know what their puppy might carry.
Titus stays in my program because I know what he carries. The breeders who scare me? The ones who refuse to find out.
Hope this helps you out.
Interested in Mentorship?
Want to build your kennel the right way from day one?
I'm launching a Mentorship Program for breeders—whether you're starting from scratch or scaling an existing operation. Monthly, quarterly, and yearly options available. Affordable. Opening early sign-ups. Can only take on a limited amount.
Interested? Comment "MENTOR" below or DM me for details.
How did you like this week's newsletter? 🐕 Loved it! 👍 Good 💢 Needs work