Complaint Review: Kettlecove Dobermans

I'd just like to say that this report couldn't be farther from the truth. I purchased a pet quality puppy from Sharon in 2007. Since that time Sharon has asked for updates on the dog, she's always answered all questions I've sent her (which were overwhleming in the beginning I'm sure, lol), and she's given her opinion when I've asked for it regarding certain circumstances related to the care of the puppy.

Our doberman is now 9 yrs old, he's never had any of the major health issues that dobermans are suseptable to. In fact we have been so happy with Sharon and our doberman that we have placed a deposit for a puppy from her next litter.

Do your homework when chosing a breeder. Sharon raises these puppies in her home, not a kennel. She belongs to the DPCA. She does health testing on her dogs and breeds dogs only that are good matches in health and conformation and behavior. She allowed us to visit her home to see the puppies and their environment, and the mother of the litter.

She also specifically notes in the contract and on her website that she will take back any puppy or dog that came from a litter of hers for the life of the dog for any reason; so this person is clearly lying through his teeth.

I was shocked to read this report regarding Kettle Cove Dobermans, and Sharon Karam.

The original reporter did not spell the breeders name correctly, and that is not the only mistake he/she made.

I was lucky enough to be selected to buy a doberman from Kettle Cove, but only after several phone calls, emails and completion of a lengthy questionnaire.

It costs ALOT of money to raise a litter to the point where you get to take the pup home. It's really not about making money.   Kettle Cove sold me my doberman at the pet quality price, but with the potential to show him in AKC conformation. We were new to the show ring, had never done it before (I am a Certified Master Dog Trainer), but wanted to try. If Sharon were in dog breeding for the money, why would she require that we get him neutered if he was not AKC champion material? Why wouldn't she continue to just breed away?? It doesn't make sense, I'm sorry. 

I received AMAZING support from BOTH breeders. And believe me, I was a pain, calling about the ear posting method (I may have cried at one point), calling about the business of show dogs, calling about behavioral issues, feeding and care, and calling to say thank you, thank you, thank you - for allowing us to be so lucky enough to get him.  BOTH breeders were responsive AND geniune in their interest in seeing that my dog and I were successful.

I met a woman at a show recently who was searching out Kettle Cove dobermans. She had been turned down by Sharon, and was hoping to meet her.  She wants one of Sharons dogs. THAT is how good her reputation is. Sharon does her homework, and does the best job she can of placing her dogs in the finest homes.  If Sharon was such a "money grubbing" person, I guess the quality of the owner wouldn't matter, now would it?  If Sharon only cared about money, that woman would have been allowed to buy a dog.

It is sad that the original reporter's dog became sick, truly. However, dogs - simliar to young children - sometimes get sick. Sometimes we know why, sometimes it just happens. Sometimes it's genetics, sometimes environment. There are no crystal balls. BUT, to malign a very reputable breeder because one dog became sick is unfair, when there are SO MANY very happy customers with Kettle Cove dogs.

My daughter bought a "show quality" Viszla (and paid show price!) that is just over a year now and has cost her well over 5K in medical expenses. Couldn't have foreseen it.  Both parents were great bloodlines and healthy. We also met the grandparents. Also healthy. Doesn't get better than that. Unfortunately, her dog ended up having allergies that none of the others had. SO, she had him neutered, so she would not pass on any potential bad genes.  She had the option of bringing him back for a refund, but to her that would be like bringing her child with chronic ear infections back to the hospital that delivered it and saying....umm....this just isn't working out.  It is sad your dog got sick, but things happen.  Owning a dog is an investment. The payback is the unconditional love you get back. 

Oh, my dog - he turned out to be show quality after all.  He won Blue Ribbons in his class in every single show we entered him in.   We are on our way toward a championship with him, and look forward to breeding him in the future, to keep the fine Kettle Cove line going.

Last - we live over 500 miles from Sharon. People have come from all over the country to get a Kettle Cove doberman. You are lucky you live so close.  I'm sorry for your dogs illness, but blaming Kettle Cove and slandering them and the co-breeder by saying they are money grubbing people is not just incorrect, it's not very ethical.

Happy Owner of a fine Kettle Cove dog.  :) 

This case has been researched.  This is a bogus report sent out from a pet person who did not want to finish his payments.  The puppy in question was sold healthy.  Upon living in the new owner's home for several weeks, the buyer claims the puppy developed puppy mange.  All dogs have mites.  It is when their immune system is stressed that the body no longer fights off the mites.  Any puppy moving to a new home (and living with new pets) is under stress, as this is a big change for a young pup.

People wishing to learn more about puppy mange may google it.  The new owners of the puppy NEVER contacted the breeders to inform them that the puppy was being treated for mites.  No mention of puppy mange came into play until the remaining amount of payment was due.  There has also been no proof or veterinarian documentation supplied to the breeder that the puppy was ever sick.  None of the other puppies from this litter has had any sitings of puppy mange.

The buyer of this puppy signed a very strict and upfront contract which clearly states that the buyer was to keep in contact and report ANY problems to the breeder.  The breeder would be right there for them.  The buyer NEVER reported any problems to the breeder.  Had the breeder know that this puppy developed puppy mange after being in the buyers home, she would have taken back the puppy till the mange had cleared or whatever pleased the buyer.  Let me repeat, the buyer never notified the breeder of any problem.

When one of the breeders of this litter tried to contact the buyer by phone to check on how the puppy was adjusting to its new home, they were constantly told that they had the wrong number.  This issue did not come to light until one of the breeders realized that they were being ignored and feared that the puppy was in trouble.

It also states in the contract that the breeders have the right to take possession of the puppy should the buyer not fulfill their monetary duty.  The breeders are desperately trying to see the puppy in order to check out its well being.  As stated in their contract the buyers money would have been fully refunded (minus a $250 deposit) had the new owners found that this puppy was not the puppy for them for ANY reason.  The buyers NEVER exercised this option. 

I truly believe that this report was posted by a buyer who does not want to complete his payments for his new puppy. 

The proper telephone number for Kettle Cove Dobermans is 413-367-9705.  Please remove the telephone number listed in the report as it is incorrect and should not be associated with this report.

Could you give more details here please. When did you purchase the pup, when did you first see the vet, what was wrong, what happened? It is generally in a contract that vet bills are not paid or reimbursed so just wondering what actually happened in this case and if your contract said different. Just the details in general.