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The name Heartlight Dobermans comes from my commitment to promote cardiac testing, early detection, raise awareness and support research to find answers to save our breed from arrhythmia and dilated cardiomyopathy.

 

 

 

John and Sue Krom

Our Special Gift

Ollie was truly a gift to us. Cindy Thurston approached my husband, John while jogging our male Doberman, Armani, about a potential breeding. After testing him for Vonwillibrand's disease and discovering he was affected, I refused. We set up a breeding with his bother from another litter UCH CH Nagler's Looking for Trouble, Jake owned by Dave Rubin of Southington, CT. Jake was bred by Barbi Terasi of Nagler's Dobermans. She approved the breeding and asked Dave to take the pick female in lieu of a stud fee. Sydney delivered 10 beautiful puppies 5 boys and 5 girls, 7 fawns and 3 red.
 
 

As the time approached for Barbi to take Ollie she had changed her mind since she had gotten another female. Just a few short days later she died suddenly in her sleep. Barbi had bred all four colors for 25 years. Ollie was then sold and the woman who bought her and ended up with an asthma problem. Cindy being a reputable breeder took Ollie back. She and her husband, Lee approached me about taking her. At the time I owned Ramba Nagler's Slightly Sinful CGC, CD, CDX, UCD and Armani UCHCD Nagler's Lightening Strikes WAC, CGC, CD, CDX. Ramba was training for Utility and then I had thoughts of retiring her. John and I made the decision to take Ollie. Little did we know that just 3 days later we would loose our precious Ramba to Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Thus began my awareness of the alarming rate of cardiac problems in our breed.                                                                                                                            

Since Ramba's death I have made it my mission to raise the awareness level of Doberman owners of this dreadful disease. I have worked extensively with Dr. Nancy Morris, Board Certified Cardiologist.  We set up cardiac clinics to screen many breeds for heart problems.

In 2003 Armani's holter came back with a double couplet and Dr. Morris said he will probably go on to develop DCM.. His echo was borderline.  The following year his numbers began to change on his echo although his holter had only 18 PVC's, no couplets.  He was now in the occult (hidden stage) of DCM.  Dr. Morris put him on enalapril and I switched him to the raw diet with the advice of a friend, Dr. Christine Kusyak.  This diet is highest in taurine which helps heart muscle.  Armani held for 32 years before he went into CHF>  Although he had arrhythmia, I made the choice to go with the Pimobendan.. Pimobendan improves heart muscle function up to 80% and make the dog feel terrific.  However, this drug increases the risk of sudden death due to arrhythmia.  In late June of 2006, Armani went out on the deck to bark and he died in my arms.  Because he was diagnosed early he lived a quality life for almost 3 years.  That is significant in a dogs life. 

My friend, Louise Perry, who lost Ramba's littermate Moet to DCM began a site to help people talk about Doberman health issued.  Please join us at Healthdobes.  We now have over 600 members. 

Ramba

 
John and I have owned and trained Dobermans for the past 35 years in obedience and for the last 7 in conformation.  I am proud to say the "Ollie" "GRCH Thurston's Barbi Doll" named after the late Barbi Terasi has a CHIC number and is listed in the  OFA website.  Ollie earned her CD in 2005, and is currently training in Open, Agility and Tracking.  She was one of the youngest Dobermans to pass her Delta Therapy test given at the Pilgrim Meeting by Evaluator Kevin England.  She finished her Grand Championship in the United Kennel Club where only owners show their own dogs and was #8 in the country with limited showing.  As a puppy she was shown by Gerry Mull in AKC and took a reserve under Judge Madeline Fish.

Due to the influence of my obedience trainer Bobby Crissey we now have added another breed, a Miniature Pinscher,  Bobby always had several Min Pins along with her Dobermans.  I was fortunate to find a wonderful breeder, Barbara Zagrodnick of Goldmedal Min Pins.  UCH Goldmedal Victor's Lulu is a finished UKC CH and was #6 in the country last year.  She is 1 point and 1 major away from her AKC CH owner handled.  She also has 2 Rally Novice legs. She was born in November 2006. She is training in obedience, rally and teacup agility.