Laural Harris, DMD, of Omnia Paratus Doberman, describes herself as a retired dentist who has gone to the dogs. An AKC Breeder of Merit and a Bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeder, Harris lives in southern Missouri with her four multi-titled Champion Doberman Pinschers: “Solomon,” “Torah,” “Ofira,” and “Zyra.”
She and her husband have been fortunate to share their lives with members of their beloved breed for over 40 years. Though her kennel only has one or two litters of puppies each year, she is devoted to preserving this intelligent and versatile dog.
From Horses to Dobermans
Harris was raised with animals and always loved nature, but she grew up with horses. She was rodeo queen and a member of her college equestrian team. But she fondly remembers a day in junior high when her parents gave her a special gift. “My parents bought me the AKC Complete Dog Book, the 1976 edition, where I dog-eared every breed that I thought I would someday have.”
It wasn’t until 1983 that she and her husband bought their first Doberman. The family was participating in Eventing, an equestrian triathlon, and a Doberman was the perfect match. But breeding didn’t enter Harris’ mind until she’d spent several years researching and educating herself through seminars, training, and showing events.
“Then, I wanted to be in the ring with the Bred-by-Exhibitors with our puppies and dogs, and that led to what and where I am today,” she says. “It gave me the desire to give back and share the joy that a well-bred Doberman brings as a cherished family member and if so desired, a competition team.”
Intelligent and Versatile Dogs
According to Harris, a true Doberman is one of the most versatile and intelligent breeds of all. They can excel in several areas from dog sports to scent detection. In fact, along with her other titles, Torah was the first Doberman to become a Certified Explosive Detection K-9 thanks to the help of Bill Heiser and the team at Southern Coast K9.
Harris says it’s amazing to watch the wheels spinning in her dogs’ minds when they are working. “Many people don’t think about showing or competing, but then become addicted to the ease of training such an incredibly intelligent breed. It brings out the competitive nature somewhere in all of us.”
“I love the soul, the brawn, the beauty, the courage, the honesty, and the versatility that the Doberman encompasses,” Harris says. “I know there are so many great breeds, and that I’m a bit biased, but there isn’t a breed that comes close to what our breed brings to its family and the world around them. Even their silhouette brings me happiness.”
However, she advises anyone looking to get a dog to ensure their chosen breed is an activity level and lifestyle match. Although Dobermans are more than happy to join you on the couch during their downtime, she warns they require daily mental stimulation and physical exercise to thrive.
She recommends doing your research at the website of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America and attending Doberman specialty conformation shows to talk to people familiar with the breed. Dobermans are exceptional athletes, incredibly perceptive, very intuitive, and make sensitive companions, but they need a job to do, and Harris says it’s your job as an owner to find one that suits both your interests.
A Breeding Program With a Solid Foundation
In her breeding program, Harris strives to produce healthy puppies of exceptional conformational quality with stable minds and temperament. She says you want to try to predict what you’re going to produce. To do that, you need to build a solid foundation and know your DNA and health profiles. Harris believes that function follows form, so she strives for structural soundness that follows the breed standard. She also factors in disposition, but she believes they are part of the family. “A well-bred Doberman raised in a solid, loving environment as a cherished part of a family, promises to be just that.”
Dobermans are particularly prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a disease that weakens the heart muscle. Therefore, Harris does comprehensive genetic testing on her dogs and each health, trait, and ancestry result is tested multiple times to ensure accuracy. She also does 24-hour Holter monitoring to record each dog’s heart rhythm and identify any irregular heartbeats. And as science advances, she adds more pieces to the puzzle. For example, there are external and environmental causes of DCM as well, such as certain DCM-linked dog food ingredients and Chagas disease.
Harris believes breeders are responsible for every puppy they bring into the world. Her advice to new breeders is to preserve the breed standard, follow the Doberman Pinscher Club’s code of ethics, and know the potential health issues with the breed. Also, be sure you have a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about Dobermans. She stresses that breeders must do their research and learn all they can. “Have a mentor along the way who can help you with questions that come up, and be there for your puppy families when they have any concerns.”
The Miracle of Puppies
As much as Harris values the betterment of the breed in her breeding program, she can’t forget the families who take home her puppies. She appreciates how these same families keep coming back for years to find their next pet and how they refer others who have met their puppies and dogs. And last but not least, she’s amazed by the miracle and wonder of new life, as well as the gentle nurturing from the mother dogs. She says, “I could live in the whelping box!”
In fact, in December 2014, Harris’ daughter Erin was due to give birth around the same time as Harris’ dog Ofira. Harris was no sooner at the hospital in St. Louis for her grandson’s delivery when her husband called and said Ofira had started whelping. So Harris hopped in the car for the 12-hour drive home and arrived in the middle of the night to 12 beautiful puppies. It was the day of her and her husband’s wedding anniversary, and she told him, “Oh honey, you shouldn’t have.”