I am not a pet owner; I am just a teenage girl who admires certain dog and cat breeds. And the Doberman Pinscher happens to be one of my personal favourites.

However, while conducting research for a character in a personal project of mine, I discovered serious issues affecting my favourite dog breed.

- More than half of Dobermans develop DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy), and their prognosis is worse than that of other breeds.

- Dobermans' genetic diversity is exceptionally low, even among purebred dogs. Their average coefficient of inbreeding ranges from 40% to 43%—nearly double the average for purebred dogs overall. That means Dobermans are genetically strikingly similar regardless of their line, and this close genetic relatedness concentrates the mutation genes that increase the risk of genetic diseases.

- In 2026, the Finnish Kennel Club announced an official outcrossing project for this breed—a first. However, Finland remains the only country currently implementing this; active discussions regarding genetic diversity and outcrossing are not taking place within Doberman clubs in other nations, such as the DPCA.

I have never actually owned a Doberman. Yet, as an admirer, I want to see Dobermans preserved and wish for more Dobermans to live long, loved lives; that is why I wanted to help bring about change.

Unlike the breathing issues seen in brachycephalic breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, or peke-face Persians, the Doberman's health crisis is not immediately "obvious," which is why it has often been overlooked outside of breeder circles and veterinary geneticists.

Furthermore, discussions regarding the crises facing purebred dogs and cats have often been polarized. On one side, there are "anti-breeders" who argue that all dog and cat breeds should be eliminated; on the other, there are close-minded purists who refuse to acknowledge the problems purebred dogs and cats face.

I believe that the solution for all dog and cat breeds—including the Doberman—lies in reforming the breeding system.

Doberman clubs, such as the DPCA, need to foster more active discussions regarding the breed's genetic diversity and the practice of outcrossing. They must also educate themselves about the methods and purposes of outcrossing.

Additionally, the breeding community should adopt the following measures for the sake of all dog and cat breeds.

- Make the performance and public disclosure of health and genetic screenings mandatory for the registration of dogs and cats.

- Prohibit the registration of dogs and cats born from inbreeding between first- to second-degree relatives.

- Outcrossing should be actively encouraged in cases where genetic diversity is critically low or where the incidence rate of life-threatening diseases exceeds 50%.

- Clubs and registries must provide breeders with education on genetics, ethics, and breed history, and impose sanctions on breeders who damage the future of the breed, such as by not disclosing genetic test results.

- Since breeding within a closed registry limits genetic diversity, the use of animals from outside the registry for breeding should be considered if they meet specific conditions regarding health, temperament, and phenotype; this should be particularly considered when the population is small or genetic diversity is low.

- If the stance of kennel clubs or cat registration bodies does not change within the next five years, consideration should be given to legal intervention to transfer their responsibilities to veterinary and genetics experts who prioritize the genetic health of dogs and cats above all else. 

I hope this petition makes cats and dogs healthier in the future.