Lunar Dobermans

07/28/2026

For those of you who are considering bringing home one of my puppies in the future, I will be making some changes to my contract moving forward. All future puppy families will be required to work with a professional trainer. It is both an expectation and now a requirement that I absolutely will be following through on.

Here at Lunar Dobermans, we want to set each and every one of our puppies up for success in their new homes. This is why I personally take 4-6 extra weeks with each puppy before they leave us to work on crate training, basic obedience, leash training, socializing etc. They are taken out into real world situations and exposed to many sights, sounds, people and animals before they go home. It’s a commitment I make towards their futures and one I expect their new families to continue.

It is important to remember that even with the best foundation, it is only the beginning. They are still puppies and require continued training and mental stimulation. Requiring professional training isn’t because I think my puppy families aren’t capable. It’s because I want every family to have the support, education, and accountability that dramatically increases the chances of long-term success.

Dobermans are not low-maintenance dogs. They require time, consistency, leadership, and commitment. They deserve owners who are willing to invest not only financially, but emotionally and physically into raising them to be the incredible dogs they are capable of becoming.

I completely understand that life happens. People get busy. Health issues arise. Family dynamics change. Unexpected challenges come up, but those realities should be honestly considered before deciding to bring home a high-drive working breed.

If someone isn’t willing to invest the time, effort, and resources into continuing their puppy’s education, then I simply don’t believe a working-breed Doberman is the right fit for them, and that’s okay.

My responsibility doesn’t end when a puppy leaves my home. It never has, and it never will. I will always stand behind every puppy I produce. I will always welcome them back if life doesn’t work out. But my greatest hope is that they never have to come home because they were given every opportunity to succeed with a family who was equally committed to them.

🫶🏼

07/22/2026

So sweet. Love my puppy families. 💗

07/21/2026

One of the things that always makes me smile a little is seeing someone online say, “I would never pay that much for a Doberman.”

The reality is… most people have absolutely no idea what goes into responsibly breeding healthy, well-bred dogs.

Out of curiosity, I recently totaled what I’ve spent on raw food alone over the last two years.

$35,225.

That’s just food.

It doesn’t include supplements, health testing, echocardiograms, Holter monitors, OFA hips and elbows, thyroid testing, DNA testing, routine veterinary care, emergency veterinary bills, progesterone testing, stud fees, travel, registration fees, puppy supplies, whelping equipment, vaccinations and deworming, ear crops, training, titling, showing, or the countless hours spent researching, raising puppies, socializing them, and being available to every family for the lifetime of their dog.

The truth is, I don’t even make that much back from a litter. In fact, when everything is accounted for, there isn’t any profit at all.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

Ethical breeding should never be about making money. It should be about preserving and improving a breed we love. It should be about producing dogs that are structurally sound, mentally stable, and given the very best opportunity for long, healthy lives.

Nutrition is one of the biggest investments I make because I genuinely believe it matters. Every puppy born here is raised on a fresh raw diet because I believe what goes into their bodies during those critical early weeks helps lay the foundation for the rest of their lives. Healthy bodies begin with quality nutrition, and that philosophy extends to every dog in my home.

Could I cut corners? Absolutely.

Would it save me thousands of dollars every year? Without question.

But that isn’t who I am, and it isn’t what Lunar Dobermans stands for…

So when someone asks why a responsibly bred Doberman costs more than the puppy listed online for a fraction of the price, remember this: you’re not just paying for the puppy standing in front of you. You’re paying for years of education, health testing, thoughtful breeding decisions, uncompromising standards, proper nutrition, and a breeder who has invested far more into that puppy than you’ll ever see.

A well-bred puppy isn’t expensive because breeders are getting rich.

It’s expensive because doing things the right way is.

07/18/2026

One of the questions I’m often asked, is what I look for in a puppy home.

While I value loving, committed families above all else, I will always prioritize placing my puppies with homes that are equally committed to protecting their long-term health and longevity.

Over the past 15+ years, I have dedicated countless hours to researching canine nutrition, natural health, vaccines, and holistic/homeopathic approaches to raising dogs. Every decision I make for my own dogs has been carefully considered with one goal in mind: giving them the best opportunity to live long, healthy lives.

That means my puppies are raised on a species-appropriate raw diet, and I strongly encourage their families to continue that lifestyle after they leave my home. I also advocate for avoiding unnecessary medical interventions whenever possible, including avoiding over-vaccination, limiting unnecessary pharmaceutical use, and carefully considering alternatives to routine chemical flea and tick preventatives when appropriate for the individual dog and lifestyle.

When families come to me for a puppy, they aren’t just getting a dog, they’re gaining a breeder who will be there for the lifetime of that puppy. My recommendations aren’t based on trends or marketing; they’re based on years of studying the available evidence, learning from experienced veterinarians and holistic practitioners, and continually evaluating what has produced the healthiest outcomes in my own dogs.

I completely understand that not everyone shares the same philosophy, and I respect that every owner has the right to make decisions for their own dogs. However, I also have the responsibility to place my puppies in homes that align with the program and standards I’ve worked so hard to build.

For that reason, families who are excited to continue raw feeding, thoughtfully approach preventive care, and are open to following my guidance regarding nutrition and overall wellness will always receive priority when I’m selecting homes.

My commitment doesn’t end when a puppy goes home. I will always be here to support my puppy families, answer questions, and share everything I’ve learned to help each puppy have the healthiest, happiest life possible.

At the end of the day, every decision I make is rooted in one simple goal: doing what I believe gives my puppies the very best chance at a long, vibrant life.

07/02/2026

Congratulations to our puppies Vendetta, Vengeance, Vera and Pandora for passing their AKC CGC & TKN testing today.

06/29/2026

06/29/2026

Here’s the reality a lot of people don’t want to hear:
I do not owe you a puppy.
Read that again.

I. Do. Not. Owe. You. A. Puppy.

I reject people all the time, and I am completely unapologetic about it.

You are not entitled to one of my dogs because you want one.
I don’t care how long you’ve wanted one.
I don’t care how much money you have.
I don’t care how excited you are.
I don’t care how qualified you think you are.
And I don’t care if being told no hurts your feelings.

My dogs’ welfare comes before your feelings. Every single time.

These are extremely high-drive working dogs.

They are not pets you buy on impulse because they look impressive online. They require structure, consistency, training, boundaries, and an actual understanding of what you’re taking on. They are not dogs you buy, work for a few months and then shove to the back burner because you’re too busy, or you don’t want to make the commute to a club, or any other excuses not to fulfill your working dog.

I reject people who underestimate the breed.
I reject people who think love is enough.
I reject people who want the image of a working dog but not the reality.
I reject people who get defensive when asked basic questions.
I reject people who aren’t prepared to manage a working dog.
I reject people who expect a puppy to come preprogrammed with adult working skills.
I reject people who want a nasty aggressive “real dog”.
I reject people who think money should override judgment.
I reject people who think wanting a dog equals being qualified for one.
And yes—I reject people based on household environment.

If your home is chaos, if your kids are screaming nonstop, have no boundaries, and adults are doing nothing to correct it, I’m not placing a high-drive working dog into that environment. Not because I dislike kids. Because I care about the dog.

A dog is not a toy. It is not something to be grabbed, chased, climbed on, screamed at, and expected to tolerate constant disorder because adults refuse to provide structure.

If you already have multiple dogs living in kennels or crates and expect a puppy to be thrown into your kennel or crate room and aren’t prepared to give that puppy the attention, training and dedicated work it requires, I’m not placing a dog with you.

And while we’re at it if you look at my dogs and think you’re going to recreate that overnight with an 12-week-old puppy, you are not the buyer for this breed.

No, the puppy is not fully obedience trained.
No, the puppy is not house-trained.
No, the puppy is not a finished dog.
It is a 12-week-old puppy.

You are buying potential. You are buying genetics. You are buying years of work ahead of you.

If you want instant results, this is not for you.
If you want a shortcut, this is not for you.
If you are already asking what the puppy “comes with” in terms of training, you’ve already misunderstood what you’re getting into.
I am not running a puppy store.
I am not here to make people feel good.
I am not here to hand out dogs to whoever wants one badly enough.

I am here to protect the dogs I bring into this world.
So yes, I reject a lot of people.
And no, I don’t feel bad about it.

Not even a little.
I would rather hurt your feelings today than ruin a dog’s life tomorrow.

I would rather be called rude, gatekeeping, arrogant, or difficult than place a dog in the wrong home.
Because once that dog leaves me, it lives with the consequences, not you, not me.

The dog.

Always the dog.
So if I say no, the answer is no.
No debate. No negotiation. No apology. No puppy.

-Mickey Stillwell

05/04/2026

Just a few of our gorgeous V Litter pups meeting their new families this week.

05/03/2026

There's nothing more rewarding than watching one of our babies head off to their new home, especially when they leave prepared, confident, and set up for success. 🩶

At Lunar Dobermans, bringing home a puppy is so much more than just a pickup day. Each puppy goes home with thoughtfully prepared take-home bags filled with essentials, ear postings kits, premium nutrition including raw food, goat's milk, fish oil, training tools, and more - everything you need to continue the foundation we've built.

Our puppies also go home with their ears already posted, and we fully support our families through the entire process. We always welcome our puppy families back for ear postings, which we offer at no charge - because ongoing support matters just as much after they leave as it does while they're here.

We keep our puppies longer than most - typically 12-14 weeks - because those extra weeks matter. During that time, we focus heavily on:
• Proper ear healing and posting readiness
• Full crate training and age-appropriate house manners
• Foundational obedience and leash introduction/training
• Confidence building and real-world exposure

Our puppies are raised on a trusted raw diet through BJ's Raw Food, following principles advocated by Dr. lan Billinghurst, because we believe nutrition is the cornerstone of lifelong health.

But what truly sets our program apart is the level of socialization.
These puppies aren't raised in a bubble - they grow up on our farm surrounded by:
• Other dogs, cats, horses, goats, and chickens
• Macaws and other large parrots
• Adults, children, and everyday household activity

We also take them out into real-world environments - exposing them to city settings, traffic, motorcycles, sirens, and more - helping them become stable, confident companions.

Health, longevity & temperament are the foundation of everything we do. We put in the time, the work, and the care so that when our puppies leave, they transition seamlessly - often sleeping through the night and walking nicely at heel far earlier than expected.

This is the Lunar Dobermans difference. ✨
Well-rounded. Well-started. Supported for life