Maverick was a joy to live with.  He didn't have an aggressive bone in his body and was the house 'puppy-raiser'.  He adored everyone and didn't meet a dog or person that he didn't love. 

He was also an absolute joy to show.  He loved being in the ring, the traveling and meeting new people ring side.  And could he MOVE!  He inherited his mother "Amber's" effortless, flowing movement, which is what I was hoping for when getting him.  In the show ring Amber was the bane of my existence, beating my Casey at every show, so of course I had to get a puppy out of her!  (LOL!!)

He got his International Championship in one weekend, going Breed over Specials all three days. 

I took him in- for practice, to see what we still needed to work on for his CGC, and he got it-- going HIT (in the days when there were points associated with the CGC- which they do not have now) over the entire Doberman Pinscher Obedience club that was there that day to try for their titles.  They didn't seem to be terribly thrilled to have a Mal beating their scores :)

Maverick only needed a major and a few singles to finish  his American Championship when he developed some kind of coat condition.  He was originally diagnosed, by a Specialist, with allergies but after spending thousands of dollars and all kinds of 'trials', nothing tried could keep him in coat or proper weight.  We were told that neutering him would help and while I really wanted to finish him, his health meant more, so I did.

We discovered, in September 2005 that he had a rare brain tumor which was the culprit of the coat issues.  It was inoperable and took him from us a few days later.  

Had Maverick not had severe cataracts, in both eyes, they would have been able to see the tumor and would have been able to remove it, before it became life-threatening.  I found out, recently, that his breeder was fully aware that he was at risk of cataracts as the prior litter (same sire/dam) came up with cataracts.  The lesson here; get all clearances in writing, with a CERF number (OFA as well), do not go on verbal 'assurances'.  It can be heartbreaking for you later.

Maverick was 26", 115 lbs-- Seal & white