Hi I am in love with the Doberman, and have decided to get a puppy!! YAY!!! I do have some things I need to get confirmed before i go ahead with my very expensive purchase! 1) I've heard they are great guard dogs, do they need special training for this? My house was burgled this year and I am petrified of waling through my front door so I need something that will protect me if something was to happen. 2) I have a 7yrd old and a cat in the house, I plan to bring them all up together as a family, I hope this will not be a problem? 3) biggest question... keeping everthing I have mentioned above...what sex should I go for? I was told that females are messy to have around the place?? Sorry for all the questions...I hope someone can help me out!! Hope to hear soon Dids
you need to get special training for a guard dog. its quite easy to let a guarding breed develop its guarding instincts naturally. the skill is controlling them and having an off switch, otherwise he will guard your house and be potentially aggressive to any and all visitors, including welcome ones. that wouldnt be his fault, its all the same to him. how long is the pup being left at home each day? is this the only reason you wish to get a dog?
Firstly GREAT choice!! Secondly DONT get one if you just want a guard dog! They are a companion first and foremost, will bark if necessary, you certainly wouldnt want to encourage any guarding otherwise you may end up with real problems. You must ask the breeder if the sire AND dam have been tested for: Von Willebrands disease, a blood clotting disorder, at least one of the parents MUST be clear for a puppy to not be affected. Hypothyroidism. Tested yearly. Dilated Cardiomyopathy. A big killer in Dobes, dogs should be tested by ECG yearly. Hip Scoring. A total below 14 (from memory) is recommended, andything higher is above the breed average and is NOT suitable for breeding from.
What she said Basically , wonderful dogs in the right hands. I have 3, 1 male and 2 females and love them all to bits, no idea what they mean by females being messy. Mine live happily with my 2 cats. and have learnt to be very calm around children. They can be very vocal dogs, not just barking but whingeing and whineing, they like to talk. More than you may like actually. They also have a large capacity for exercise, mine get around 2 hours free running a day. They need consistant training, they need to know what the boundaries are, but don't be harsh with them. Wonderful loyal dogs for the right owner committed to meeting their needs.
Thanks for all the replies. Yes it is my first dog and no the only reason is not to guard its to love these beautiful creature. no ones answered if I should get a male or a female?? I've been told that females bleed? Also which one would be better bearing in mind I have a 7 year old. I do shift work so home most of the time, as far as exercise is concerened I have big back garden, and also I plan to take it out twice a day for a run. I know I want this dog, I just don't know which sex to go for.. Thanks
i would think these type of dogs need a reasonably firm hand and lots and lots of exercise. considering you have a young one do you have the time to allow for 2 hours free running a day plus discipline and hugs and kisses. and that is when things are running smoothly
I would say personal choice as far as sex is concerned, many people think males are harder to deal with for first time owners. I'm not a first time owner and think my male is wonderful and I personally found him a joy to train, although my husband has at times found him a bit of a challenge. My females are both more hyper than my male. Females have seasons but it's not a big deal, if you don't plan to breed you can have them spayed, which also has other health benefits. Their season lasts about a month when they have to be kept away from male dogs, but the bleeding lasts only about a week and mine have both kept themselves very clean. With mine both male and females are superb around all kids even toddlers. With training all situations can be dealt with and as you're getting a pup, it will grow up used to children as long as you have sensible rules and boundaries in place. An adult Dobermann will generally take as much exercise as you can offer and not even work up a sweat. While a garden is great it's no substitute for meeting and greeting all that the big wide world has to offer especially for a young pup, who should get as much socialisation as possible. Do you know many adult Dobermanns? Do you have a specific breeder in mind? If not then get talking to some reputable breeders and meet their dogs and they will happily advise you. A reputable breeder will want what is best for their pup and you the owner. Please do make sure you use a reputable breeder who will be only to happy to discuss all the health issues with you and have the health certificates available for you to see.
I would definitely go for a male, as I find males in both the animal world and human world are a lot easier to handle.
Also, if you work shifts, do you work full time. ie, are you workig 8 hour stints with 1 to 2 hours traveling, like most people? if that is so, you need to consider the following: 1) how will a young pup get toilet trained? they need to be left out every half hour to begin with. 2) how will young pup get fed. they need to be fed every couple hours to begin with 3) how will the young pup learn house rules and training, such as not to chew items in the home. this requires constant supervision? 4) how will a young pup get socialised? as trouble says, you need to get the pup out and about massively into the big wide world, incl all sorts of different environments and situations, so he doesn't grow up scared and aggressive.
My husband a very experienced dog owner who lives with 3 Dobermanns would completely disagree with you, he has and still does at times find our male much more challenging than the females. Also his verbals tend to get on his nerves a bit too. I think a Dobies verbals are something you're either happy to put up with or not. I can't say it registers much with me, but tends to grate on the OH a bit. Any Dobermann book will tell you that males are generally much stronger both mentally and physically than the females. Depending on your personality this can be an advantage or disadvantage. Both are too damn clever by half and will try to manipulate any situation to their advantage. Very good at acting stupid while knowing exactly what they are doing and can be as stubborn as f**k. Males are bigger in every way and may give more trouble to an inexperienced owner. The best way to decide is to get to meet and know as many adult Dobermanns as possible. This is why meeting reputable breeders and responsible owners is is so important. There are too many in rescue because people generally don't realise how much dog they are taking on. I'm not trying to put you off just offer advice if there is anything you want to know just ask. I adore the breed and would happily have 10 but the OH would object methinks.
If your first question is anything to go by I would suggest you don't buy a Dobermann because what ever breed you own it should be a family pet first and foremost anything after that should be seen as a bonus. Not all Dobes have a natural guarding instinct many are put into rescues because of this reason, because people bought the dog to guard and it doesn't know how too, I have had Dobes for 25yrs and have never bought one because there a guarding breed I bought my first because of there look there personality there loyalty the fact that brought up properly they make a great family pet etc, the fact that they can be very protective of there own came last on my list of priority's when I choose to own Dobermanns. As for which sex I have always found males to be easier than females to train, and IMO there more loyal, loving and more tollerant than any female I have owned. But I stick to my first coment if your looking for something to stop your house being burgled by an alarm not a Dobermannn / dog, because as far as I'm concerned you have a long long way to go before you own any breed of dog. Quote "I've been told that females bleed" Mo and the Gang
Have to agree this comment worrys me some.... I am not sure a Doberman will be the correct dog for you, and in the wrong hands , you may find you have taken on far more than you can handle. Male or female, they are all different, and as you have read even from experienced Dobe owners they will tell you different as to what is easier to live with. Sorry but it does sound like you are looking for a gaurd dog first and pet second.. I would suggest before you buy any dog, you do a little more research into dogs generally, if you do decide on a bitch , then "the book of the bitch" will help you immensely... it will answer all your questions as to why a bitch bleeds...and there is an answer to deal with this...what ever breed you go for.... get her spayed, it will deal with that problem and also ensure no puppies . If you are looking for a pet, I would suggest a smaller less of a handful dog..... a dogs bark, regardless the size is usually enough to deter an intruder.
Not at all I just speak as I find and if I can prevent one more Dobe going in to rescue because it's been bought by the wrong person for the wrong reason I'll continue to come across as rude. Mo and the Gang
i do now and have worked full time in rescues for 12 years. and we treat animals AND people with respect. i agree that the man probably isnt suitable but i agree with explaining things nicely, instead of being an ass, epesh when he hasnt been one himself.
Knowing the breed as I do (having had 2 of the demanding monkeys) the thought of having a 7year old to look after as well as my Boy and run a house/have 5 mins to yourself (you can't even go to the loo on your own, they think theres an escape hatch!) is far too much for me! They are big, clumsy, physically and mentally demanding and the smartest dogs I have ever come across, youve give them an inch and they will take mile after mile after mile. I love my boy to bits but I have on occasion been driven to the point of leaving my own house and going to the local for a medicinal vodka hes driven me so far up the wall! And thats after 2 hours training on a cold saturday morning and a good hour and a half run after that! You can't be too tired or not feeling great when you got an attention deficit disorder Dobe! For reference purposes, you will be looking in the region of about £550 - £700+ for a puppy with all the relevant health checks. Please go to a responsible breeder and meet the parents if possible and tell them what you intend the dog to be used for and what its surroundings will be (we live in the sticks and surrounded by lots of sheep and cattle and our puppy was selected due to having a lower prey drive amongst other things - i e he wouldnt have such a strong urge to chase things as some of the other pups we could have chosen from!) Most responsible breeders will put restrictions on a dogs pedigree papers saying that it isnt to be used to breed from until the relevant health checks have been carried out and it is clear so I would personally steer clear of people advertising 'full pedigree but lost its dads papers so cant be registered' to me that says the health checks havent been done and you could be buying a whole lot of trouble! (Thats just my opinion!) They are incredibly loyal and loving but they aint called 'velcro dogs' for nothing! And as for guard dogs, hmm, i have made it into the house and snuck up the stairs and got half way before the doofus even woke up! But should a cat walk past the back gate hes off like a rocket! PS they also prefer to run through things than go round, if you do get one I can only suggest a crash helmet and body armour for your 7yr old. I was recently somersaulted whilst out with the boy when he hit me in the knees full tilt. Oh yeah and they hate the cold so living outside (call me soft) isnt an option for a happy and contented Dobe!
