Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To really want a Doberman?

166 replies

ProgBannar · 03/06/2018 00:40

Beautiful dogs, elegant, protective, intelligent - despite their rep I am obsessed with them and want one desperately.

I have owned German shepherds and Rottweilers in the past so I'm used to "strong willed dogs" but even so, everyone looks at me like I'm nuts when I say I want a Doberman! AIBU?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
cliffdiver · 03/06/2018 07:37

@Puremince Grin

hallie29 · 03/06/2018 07:37

They scare me.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 03/06/2018 07:41

My Db has kept Dobes for years and they've all been really nice dogs, but with the exception of one poorly-bred rescue dog, they've all died young. When I say young, I mean they haven't lived past 4 years old. He's had one pup put-to-sleep at 4 months old with a terminal heart malformation and another three have dropped dead of DCM suddenly at between 3-4.

It's been absolutely tragic for him and his family, despite them trying to find the most well-bred pups. For that reason I wouldn't consider a Dobe bred in Britain as unfortunately the health problems are rife.

Claystone · 03/06/2018 07:41

Lovely breed. Not met one for years.

MountainGoats · 03/06/2018 07:50

Do it! They really are Velcro dogs, so loving and ours has never showed dominance etc.
He's good around kids ( never left unattended - I wouldn't leave any dog unattended with children ).
There's a Facebook group 'Doberman UK' you could post a message on there and go and meet some owners and see how you feel after.

TimeToDash · 03/06/2018 07:51

I wouldn't with kids! Or let them visit a house with one.

Notthecarwashagain · 03/06/2018 07:53

Yanbu! I used to walk one as part of my job. Lovely dog! People did cross the road to avoid her though (or maybe me!)

My own dog is small and cute looking and people don't cross the road to avoid her, but she is nervous and sometimes she doesn't like the look of someone, so barks as loud as a dog 3 times her size. Embarrassing.

UserV · 03/06/2018 07:53

Why would you need to post to ask if you are being unreasonable about getting a doberman?

Up to you innit?

vampirethriller · 03/06/2018 07:59

I've known a couple and they've all been soft and cuddly and thought they were lap dogs. But not very bright.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 03/06/2018 08:02

Without fail, all the of the many Dbs my brother has had have been the least aggressive dogs you could meet. They're much softer than my collies, and will happily put up with small children.

NoSquirrels · 03/06/2018 08:06

Only known one well, and he was the softest bestest dog- even though (imo) he wasn’t given enough exercise and attention. Bombproof with kids, even tiny ones, and basically an overgrown lap dog.

I didn’t know about their health issues, that’s interesting and sad.

Patienceofatoddler · 03/06/2018 08:10

Beautiful dogs.

Have known a couple people who show / work them (Protection / working trials).

Would have no qualms in taking my kiddies to a house with a well trained Dobermann as apose to any other breed of dog.

If you understand the breed are confident you could handle the dog and go to appropriate lengths to find the right dog no your not being unreasonable.

Naturally if you want a quiet family dog and we're used to labradors then a driven dog from IPO / working lines wouldn't be a sensible choice.

I wouldn't worry about what others thought to be honest.

MyOtherUsernameisaPun · 03/06/2018 08:18

YANBU, they are lovely dogs! We had them throughout my childhood and they are a wonderful breed - loyal, gentle, intelligent and devoted to their family. One of ours slept in my little brothers night every night of his (the dog's) life, tucked up under the covers with him and filling the bed.

They need an enormous amount of exercise, and they have to be meticulously trained and properly socialised so that they aren't reactive to other people and dogs. Because they're so big, even a little bit of overexcitement can be very frightening to others so they have to be trained very reliably and exposed to lots of people so they can stay calm about it.

Dobermans also have a very high prey drive so they have to be walked on leads - you can't trust them not to chase smaller dogs. They don't get on brilliantly in households with cats or small dogs but you can train them to be ok with both - it just takes work.

As long as you're on top of the potential risks there's no reason not to have one - they can bring so much joy and love, they are really wonderful dogs!

MrsDilber · 03/06/2018 08:18

Yabu in my opinion if you have kids. There is potential for all dogs to bite, but if one of these did....

ems137 · 03/06/2018 08:21

We had 2 when growing up.

First was was lovely, soft as anything and used to chase my brother and I around the house trying to pinch our socks 😂 I never saw an ounce of aggression in her, she used to sleep with our 2 cats and let them share her food. My brother and I were around 5/6 when we got her then our sister came along a few years later without any issues.

2nd one was aggressive from the start. Horrible dog. He was the biggest out of the litter from a very reputable family breeder. Me and dad went to pick him up and I remember him biting and growling at me all the way home. He bit my mum several times, once required stitches. Once I had my DS I wouldn't let him go to the house. Unfortunately the dog developed lots of health problems and was put to sleep at around 7 years old

CMOTDibbler · 03/06/2018 08:24

I love dobermans. One of my lurchers is part dobie (he's blue and fawn), and is a complete softie and we meet lots of doberman lovers as people want to talk about him.

He is stubborn at times - for instance, if we go into town he will plant his feet and refuse to move if it looks like we aren't going into the covered market to see his friends and their biscuits, but is incredibly tolerant of small children. In fact his one issue is that he can get a bit worried and hates fireworks/thunder, and if dh is away he insists on sleeping with me as apparently I need looking after

nervousnails · 03/06/2018 08:33

I met a lady who has a doberman puppy. I hadn't seen one of those for years and years and was not sure about what to expect. That little pup is the most glorious, weirdest, goofiest and stupidest dog on the planet. I am in love with him and I can guarantee you that he is a softie. He is definitely aware of strangers and will watch them until they leave but is OK once mum introduces them.

MsHomeSlice · 03/06/2018 08:39

they are great dogs, my parents had one and he was seriously massive....he could rest his chin on the worktop without effort. People were always all over him on walks and in pubs thinking he was some sort of skinny pointy Great Dane and then having a moment when told he was a Dobermann ...counting their fingers and ushering their children to safety Hmm
His major downfall was kissing....if you had not seen him for a bit he would be DETERMINED to get one, so you'd be sat there minding your own business and wham without warning...giant dog tongue right up your face, in your ear and up your nose. He'd then stalk off quite happy and not bother you for the rest of the visit. :v

Brother has had a couple too, both great family dogs and sorely missed.

I used to walk our first dog early in the morning, when pregnant to chase off the morning sickness and would regularly meet a lady with a black and tan one, she was totally amazed I spoke to her and the dog. She had to come out early or people would avoid her and it was getting her down.

I love GSDs Rotties, and Dobes...I do like a proper dog!

FASH84 · 03/06/2018 08:43

@Puremince I thought exactly the same 😂

Wolfiefan · 03/06/2018 08:47

Love them.
Can't believe the comments about them biting children and not coming to your house if you get one.
If it is from a reputable breeder (go through the breed club or society), well socialised and given appropriate training there's no reason to be afraid of a Dobie. I wouldn't leave young children alone with any dog though. As much for the safety of the dog as the kids!

hallie29 · 03/06/2018 09:11

I’d be really uncomfortable about children in a house with a highly dangerous breed. Sorry, but I would.

NatashaRomanov · 03/06/2018 09:16

PossumPom she is gorgeous!
I love the look of Dobermans, though I can't remember that last time I saw one in person.
And if I trusted the owner, I would have no issues with visiting a house with one.

Kpo58 · 03/06/2018 09:22

I’d be really uncomfortable about children in a house with a highly dangerous breed. Sorry, but I would.

They are no more dangerous than any other breed of dog..

I'd say go for it OP. One of the softest dogs I've ever met was a doberman X rottweiler. The owner wouldn't tell most people the breed of the dog due to the negative perceptions of the breeds.

Wolfiefan · 03/06/2018 09:50

What makes it a highly dangerous breed? What an odd statement. Any dog can be dangerous. It's about careful purchasing, socialisation and training.

Barbaro · 03/06/2018 10:07

I would trust a doberman over a labrador to be honest. Yet to meet a well trained lab that wasn't a guide dog, they've all been stupid and untrained. Same with collies actually, unless it's used for its purpose, its usually been babied and is just stupid. Had one try and attack my horse several times, horse now hates any dog. It's a shame because both can be nice dogs, but idiots buy them and just assume they are automatically trained, which they aren't.

I would get one, but make sure it's healthy. Seems there's lots of issues with them.

Swipe left for the next trending thread