To really want a Doberman?

[ProgBannar]

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?

I am perfectly fine with my children not encountering dogs. Why should they? I don't like dogs. I'm actually allergic, but even if I wasn't, still no - not my thing - I don't like the noise, the smell, the slobber, the idea of where their mouths have been or what they've been eating/licking. Some people love dogs, some people don't. It's not essential for my children to encounter dogs, or for them to like them. They respect all animals' right to life (I am raising them vegan) but that doesn't mean I want dogs sniffing and slobbering all over them, or risking getting nipped, or worse. I do wish dog people would understand this.

I have a dog and I don't want to be slobbered on either. Yeuch!
Depends. If you're deliberately ensuring they never get anywhere near any dog ever you could be setting them up for a huge phobia. If you're just making sure they're not being leapt on by ill mannered dogs or having their faces licked (grim!) then completely fair enough!

ALL dogs are potentially dangerous even the littest ones can be snap happy with their jaws. A dog that is from a line of good temperament dogs is ideal but are most breeders honest on the dogs they breed? I read the breeds what’s good about em on their character traits it’s informative. but you need to find a reputable breeder as some breeders inbreed their dogs and ill dogs means kinked bad tempered dogs.

Surely breeders, who make their living off the reproductive system of dogs, then take those babies away from their mums, can't be the kindest of people. I would not trust a breeder.

I’ve only met lovely Dobermans. I agree they are very beautiful, - as long as their ears aren’t cropped.
I’ve read that they are quite sexually dimorphic in terms of temperament, with bitches tending to be much more gentle than dogs. I don’t know if that is correct, I read it over 20 years ago.

Rhapsody there are reputable breeders who care about the health and wellbeing of their dogs. Your post is a bit bonkers! I couldn't trust a puppy farmer. But some breeders are reputable and kind too.

“Surely breeders, who make their living off the reproductive system of dogs”

A breeder is absolutely anyone who breeds a dog... some may make a living from it, but those ones are not what people mean by a reputable breeder.

Why shouldn't you. Lovely dogs - DS2 and I met on in town recently - so friendly and affectionate. The owner said that when he walked though busy streets the crowd parted for them like the Red Sea - that would upset me but I he said he was used to it. He often hears parents warning their kids to keep away from 'the nasty dog' The only other concern I'd have is that their strength means you would need to ensure they were very well trained or they'd pull your arms off!

A reputable breeder is someone whose an expert in doing so, they’ll have bred generation lines of good dogs and have the paperwork to prove it. A good breeder will also show you the mother and father of pups with no hassle.
Some breeders though are dodgy and breed dogs for cash, those are puppy farmers and most times the dogs are inbred and very sickly. Those aren’t reputable and do so for money and no consideration for the pups.

Does that clear it up?

They care about the health of the dogs in the same way a cow farmer does - because it equals profits. I think it's immoral to make your living off the backs of animals giving birth and taking their babies away.

A reputable breeder doesn't actually breed enough to make a living from their dogs. You clearly don't understand how it works. Our breeder had three litters over multiple decades. Hardly a profit you could live off. She wanted a puppy of the next generation. Was extremely picky about where the others meet up. And taking the babies away from their mother's? We have meet ups. Mum is far from interested in her babies. She's a dog. Not a human!!

Do you have private land to exercise it off lead?

I don't think it's fair on other people to let big powerful breeds run free in public parks or public footpaths. Dobermans are intimidating because of their sheer size and reputation as guard dogs. My neighbour has two, he walks them along the street (both on short leads and muzzles) and when we're coming the other way he makes them sit and wait until we've passed. I don't know why but assume he's training them or is worried they'll growl or something and frighten DD. They're beautiful sleek creatures but I always shiver a bit when I see them as they look so sinister! They're both very muscled and alert. If they attacked a person wouldn't stand a chance.

It's not appropriate to allow dogs to run where kids are on swings or picnicking or playing football.
Why can't a well behaved dog be off lead in public though?
My dog looks like she's wearing a muzzle. She isn't. It's a collar called a dogmatic. It gives me close control. I also make her stand and wait out of the way of pedestrians. She's harmless but big, could scare someone who didn't like dogs and I don't want her blocking the pavement. He sounds like he's being considerate.
They aren't sinister. They're not Tasmanian Devils or werewolves! Be careful not to allow your child to pick up on your anxiety.

I’ve read that they are quite sexually dimorphic in terms of temperament, with bitches tending to be much more gentle than dogs

It's actually more the other way round but not so much about gentleness or aggression. Bitches tend to be more protective than dogs.

reputation as guard dogs

This is where it tends to go wrong - Dobermans are not good guard dogs in the way that people often use them, as in being left outside to guard property. Dobermans are inside dogs really, who need to be close to their humans. They make good close protection dogs but the stories you hear about them 'turning' or attacking have often come about because people have not understood the breed and have left them to have a solitary life guarding a building - even if there is more than one dog it's not how they like to live. That really doesn't work for this breed.

Yanbu for wanting one they are one of the softest breeds of dog I have met, even when I lived in a inner city estate and the owners looked like “thugs”, their dogs were gorgeous and just wanted to play.

Yabu for making me want a Doberman with this thread, however my chihuahua would probably eat them.

If you do decide to get a Doberman make sure all the right tests are done for the litter. My dog (a lovely mutt) has just been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and when I was researching it I found that almost 60% of dobermans (dobermen?) have DCM.

My friend recently lost her Dobie to this at 8. She's heartbroken.

In the same boat as Coffeekittens re; want a doberman now, don't have a dog eating Chihuahua, but would need to force feed my DH with antihistamines which he apparently also is allergic too which wouldn't be viable.

RhapsodyQueen, by 6 weeks the bitch is usually begging you to take the pups away. Also, good breeders usually make a loss because raising pups well takes a lot of money. Please educate yourself before uou slander.

I'm having a bit of a giggle at those who 'would cross the road if they saw one' or 'would never let their children in a house with one'

Really?? You or your child would more likely be bitten by:

• A jack Russell (like the one that launched itself at my 2yo sons face completely unprovoked out on a walk)
• A cocker spaniel (they're well known for Spaniel Rage)
• a border collie (they're surprisingly aggressive)
• any dog that has either been badly trained or not trained at all.

Dobes are lovely and I too haven't see one for a while. The ones I knew in my youth were lovely dogs, never scary and never aggressive.

The important thing is you must teach your children to ask before stroking a dog regardless of breed!!

I dream of owning a dobie. I'm a little concerned about the back legs on them these days though - too long and bent, they look weak.

Dobes have a bit of a Marmite effect upon people. Either they have had them and love them and want a cuddle but more often I've found people crossing the road to avoid me when I'm with one of my Dobes for years now. It doesn't usually bother me because I'm hideously antisocial so this way I don't have to talk to many people.

There are 2 Dobermans in the advanced dog training class that starts after the class me and my badly trained puppy go to. They wait patiently and quietly outside whilst I drag my small fluff ball out (often literally as he doesn't want to leave having had so much fun). He is a little Bichon and always, without fail, tries to jump on these enormous (shoulder height is at my waist height and I am 5ft 7) guys. They stand and look at him and don't even twitch as be bounces up and down trying to lick them or hump whatever bit of leg he can reach.

To be fair they look pretty menacing but I have stroked them and they are the best trained dogs I have ever seen in real life.

If you get a dog you need to train it. Nothing to be scared about with a well trained Doberman.

We have the biggest softest Dobie on the planet , Afraid of her own shadow and the biscuit tin lol, fiercley loyal loves the sofa and a blankie, My Chihuahua however would have your face off is he thought you had a biscuit , hates other dogs with a passion. its societies impression of dogs that makes them bad ( and bad owners) nothing to do with breed

MIL has a Doberman and quite honestly I've never met a more dopey dog in my life. She thinks she is a lap dog, she is scared of loud noises and she sits on the back of the sofa wrapped round your neck. She might lick you to death but that's about as dangerous as she gets. Lovely dogs.