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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to help me choose my DOG BREED? Doberman or Boxer

190 replies

SweatyYFronts · 03/07/2019 13:02

DH and I are getting a puppy. We’re undecided between two breeds though ...

Doberman and Boxer

I’m autistic so tend to read a hell of a lot of info and statistics regarding stuff I’m interested in. Everything I’ve read tends to say that a Doberman has a more stable temperament than a boxer. Infact, boxers have killed more people than Doberman’s have and have also severely injured more people in attacks than Doberman’s.

DH is adamant that he wants a boxer “because they’re cute and funny” but the statistics are right there! I know the majority are lovely dogs and they are funny but as I say ... the statistics, research and info suggests that a Doberman would be a safer option.

We have a french bulldog already. So new dog would need to be “dog friendly” and again, Doberman seems better in this regard.

I intend to take the dog to training classes and socialising classes etc whichever breed we get but I’m thinking a Doberman will be easier to train? Not as crazy and a bit more stable?

I am in touch with breeders of both dogs. Both have puppies ready in a few weeks.

OP posts:
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aPengTing · 03/07/2019 13:14

I’d go for the Doberman.

Be warned though that they have really high energy and need a lot of exercise, probably more than you realise . They’re also very clever so need a lot of stimulation and tend not to like being left alone.

I’d only get one if you really are sure you can commit to its needs for the next 13 years or so.

Glitter99x · 03/07/2019 13:15

Could you not adopt? Come on.

Original poster
SweatyYFronts · 03/07/2019 13:17

No I can’t adopt. I already have a dog and the priority is to make sure he’s safe with a new dog. This means buying a puppy.

I’m not interested in the whole puppy vs rescue debate. I do a lot for dog charities. This is a personal choice and what is best for us.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 03/07/2019 13:18

The statistics will be skewed by how many there are of each breed. Ideally I wouldn’t rush into it. Contact the breed club for each breed. Meet as many as you can. Asked about temperament and train ability and health issues with the breed too.
Where did you find the breeders? Seems odd they are happy for you to have a pup if you haven’t decided on a breed yet. Most pups sold are from puppy farmers and BYB.

Whathappenedtooursummer · 03/07/2019 13:19

Health wise is a Boxer a bad choice?
Have heard so.
We have a rottweiler. Nicer than a Doberman imo!

Original poster
SweatyYFronts · 03/07/2019 13:20

To be fair, I’ve always wanted a Doberman and the Doberman breeder is under the impression that I am sure on the breed (which personally, I am). It’s just DH insisting on a boxer.

OP posts:
Original poster
SweatyYFronts · 03/07/2019 13:21

I’ve had a Rottweiler in the past too. They are lovely dogs.

OP posts:
aPengTing · 03/07/2019 13:21

You also have to be very consistent with a Doberman if you want to train it well, I tend to think of them like hyperactive children of the canine world. Great dogs though.

adaline · 03/07/2019 13:22

Dobermans have quite a lot of health issues - cardiomyopathy is the first one that springs to mind. Temperament isn't the only thing to consider when you get a dog - you need to think practically. They're also incredibly intelligent and require huge amounts of stimulation, training and exercise. Boxers are strong dogs but I've never met an aggressive ones. However they are also prone to cardiomyopathy as well as issues like hip dysplasia and bloat. Neither of them are particularly healthy breeds, I have to say.

Why are those two breeds in particular appealing to you?

VivienneHolt · 03/07/2019 13:24

No I can’t adopt. I already have a dog and the priority is to make sure he’s safe with a new dog. This means buying a puppy.

A puppy isn’t the only way of ensuring your old dog will be safe. Many shelter dogs are safe with others. That said I appreciate this isn’t what you were asking. Please do research your breeder scrupulously though, as it isn’t always easy at face value to spot a puppy mill.

Boxers are a squashed face breed and therefore have a cruel deformity bred into them. They are more likely to suffer from breathing difficulties and associated illness. Until breed standards address this cruelty, I couldn’t support breeders by buying a boxer.

Dobermans can be lovely natured dogs. They are high energy though, and in my experience (of owning two) they don’t deal well with other dogs. Our Doberman badly attacked another dog of ours out of jealousy once - in a completely unprovoked attack. We had had the Doberman from a puppy and the other dog preceded her. Our second Doberman was the only dog we had at the time but despite a lot of training she was aggressive with other dogs and had to be muzzled on walks. I don’t know if we were just unlucky though. Both were safe as houses and totally non-aggressive with humans, including young kids (although obviously never left unsupervised).

Would you consider any alternatives to those breeds?

Original poster
SweatyYFronts · 03/07/2019 13:26

I always had big dogs in the past. DH wouldn’t initially let me get a big dog so we got a frenchie (his choice). I love him but I’m still pining for a working dog that I can do long walks with and obedience. I love German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Doberman’s. The dog needs to be short haired, capable of long walks and little prey drive as I like off lead walking (in suitable areas obviously)

OP posts:
Original poster
SweatyYFronts · 03/07/2019 13:28

I know a woman with boxers. One was killed when her other two boxers piled on it for no reason and another has recently been injured after yet another fight with one of her other boxers.

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bodgeitandscarper · 03/07/2019 13:30

I'd pick doberman over a boxer if I was buying. There are however hundreds of dogs in rescue that are dog friendly, and most can be tested with your other dog, there are no guarantees even with puppies that your other dog will accept it.

adaline · 03/07/2019 13:30

What about the health issues that are rife in both breeds? Having a dog that can walk for miles is irrelevant if your dog has dysplasia or heart problems meaning their capacity for exercise is massively diminished. Boxers are also massively prone to breathing difficulties.

BorderlineExperimental · 03/07/2019 13:32

I would avoid going for a Doberman simply because of the dire state of health in the breed. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is endemic within the breed and its prevalence is only increasing due to the poor genetic diversity within the breed.

A study in 2010 found that 58% of Dobes bred in Europe were affected by DCM, that number is rising and is expected to be 72% by next year and (without sweeping changes in how these dogs are bred) 100% by 2039.

I’d highly recommend reading the following posts from the Institute of Canine Biology blog:

Are we watching the extinction of a breed? - Part1

Are we watching the extinction of a breed? - Part 2

UFAW also have some good information about DCM in Dobes here.

Twooter · 03/07/2019 13:32

Go ahead with either if you’re not fussed about life expectancy or health issues. Make sure you can afford a fantastic insurance policy from day 1 and don’t change company along the way without speaking to your vet first.

Twooter · 03/07/2019 13:34

Temperament wise I’ve seen plenty of soppy Boxers, but a few I wouldn’t trust. Ditto with Dobermanns

Gummybear11 · 03/07/2019 13:34

I am a dog walker. One of my customers has two boxers and I have to be very careful with them in warmer weather or on long walks, they really struggle with their breathing due to their squashed faces and I have to take buckets of water for them. Not a good idea to get boxers, frenchies, pugs etc if you want a dog you can take out on long walks.

echt · 03/07/2019 13:35

Whippets piled into my puppy for no reason (on two occasions)
A German Shepherd did the same. It's owner not the breed.

The dog needs to be short haired, capable of long walks and little prey drive as I like off lead walking (in suitable areas obviously

Get a Jack Russell. Why short-haired?

You'd get more advice on the Dog house Forum.

KarmaStar · 03/07/2019 13:37

Hi op,
Both dogs,particularly the boxer,need a lot of walking and stimulation.just throwing a ball repeatedly in the park is not enough,you actually have to put the miles in,every day,at least twice a day,whatever the weather,if you're ill,got things to do,the exercise must come first.
I'd there a reason you want either of these breeds?'being video's not a good reason when you're looking at a minimum of ten years caring for a boisterous,intelligent dog.
Perhaps you would consider a rescue dog?on Dogsblog you can search for dogs between nought to twelve months,or for a particular breed.
Really hope you find the right dog for you both,good luck.🐕

KarmaStar · 03/07/2019 13:37

Being cute not videos!!😀sorry

Original poster
SweatyYFronts · 03/07/2019 13:40

Don’t want a Jack Russel or any small dog. It has to be a big dog.

Short haired for house cleanliness purposes.

OP posts:
HopelessLayout · 03/07/2019 13:40

Don't get a Boxer. The continued breeding of these flat-faced breeds is extremely cruel.

Original poster
SweatyYFronts · 03/07/2019 13:41

I’m not bothered about a dog looking cute ☺️ It’s DH that likes cute faced dogs. I like intelligent dogs.

OP posts:
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 03/07/2019 13:42

Doberman! Always.

When I had a dog, on the few times he was attacked it was always an arsehole boxer.

I've never looked at them the same since experiencing that.