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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Doberman as a first dog.

157 replies

JamieCannister · 05/11/2025 09:34

I've always been someone who is no fan of dogs (probably dating back to young childhood, being scared by dobermans at a distance (a few doors down had three of them, who looked very intimidating when standing off lead 30 yards away when you're 5 years old!), an old english sheepdog on his hind legs towering over my pram, and a little yapper next door that would bark aggressively at me from two foot away behing a chain link fence multiple times a day for the best part of a decade!)

Saying that I am reasonably comfortable with them, especially well trained larger dogs (I especially dislike small dogs). When I have a bit of confidence it's well trained I am happy enough petting a rottweiler I've just met.

Anyway, I have stumbled upon a couple of youtube channels and I am falling in love with Dobermans. Or at least I am falling in love with very well trained dobermans - I do not like out of control dogs at all!

Aside from the obvious (all dogs need to be very well trained, not least big ones that can cause real harm, it'll need plenty of exercise and attention) what advice would you give someone considering a doberman as a first dog?

OP posts:
tempname1234 · 11/11/2025 15:08

You should read up on Dobermans in the kennel club website. Go to some Doberman show events. Talk to some of the breeders there.

you need to fully understand the commitment of owning that type of breed of dog. It is not easy and as you would have the dog for many years, it is a commitment you should not ever with your eyes open and full understanding

of also have deep pockets ready to pay for some residential dog training where your puppy is trained for you st the residence if the trainer and then you are visiting to be trained for the puppy.

there is then the ongoing physical care of grooming, exercise and reinforcement of their training.

Original poster
JamieCannister · 11/11/2025 16:32

begonenicotine · 11/11/2025 14:15

Or a golden retriever (more hair though)! Both easy to train and have very even temperaments.

Golden stays a puppy for a bit longer I think and the land shark days were quite trying… but now they need a walk a day and are happy to play and snooze the rest of it. Have been able to leave them at home alone from a young age, easy to house train etc. never used crates but think they adapt well to them…was a novice dog owner and they were the absolute best choice for us

Show quote history

But I don't want a golden retriever or labrador.

If I did want one of those dogs then it would be more likely that I would one day get a dog, and if I did get a dog it would likely happen sooner.

Things might change, but as of right now I want a Doberman or nothing, which means a longer wait before (if ever) getting my first dog. I will NOT be getting a doberman without all sorts of things in place (for eg, working from home part time, or retired; trainer who knows dobermans very well lined up, money for multiple lessons per week lined up etc etc etc).

OP posts:
Original poster
JamieCannister · 11/11/2025 16:32

tempname1234 · 11/11/2025 15:08

You should read up on Dobermans in the kennel club website. Go to some Doberman show events. Talk to some of the breeders there.

you need to fully understand the commitment of owning that type of breed of dog. It is not easy and as you would have the dog for many years, it is a commitment you should not ever with your eyes open and full understanding

of also have deep pockets ready to pay for some residential dog training where your puppy is trained for you st the residence if the trainer and then you are visiting to be trained for the puppy.

there is then the ongoing physical care of grooming, exercise and reinforcement of their training.

100% - I will not be getting a Doberman lightly, nor short term.

OP posts:
CoubousAndTourmaIet · 11/11/2025 17:13

JamieCannister · 11/11/2025 16:32

100% - I will not be getting a Doberman lightly, nor short term.

Show quote history

Stick with it!
Sometimes you need to let your heart rule your head.

IsThisIt39 · 11/11/2025 18:37

JamieCannister · 07/11/2025 14:08

Castration reduces testicular and prostate cancer in men, and reduces aggression in men. But we do not castrate baby boys because we regard their right (other than foreskin) to bodily integrity to be pretty much absolute, even though we can reduce their likelihood of getting into fights or getting cancer by castrating them.

Do not pretend that we castrate dogs and cats for their benefit - they are animals whose sole purpose on earth, ultimately, like humans, is to reproduce. We castrate them for our own selfish ends, just like we dock them for our own seflish ends.

Do not pretend you aare some sort of animal lover because you oppose docking whilst taking away a male dog's entire evolutionary purpose, primarily because you want him to be an easier pet to

Honest answers only. If castrating a dog made them much more loving and non-violent pets, less humping and fewer smells, whilst reducing their lifespan by 5%, would you castrate them?

What if castrating a dog made them a touch LESS loving and non-violent pets, a touch MORE HUMPING and smelliness whilst ADDING to their lifespan by 50% - would you castrate them?

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This is a stupid hypothetical.

IsThisIt39 · 11/11/2025 18:52

abracadabra1980 · 07/11/2025 21:25

They are never recommended for a novice dog owner - for good reasons. There are a multitude of behaviourists on social media that can advise you. Another huge no no for a first dog is a Mallinois. Actually, any working breed or bloodline. I have a Newfoundland and a Labrador and a Pug. Wonderful eclectic mix and if I could have discovered the Labrador 40 years ago I think I would have had many - but NOT a working line Labrador, a show line has a much calmer disposition -obviously there are exceptions to the rules. A Golden Retriever is a pretty safe bet for a first dog, too. If you like big, strong, muscular dogs, an English Mastiff (that doesn’t mean any other breed of mastiff!) is also a large, calm breed. I’d love one but, even with my Newfoundland (she’s fairly small at 45kg), when she lunges at fox scent, which I can’t always detect (obviously) she can give me a bloody good muscular strain! I wouldn’t have another because of the stubborn streak in the breed. I much prefer the biddable personality of my little Lab. she’s been bloody hard work around other dogs-body slamming them (she has no/warped play manners sail being with my Newf), and it has caused a LOT of issues with other people and their dogs, so at 18 months I’m still working hard with a behaviourist to calm her down. She tbh er she would have been different without Mrs Newf to run in and start protecting her, I have no idea but I am currently dealing with pack issues. I am experienced in many breeds, petite in stature and canine behaviour is a huge hobby of mine-I have the time and patience to see all of this through-bit at times it is NOT fun and can be quite stressful. So; try watching Will Atherton if you can find him on his socials-he does a lot of good work and at the moment is bringing up his latest puppy, a German Shepherd. He has owned an English Mastiff previously who sadly passed away very young. Don’t go near Cane Corsos as they need a VERY strong leader - a well bred Rottie may fit the bill, so long as you have the strength to control the dog when it lunges. I have to say that at my Newfies swimming club, I have never seen so many grown men fall over when their (usually young) dogs got over exited - which often happens when in a group scenario. They are beautiful dogs with fantastic personalities around children, but you REALLY have to want one for the coat upkeep and the wet and dirt they bring in is just phenomenal. Mine doesn’t slobber like all the descriptions say - so that goes against the grain in some way.
If you would like to do further research, on breeds, I have recently found a brilliant bit of research done by Stanley Coren, (Stanley Coren (born 1942) is a psychology professor, neuropsychological researcher and writer on the intelligence, mental abilities and history of dogs. He works in research and instructs in psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia. He writes for Psychology Today in the feature series Canine Corner.[1)
He produced papers on which breeds of dog took the longest to understand a command. Sorry that was long - I’m a bit of a breed behaviour nurd 😊

Off topic a bit but what is your opinion of Shepradors? (GSD x lab)

eyeses · 12/11/2025 11:07

It's lovely to read some positive comments here, especially the one from @SarahT2207
Sometimes I do wonder at the quantity and prevalence of "get an ex-racing greyhound" comments.
Fireproof suit fastened... Male Dobies specifically are healthier unneutered.

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