I already have two Dobe bitches - nearly 8 and nearly 6 yrs old.
They get on really well and share the sofa and could (but don't) eat from the same bowl.  We had a third cross breed who died recently. At some point we would like to get another dog but I am worried we could upset the harmony we have. I would like a third Dobe (I know - what a handful) but I am open to all suggestions. Is it possible for breeders to to able to say if a puppy is likely to be dominant or otherwise?

Yes, we can tell, if you go to a good knowledgeable breeder she/he will help you to choose the right pup, their characters come through from 5 weeks onwards and by 8 weeks are quite prominent. Once you choose the right breeder and there is a good gap between you having a pup, it can give you time to get to know one another and hopefully for the breeder to meet your two girls and get to know their characters too, a good breeder will be interested in making sure their pup goes to the right home, so should be happy to meet your two dogs now.

Of course nothing is written in stone, characters can change, but you have more chance in using a breeder with good knowledge to source the right pup for you. :-)

Thanks for that. Both bitches are spayed as will be the next (if we go ahead) They are pets only and not for showing or breeding.

That should make no difference, you should still be looking for a well bred litter from the most knowledgeable breeders who health test their breeding stock and breed for health conformation and temperametn in equal measure.

The fact you have no interest in showing or breeding will actually mean you will have a larger choice within the quality litter as you will only be looking at character, where the breeder will be looking at that along with the closest show conformation as well, or others looking for a working dog will have different priorities to you.

I cannot stress enough that your choice of breeder, and to a lesser extent litter is paramount to finding the best 'only a pet'.  You may still end up with a show /breeding quality pup, but you don't have to do either.  There are probably many well bred dogs in pet homes who could have become champions had they been shown.

I realise that. Both my girls came from reputable breeders. We did show Dobe 1 for a short time but I was a bag of nerves and gave up :). I only supplied the info about spaying in case it was relevant as far as behavior was concerned. The showing bit is really irrelevant I suppose. We went round shows getting to know breeders for about a year at least before finding our first girl. The second Dobe came from a breeder we met on our travels and we built up a good relationship with her. She came to my house and we went to the same training club. I am awaiting a reply from her now but wanted to canvas opinion and help from those who know before I commit.

I suppose I mean temperament and the home situation is the only consideration.

Does your next dobe absolutely have to be a puppy?

Going for an adult has many benefits - not least the help it would give to a homeless (or about to be homeless) dog, but to whichever rescue you go for.

But moreover, you can meet an adult prior to deciding and get a feel for their character - they will be fully developed emotionally so you can see very quickly how well they might fit in.  There are certainly plenty in rescue to choose from, and any of the dobe breed rescues would be happy to discuss the dogs you have already and the sort of temperament you are looking for, and match you to the right dog.

Two of my 3 dobes are rescues and they've fitted in brilliantly - and that was without the benefit of breed rescue peeps (although I am a behaviourist so didn't technically miss out on a behavioural assessment!).

To be honest, I would be happy to rescue but thought I stood more chance of the girls accepting a puppy than an adult. Having said that, I would prefer a younger Dobe than my youngest (6 yrs).

Fair enough :-) I know with mine I would have to wait until Soli's gone before I could contemplate a pup of any breed - but if a pup is the best option for you then go for it.

I know the Dobermann Breed Council publishes health results on their website, they don't seem to have a list of who tests for what but maybe if you ask them they might be able to recommend some breeders (I know you know one, just thought I'd mention it :-)).

I'd get a male too, so not to upset your balance. Your old wives can teach him manners and put him
In his place whereas the male will liven up your pack and they will play

I have to say, I've never had a male. if you look at rescue Dobes, they are more often than not males. All my life I have had bitches and tend to stick with what I know but I am not averse to having a male. I'd love input from Champdoggers as to pros and cons of dogs v bitches.

Having had a lot to do with Dobes (friend/neighbour has owned 7 with up to four at a time).  Certainly never ahd an issue with owning 3 bitches at once with and without a male.

3 of these have been male, and one especially and absolute pussycat, he loved coming round  to let litters of puppies 'play with him'  he was just besotted by pups.

I have also looked after friends of friends dobe bitches in with mine no trouble.

The main issue with a male is other dogs, as your boy is bigger it will get the blame if any male aggro starts, he may also feel the need to 'protect' his girls from other males advances.

Also male dobes can be dog dominant.  so if your used to relaxed interactions with other dogs on walks, owning a male of any breed will have you checking out other dogs much more, as some male dogs will not be tolerant of other male dogs, even if yours is a pussy cat.

I have never walked more than two dobes at once on lead as they are just too strong for me, even with head-collars.  This might be a consideration if your getting a third, that you will need to walk in shifts, and who will end up staying back alone?

Owning bitches (medium size Spitz breed) only (with only males visiting/staying occasionally), I find walking the girls much less stressful as very few other dogs will bother your dogs (meaning aggression, not romance) other than in my experience Staffie or Boxer bitches, who don't seem averse to a bit of argy bargy, but fortunately mine take the moral high ground and ignore them (except for Inka, but she's a primadonna, and all mouth and no trousers).

I've had the 3 I have now plus two others, a dog and a bitch.  I also looked after a dog for a fortnight last year.

From the ones I've had, the girls have been much more lively and prone to independant craziness (i.e. running off to explore).  The boys have all been independant but much more person-oriented - the girls were, but the boys are more cuddly IME.  Remy will sleep as close to me as possibly every night, Fox was the same - he would sleep on me if he had the chance - and Murphy (the boy last year) although less affectionate (he was a bit nervous and worried about negotiating the other dogs to get to me) was still a cuddle monster.  He slept as close as he felt comfortable (there was always a dog in the way lol).

The dobes I've met out and about have been much the same - the boys a little calmer and steadier but still friendly.

> The main issue with a male is other dogs, as your boy is bigger it will get the blame if any male aggro starts, he may also feel the need to 'protect' his girls from other males advances.

I have seen this with Remy - he also went through about 4 years of disliking any entire males.  BUT it was started by a run-in with an 8 month old entire idiotic boxer, and he generalised from there - prior to that (he was about 2 at the time) he was fine with all of them.  I think his maturing added to the issue.

What I have found with all my dobes is that they are super responsive to positive reinforcement training - once I'd moved up here and we saw many more boxers and entire males, Remy's issue was sorted very quickly.  All I did was reward him for good responses - I've not done it much now for about 2 years and he's still fine with all dogs he meets.

The only time he protects the others now (and with 7 bitches, there's a few to protect :-P) is if a dog actually attacks - thankfully it's only happened once.  He did protect River a few years back from an entire male's advances - but she was in season (this was at 5am and a stray dog) and he was still in the midst of his issues then.

There is a tendency in the breed towards the boys being iffy with other boys but I've found that as long as interactions are kept happy (with well-placed rewards as for Remy) then you shouldn't have a problem.  Certainly Fox was an absolute love with any and all dogs he met, and that was despite having his litter sister to protect and his balls to fuel him!!

Thanks for all your comments. I'll wait until I contact the breeder and hopefully, having taken everything into consideration, they'll give me advice. I'm not too worried now about bitch/dog, brown/black so temperament will be the only consideration. :)

You can never have too many dobes dobergirl!

Get yourself registered on the DRA forum, if your not already a member, you'll meet many a like minded dober-nutters (like Nik :)) with 3, 4 and sometimes more dobes, and also lots of fosterers on there who'll be able to offer you advice on introducing a new pup or rescue and what might be best for you.

Good luck with your search, i'm contemplating a rescue myself at the mo, i have fallen in love with a couple of the B&T boys on the FONDS website but the OH has banned me!!!!! I'm suprised he hasn't put a website block on.

Cheers Hilly - what is the DRA forum?
Sounds like a plan!!

Ooh yes, there's always the possibility of fostering with a view to adopt - could be a good way to see if a particular adult is suited before formally adopting :-)

The DRA forum is the Dobermann Rehoming Associations members forum.

http://www.dobermannrehome.co.uk/

It's free to register and the DRA put on an annual show and lots of events to raise money and awarenesss for our beloved Dobies!

It's full of great people, its a really nice community, lots of regular meets ups between members and it also offers a really nice support network. If you ever have problems or questions theres always someone who has the answer or has been through the same thing!

The members are mostly Dobe-lovers with one or more dobe, some have rescued, some fostered, some only ever owned dobes from pupsters. So you dont have to be looking for a rescue to join, just a dobie fan! We have a Ridgeback, a Dalmatian and a Dobe, all from breeders and owned from pups and i'm a member of breed forums for all three but i have to say the DRA forum is my fave!

It has a similar set up to champdogs with sections for feeding, health, training etc but then more lighthearted Dogs blogs, picture galleries and general chat sections for ramblings, ponderings and procrastinating when were supposed to be working!!!

Hope to see you there and good luck with the search for a third dog!

Thanks for your help Hilly - and everyone else who posted. Ive registered and just waiting for acceptance. Im still dithering - really dont want to upset the dynamics in the happy home :)