Hi. I really love the EBT Ive read lots of breed descriptions and they say 'need to know their place' stubborn etc. I always think these things are relative. I've had Dobes for 25+ years and still have. The same could be said for many breeds. So, as a Dobe owner, would I have difficulty with an EBT?  I'd appreciate your comments. I should add this is for a pet. No showing or breeding or agility etc. thanks

lovely breed.a neighbour of mine has two rescues from puppy farms they are adorable,she treats them like princesses,saw them last night on a late walk they had lovely jumpers on lol,must say though they do appear to be a bit stubborn
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Sheila

My friend has this breed and I let them out for her when she and her partner are both at work during the day. I love this breed but couldn't have one myself. The ones I know have to be lead walked as they aren't good round other dogs. They are brilliant with people. You must make sure that you buy one through a proper breeder. There are lots of badly bred bullies for sale.

Hi. I don't think I want to proceed. Much as I love them, I have been worn down by ignorant people. I've had a lot of stress over the years with my Dobes - or should I say other peoples attitude towards them. I've never had an aggressive one. My dogs never bother anyone or any dog. Very occasionally, one or other will have a mini spat with another dog when owners have allowed their dogs to harass mine. Just a bit of grumbling, never serious. The reaction from other owners is so exaggerated. I don't think I want another dog that is going to give me this sort of bother. Some owners of small dogs let them do anything. They come running up to mine barking and jumping up. If mine did that they wouldn't like it. I always walk away from other people, thus afternoon, a man with a ball wanger threw the ball straight towards my dogs. He had the whole park to choose from but no, he had to throw it towards me. Of course their dog, a black lab, came galloping towards my two. My two went after the ball and the man started shouting at me! Sorry to sound off. Tired 😔

For some odd reason a lot (not all) of owners of small dogs seem to think it ok for their little darling to have a go at any dog that is bigger, a lot of owners even think it funny. Last time I took my boy to the vet a woman came into the waiting room with a tiny dog and sat next to me with her dog on her lap.  Her dog then proceeded to bark, growl and even snap at Sam while the woman sat laughing at how bold her little darling was being. I kept my mouth shut for several minutes and really really tried to ignore this stupid woman but in the end I had to tell her straight. Fortunately I am well known at the vet so am not barred for life or anything like that, but why should my boy have to tolerate that sort of behaviour just because he is huge and placid.

Hi samsmum. That is exactly the sort of thing I mean. I always put mine on the lead on the path back to the car park. They walk really well on loose leads. That is until another dog comes dashing up to them. They then start pulling me every which way to go and play. Sometimes smaller dogs come up and start barking and jumping up at mine. One if these days I'll just let go of the leads.

If youve made up your mind then you probably wont be swayed but I just think its a real shame youre letting other people stop you from having a dog you love. Its not you or your dogs that are the problem, its them. I can understand your frustrations, its just such a shame. X

dobergirl, I so know where your coming from.

About 10 years ago, when things were still a lot easier walking multiple dogs our way with less panicky other owners, I used to walk my four Elkies with my friends four Dobes every morning early, and about 8am at weekends.

She always kept away from other walkers, which I had never previously done, for those very reasons.

Roll on 5 years and I am in the same boat and no longer walk my dogs off lead, due to the attitudes and worries of other park users, caused in the main by the increase of dog aggressive dogs owned by idiots, and conversely more owners of 'little darlings', neither group being dog savvy.

For some odd reason a lot (not all) of owners of small dogs seem to think it ok for their little darling to have a go at any dog that is bigger, a lot of owners even think it funny.

And the sad thing about is that more often than not, the small dog acts like that because it is SCARED of the big dog, so certainly not something to find funny. :(

owners of small dogs seem to think it ok for their little darling to have a go at any dog that is bigger, a lot of owners even think it funny

OH and I were walking my 1st shepherd Zigi along the sea front, going past a bench with two older ladies and an overweight badly groomed Cocker, it started doing its crust at Zigi and owner was laughing saying 'oh don't do that it will have you for dinner'
We walked on with Zigi totally ignoring it (she couldn't hear me quietly growling 'Leave it' at Z) and about ¼ / ½ hr later had a repeat performance on the way back!!!

And just to give the other side, I so often see owners of large breed dogs let their dogs barge off lead over to small dogs just minding their own business. The large breeds are generally older pups or adolescents and the owners also trill 'oh he/she just wants to play', which is true. The result is the small breed quickly feels overwhelmed and snaps- and because the snap is unexpected the larger dog gets a fright and backs off, result. The small dog has now learned that attack works. Many terriers are small and they are primed to use attack as defence, and quite possibly to get one in first to be sure, all it takes is one scare by a big dog. Small breed dogs seem to be attractive targets for large breed pup owners because they seem to think they'll be a safer proposition for the pup to learn about other dogs and a perfect playmate.......in the absence of another puppy.

In the end it is all down to owners. If only people would think more about what they do.

I've said it before, but another pet hate of mine is the person that lets their dog off at the entrance of long narrow paths that lead into a park.

Freelanceruk - thank you, just what I wanted to say. My border terrier is 11, but I've spent the last 8 years keeping my eyes open for the off lead large hooligan who is allowed to charge over while it's owner shouts from a distance "it's ok he only wants to play". He didn't have problems with any dogs until he was 2 when in quick succession he was charged at by a young Weimaraner who's owner had no recall over it at all. A week later while walking him on lead through a housing estate a German Shepherd ran out of its house and attacked him. Lucily he only bit his back leg but by now the fear was setting in. Shortly after it was a Lab, lumbering around, jumped all over him and scared him silly. Since then, and despite taking him back to puppy classes, his tolerance of large off lead dogs is short lived if they interfere. The number of times I've warned owners to call their dogs back when I can see them running over, well it's impossible to know. They then probably assume I've got a 'typical' terrier, when I haven't, I've got a frightened arthritic boy who can't run fast anymore to get away so chooses to attack - which is when the owners often say "will do him good, he's got to learn not to annoy other dogs"!. Which of course is at the expense of my dogs mental well being.

Having both Cavaliers AND boxers I can see both sides.

Only yesterday I read on this Forum that some owners with large dogs actively encourage their large dogs to 'socialise' with dogs whilst out walking, indeed I see this all the time. Some bring their unruly dogs onto our common and walk toward you to get their dog exercised......by chasing down other people's dogs!

If I see a labradoodle type I can guarantee it will come bombing over to scatter my dogs.
Strangely their owners don't like it if my boxer defends her little pack and 'pins' their dog!

My little ones are ultra friendly to other dogs but I'm aware of the mechanical logistics of a 20-30kg mass smashing into a 7kg one.

Years ago problem with someone allowing his dog to run ahead of him off-lead to go play with dogs in other peoples' gardens for "socialisation" purposes. The dog decided to attack my Golden as she was being walked past the garden he was in and the owner was nowhere in sight.

The incident left my Golden nervous on lead, so I tend to tell people that she isn't friendly when I see that their dogs aren't under control. It never ceases to amaze me how many people tell me it's ok because their dogs are friendly, can't get their dogs back under control, totally ignore me, or tell me she can't possibly be dog aggressive because she's a Golden. Then they get upset when their dogs come flying up to her and get a warning growl or snap.

Ha, had to smile as I read that last post. I have a rescue goldie who will never look for trouble and in fact pretends other dogs don't exist but she is NOT dog friendly. Noone believes me because dogs can get to within about a foot of her and she will still be ignoring it- and noone believes it when she is stood smiling and wagging like a typical goldie. I have to protect her as people seem to feel the need to let their dog push until she snaps otherwise.

"My dog just wants to play" and "it'll do my dog good to be told off" are phrases that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

I hate it when dog owners let their (usually big) dog bomb over to me when my 3.5 kilo dog is on her lead. She is then left desperately trying to escape, all the while strangling herself. The owner of the dog, if not walking on ahead ignoring their dog pooing and approaching others who don't want them to,  usually says 'oh, he only wants to say hello'.
Well, we only want to say hello to polite dogs.
Rant over !

Hi. I totally agree with both sides. Freelancer I see this happen all the time. My boy loves to play with small dogs but I only allow this with dogs I know. Also agree about letting dogs off on the narrow path!! I'm retired now but I find myself going for a walk, in the dark!!  I go early morning at the weekend when I know it will very full of, what I call, non-dog people during daylight. My local park used to be a haven fir dog walkers now, the council gave taken an interest in it. They sorted the oaths and culled the bushes. Now, when the weather is fine, it's full of yummy mummy types who glare at you just for being there. There also seems to be list of dog owners who really shouldn't be dog owners.