I am thinking of getting a dobe puppy and I have 3 children under 10. Are they okay with children (as long as the children are taught to respect the dog) and should I get a male or female.
Thanks for any advice.

Hi Jules
I have found dobermanns to have a very stable temperment and should be ok with children, however make sure the puppy is tested for Von Williebrands disease . It is when the dogs if cut cannot stop bleeding, Heamophillia in humans. tests are done by sending mouth swap to the USA your vet should be able to advise you further. I have attended breed training classes and have many dobermanns pass through my boarding kennels and as yet never found one with a dodgy attitude. Yes they are big dogs and strong but also big softies at heart. As with all puppies do view different litters and at least try to see the parents first. If you go to a good breeder you will find them a friend for life and only to willing to help with any worries about dog ownership. I am still in contact with my first puppy breeder after over 30 yrs. As regards male/female that is really personal choice.
Bazza

Hi Jules

As Bazza has said Dobes should be okay with children if your children are well disciplined. If they are not then don't even consider it :)

With regard to vWD - the parents should both have been dna tested and at least one should be clear. There is now an official Kennel Club/Dobermann Breed Council scheme, if you would like further information you are welcome to contact me.

It is ideal if the parents are also hip and eye tested and the pups eye tested before they leave the breeder but sadly not many yet do this.

As to the sex - that is up to you. Males are stronger and can often be male agressive but they are the same all the year round, and in my opinion once they get past that adolescent bolshiness are often much calmer than females. Having said that I am not going to have another male :)

Christine

Hi Kerioak
That is exactly what my wife says to me If I died she wouldn't have another male either. Ha ha .Pity there are no emotion smilies on here.
Bazza

Hi Bazza

I can imagine a few wives saying that <very evil grin> - no emoticon for that :) although there are plenty of others
:) ;) :( :o :p :D :rolleyes:

As you have been in the breed that long do you have photos of your early dogs as I am trying to collect photos of earlier dogs at the moment

Christine

Think you may have mis understood my breed is Afghans we had for 30+ years, the breeder of our first we keep in touch with, we also have Doberman but not for that long, but as boarding kennel owners we get to know most breeds, and as we were interested in getting one we spent time going to breed training etc talking to existing owners and friends who have had them for a long time who we eventually got ours from.
I must admit he is great, bit stupid, friendly , lovable. However I do believe that if he would protect if necessary, not that we have ever seen anything to suggest it.
Bazza

Thanks Bazza and Christine for the advice, I will keep you informed of my progress in getting a dobe puppy.

Cheers Jules

Hi Jules,
In my opinion and my experience, dobes make great family pets. I have 2 children aged 8 and 11. We have a 6 month old dobe. I have had 2 dobes previously and always bitches. My preference. They have all been great with children and other dogs alike. My children know how to behave around dogs but equally, I have taken a great deal of care in ensuring they were trained and socialised, the dogs that is not the kids:D My first dobe was about 4 years old when my first baby came along, and she was brilliant with him. The second dobe I got when my little girl was 6 months old, and therefore they grew up together without a single problem. You must make sure that your children know how to behave with your dog and that you train your dog properly. That means taking it to classes. Never had experience with male dobes so can't compare, but I do know someone that has a very big male dobe and he is adorable, with children and dogs.
Bev

Mine is fantastic but they can be a bit of a handful, they don't mean to hurt you in anyway but their brains are a size of a pea and a body of a horse, as my black eye goes to show. He jumped on the bed to give me a kiss and pawed me in the eye. Explain that to the neighbours!
I would rather have a house full dobies than kids.