I have had 3 Dobermanns in my life time all very big, still have one male who is approaching the end of his time, he's nearly eleven now and still looks great and weighing in at 53 kilos he's still a big strong boy. I am considering getting another Dobermann male next year but over the last few years all the Dobermanns I've seen seem very snippy and far too narrow, the breed seems to be more streamlined now moving closer to a greyhound.

Is there a breeder out there who still has large, broad head, heavy boned Dobermanns?

Please advise ?

Fraser

There are plenty of decent Dobes being bred, a lot may be due to the way they were reared with them being so light. I would suggest you waited untill your old fella has gone before you get another, especially a male.
Dawn.

Have these dobes you've seen been properly bred.I would suggest you go to some champ shows where you will see some good specimans and can speak to their breeders.
Archer

Yes they've all been properly breed and yes I have visited shows this year, I think I've probably just been spoilt in the past and I'm looking to find another larger than normal Dobermann. The ones I saw at the Leeds Champ Show this year were not as big as my current dog. So if there are any Dobe breeders out there who do prefer heavier boned Dobes let me know?

There are some substantial Dobermanns around, but, our breed standard reads:
Medium size, muscular and elegant ......<snip>........ compact and tough. Capable of great speed.
Ideal height at withers dogs 69 cm (27 inches) bitches 65 cm (25.5 inches)

The average weights seem to range from 29-34 Kg for bitches and 38-43 Kg for dogs.

Maybe the dogs you have seen are being bred as close to the breed standard as possible rather than a Dobe that resembles a Great Dane x Rottweiller as some people seem to aim for?

Christine

Think elegant may be the clue here, can understand if the original poster has been used to something much heaver thinking the more stream line, built for speed, models are not what they think of as a Dobe. May well have to visit kennels of non showing breeders to find the sort required, but would advice that they make sure the ancestors are tested for the problems that occurs in the breed.

I suppose it comes down to personal preference, I have become used to a much heavier boned dog certainly more substantial than the 40kg dog standard.....I prefer heavier rather than elegant.
Not sure what to look next....other than consider an alternative breed, ie ridgeback. I'd much rather get another dobe though! .......If anyone out there knows of a breeder of large dobes let me know, I realise they may not be the ideal breed standard but I will not be breeding or showing?

As you say it is a matter taste, but Dobes should be elegant and the Rhodesian Ridgeback being a hound should not be heavy but well built agile and fast. Have a feeling you will not be that happy with a well bred Rottie either. Perhaps you should check out some of the mastive breeds if size and weight is what you like.

My 9 month old male dobe grow another 1/2 inch in the last month...making him 29 1/2 inches at withers now....think he is big boned!!!

Or long ;) or both :)

lol..well he has those chopped off the other week...so height i mean!!!

29 1/2" at the withers is big....did you get him from a breeder? if so who and where in the country? if he's well built it's just what I'm looking for!

Sorry..he came to us second hand at 17 weeks...dont know of his breeder....but then as he ent docked or registered....prob not so good a breeder!!!....but lovely dog though ;)

The person that got him from the breeders paid £250 for him/...thats all I know....sure it was peterborough..if thats any help