hi everyone?
   Thinking of getting a dobermann puppy! but some people i know say that they are really boistrous,never grow up & can be untrustworthy towards other people & children. i just want some info from people that actually own them rather than listen to people that have no idea about the breeds character & needs!

thanks in advance!!!

hi, i grew up with dobermanns and i love them still , when i got married we got a boxer then we now have a bullmastiff although they are both lovely dogs i still dont think that you can beat the doberman, such a loyal loving dog, yes they can be tempremental but i think its just the way that they are brought up like any dog! ours was fantastic with old and young people,you have to be hard with them when they are young i do believe let them know who is boss , but once that is cracked they are great. my sister used to walk ours at the age of 5 and he is great for her ,
good luck in your search .

Hi Supastaffy,
I have had 2 Dobes now and 2 completely different characters. As an amature like me and without getting breeder or show technical, I suggest you look at the breeding lines, meet and converse with some recommended kennels and ask yourself a question, will my pup of been bred for show or work? Yes they can be OTT and certainly as youngsters the work never stops whatever the line. They love you so much that you cannot leave the room without them. To dare to come home, is to be molested and dragged to the floor for at least the first 20 minutes of arrival. They are sensitive and childlike, easily hurt and don't forget. They are sharp witted, fast of foot and don't miss a trick. They can tell you where the choclate is in your own home! They will manipulate you and push the boundries, they will test and probe and read your mind and the rewards for your dedication(because that is what they WILL get)are exhausting and multiple.
They need socialisation from day 1. What I mean by this is where ever we go, she goes, just like a baby. If you do this and have prepared yourself mentally and the rest, you won't have any problems. Our girl loves every-one and everybody and especially sceaming kids. They get super lickings for that . Good luck with your research, thats fun too

hi spirtitulist!
cos this is my first dobe i guess that it should be a bitch rather than a dog! The sort of dog i would like would come from a pet/showing line rather than of working lines! A freind of mine owned 2 rottweilers one was from working lines the other from pet/showing & he said there was quite a big difference between the two!!

Your on the right track, good luck and enjoy!

I have a 6 months old Doberman puppy (female), and she is a total joy, very loving and affectionate, and she's brilliant with our 4 year old son as well.

Katie

Counted 183 Dobe puppies for sale on 1 well known puppy website, and this was just 1 site!!!

Be very carefull and certain that you are doing the right thing before you buy, take your time.

hi,
yeah will take my time in choosing the right dog to suit our needs.Just wondering how many of those breeders are health testing & researching the lines before breeding a litter of pups! That is one of my main concerns before purchasing a puppy. I know that i may have to wait some time for a puppy on a breeders list & not just buy one out of the local free-ads.
what i have decided to do is contact a club & meet some dobes face to face to insure that they are a suitable breed for  me!

PM me if you like.

Hi Supastaffy,

I think Dobes are wonderful (being the owner of a gorgeous dobe myself) not at all bias :-)  You're doing absolutely the right thing by wanting to meet some dobes face to face, meet as many as you can.  They can be very boisterous, but if you give them enough attention and mental stimulation then that energy can be put into something worth while.  My girl needs lots of mental stimulation as well as exercise and as a breed they do require a lot of stimulation and when fully grown will need a lot of exercise as well.  They can be prone to staying puppy like until the end of their time, which for me is a bonus - that doesn't mean they can't be impecably behaved if trained properly, but they do tend to stay youthful in attitude, but obviously even within breeds dog can vary tremendously.  My girl is great with people, infact thinks that everyone was put on this earth to be her friend!  If you choose from parents with great temprements and do all the required work with socialization etc then there is no reason why a dobe should have be any more problematic with adults or children than any other breed, and infact as a breed they can be incredibly affectionate and loving.

I disagree with Pamrats actually, people often think with dobes that you need to be hard on them and this can actually be something that ends up spoiling their naturally loving nature.  They are very sensitive dogs and as with any puppy they need to be shown how to behave, but as long as they are shown clearly and consistently then are generally quick to learn, if sometimes a little bit stubborn :-)  My girl loves learning and I find the best way of teaching her is to make it as much fun for her as possible.  You need to start with them as you mean to go on.  I think more important than showing them you are boss is to develop a really strong bond with them, Dobes tend to bond closely to the person that trains them and plays with them etc.  If you are training them in a kind but firm manner and making it easy for them to learn what is required of them then they will naturally look to you as their 'leader'  They, like any puppy require lots and lots of work, but they are so worth it.  Do lots and lots of research, if you have the time to put into a doberpup then they are the most wonderful addition to the family.

Goodluck with your search.

Karen

Absolutely fabulous dogs!  I have an almost 3 yr old male, he's a joy to own - very affectionate, he spends every evening zonked out sprawled across my lap :) they're known as velcro dogs for a reason!

How they are with other people/kids/dogs is really dependant on how you raise them - I've put a lot of effort in from day 1 to socialise my lad, and as a result he gets on with kids, dogs and people - he isn't overly affectionate with strangers, but dobes shouldn't be; they are meant to be reserved with people they don't know.  I trust him implicitly, though, not to be aggressive - I would only ever expect to see a hint of that if the other person was a real threat.

The one thing that is common in the boys is male-male issues - many male dobes are less tolerant of other male dogs (male dobes espesh.).  I'm fortunate that I have an extremely tolerant boy - there's only one dog he doesn't like (a male collie).

As karenclynes mentioned, being hard on a dobe doesn't work in your favour - as I wrote in my post to the thread about using punishment in training, I used to use punishment on my boy but it totally backfired and he became very disobedient and didn't really like me.  Dobes are not dogs that handle harsh training or heavy-handedness well at all.  From my experience - limited as it is - I would suggest a bitch for your first dobe - Remy was my first dog, and he is a very, very headstrong, independant guy.  My bitch on the other hand, altho not a dobe (guarding type still tho), is much more biddable and more likely to listen to me.

They are very goofish dogs - Remy will be 3 on April 1 and he still has moments of complete foolery - and I love them :) from what I've read from other owners the boys tend to be a bit more goofy, although I've never owned a bitch to compare Remy to.  Soon I hope!  They take a lot of work though - Remy is bored the instant he has nothing to do; he has to be entertained, and training is his big joy in life.  Extremely intelligent too.

Good luck with a future pup - take your time choosing one; I didn't and now I have Remy - he's a great lad but his bad breeding means his coat is terrible (he's a fawn, and practically hairless).  On the dinky side too at 26", but that doesn't bother me!!

I have been an aunty to my friends dobes for years, and of the 6 of hers I have known they have varied quite markedly.

Her eldest two girls were really easy affectionate and obedient.  another bitch had a wicked sense of humour and liked to take her time meeting new people, in other words you ignored her until she came to accept you. 

A male I knew from a baby was very soft, and wanted to be everyones freind, had problems with this as not all dogs wanted to be his freind.

Her current two the bitch is easy going at home and will happily meet you, but the male tends to be a bit aloof and on guard, until he has acdepted you.  they have both been super with their baby, though she is very sesnsible and never leaves them unattended.

The bitch when out is not friendly at all, and very hyped, and the male is inclined to take looking after the baby and his Mum seriously so we prefer not to let people approach him when we are road walking, just in case.

They have all been brought up and socialised the same, yet the current two are not that sociable except with people they know when they are all the same, contact loving heat seeking misiles that have to crush you lovingly with their front ends on your lap.

So as the others have said, meet as many of any breeders dogs as you can to get an idea of character traits likely in a pup.

Parents should be Hip Scored, eye tested for PHPV, and Von Willebrands tested.

I have had several of our freinds dobe bitches to stay in complete harmony with my Elkhounds, and of course |i walk most days with my lot and the above mentioned friend and her dobes.

hi,
what is a good hip score? obviously the lower the better but what score is to high to even consider getting a puppy from that breeder?

I find it interesting to compare our scores to the grading system used in the USA.

According to that system a dog that scores 19 to 25 would be borderline dysplasic, 26-35, Mild and 36-50 Moderately dysplasitc and over this severely dysplastic.

OFA CLASSES            BVA/KC SCORES
                                            Total Both Hips

Excellent                           0-4  no > than 3 / hip Good                              5-10  no > than 6 / hip
Fair                                  11-18  no extremes
Borderline                             19-25
Mild Dysplasia                      26-35
Moderate Dysplasia               36-50
Severe Dysplasia                    51-106

Here is a web addy with abridged details of our scheme http://www.thecanaandog.co.uk/lib-health/hdscoreuk.htm

The mean score for Dobes is 10 but the range is right up to about 90 so no room for the complacency that seems to be too common in the breed when you compare the number of litters bred to the number of dogs scored.

I have four Dobes.....

Aslong as you get your puppy from a 'reputeable' breeder you will be fine.  Please do not be swayed by breeders advertising the fact they they are KC Accreditied, there are good breeders out there who are NOT members of this scheme and there are 'breeders' who are members and I wouldnt touch with a barge pole.  Please ensure the sire and dam are health tested as sadly there are still some 'top' kennels that refuse to do this.  Also ensure both sire and dam have sound temperaments. 

My advice would be to attend one or more of the Champ Shows and see the dogs in the ring, speak to exhibitors and also breeders and you will be able to see dogs in the ring that have been bred by them.  Do not be swayed by fancy websites, also check how many puppies breeders are producing as some are producing for money not quality.  

If and when you are ready contact the Dobermann Club and ask if they know anyone with a litter, this is a better option that contacting the KC as they will only have a list of all registered puppies and that does not mean they are a good litter.

Ensure the puppies have been well socialised from a young age and when you get your puppy enrol her onto a puppy training class as soon as her vaccinations are complete.

I say 'her' because as a first time owner I would recommend you get a bitch.  Males are more challenging and unless in experienced hand it can all go pear shaped.  I would never sell a male Dobe to a first time owner, I know some do but my choice is not to. 

At the end of the day do your research!!!

Any questions please PM me, I am happy recommend a litter when  you are ready. 

Edited to add you do NOT have to be hard on them just train them positively from a young age!!!

From personal experience I would not recommend a dobe from working lines if you want a pet.  I would recommend English/American Breeding - again just my personal choice, someone will no doubt come on and tell me off for being negative about the working lines :-(  Sorry.

Also the puppy website that advertise litters - be careful.  Yes you will find some genuine quality litters on them, stating who the sire and dam are, if they have been health tested, with the breeders contact details on show and KC affix etc, BUT you will find some with photos of puppies but no details of parents or health tests.  Good breeders do not have to hide their identity!!!  You  will also find adverts stating '25 champion in pedigree', good litters are produced on the merits and wins of the parents not the great great grand parents. Dont be swayed by people offering (rare) colours either, I woudnt touch these with a barge pole. 

Another tip check how these people are spelling the word DOBERMANN!!!  A little clue there.  Also ads stating 'de-flead', what ever next?

Do not be put off by such websites, just check the wording and advert carefully. 

Have to agree with Liisa so you can tell me off too!! I would'nt recommend a dobe from working/strong european lines, especially a male. They can be wonderful dogs (I have one and he's a european!) but do your homework and dont rush into anything. Good luck,keep us posted!

I don't understand it - why a continental Dobe would be so much different from a British Dobe? They all have to conform to the breed standard, right?
I got my Dobe girl from Germany. Does this automatically mean she is from a working line, regardless of her actual pedigree?
Katie

Does this automatically mean she is from a working line, regardless of her actual pedigree

Not a Dobe expert/specialist but I think it is similar to the GSDs their are working Germany/continental lines & show lines but they both have more work drive than most UK lines. It's not necessarily what is seen but what is inside !

They have to do if they are to gain the working qualifications

Friend of mine used a Germany Import & she's had dobes for years & she says these last puppies have been harder work than any others, I like them tho' as they really have the attitude I like(my ideal GSD would be a Germany working bred male)Her bitch is stunning LOL & very smart I gave a titbit at 4 months & twio months lated when I was wearing the same show jacket she mugged me & raided the treat pocket !

is there any difference in character between black&tan, and brown&tan?

I have heard the browns can be more bouncy/daft!!! I have a brown and he is all of those things but theres probably lots of owners of black dobes who could say the same thing.

As they are likely to be born in the sme litters and ahve the same parents I don't beleive there is any difference.

I've read many posts about brown/tan dobes being much more goofy than the other colours - but, they were from US owners, so it might be different over here.

there are working Germany/continental lines & show lines but they both have more work drive than most UK lines

I am genuinely puzzled why this would be. Don't people in Britain use the working breed dogs for work at all? Why would the British breeders dilute the work drive in their breed on purpose? This, to me, is not breeding to the standard of the breed.

To have dogs that are easier for most people to live with I suppose.  After all in the large litters the breed has it must be a nighmare to find that many knowledgeable competent homes,a dn a more easier going less brainy and work driven dog will fit the bill.

The reason why lots of "Show/Pet"people don't want the high drive is because of the work involved in Schutzhund/WT/Obedience training. As in GSDs the showing is relatively easy ;) & so they opt for a lesser drive dog.

Me I much prefer the dogs with high drive like my BC puppy who will work/play/train all day if I let him  Even my Cavaliers have the want to work(pity we have no woodcock to train them on ;) but they are good mousers !)

I think the problem can be that the continental dogs that are required to show they can work are harder work for a novice who lkes the look but doesn't really understand/want the whole package of a working dog and all that goes with it.

Think what was the purpose of a dobermann????

Now with those working purposes in mind you can see the responsibility needed to chanel those traits.  Not disimilar to the difference between Working Labradors and Springers and those bred purely for show.

for a pet owners they may consider the latter better, but therin lies the quandary, do we want are breeds to be truly what they were designed to be or just look like those dogs????

There are many of our breeds traits that make them more difficult to sit in oru living rooms and be happy with an hours walk a day, but if we bred those out we would be betrayng our breeds.

An Elkhound that trotted at your heels, never going out of sight of it's owner would be a mere shadow of it's true self, even though their natural curiosity and independence means they keep you on your toes when off lead, and means you have to concentrate and keep them guessing.

I got a Doberman knowing it will mean work. I knew not to expect a Dobe to be a couch potato.

Katie

I would say that breeders try to dilute the drive because most puppies end up in pet homes, some owners do not want to work their dobes.  Dobes with high prey drive in inexperienced homes = TROUBLE in my opinion, new owners would not necessarily know how to channel this prey drive.  Of course a Dobe should not be a couch potatoe but neither should they be dancing on the ceiling, chasing everything that moves etc etc.  I personally would not want a dobe from strong working lines.  Each to their own.

My friend has GSD's and her male has his ScH II.  She is getting a new male puppy in a few weeks from working ines, but she has the intention of doing Schutzhund and working this puppy. 

I am not condeming euro dogs just saying they are not for everybody.  At least overseas dobes have to have their ZTP before being bred which is more that what dobes in this country require, anyone can mate a dobe willy nilly without any thought and attention and sadly there is nothing to stop this.

I am whaffling again

I didn't take it that you were condemning Euro dobies at all :) I was just genuinely puzzled.
My Euro Dobe is laid back, easy going. Her breeder aimed for show prospects, not Schutzhund candidates. Mine was the pick of the litter, and goes for her first show this coming Saturday. I am very excited :)
Katie

Hi Katie,

Good Luck with your first show.  Any pics of your dobe?

good luck finding the right dobe for you, they really can be great dogs but a lot of hard work! With the right training and socialisation im sure you'll be fine
I've had more problems with the neighbours thinking they are vicous just because of the way they look though!!:rolleyes:

Emma x

hi katiewirth
good luck with the show on saturday!!

My boy is two now and he has been hard work since day one, but all worth while.  He is not very good with other male dogs, but in our family he is wonderful, he is so loving.  We had a dobermann years ago and he was totally different to this one.  I suppose it also depends on you and your situation.  My first dobermann was owned by myself and husband (no children present) and he seemed alot calmer.  This one has been brought up with myself, husband and two boys (now aged 16 and 19), he loves to play football and just generally loves to play (I think he thinks they are his playmates).  We did go through a spell of dominance with the dog and my younger son, but we worked through it.  I also find that this one is more attention seeking and cries lots and lots.

The dobe boy I have now (1 year old) is so different to the dobe I had back in the 80s. My current dobe is from European lines unlike the first one. I am convinced they are different. You can get two dogs, same breed, even from same litter and they can differ in temperament slightly but I think European dobes do have a higher prey drive, mine most certainly does. I always promised myself another dobermann after losing Max 18years ago (ended up with a weimar for 14 years!!!) But now I have my dobe and although of course I wasnt expecting a carbon copy of Max, this one is so so different. I have spoke to other Euro dobe owners and they all seem to say same thing. I love him to bits of course, totally! Must do to have put up with him, LOL! But much harder work, so busy all the time and more 'full on'. He seems to spend alot of time on his back legs too (ie jumping up) and we are still working on that!

Hi Milomum,
My girl is European stock too and they say they spend more time on 2 feet than 4.This I can believe as she can walk on them like a poodle! They never stop doing it either, no matter how old they get. I've found the best way round it, is to tell her to sit, before she jumps, then go down to her. Of course, when it's a friend calling round that she loves, they are very used to being pinned to the kitchen wall and chomped! Of course I don't laugh.

Ha! You still have friends????What are they? LOL!

Hi
My 13 month old boy is from British lines and he is a right handful always keeping us on our toes. It is definately true that they all differ as the two I had before (1 bitch, 1 Dog) were so easy going. Really just took life in their stride this one now is a completely different story always looking for mischeif. His favourite pass time is snatching things he's not meant to have and then standing in front of us waiting for the chase. We have learnt to completely ignore him and then he just drops the object and off he goes in search of something else. The only advantage to him  pinching things is it's made the kids alot more responsible with there bits and pieces and I don't have to tidy up behind them LOL. When he's finished doing his naughty bit we have a wonderful boy who loves to have a cuddle on the sofa. My brother-in-law can't believe how within minutes he can be such a different dog.

You have just described my dog, LOL!!!! The standing in front of you bit with the item in his mouth waiting for you to re-act?? Yep, spot on! As I write this he is sprawled out infront of the fire looking like butter wouldnt melt!:rolleyes:

Dobes are lovely, we had one for fourteen years and he was never untrustworthy with people, a topclass breed

And they give such lovely cuddles :D  The older they get the nicer they are.

ooh, lovely licky cuddles..... they love to sit on your feet too, dont they. Mine sits on my feet while I'm ironing.

Yours too? I thought it was just mine, hee hee ;) She frequently sits on my feet and I find it so cute :)

No I like the elbows on lap and then they let all their weight sink on you