im 14, home stuterd, i show at open level and am thinking of buying a male Dobermann, iv bean showing and handling dogs since i was 9, iv bean showing a large tempremental springer spaniel for the past year, iv also showen a standerd pooble, tebbettun spaniel, jack russul, king chales caviler,and a 9 month old male dobie (only once though), iv had experience in training, agility and have started a grooming bissness, (bathing/ grooming/ clipping ect), i live in a medium/large house, in the country side, with 7 acers of fields, fully fenced garden, i live with my mum and 22yr old sister, 2 cats, and 2 horses.i have an unrestid buget for buying my pup, and am planning to feed naturl foods. i love dobies and admire the strengh agility, elegance, speed, generul character and loyalty to there owners.

I don't know much about Dobermanns as they are not my breed. I do know they are not for beginners though! I should say that, as you are asking yourself the question first, and not rushing into buying a puppy, then you may find you can best answer your question yourself. Spend some time with people who know and love the breed, and perhaps who know you too, and ask them what they think. Then, in a few weeks' time, ask yourself the question again and you seem like the kind of person who will know in their heart if they are doing the right thing, both for themselves but more importantly for the dog.

Good Luck!

Linda

Hi Guest,
It sounds as if you are a very responsible individual. Dobies, like other dogs do take quite a bit of work to raise and keep. Asking around first for opinions is a good thing to do :)
The questions you might consider and also ask yourself before considering any puppy, is what are you going to do after you 'grow up' into adulthood?

Eventually you will graduate from your regular home schooling. Are you going away to college or continuing to live at your parent's home? Will you be working full time? What are you going to do with your 2-6 year old dog? Even though your family might be willing to take care of him/her for a couple of years while you get your feet on the ground, do you think it would be right for your dog?

The difficulty is in being realistic when you answer these questions for yourself. I realize that it is very difficult to predict what is going to happen in the next few years, but it was even more so when I was your age. Things change so fast and having a dog to think about its welfare and care can be time consuming and worrisome.

These are just some points to think about before bringing home a wonderful puppy or dog. I hope they help with making your decision.
good luck,
toodles

We used to have a Doberman a long time ago and he was a heck of a lotta work....i dont know if it was just our Doberman but he was alot to handle.....He was really loyal and protective towards me, hated my brother though ;)......a great guard dog ;)

we have a young male dobe he is a fabulous dog but a lot to handle both physically and mentally .they are not a dog to be left to their own devices and they need firm leadership from all of the family.you obviusly have a lot of experience with dogs so if you have the time andthe commitment then think about it ,maybe speak to some breeders,good luck

Unless you are a very mature (body especially) 14 year old who would have the main charge of the dog then I would tend to answer No. At 14 you are still a technically child and these are powerful dogs that *can* require both physical and mental strength. A male Dobermann is not easy to hold if he decides he wants to go and see another male for instance. I would recommend waiting a few years unless your Mum or Sister are at home full time and able to care for the pup when you are absent, and walk the dog with you.

Whats home stuterd ?

JFYI The shortened version of Dobermann is Dobe, NOT dobbie :-) This word does not go with the elegance and strength of the breed :)

Christine

Home student? Home tutored?

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Hi there
I have Dobes myself and whilst not suggesting that I am any sort of expert, I do know how much looking after and effort is needed for Dobes :)
I would suggest that at 14 you may be a bit young for a male Dobe! As already stated, they can be headstrong and are powerful dogs who need alot of attention and firm handling. That said, if you are determined to have one - make sure you do your homework!!! :D Have you thought about joining a Dobe breed society to learn more about them and their needs? spoke to some breeders? Decided on Show or Pet? read loads of books? even got to know a few if possible? Then make an informed choice of what you want. It sound like you have plenty of 'doggie' experience so if you are well prepared and really feel you know what you are getting into - go for it! One thought maybe - bitches are slightly smaller and easier to handle. Would that be a good place to start instead of a headstrong male? Best of luck :)

I would say that at 14 you should not. My reason is that I dont think anyone under the age of 16 should be in charge of such powerful animals. However you seem to be very level headed with your business, and you seem to be quite experienced with a variety of animals. provided the dog can be looked after while you are at school, then I would say yes. Please speak to doberman people first though as they know the breed best.
Good luck. Mick

Hi

I'm off on hols next week so if you fancy a tryout, I'll send the Mockodile to you (10 month male HEADSTRONG Dobe !!) ;)

No seriously, as with any other dogs I suppose they just take a lot of hard work as a puppy and I have had "a few trials" ??????? with Jake !!!!! :D :D It also depends on your particular pups nature, which of course you wouldn't necessarily know until it was too late. For example, I know that I am a lot more authoritative than I was when I first got him (have to be !!!) and can say "No" meaning NO to him, and he may pay NO ATTENTION whatsoever, yet if we are in the company or other dogs, even Dobes, some of them may act like I'm telling them off (if you know what I mean - hard to explain really).
I have to admit that the Mockodile has tested me to my limits but at 10 months, he's becoming more responsive and more affectionate etc but it is a long time to wait. And an AWFUL lot of attention. My Mock is the J LO of the Dobe world, he would be perfectly happy with 24 hour attention and the trick is making sure he can't have what he wants all the time WHEN he wants it.

Another thing I would point out is that most of the time I still have to walk Jake on a Halti because belive you me, he can pull me straight over if he wants to without not much effort (and I'm hardly a mere slip of a thing :p )

At least it sounds like you are being sensible, but having said that, I thought I was in my approach to getting my Dobe, but I have to say, NOTHING could have prepared me for the reality !!!!!! :) :)

Beth