Hello

I have after much deliberation decided I want 2 dogs, a Doberman and Weimaraner. I am not sure which way to go about this, and hoped someone could help.

I would prefer 2 males which I would obviously have castrated as soon as possible. But would this still be enough to calm the aggression?? Also, based on 2 males, would it be better to get them at the same time rather than stagger it? Or maybe it's more advisable to have just the one dog and several bitches?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Hi Hector, I really cant see what you are aiming at here? First of all you say you want two males, then you talk about castration, then you state about one dog and several bitches. Are you aiming to breed, if so what breed? If not, why several bitches? All a bit confusing Im afraid

What makes you think that they would be aggressive? Are you making an assumption or do you have particular dogs in mind that you are referring to?
A lot depends on the individual dogs temperament and what you do with them. There are + and - for the two males whether you get them together or stagger them, but one male and several bitches does not make two dogs!! Bitches MAY fight amongst themselves, so if it is aggression you want to avoid then they are not always a soft option.
I think you need to provide more information for people to be able to offer constructive advice!

Hector,

The way that you phrase your intentions is a little unusual. From what I understand of your post, you are thinking of getting two males, whom you are considering castrating as soon as possible to calm down "the agression".

You seem to be assuming that the dogs will be aggressive, I don't own Dobies or Weims, and I am sure that the weim and dobie people on this board will be able to advise you better than I, but there are very few dog breeds which are born aggressive imho

Have you read up much on weims and dobies and/or talked to any breeders or people who show? This may be a good next step for you?

good luck

Theresa

Hello Hector . Good luck for your search in your chosen breed .
May I make a suggestion though . Before you decide to chop the bits did you know that dogs can get a vasectomy now ? and also would you wait untill you see if one or both are aggressive before doing it .
Most dogs raised together get on fine . All you have to remember is not let them alone together .
when you are not with them separate them this prevents a fight for a bone or something .
Let us know when get them
Mari

Hector,
I'm not certain if you are planning to get the dogs as puppies at the same time. I hope not. This is usually not recommended. They'll be the same age and its difficult for them to eventually establish who will be the dominant. Plus raising two puppies at the same time, going through adolescence at the same time.... not a job for the faint at heart. It takes a lot of time and focus to do this well. Problems do arise. It is easier for the pups to be more dog oriented than people oriented.

It sounds, perhaps, that you don't have a lot of experience with dogs especially of the breeds that you mention (I apologize if this offends you and is incorrect). But it might be a good idea to just focus on a single dog/puppy and get it raised to adulthood before you worry about adding another to the mix. It is much easier to add a puppy into a household with a confident and fully trained 2 year old dog than raising two from puppyhood at the same time. :)
regards,
toodles

You've just echoed my thoughts Sarah, what experience do you have with dogs Hector, the 2 breeds you have chosen are not the easiest for a first time owner. I would say the same, start with one pup and get it well trained before you embark on the second. In my experience what sex really does depend on the dogs and owner, it's all a matter of personal choice, although I know that in some breeds they say keeping 2 males together won't work, I believe dobermans is one of them. Ingrid

Thank you to some for your advice, I think I've given you all totally the wrong idea about myself. I have worked in a kennels, for the RSPCA in the UK and Netherlands and have owned dogs of my own. I also worked for a Dobe breeder and am also training to become a dog groomer, so a challenging dog is not a problem for me.

I just needed more experienced handlers opinions as I haven't owned a dog for 10+ years, just worked with them. I have had 2 males in the past that did fight to a degree. I also know Dobes can be challenging and I just wanted others opinions on my decisions. But it's all pretty clear now so thank you for your time and when I do get my 2 boys (at different times) I'll be back for more advice.

Thank you.

All is understood now, hector. Good luck in your quest :) :) :) :)

Hi Hector

I have two males and find them great together and as yet still both in tact:)
being you want two different breeds ? would not be advisable to have both the same sex.

Pat xx

Hi Pat

that's what I thought - 2 of the same sex. One lady stated it's more advisable to have the dogs at different times so this will be the answer to establishing hierarchy. I guess I'm from the old school that believed you castrate everything unless you plan to breed - I can see things have changed some what.

I did see on an American site that Weimaraners are not good pets with anything else, and certainly not cats. This concerned me somewhat as I have 3 cats, but I can't believe for one moment that this is true, perhaps more a general statement. Do you keep your boys separate when you are not around to ensure no squabbles?

Hi Hector,

Good luck with your search, fyi I have four males and three females, two GSDs, a Rottie x and an Irish Setter are the males, the rottie x and one of the gsds don't get on too well but nothing serious. The rest are all fine, just in case it ever got serious I tend not to leave the rottie and gsd alone together

Again good luck

Theresa

Hi Hector
IMO I think you should not castrate a dog unless absolutley necessary, after all would you castrate you husband or boyfriend to stop him being aggressive?? and if you did would it stop him?

The breeds you are interested in will take a lot of time and understanding so make sure you know before hand what you will be letting yourself in for.

Good Luck

I've got 3 male dog, all intact, GSD, GSP & terrier x, I can honestly say that I don't have problems with them that often, about one spat a year and that is soon over & forgotten. Good Luck in whatever you decide, Ingrid

Hi
I would not advise a male Dobe with another male of any breed and I understand Weims can be the same. All may be well for a months or even years and then suddenly something can set them off and you no longer have two entire dogs but do have a blood splattered apartment and large vet's bills :(

I think most of the people who have said okay for more than one male have other breeds?

One dog and one bitch "might" be your best option spead over at least a couple of years so you have time to get one to maturity before you start on another one.

Which Dobermann breeder did you work for - here or in the Netherlands

Bi
Christine

Hi Christine

I worked for a lady called Gill Cashman of North Somerset Animal Hotel near Weston-Super-Mare. She also breeds and shows Dobes but that was some time ago now. In the Netherlands I worked for Dierenasiel (equivalent of RSPCA) which wasn't any different than those in the UK. Still a high turnover of animals.

The more I look into the dogs and Weim characters I can see you're right and to be honest you have confirmed what I thought, I should only have one male in these breeds - now I just don't know whether to have a male Dobe or a male Weim!

Ali

Hi Ali

I would not every try to influence your decision on which breed to go for <g> Gill is still around so you could always get yet another opinion on having males from her.

Christine

Hi Christine

Do you know Gill??? I haven't seen her since I was 18 - long time ago now. Is she still breeding? Did you ever meet her boy Ossie? He was a stunner....I think he may have planted the seed that turned me onto these dogs.

Ali

Hi Ali

If you like I will pass your email address onto her?

Christine

Hector,
As far as neutering/castrating a dog...well, that's still a debatable thing for many people. I used to believe strongly in it and honestly viewed those who kept their dogs intact as wrong and uncaring of the dog's health or putting out unwanted puppies.
"Curbing aggression" has never been emphasized as one of the major reasons to neuter your pet in the huge altering campaign in the US. I find it of interest on this board that this "virtue" keeps popping up constantly supposedly as a benefit. Hmmm. Strange.

Since I've been on this board, I've read and considered many other opinions on this matter. Now, I pretty much think its just think it's up to the individual owner's decision what they think is best. Basically as long as they aren't just letting their dog roam all over the neighborhood mating with any bitch they please. :rolleyes:

Me, personally, I've had neutered dogs and if I have another someday, it's likely I would seriously consider neutering or at least a vasectomy. No, I don't believe it curbs agressiveness.... just the whole mating drive to allow the dog to focus on me and my own household, plus some other benefits.

As far as neutering the spouse....well, I'll stay silent on that point ;) ;)
regards,
toodles