hi all im thinking of buying a doberman!! i think they are the most stunning graceful clever dogs around and always go goowy when i see them! however i actually own 2 cavaliers as 3half years ago my lifestyle didnt warrent a big demanding dog ie small garden lil sofa!and i also had reservations about temprement hence my lil cavaliers with there perfect temprements!
i really do want one of these dogs but i wud h8 to make a mistake.....i have two children 5 and 6 and 2 lil dogs and although i do love dobes i heard they not good with kids and other dogs and are difficult to train.....my house and garden are big enough now but i would rather not have one than have a badly trained dangerous dog. also i would want him to be docked and clipped but have heard vets dont do it any more? anyway if any1 out there can help me make this decision (again!!) i would be REALLY grateful!
emma

Hello Emma i have 2 dobes and 2 children aged 6 & 9 ,Zak is 20 months & Ebony is 6 months i would say go for it as i personaly don't have any trouble with mine. They are great with other dogs and kids aswell but i have to be careful with small dogs just because they can be boisterus.IMO they r not difficult to train they pic things up very easily i suggest u go to IDAL CHAT and read the thread on Would your dog protect you ,vets will still dock but not clip ears in the uk
Good luck in your decision
Ella

Dobermann's are wonderful dogs - in the right hands!

Their owners need to be consistent, disciplined and ready for almost anything. If they are dangerous or not good with children it is generally (not always, but generally) down to the owners who have not been thorough enough with their training and socialisation.

They are very intellegent dogs and will learn easily, however once they have learnt something they are easily bored and may become ...... um ....... creative ........... in their interpretation of the commands.

To take on one of these wonderful dogs you need to be 100% committed (as well as in need of committing). If the young children are well bought up and know that no means NO! then there is no reason why they should not get on with a Dobermann. However I would never advise leaving a dog with children of the ages of yours as you don't know what they might do to the dog.

You mention "him" so I assume you would want a male - as you apparently already have two small bitches you breed from I would think very carefully about how you will keep them totally separate during the bitches seasons. As to whether a Dobermann would get on with small dogs in the same household, there is no reason why not but as with all dogs some do not get on with others.

By clipped I assume you mean the (IMO) barbaric custom of cutting off parts of their ears to make them stand up - it is, fortunately, illegal in the UK although you can import them from some parts of the continent, eastern block countries and the US but they cannot be shown or take part in any KC activities.

Docking is illegal for lay people and unethical for vets to do but most Dobermann breeders still get their pups done.

I can tell you a lot about the breed but from your mail would think you may need to drastically change your perception of them if you are even going to consider one.

To fully share your life with a Dobermann and help it reach its full potential is not easy - as many people on this list will probably tell you, but their companionship is a wonderful thing.

Christine

I don't think it could be better put - dobes are wonderful dogs - in the right hands!

I'm not going to offer any advice as my wonderful <hic> dobe is only 8 months. But what I would say, is that although I have enjoyed every minute of Cam, I'm pleased that I was not a first time dog owner and have a background in hosses. Mainly because, although all puppies are demanding and need proper handling to turn them into good citizens, dobes are very sensitive, very intelligent dogs. To do them justice and make sure you are a good ambassador for the breed you do need to make sure that you are consistent, disciplined and ready for almost anything ... and everything else Kerioak mentions!

I would also add that remember that dobes do get quite big, and even the most well behaved (and Cam, my pup is most of the time) will inevitably have their 'frisky' days out on walks - as with any larger breed. I sometimes think walking Cam is akin to taking a small elephant high on drugs out for a stroll.

Do lots of reading, lots of searches on the boards for dobe related posts, and best of all, talk to and meet as many breeders as possible. I found that people were very willing to give up their time and give me advice. It's invaluable.

Good luck

Jo

hi there,
I have 2 shih tzu and 3 kids ( 9yrs, 11yrs,14yrs )and a 10 month dobe bitch.
Never had any problem with the kids as she is a big baby in the house,and my male shiddie loves having a rough and tumble with her.
Only problem is that sometimes she thinks she can do what they do (sleep on top cushion of settee) run where they run (under dining table and round back of settee) and squeeze beside you on the 2 seater sofa.

But she does need longer and more energetic walks and is very sly and naughty when she wants attention.
( grabs the remote's) or (drags her food dish about)

Overall i would'nt part with her as it is great having the variety of characteristics in the 2 different breeds.

good luck
pamie o

Lots of people who own cavalier also own larger breeds like GSD's etc as the cavaliers are very friendly(one of my boys is in love with a Duitse Dogge(Great Dane)that lives in the village & the big dog is lovely with him.

If you are in the UK you will still be able to have a docked Dobermann but Ear cropping has been banned for many many years

I haven't heard that Dobermann's were bad with children ! but they do need training & good handling when young so that they grow up well socialised & behaved

Ohhh Dobies look absolutely stunning with their ears as nature intended...... beautiful dogs, if i ever came to be lucky enough to have another dog a Dobie would be high up on my list, i have had very good experiences with them of late.....all of which were family dogs btw.....

Hi,
I believe ear-cropping was made illegal in the UK in 1902....

It is hard to beat the dobesmy own was just the business,yes at first they are hard work but aren't they all,yes they are destructive at first but aren't they all,I think you'll have got the picture,well.well worth the effort and hard work you put into them,good luck,sandra.

hi OMG i had no idea....1902!! theres a guy i see all the time and his dobe has clipped ears! i looked online also and there are lots of pages advising the hows etc!!
hi christine.....my girls wouldnt be an issue as he would be "done" i refered to them from a safety point of view only :)and forgive me as i can tell you are indeed knowlegable but i dont quite understand your comment "your perception would need to drastically change" thanks for everyones help any offers for me to "lend" one for a couple of weeks?;)

It may sound strange but I have found over the years that if anyone starts off with a negative view of a Dobe ie"i heard they not good with kids and other dogs and are difficult to train....." this generally becomes a self fullfilling prophesy and it ends up being rehomed.

Why not have a chat to the man with the cropped eared dobe (do you know the dog's kennel name?) as he may be able to give you some advice

Christine

Hi Christine your last comment is so true when I still lived with my parents they had two neighbours who considered themselves "hardmen" both bought Dobermans at exactly the same time and turned them into snarling nasty dogs which is how they had described them before they bought them. I'm afraid that was my perception of them before I'd started reading this board because they were the only Dobermans I'd come accross god only knows what happened to those two dogs as they both disapeared after about 2 years but I just remember them snarling and barking constantly.

Cheers
Steve

Hello everyone :-)

I'm a relative newcomer to the wonderful world of dobes and I've been lurking about the site recently (picking up some great advice,especially from Kerioak) and I researched the breed thoroughly before getting my pup from a reputable breeder. I was realistic about things but I totally agree that if you are overly negative - especially with behaviour issues than you are likely to fail.The majority of the general public have a mistaken belief about the breed and when I told people what kind of puppy I was getting , most looked at me as tho' I'd lost the plot. I and my hubby ( & kids ) are putting a lot of time and effort into our boy and have taken him to puppy socialisation classes (great entertainment value!!!) and are now starting obedience classes.Hopefully we'll reap the rewards of our devotion!
BTW he's called Sam and he's just adorable :-) :-)

Ann

Hi Ann, welcome to the forum!

Do tell me about your dober-dog - how old is he, what's his line and what colour is he? My pupster is a brown and rust, he's 8 months and a complete mummy's boy.

Sounds like you're putting lots of effort into your lad ... keep us posted. :)

Jo

hi thanx for all your replys:)
i can see what you mean now that ive looked back on it! i think that if i go out and get one without having 200% confidence in him then i wouldnt be doing him justice......soooo ive decided to wait(although im sure i will have one eventually as i go thru this choice around every couple of years!!) lol
emma

Glad you are being so realistic. You also need to have 200% confidence in yourself! I think if you have doubts in your own ability to cope with a more "difficult" breed then you're not ready for one - yet. If you want something enough, you'll get there in the end!

Sweatybetty,please don't have doubts about the dobe,trained and treated correctly you will be hard pushed to find a more loving,loyal,companion.I absolutely adored mine and he was a sweetheart,even with cats,and he wasn't brought up with them!!!!,Sandra.

Hello again :-)

Hello Jo - Sam is 16 weeks and he's from the Diego kennel ( Stranraer S.W Scotland ) .He was one of 4 boys of a litter of 12 pups - who were all beautiful & healthy. His father is a Champion ( Supeta's positively perfect for cooley ) Mum is Diego's Maranello - who was in superb condition such a short time after whelping! The Sire was a brown & rust chap but all the litter are black. He really is a great wee boy and I will keep you up to date with all the info.

He sounds lovely. :) Glad he's getting on so well. I remember when Cam was 16 weeks - it goes so fast! There's nothing like a dober-pup to bring a smile to your face.

Jo :)

dobermann are beautiful dogs and are brilliant with children and other dogs when our bitch starr died(1997) my uncle gave me  a little pom x terrier bitch mollie to keep storm (died in 1998 )our other dobe company and they got on like a house on fire mollie was the boss when she was a pup she used to hand out of his ear so cute i really miss my dobes hoping to get another one in a few years still have mollie and i am getting a puppy in the new year cant wait