I was walking my 7 month dobermann and terrier X breed today over the park, I have just recently started to let the dobermann off his lead for short periods and he doesnt go futher than about 20 feet away from me.  We were walking along a path and a woman was walking towards us. My dobermann walked (not run) up to this woman. I called him and he came back to me immediately.  She started shouting at me that he should be on a lead.  I said why to which she replied because IT is a dobermann.  I said dobermann's do not have to be kept on a lead just kept under control like all dogs, and as he came straight back to me he was under control.  She said dobermanns must be kept on a lead because they are classed as dangerous dogs.  Well I told her to get her facts right before opening her mouth and that they are not classed as dangerous dogs.  My dobermann was quietly sitting by my side as all this was happening, however my little terrier (who was on a lead) was barking at her.

Why do people still have this opinon of Dobes

You will find it with staffys also :rolleyes:
and Gus is not dog agressive and good as gold

I'm sad to say, it's not just dobes,it's anything that has appeared in the newspapers with a bad press report,that gets it too, normally from people who have little or no knowledge of dogs in general.
Karen

I agree, it's not just dobes - I was walking my gsd towards the fields where we have our walkies and this man walked his little girl (who was about 3) and their small dog right out into the middle of the road to avoid us :o!!  If it hadn't been so dangerous, it would have been hilarious - Sasha was on her lead, and is only 21 weeks old :D !!!!!  Admittedly, she is incredibly nosy and wants to have a good sniff of everything, but because I know small children can be nervous, even of pups I tightened her lead as they came towards me, so she couldn't even have got anywhere near them.  Ludicrous!!  What exactly is this man teaching his child - that it's better to be run over by a car than sniffed by a puppy??

Welcome to my world :roll
Develop a thick skin and a list of sarcastic replies -Some people you will never educate :(

Hi
I had this reaction with my dobe years ago, she was black and tan, and from other dog owners, whom you would think would understand that its the owner thats dangerous not the dog.  When she died, the next dobe I got was brown and tan, i have never had a remark like that since, and i walked her in exactly the same park, but because you dont see too many brown dobes, ignorant people don't realise their breed.  As previously said, develop a thick skin and think of some clever remarks, and if all else fails bite them yourself.  Only joking, but i sometimes felt like doing it.  I now have yet another dobe, another brown girl, but I'm also getting a black dog shortly, so I guess I'll probably get some abuse hurled at me soon.
Bev

The only thing you can do is to have some calm and factual replies ready to make them look hopefully a little foolish :D

Lindsay

I get the same response to my two black newfoundlands. I take them out on their own now as people seemed to be intimidated by two together even though they are laid back and well behaved.  I sometimes wonder if their colour makes them seem even scarier.  People dont seem to be scared of Pyrenees as much! 

Same response to my Dane too, although only twice.
And that was from the blue rinse brigade with their pampered yorkies. lol :)

I also have a brown Dobe. Previously I had a black Dobe and many adverse comments. As Bev said, many people haven't seen a brown Dobe and don't know what breed they are. I have been amased at the difference in reaction. There will always be some people who discriminate against some breeds. :)

...Bev It's good to hear from you again. I thought you'd left too. So, Taz is going to have a playmate :D I'm really envious. I'd love to have a second Dobe. I'm sure I will one day. When do you get the addition to the family??? :D
annieee :)

I have had similar experiences when i previously owned a rottie but its all about educating people....once people could see that my rottie and german shepherd were two well behaved dogs both uncastrated and walking off the lead to heel (never use lead) the compliments flowed....

i was told in the summer by some people that my yellow labbie is dangerous and should be kept on a lead, she was barking at him about 4 feet away from him but returned to me when called, she was barking at him as he was having a go at me, when he carried shouting at me she carried on barking at him but by my side in the end he left she was really chuffed with herself and carried on playing.

tess looks lovely until me our the kids are threatened so she sticks her oar in :D

tanya

I get it all too often, with my 2 staffies who are as soft as butter!

:)

Donna and charliex

I had the same thing recently when my staffy sniffed a mans leg up on a local hill and he accused her of harassing him.  He said that if I didn't put her on her lead he would phone the police and then proceeded to get out his phone and start dialling.  I put her on the lead and asked him what he would say to the police - perhaps "a terrier sniffed my leg can you come and arrest the owner".  there are too many uneducated people out there who are causing more harm than dogs and their owners

hi,ive just become a member,i have 2 staffies+whenever we go to local market,etc,theres always ignorant people,that pick their little yappers up!!+even try holding their dogs mouth closed,so they r quiet,just in case my killer dogs attack them!!who just take no notice whats so ever,+then you get some mothers who grab their childs hand+walk the other way!!mine r well socialised.on a more positive note,i must say i get more people admiring them+wanting wet kisses,hawhen i had ben,5,my 1st staffie,i went through a stage of trying to convince these people,its how they are brought up+they arent these killer dogs etc,they looked at me as if i was mad!!so i just ignore them now.sorry to go on,it does anger me tho,some people wont give them a chance.

Hi Annieee
If everything goes to plan, and I know they don't always, as the mating hasn't even taken place yet, so fingers, toes and everything else crossed, it will be in April/May.  I am going to the same breeder, she was great, and Taz is wonderful, hoping to get a black dog this time, I've got first shout on the litter, after the breeder that is, so providing there's one i'll hopefully have him, got to persuade hubby first, not about getting another but it being a dog not a bitch, but I'm really not too bothered, i've got a name sorted if I get a dog, I'm going to call him Bud, after my fave drink, sad I know but there you go, my daughter says I should get another 2 and call them Weis and Er, after the advert if you remember it.  Don't think that'll happen somehow.  Hope your little pup is ok, probably like Taz not so little now.
Bev

Hi Jaffa (and Jo)

Lola is huge now. She is a love but a bit hormonal at the moment(in her first season) Things aren't too bad although it can be messy at times. Sometimes she cleans herself and other times she forgets Yuk! Still it gets it out of the way. I have entered her for a show in March and hopefully this time we'll get there. I have organised a personal trainer for her for a few weeks
(actually they are for me :D) The poor girl looks at me as though to say - get your act together Mum :D I find it hard to think about everything at the same time - its not as easy as it looks. I love the name Bud - Lola was nearly Tetley as she is 'beer' coloured. We should have stuck to it cos she adores a cup of tea! We found out by accident, my daughter left her mug on the coffee table and Lola finished it for her. She now drools if anyone has a cuppa !

I hope your plans go well! I know they can sometimes go wrong, we had plenty of false alarms but you'll get there eventually. I'd love a second Dobe.......... one day !!!
:) Annieee :)

Hi
I have a 2yr old dobe and the other week i was talking to a friend who had a staffi, we both had them on short leads, her staffi was lying on the floor and sam was standing, any way two women came walking towards us and walked into the road even though they had loads of room on the pavement, so my friend said dont worry they wont hurt you to which one women replyed yours might not(staffi) but i dont trust hers(MYDOBE) i was totally gobsmacked.

I have been Aunty to several dobes, and the difference in how they are perceived wehn I have walked them compared to my own breed is sad.

Especially sad is the case of freindly puppies, as past about 4 months if they try to say hello by nudging or looking at someone they are likely to get a frosty response.

I did deliberately walk the well behaved and socilaised ones I took out when my friend had Glandular Fever a few years back, up the local high street, and soon had lots of people stopping to admire how well behaved they were.

The best way is to alwasy be seen with a well behaved controlled dog in public I suppose.

Thanks for all your replies, glad Im not the only one who meets ignorant people.  I might search for a copy of the dangerous dogs act and print it off and give it to her if I see her again.  My dobe is so friendly and only 7 months and he loves people.  The funny bit was my little jack russel X was yapping away at her when she was shouting at me whilst my so called big brave protective dobermann was sitting by my side taking no notice at all. I thought Dobes were meant to be the best personal proctection dogs, oh well he has lots to learn.

I have a brown dobe Franky, and ever since he's been about 5 months old, some people have crossed the road to avoid him. It was quite a shock really, 'cos it made me realise how many people there are out there who don't understand or are frightened of animals. The sad thing is Cam is the softest lump you could find, and out of all the dogs I've ever had, by far the friendliest and most affectionate.

We dobe-owners put up with it tho, cos we know they're worth it! :)

Jo

Franky -what makes the difference is when some one does approach you and says '' ooh I have /had a dobe they are lovely :) and then spend ten minutes or so talking dobe  :D

Hey I have a Red Rottie and as you know they dont exist!  Walking Red on his own is a pleasure, other dog owners smile and chat not realising what he is and yet I get wide berths when walking Elle my other Rottie and yet she is as charming as he is

Lesley

Out this morning and a i approached a man with a sausage dog (What are they called? can't spell it lol) and he picked it up and said "Don't want it to be ate for his dinner" ! (mines a she by the way, they always presume a he!).
Arrrghhh!
I just said "nah! she would use that as a toothpick" (i heard that on the net somewhere)
He laughed anyway and put the dog down. :D

My Dobes are black and i have experianced both negative and positive remarks about them .Us Dobe owners need to educate others t
then they may not be so quick to judge.

Ella.x.

Some people with dogs perceived as a bit scarey put pink ribbons round their necks, that sort of thing. I know it may seem awful, but if it makes other people relax a bit, it could be worth it....

:D Lindsay

:D

staffi owner
<<<theres always ignorant people>>>
unfortunately its the poor owners who have given our breed a bad name - and the press and media
Hopefully with owners such as ourselves we can let those people we come into contact with see our breed in a positive  light :)

Ill come clean - used to cross the road away from Dobes because I was frightenend of them, and a "helpful" Dobe owner told me they could smell fear and would attack. Now I have a dog, I can read dogs better and have conquered the Dobe phobia with help from friends with Dobes. Theyre just dogs at the end of the day. Last week I sat in a training class full of them, from 5 month old pups,  a spoilt yearling, a show bitch lacking confidence and reformed dog aggressor who now does Working Trials aged 4. Now Im better informed I enjoy their beauty, alert expression and responsiveness.

Lorelei - if you're ever in the north east, you must pop over and meet Cam (brown dobe). He does have occasional moments of intelligence and alertness, but most of the time he's too busy trying to rest his nose on your lap, lick your ears, or schmooze with strangers to bother with this. The other day, I set fire to the oven. Cam slept through it all (so much for "My dog saved my life" feature in Your Dog magazine. :D ). Of all the breeds I've ever known, he's by far the most affectionate and tolerant. He's never growled at us or been possessive over food, and he remembers anyone he's ever met before. We have put a lot of work into him, and probably over-socialized him as a pup, if that's possible (he practically buys his own drinks when out at the pub now). His main fault is hogging the duvet (he only sleeps on the bed when my hubby is away, as officially he's not allowed upstairs).

Dobes are the bee's knees!

Jo :) :)

Id love to meet Cam , Jo as he sounds full of character and fun. Hopefully hed buy me and Morse a pint. :D What other breeds have you had?

Hi Lorelei

I'm sure that Morse and Cam would have a fine time together, if they ever met - not that they'd wait around for either of their 'mums' to witness the occasion.  ;)  I could just see them both, propping up a bar in the middle of town, chatting up the girlies and getting plastered on alcopops.  :D

I've only ever had border collies and cross breeds of my own, as a child. In my horsey days I used to work with labs and rotties. I'd never had anything to do with dobes before Cam - he is definitely a first - and my first pedigree. I'm ashamed to admit he is completely spoilt and the apple of my eye.

I absolutely agree with you re your comments about always having Morse on the lead when in the vicinity of children/the elderly etc. I'm absolutely paranoid about this too - there are *so* many people around who are scared of dogs, and the last thing my breed needs is a big raucous dog galloping up to passers by wanting to say hello, however friendly. His recall is good, but not always 100 per cent, so I guess it's just best to be on the safe side.

How is Morse behaving of late - still a little angel?

Jo :)

What can I say about Morse aka Nutcase today? THe high winds and full moon have blown sense/training out his head.Old Silverback had to chase him for miles along a moonlit beach the other day as Morse answered the siren call of the sea, and today hes back to leadpulling, vaulting barbed wire fences, rolling in foxes calling cards, and scattering a pack of Flatcoats :D On the plus side, hes more people focused now and loves to play retrieve so much he asks my mate to throw her dogs ball so he can chase after it, then fetch it straight to Amber ( the dog). We do so well for ages then have a little hiccup. But hes marvellous and i wouldnt change a thing about him.

:D @ Lorelei

Well, if you've got a hound retrieving toys, I think you're doing pretty darn well. :) :) :)

Your comment about barbed wire really struck home - Cam loves nothing better than galloping up to anything remotely wire-like then screeching to a halt as Richard and I shriek "Noooooooooooooo!!!!".

I think it's called 'going grey'. :D

Jo

I have to confess I used to be terrified of staffies because I had seen an incident with a Yorkshire terrier being savaged by one.  I was so bad I used to freeze on the spot, it was only when talking to my friends mum who had been the same with GSD she advised me to try and face my phobia.  As it happened me and my partner were invited to dinner at his boss house and he had two of them, my partner knew this and didn't tell me but told his boss how frightened I was.  When we arrived I heard them barking and could see them in the kitchen after about ten minutes his boss said he would put them on a lead and bring them in to see me to which I agreed .  Well I have to say since meeting Sonny and Beau my opinion has definitely changed I have never known dogs so soft :D

Michelle :)

I have a staff and I too experience people crossing the road to avoid is. Saxon is so friendly and loves other dogs, people just presume because he is a staff he is viscious.
There is a lady who walks her two dogs round here and when my husband was walking Saxon one day, he went up to sniff the other dogs (he was on a lead) and she said, 'my dogs don't want to fight.' If it had been me walking him I would have explained that he just wanted to play.

JB :)

I used to have the same problem with my old rottie - grown men running away from an four month old puppy on a lead - ridiculous! Most people I encounter now have never seen a DDB so they always come up and ask what type of crossbreed my dog is! I think the black colour of rotties and dobes must scare people (as well as their portrayal as the stereotypical nasty Hollywood guard dogs).
I guess people are entitled to their opinions on so called "dangerous breeds" (whether justifeid or not) - it's when they open their ignorant mouths that gets on my pecs!

When I had my first Rottie I also had a teeny weeny Yorkie. I used to get people asking if their kids could stroke the Yorkie. They were aged 5mths and 10mths at the time. I would say no but they can stroke the big one. On one occassion a grandmother said to her grandson "Go stroke the little puppy", I told her that the Yorkie would bite him. She said that he couldn't stroke the big 'devil' dog because they are all vicious. In the end she wasn't watching the kid and he tried to stroke the Yorkie and got a nasty nip for his trouble. The woman went barmy. Someone else came over and told her that I had said he would bite and if she kept the kid under control it wouldn't have happened.
This was during all the bother about Rotties but it goes to show that people listen to rumours in the press rather than owners who after all know their dog better than any journalist.
My worst fear are little dogs off lead. On one occassion another Rottie I had, a rescue, and I were accosted by a chihauhau. My 'Nasty' Rottie was at the end or a twenty foot lead trying to run away while I was stood on a wall 18inches high with the little bu**er trying to kill me. His owner came out of her house expecting to see her dog dead. She laughed for 10 minutes when she saw me and my dog. It did change her opinion of Rotties though.

i no how you feel i have 7 half month old rottie and evey day people cross the road to get away from him he's just like your dobe cames when called and there is nothing silly about him, but it makes me so mad, im going to have a t-shirt printed just for walks NEVER MIND THE DOG BEWARE OF THE OWNER LOL OR     NEVER MIND THE DOG OWNER BITES

Believe me, this is not limited to staffies, dobes, GSD's and Rotties. When my golden retriever was small, so many people used to shy away from her! I couldn't believe it. She could just be nicely walking past and people would almost draw back in fright. doG knows why, she was like a furry andrex puppy! I remember being in the paper shop and ellie was just sitting whilst i chatted away to my sister who works there and a man with his three youngish (12, 9 and 6 maybe - at a guess) daughters came in and all three girls were terrified, and wouldn't go anywhere near her. She was behaving perfectly, quite small and cute yet they shrieked when she so much as moved. I cannot believe parents can let their children get so silly. One with a fear is understandable, but three is pathetic. Their parents probably tell them to stay away from dogs or something. People are extremely ignorant, but unfortuanately the press do not make re-educating them any easier!

My goldie is called Ellie too :). She's as daft as a brush and it must show because everyone loves her and she loves everyone.  Sorry, couldn't resist a chance to sing her praises.  She's currently being incredibly patient with Sasha - the bitey crocodiley gsd who seems to find her ears very tasty and keeps bringing poor Ellie back to me by the collar :D, despite being told off every time!!

Paula

I know we dog owners have a lot to put up with, from silly preconceived notions, but I have a plea to put from my sister - please remember that some people are genuinely terrified of dogs, my 11  year old niece being 1 of them.   They can no longer do family walks in parks and beaches because she is so scared.  People with loose dogs see Pru  dithering and in a flat panic, and always say, dont worry he is friendly, as it bounds toward the family!  It can be a friendly as hell, but this child is in a state of genuine terror!  She once ran straight into the path of a galloping horse (on the beach)  as a bouncy westie ran up to her.  Has had to be grabbed from jumping into the road in front of traffic because of an unexpected approaching dog.  She will now touch the pugs (if they are on leads and not excited) which is a break through, but can not go near the Am . Cockers, even on leads.  So, as much as we would like the public to be understanding of our dogs, and not trot out silly, ill conceived ideas about our dogs, can we understand that some people genuinely cant understand liking dogs, or are scared out of their wits by them.
bye
Gwen

What really annoys me is that, I walk my dogs seperatly sometimes. People will think nothing of letting their kids stroke Beano(Am Cocker) without asking. But pull their kids away from Gemma( Rottie cross)
Neither would do anything but sit there and let them they are both so docile. BUT why let a kid stroke a dog that they didnt know one little thing about. Just becuase a dog is small and furry, does that automatically mean it is 'safe'. I would trust Gemma a hell of alot more than I would trust some dogs I know.
Are People stupid or what????????
I tend to turn around and say. You should ask the owner beforee you stroke any dog as you dont know what they are like. And then let them stroke mine!!!!!!!!!!
Lea :)

While out walking Abby this morning we met a woman out with her dogs, Abby pulls really badly when we meet people or dogs (we are working on this) because she seems to think everyone will love her, well anyway this woman started shouting at me that she was dangerous dog needed to be muzzled and should be on a full choke chain. If she was barking or growling I could understand but her little tail was going a mile a minute, for those who dont know she is a 16 wk old dobe.

Abbymum - I've come to the conclusion that dobes would have a much better reputation if they were left undocked - because people could see that they are happy creatures, who enjoy a good wag now and again. I'm sure that's why they are a docked breed - to make it difficult for people to guess their mood, and enhance their 'guard' image.

Jo

Sorry..but cant resist this......in the words of Ali G......Is it cos am black.....sorry again...lol

I have a black and tan dobe with a tail.....and seems to get better response, as peeps can see it wagging like mad.

Charley xx

:D :D :D @ Charley

I have a friend who owned a dobe and it was very placid.  She would reverse into you in an attempt to sit on your lap or she would squeeze her head in between the end cushion on the settee and your leg.  She was hilarious to watch when playing.

I own two staffies and the only ones who seem to attempt to come near my dogs are youngsters of about 17/18 yrs and of the 'hard case gang'.  One youngster kicked my Jas in the leg (he had broken it some 4 months earlier and we were just starting to build his exercise up again) and when I told this kid exactly what I thought of him he said he did it because my dog was too close to him and it was a dangerous dog. 

I love dobes and rotties but my house just isn't big enough for that size dog.  I have as yet to meet a bad tempered dobe or rottie.

Gwen, I sympathise with Pru and her family totally as my Stinkfoot was equally terrified of dogs until she was 7, and was adopted by a motherly boxer. This is why we teach ours not to approach people unless invited and whip out the lead when we see prams, toddler trikes, elderly people with walking sticks etc. Everybody has the right to enjoy the outdoors in peace and Im very sad that Pru's family have to change their lifestyle. I would say Stinkfoot only got really confident with dogs once Morse came to us, but I never forced the issue with her and didnt have a dog for years because of her fright, amongst other reasons.

Just like Abby Ebony wags her tail really fast but Zak wiggles his whole body . Last Monday i was at the cashout at Pets at Home with Ebony and a woman and little daughter came through the door , she stood back and said " i dont know if i dare come past"  I reasured them she was ok but they give her a wide birth.

Ive never seen a dobe with a tail ( only pictures) but we will soon find out how many keep breeding if the ban comes in.

Ella.x.