Dobermans - Need Info

[Giselle]

Thank you all for the info and I do realize that DF spews a lot of bunk. I don't trust a lot of DF's info simply because they don't claim to have a stance on Grey racing but they're obviously AR (and other similar inconsistencies). It's just that the info I'm receiving here is so contradictory to the info I received from another Dobe owner on another forum. She was of the mind-set that male dobes could not coexist peacefully with other males (dobes, to be specific). That is a huge concern of mine because I have another male dog and he is very dominant. Nevertheless, if I were to get a dobe in my current situation, it would have to be an older female.

Animal_rescue and EastJenn, I wasn't really getting the vibe that they were writing about Dobes in a derogatory manner. Can you guys point out the details that you think didn't do the dobe justice? I can see why you don't agree with the crop/dock issue, but I think Theresa Mullen was not incorrect when she said that uncropped ears gave a more "come hither" look, which isn't really the job of a Dobe. After all, they originally were (and still are) protection dogs. Louis Dobermann was famous for his dogs precisely because they were unapproachable and extremely vicious. That's a fact that nobody can deny. Although Dobes have softened down considerably, it's undeniable that they still do maintain a bit of that protective instinct.

I think some of the issue here is that one half of Dobe owners are pushing for friendlier, more social dogs whereas the other half want to retain that strong, protective, introverted attitude. Hehe, sorry guys I want to know what I'm getting myself into before I take the leap. I want to know all the aspects of dobe ownership and all the debates and all the controversies

[bckrazy]

I think it'd be awesome if you got a Dobe, Sophie! I've always wanted a working Dobe, too.

My neighbors had a Dobie girl named Inge, she was actually imported from Europe (I think Czech? But I don't remember for sure) and sold to my neighbors as a companion dog from GREAT breeders in Nevada. She was awesome at Schutzhund and earned her 1st title but she didn't enjoy it as much as being in a home setting, so they co-owned her as a 5 year-old with breeding rights. She was extremely friendly, confident, and she definitely knew who her "friends" were. After meeting her once, she was very loyal to you and always welcomed you with a wiggle-butt into her yard & home, she was awesome with kids, too. She adored both our male Rottie and our female Chi. I couldn't imagine her ever going after anyone, until when me & my sister were at home alone and both of our pups were inside, we heard her barking LOUDLY - and, like, right outside of our back door. When we went out, we saw a man running through the side gate and Inge came back to us when we called her. She had either jumped the 6 ft privacy fencing, or found a way through (and, she had never come into our yard before) to go after what must've been a burglar. That, to me, was amazing, and I'll never forget Inge (who passed away 2 years ago).

I think they are awesome dogs, especially if acquired from a good breeder with versatility and a family-friendly Dobe in mind. The well-bred Dobes that I have met definitely attain the breed's protectiveness, but not in an unpredictable way at all. They are super intelligent and they seem to be able to read people. I have met quite a few show Dobes, too... the difference are basically like day & night! Dobies that are from straight show lines are often much more snappy & temperament... not to mention they are often stick thin and unusually shy. The working Dobies that I've met have a MUCH more favorable temperament and they look like how a Doberman Pinscher is supposed to look. As far as same-sex aggression, I definitely think that is based on the individual dogs... I have 2 boys, and they love each other =P

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I'm not saying it can't work but, Doberman males are known to be aggressive towards other male dogs. They can be fine for many years, living peacefully and all of a sudden, one gets angry at another over something, they get into a fight (even if it's just a minor fight) and their relationship will never be the same again. They will have many more fights in the future, almost guaranteed. I don't know of one Doberman owner or breeder who would put a male dog into just an average family home with another male just because its risky. Although, it also depends on the owner's experience. A friend of mine who breeds Dobes will put a male into a home with another male ONLY if the home has very experienced owners and would be able to handle a fight properly should it occur. She does not do this often though. People do have different opinions on this topic but I personally would never risk it, most Dobe owners that I know feel the same way...

[EastJenn]

Animal_rescue and EastJenn, I wasn't really getting the vibe that they were writing about Dobes in a derogatory manner. Can you guys point out the details that you think didn't do the dobe justice? I can see why you don't agree with the crop/dock issue, but I think Theresa Mullen was not incorrect when she said that uncropped ears gave a more "come hither" look, which isn't really the job of a Dobe. After all, they originally were (and still are) protection dogs. Louis Dobermann was famous for his dogs precisely because they were unapproachable and extremely vicious. That's a fact that nobody can deny. Although Dobes have softened down considerably, it's undeniable that they still do maintain a bit of that protective instinct.

Here's the big issue I have with the cropping section of the article -- Yes, Dobermans were originally bred to be protection dogs. However, many today aren't used for protection. Just like Rotties were once used as Roman herding dogs and Saint Bernards were once used as hospice dogs. Not so much the case today, in an ordinary household.

Uncropped ears may make a Dobie seem more approachable ... but really, what is wrong with that? When we selected our breeder, we chose one we knew would breed for sound temperment. Her dogs all love people. My dog loves people. I don't want people to be afraid of him. To me, that is not his job. His job is to be my friend and companion, plain and simple.

When you start to get into this Doberman=mean and protective mind set, you end up going down this huge slippery slope. Because that is what most people feel, there is only ONE insurance company in town who will insure our house (for quite a price, I might add). Because violent is how most people see Dobermans, I must pay $250 to register my dog instead of the usual $5 the city asks, although he has done nothing wrong. We will be moving in about a year, and we will most likely have to buy a house because the area we are moving to does not have any divisions that will rent to owners with Dobermans. Period. Just because of his breed. Strangers grab their kids and head the other direction sometimes when I walk him. People constantly ask me why I would want to keep an animal that is the equivilant of having a loaded gun, and what I will do when he one day "turns" on me.

It seems to me that the kind of information in that particular section of the article just furthers the propaganda that Dobermans are untrustworthy, unfriendly, vicious and dangerous. BSL 1, Dobies 0.